Lagman: House pro-divorce vote valid

Absolute divorce bill principal author Rep. Edcel Lagman stood firm on the validity of the results of the voting of the bill Wednesday night, after former Senate president Tito Sotto claimed that a vote of 126 for House Bill 9349 is "lost."

- DELON PORCALLA

Sotto's claim was made before the House of Representatives rectified its apparent mix-up in Wednesday's passing on third and final reading of the absolute divorce bill, clarifying that 131 congressmen voted in its favor, and not 126 as earlier reported.

The correction came from House secretary-general Reginald Velasco, who told reporters a recount of the

votes showed that the 126 was incorrect, although the 20 lawmakers who abstained still remained the same.

Sotto claimed Wednesday night via social platform X that anti-divorce House members actually won since the count in favor should have been at least 128, or a majority of the 255 quorum.

However, Lagman said the 17vote margin among 255 congressmen made the real difference on the House' final approval of the bill, which simply meant the nays lost.