Lagman calls on Alvarez to join him in authoring divorce bill

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/RYAN LEAGOGO

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Tuesday urged Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to join him in authoring a divorce bill instead of pushing for a bill allowing for the easy dissolution of marriage.

In a press conference, Lagman said two divorce bills have been transmitted to the House Committee on Population and Family Relations, chaired by Laguna third District Rep. Sol Aragones.

“We are inviting the Speaker to co-author our bill on divorce instead of filing his own,” Lagman said.

Lagman made the statement after Alvarez in opening the second regular session called on his colleagues to pass his bill allowing for the easy dissolution of marriage.

READ:  Alvarez vows to push for marriage dissolution, legalization of same-sex union

Lagman said the divorce is intended to protect women from being victimized in their own marriages.

“This divorce bill is not for us, men. It is for the women,” Lagman said.

Lagman lamented that men easily get away with infidelity due to the absence of divorce in the country.

“The men can get away with it, with infidelity and other things, you know. But those who are the victims which are broken beyond repair, are the wives,” Lagman said.

Alvarez denied having a personal interest in pushing for an easy way out of marriage. Alvarez has admitted to having a girlfriend, being estranged from his wife.

READ: No personal motive: Alvarez defends push for dissolution of marriage 

In the same press conference, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said he does not agree with Lagman’s divorce bill, which he said could give a convenient excuse for couples to quit their marriage instead of “working on the relationship.”

“I will not support any divorce bill. In this issue, I will be on the other side,” Alejano said, in the same press conference attended also by his wife.

“Ang sa akin kasi, magiging convenient siya sa mga mag-asawa na mag-resort kaagad sa policy na ito o sa pamamaraan na ito instead of working on the relationship,” Alejano said.

Alejano said he would prefer a law that would strengthen the “relationship of the husband and wife” and the family.

“They are in continuous conflict, in continuous adjustment also. Kailangan ang direksiyon lagi ng pamilya is to resolve conflict, not to resort to separation or divorce. It will also strengthen the family kasi it will also have [an] effect to the children,” Alejano said. with Airei Kim Guanga, Inquirer.net intern