Bipartisan effort nudges PH closer to passing divorce bill

The country moved a step closer to the passage of a divorce bill with the committee-level approval of a “compromise” version of the bill in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The House population and family relations committee unanimously endorsed the substitute bill, titled “An Act Providing for Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage,” based on four differing proposals from House members.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who headed the subcommittee that prepared the draft, thanked Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, one of the proponents, for “accommodating our compromise proposals.”

The bill enjoyed bipartisan support from administration and opposition House members, who worked together to fine-tune the bill in the committee, chaired by Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones.

Alvarez said this was the first such bill supported by practically all factions in the 292-member chamber, with the exception of conservative members like Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza. —DJ Yap