[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Alvarez: ‘Marriage may not be for everyone’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
MANILA – House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he will push for bills providing for the easy dissolution of marriage, and the legalization of civil union for heterosexual and same-sex couples.
At the start of the second regular session of the 17th Congress yesterday, Alvarez urged his fellow representatives to support his two bills.
“We must also consider the fact that marriage may not be for everyone,” the House speaker said. “Presently, it even excludes certain groups of people. Let us tackle this issue head-on.”
“Our citizens should not be excluded from society just because of the person they love. They must also be treated with equality before the law,” said Alvarez.
He said he will entrust the drafting of the measure to Rep. Geraldine Roman, the Philippines’ first transgender lawmaker.
Alvarez, who was estranged from his wife, also said it was about time for the country to have a bill allowing couples having problems in their marriage to easily dissolve their unions before the courts.
“Admittedly, there is a sad reality about some marriages. We do not only get it right the first time around. We have to change this,” said Alvarez, who entrusted Rep. Pia Cayetano with filing the bill.
“The present system practically coerces married persons to remain with each other even if their relationship is beyond repair and has continuously caused harm to the well-being of the husband, wife and, worse, the children involved,” he said./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
