(R-L) Rep. Roman T. Romulo, Sen. Tito Sotto, Dr. Dante Liban, Rep. Martin Romualdez, Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza and Atty. Jan Louenn Lumanta of Pro-life Partylist attend the Pro-Life and Candidates Forum. (Photo: Yen Ocampo)
MANILA, April 13, 2016 – Pro-life candidates reiterate that the divorce bill is not the solution to the growing number of marital abuse cases and child beating, offering alternative solutions at the Pro-Life and Candidates Forum held at the Aristocrat resto in Malate, Manila on April 13.
Atty. Jan Louenn Lumanta of Pro-life Partylist said he will file a bill to institutionalize the “family crisis-nest” in every barangay.
“Like marriage encounters and counseling groups in every parish, we must offer those services in the government,” he said.
Department of Families
Lumanta questioned several lawmakers’ belief in the legalization of divorce and believes that parting ways is not the immediate solution to a marital problem.
First District Congressman Martin Romualdez of Leyte stated that pro-divorce advocates want a speedier solution, saying he will review the provisions on annulment once he becomes senator.
“We will review again the Family Code in line with the annulment proceedings because pro-divorce advocates think that we need the divorce law, but the fact is, the annulment proceeding is very difficult and not appropriate in our society. We shall be guided accordingly,” explained Romualdez.
Senatorial candidate Dr. Dante Liban, on the other hand, will prioritize the “establishment of the Department of Families and all its components, including senior citizens, women, single parent, youth, and children.
Legal separation
“We should promote the family unity, family development, and family empowerment. We must follow the Constitution and the will of God to strengthen the Filipino family,” he added.
Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, however, believes there is an existing divorce bill in the country called annulment, one with procedures in need of amendment.
“No need for divorce law. I am very confident that divorce bill will not pass in the House of Representatives, congressmen will now allow it or else their wives will kill them,” Sotto cited.
Legal separation is the alternative solution of Pasig Representative and senatorial candidate, Roman T. Romulo.
“The problem with the annulment is [it is] too expensive and the process is too long but there are other ways to do that there is legal separation but there should be a valid reason before we allow it,” Romulo said. (Yen Ocampo / CBCPNews)
