BUTUAN CITY: Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Dale Corvera said Saturday he voted against the passage of the Divorce Bill because the measure 'runs contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.' The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading House Bill 9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Bill, on Wednesday with 131 affirmative votes, 109 negative votes, and 20 abstentions. In a message, Corvera pointed out that Article XV, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution states that 'marriage is an inviolable social institution and the foundation of the family that should be protected by the state.' 'To enact a bill on absolute divorce is to violate the supreme law of the land,' he said. He said another reason for his opposition to the bill is that effective laws are already existing, which could be used by women who are victims of abuse. 'Abuse of women is among the main reasons for the filing of the said bill, but laws and mechanisms are already in place that may be used to sever an unhappy union, though not permanently,' Corvera said. The Agusan del Norte solon is referring to 'legal separation,' which, he said, is available on various grounds, including the declaration of nullity of marriage, which is based on the psychological incapacity of one of the spouses. 'I always believe in the biblical passage that says 'What God has joined together, let no man separate,'' he said. Corvera said his stand on the proposed measure has garnered support from his constituents in Agusan del Norte, as indicated by their comments when he posted his vote on social media. Source: Philippines News Agency
