Centuries of doctrine could end in Philippines as law to make divorce legal debated
The Independent|August 13, 2024
Only country aside from the Vatican where process is banned
SHWETA SHARMA
Centuries of doctrine could end in Philippines as law to make divorce legal debated

The Philippines is the only country in the world, other than the tiny Vatican, where divorce is illegal. But this may soon change, as the nation of nearly 116 million people awaits a new piece of legislation that is expected to finally put an end to the old law.

The Absolute Divorce Bill, which lays out a number of circumstances to allow divorce in a country with an 80 per cent Catholic population, was passed by the House of Representatives on 22 May and sent for further deliberation to the Senate. The bill will become law if it passes through the upper chamber of parliament.

At least five of the 24 senators have come out in support of the bill, a significant number in a legislature where conservative lawmakers backed by the Catholic Church hold considerable sway. It’s nearly half a millennium since the Spanish first colonised the Philippines, yet the indelible imprint of their more than 300-year rule on the Southeast Asian country has left thousands of couples trapped in long-dead marriages.

A similar bill in 2018 died in the Senate after running into strong opposition from its conservative members. The new bill narrowly passed the lower chamber on its third reading by a slim margin of 126 votes in favour, 109 against, and 20 abstentions.

This story is from the August 13, 2024 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 13, 2024 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
Fernandes saves ponderous United with extra-time goal
The Independent

Fernandes saves ponderous United with extra-time goal

A stray punch got the battle of Britain going, but it took the right boot of Bruno Fernandes to decide it.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 24, 2025
Keys overcomes Swiatek power in semi-final thriller
The Independent

Keys overcomes Swiatek power in semi-final thriller

Tennis has seen its fair share of mesmerising performances.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 24, 2025
RFU chief executive vows to stay despite bonus row
The Independent

RFU chief executive vows to stay despite bonus row

A defiant Bill Sweeney has vowed to continue as chief executive of England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, even as he faces a revolt within the game over his tenure.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 24, 2025
Canelo vs Crawford is the super fight with a twist
The Independent

Canelo vs Crawford is the super fight with a twist

Mexican idol and US star set for September meet as fight fixer Turki Alalshikh strikes again,

time-read
3 mins  |
January 24, 2025
Consumer confidence in economy falls to new low’
The Independent

Consumer confidence in economy falls to new low’

Consumer expectations for the economy have plunged as the government faces continued pressure over public finances.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 24, 2025
SLAVE TO THE BEAT
The Independent

SLAVE TO THE BEAT

On 'Eusexua', her defiantly weird paean to the Prague rave scene, FKA twigs bends vital new electronic shapes, writes Helen Brown, while rapper Central Cee's debut delivers

time-read
4 mins  |
January 24, 2025
Think kink: the distinctions between BDSM and abuse
The Independent

Think kink: the distinctions between BDSM and abuse

Olivia Petter talks to sex educators about what differentiates a consensual sexual practice from abusive behaviour, and why it's so crucial for partners to understand these polarities

time-read
6 mins  |
January 24, 2025
Air pollution crisis in focus ahead of Delhi's election
The Independent

Air pollution crisis in focus ahead of Delhi's election

Toxic air in India’s capital, population more than 33 million, has become a key political issue,

time-read
6 mins  |
January 24, 2025
Lost Tina Turner track casts light on her return to fame
The Independent

Lost Tina Turner track casts light on her return to fame

A surprise treasure has been unearthed from Tina Turner's vaults: the previously unheard track \"Hot for You, Baby\", which was intended for use on her fifth solo album, Private Dancer.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 24, 2025
Could Britain really join a European customs union?
The Independent

Could Britain really join a European customs union?

Europe's new trade official responsible for post-Brexit negotiations has said a \"pan-European [customs] area\" is something the EU could consider as part of \"resetting\" relations between the UK post-Brexit and the EU.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 24, 2025