Even after the recent passage of the absolute divorce bill on second reading, members of the House of Representatives are still passionately arguing both for and against the historic measure.
00:00 We cannot separate the religious intonation here.
00:06 The fact that the preamble even states that we're asking the help of Almighty God on this.
00:14 So how can you separate that from any kind of religious tone if in our Constitution it says Almighty God?
00:23 Now, for me, we do not want to promote the separation of couples.
00:34 We do not want to promote the destruction of families by putting divorce.
00:41 Meanwhile, we have legal separation, we have negative marriage, we have annulment of marriage law.
00:50 Maybe we need to think about that first before we get a divorce.
00:55 Although Congressman Lacban explains that we are giving all the options.
01:01 So what options? I mean, the time will come when there will be more options.
01:07 I think this is the only issue, I guess, that Manong Beni and I differ in our position.
01:15 Manong Beni is against the divorce law while I am for divorce law.
01:23 Manong Beni is right. I personally cannot separate my being a Muslim to the position that I would take my religion because it is in my core character.
01:36 Precisely the reason why I voted yes, because in our religion we allow divorce because we see marriage as a social contract between two consenting adults.
01:51 And the reason why I agree with the divorce is that it would make it easier for the legal processes to apply for annulment, the nullity of marriage, the absolute annulment under the family code, much easier and less costly for those who may avail of it.
