Should divorce be legalised in the Philippines? | The Stream

Pro-divorce legislation faces a difficult battle in the Philippines, where a largely Roman Catholic populace remains divided over the legal and moral issues related to the dissolution of marriage.

A bill passed by the House of Representatives in March would allow couples to divorce for reasons including abuse, infidelity and irreconcilable differences. Women's rights advocates say the measure would help spouses break free from abusive relationships. Those against the bill believe Filipinos must work harder to keep families together and maintain the sanctity of marriage.

The Philippines and Vatican City are the only remaining countries in the world where divorce is illegal.

There are currently two ways for couples in the Philippines to legally end their marriages. The first is through legal separation, but this does not allow for the husband or wife to remarry. The second method is through annulment, where the marriage is determined to be invalid from the start. Couples that obtain an annulment can remarry, but the process is considered to be expensive and not a practical option.

There have been other attempts to legalise divorce in the past, but none have gone this far through congress. Legislation must now go through the senate and then President Rodrigo Duterte, who has said he does not support the right to divorce.

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