Cayetano stresses objection to divorce
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday warned against the dangers that might befall families and children if Congress decides to legalize divorce, saying that this might lead to “no fault divorces” in the country.
Cayetano reiterated his objection to divorce when he and wife, Taguig City Rep. Lani Cayetano, stood as among the principal sponsors for 100 couples who were married at the Valentine’s Day Kasalang Bayan ceremony initiated by Parañaque City Rep. Joy Tambunting and her husband, former Rep. Gus Tambunting.
Acknowledging that there are indeed “impossible marriages” that make relationships untenable, Cayetano disclosed that he has asked Guimaras Rep. Lucille Nava, chairwoman of the House Committee on Population and Family Relations, to look into the possibility of making the law on dissolution of marriages more accessible to troubled couples.
The House leader recalled that during their wedding, he and wife, Lani, vowed to the officiating pastor that they will never think about separating.
“That is why, I want to be truthful to you, I am against divorce,” he told the newlymarried couples during the mass wedding ceremony officiated by Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
As the newly-elected speaker last year, Cayetano forwarded to House members his stand against divorce, saying that such measure is not part of the chamber’s priority.
On Feb. 5, the population and family relations panel appllied Rule 48 of the Rules of the House of Representatives to uphold a motion from Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to approve pending bills proposing the legalization of divorce.
Rule 48 allows a House panel to fasttrack action on a measure that has passed third reading during the preceding Congress.
“The reality is there are impossible marriages,” Cayetano admitted, pointing out that wife battery and drug addiction are common causes of such relationship.
However, he insisted that divorce is not the correct answer to untenable marriages but relaxing rules on dissolution of marriages might do the trick.
Cayetano said legalizing divorce in the country might trigger no fault divorces that would only make a mockery of marriage as an institution and endanger family relations.
No fault divorces will allow married couples to cite the flimsiest of reasons to put an end to marriage then start new and more relationships.
“Ikinakasal kayo ngayon, bukas ayaw niyo na – divorce. After one week may iba kang gusto, kinasal kayo, after one week divorce na naman,” stated the House Speaker.
The Catholic Church has made a strong stand against divorce but was unable to fully discuss its position during the Feb. 5 hearing called by Nava.