Stressing that the Philippines is now ready for the legalization of divorce, authors are batting for the swift approval of a bill that would introduce divorce as a solution to failed marriages.

But even before House Bill No. 1799 could be studied by the proper House of Representatives Committee, congressmen led by Reps. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon party-list) and  Eleandro Jesus Madrona (LP, Romblon) vowed to block moves by the Gabriela partylist to include the measure in the list of legislative priorities of the chamber.

“What we need are laws that would further strengthen marriages and protect the Filipino family. I am against it,” said Herrera.

Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana De Jesus, representatives of the women’s group Gabriela, re-filed the divorce measure that failed to pass the scrutiny of the committees on revision of laws and women and children.

But Ilagan said she is confident the leadership of the 15th Congress will allow full discussion of the measure which she said presents “another option for couples in failed and irreparable marriages.”

Ilagan slammed critics for failing to consider the realities of the society, adding that current laws on failed unions are restrictive against poor couples whose marriages could not lover be salvaged. “Many couples especially from the marginalized sectors, who have no access to the courts, simply end up separating without the benefit of legal processes,” she said.