Weigh In

Just like the Reproductive Health bill, the sudden reopening of talks about the divorce bill at the Congress has divided the Filipinos once again. And we all know that the Catholic church has been the most solid representation of opposition to the bill.

The Philippines is a nation heavily bounded by religion that is Roman Catholicism, but then again since it is also democratic, some people choose to base their stands on issues more liberally and practically, rather than morally.

Before I reveal to you my personal opinions on divorce and the possible passing of its bill in the Philippines, I decided to be a channel of what some of the Filipino youth have to say about it. After all, they are the future citizens to whom the divorce bill could cater to if passed. And while the divorce bill is being reassessed, I think it is important to value every Filipino’s opinion, whatever stand they may take.

Friends no younger than 18 years old whom I personally talked to and personally messaged through social networking sites voiced the following statements out. To maintain confidentiality, their names will be in the form of initials.

“I think divorce is a sign that you really did not prepare/forsee clearly your life with your partner in the future, and that's why it lead to a divorce. Or you did not give enough time to think through your lives together and rushed into things right away. So when misunderstandings arise, they don’t know how to resolve it and it results to divorce. Divorce may be inevitable, but it can be because of stupidity.” —MC

“For me, I don't believe in divorce because why would you marry a person then realize that you don't really love them. Yeah, maybe you're compatible with one another but love really takes time to develop. Divorce is a bad especially if you're a confused person and break a lot of hearts.” —CM

“I’m anti-divorce because why get married to someone who you knew was forever and now turned to whatever? I mean being married to someone is a state of situation of love and nourish. Partners in crime. And another thought would be annulment is present so its pretty much the same.” —JB

“I think it's okay! People have the right to divorce. Tayo nalang kaya naiwan! And, may right ang individual magdecide for themselves. Not religion, or anything na over sakanila.” —MM

“I'm okay with divorce. We have to accept that not all marriages are perfect.” —DR

“Well since my parents are divorced I can say that I'm fine with the idea. I mean if the parents really can't solve their problems and everything is just getting worse I don't see why they shouldn't get a divorce. I'd rather have my parents split up than having them fight all the time.” —LE

“I disagree with divorce because first and foremost we are a Catholic Community, thereby submitting ourselves to divorce would change our perspective of the sacredness of marriage. Soon to be couples would be open to the idea that divorce is legal, and so would rather have it by unpredictable circumstances. Look at other countries; do they still call themselves sacred, by seeing the fact that they broke their commitments and promises just because of selfishness, misunderstandings? Look how they view marriage, it seems that it is already part of their tradition. My answer is no, what will happen to our future generations if broken families will continue to occur? There will be no "happy families" anymore who will live according to God's plan and will.” —ME

“I'm against it because the legalization of divorce would only destruct the Filipinos' value for family.” —SP

“What God put together, let man not separate!” —KP

“I like the idea that it gives married couples an opportunity to separate if they think that their relationship isn't helping them become better people but I don't like that it demeans the true meaning of marriage and with divorce as an option the sanctity of marriage is compromised.”

“Tama na 'yang kaartehan at wag maniwala sa simbahan. I-legalize ang divorce dahil kailangan ito ng bansa.” —LO

Clearly, there is a great divide among Filipinos regarding the divorce bill. Some think that it is detrimental to how Filipinos value family generally and religiously. Others see it as a solution to bringing peace to unsettled, broken relationships while some think that it is a step forward to innovation—as if not having a divorce bill sets us back in the race. So what are your thoughts, what is your stand, to something that has already torn the unity of a nation?