We do not have divorce here in the Philippines but it is one of the most talked about issues right now. Has the absence of divorce actually helped in keeping marriages intact or has it become a hindrance for couples, especially women, to live their lives, as they should?
INdulge! Asked some of Davaoeños to share their thoughts on the issue.
YES. I favor divorce and see it not as an easy exit from marital troubles but an appropriate measure to reinstate the humanity of two persons who recognize their worthiness in a relationship. PROF. ADRIAN TAMAYO, economist and social scientist, University of Mindanao.
YES. Broken families are now rampant. One result is financial trouble due to unsettled business and property ownership issues. Many more problems arise from loss of love between couples. Day in and day out, husband and wife plot against each other instead of creating ways to nurture the marriage and benefit from the relationship. The innocent children become the collateral damage in the untenable situation. Divorce is a better option, an opportunity to move on in pursuit of happiness, which to me is one of the most important human rights. SAMUEL ABRENILLA, president, Davao Inventors Association
NO. With divorce, we can no longer take pride in the Philippines’ being the last bastion of a determined familial togetherness. I think Filipinos always have a way of solving domestic problems without having to break the sanctity of marriage. Let’s not suffer the children. We are known to be resilient, loving, forgiving and compromising under given circumstances. Divorce should not be the way out, even as a last recourse. ARIEL SEBELLINO, Philippine Press Institute.
AS a Muslim, divorce is okay. But I don’t suggest it for Christians because it means going against the teachings of their Church, which disapproves of divorce. ZAMZAMIN AMPATUAN, former undersecretary of the Department of Energy and head of the Office of Muslim Affairs and Southern Philippines Development Administration.
NOPE! Definitely not. As in mawala ang sanctity of marriage and treatment of marriage seriously as it should be. Ma-disregard pud ang bounden duty of married couples to strive hard to attain and maintain good conjugal relationship. Naay possibility na di mag-exert og effort ang couple to solve problems kay naa nay convenient escape called divorce. The moment dili na nila feel magkaayos, bulag dayon, unsa pay dugayan. Mora og ingon niana ang konsepto sa divorce. SYDNEY, a college scholar, Oikawa-Rotary Club of East Davao scholarship
YES. Legal separation and annulment by the courts and annulment allowed under the Canon Law of the Catholic Church are similar to divorce, only divorce is better because the separated partners can legally remarry. It is a good idea and a practical and just way to give couples a second chance to be happy and fulfilled. It will entail cost, yes, but which important thing in life does not involve cost? ARTHUR UY, president of Rotary Club of South Davao and chairman of the Council of Presidents (COP) of the Rotary Clubs of Davao.
YES. Forcing couples to live together with irreconcilable differences will not only harm them psychologically and emotionally, worse it will adversely affect the children, who will become the innocent victims. TEK OCAMPO, television anchorman.
NO. I believe in the sanctity of marriage. Legalizing divorce will only make failed marriages more prevalent in this country. YOLY CRISANTO, Globe executive.
NO, it will just weaken marriage relationship and negatively affect the children. ALEX BUENAVENTURA, One Network Bank president.
