House bills on absolute divorce refiled in 20th Congress
Proposed legislation on absolute divorce has been refiled in the House of Representatives under the 20th Congress.
House Bill 108 filed by 4Ps Partylist Representative JC Abalos and House Bill 210 filed by ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Partylist Representative Renee Louise Co aim to reintroduce absolute divorce in the Philippines.
"In the context of divorce, a marriage is recognized as valid but is terminated. The termination occurs not due to any defect or omission at the time of the marriage ceremony, but rather as a result of circumstances that arise during the marriage itself—which is a reality that most individuals often fail to acknowledge," Abalos wrote in his explanatory note.
ACT Teachers and Kabataan Partylists also refiled the Absolute Divorce Bill this 20th Congress. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/paBUa7VE6q — Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) July 1, 2025
Abalos cited a study that showed that approximately 17.5% of Filipino women between 15 and 49 years old have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from their partners.
"The bill aims to provide spouses in irreparably broken marriages a legal avenue for dissolution, thereby safeguarding children from marital strife and empowering vulnerable spouses, particularly in abusive relationships, to rebuild their lives," Abalos said.
In their explanatory note, Tinio and Co wrote that "Philippine society generally frowns upon and discourages marital break-ups and provides cultural and legal safeguards to preserve marital relations."
"For many women, the inequalities and violence in marriage negate its ideals as the embodiment of love, care, and safety, and erode the bases upon which a marriage is founded," they added.
READ: What's the difference between annulment, legal separation, and divorce?
The bills provide common grounds for granting absolute divorce, such as physical violence, drug addiction, homosexuality, and grounds for annulment of marriage under Article 45 of the Family Code.
"Hindi naman nating pinipilit or ine-encourage na maghiwalay ang married couples dahil napaka-importante at napaka-invaluable and grabe ang sanctity of marriage," Abalos told reporters in an interview.
(We are not insisting or encouraging the breakup of married couples because the sanctity of marriage is important and invaluable.)
"What we're just saying here is that we must acknowledge the struggle of our countrymen na nasa-stuck sa mga ganitong toxic relationships," he added.
(What we're saying here is that we must acknowledge the struggle of our countrymen who are stuck in toxic relationships.)
READ | Divorce in PH: 'Humanitarian imperative'?
Abalos' version of the proposal requires a 60-day cooling off period for the Family Court to "exercise all efforts to reunite and reconcile the concerned spouses," while Tinio and Co's version requires a six-month cooling off period.
The absolute divorce bill was passed on third and final reading by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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