Study annulment law first before divorce bill — Senate bets

January 21, 2013 12:35pm


The country's current laws on annulment must be examined first before a divorce law is taken up, four senatorial candidates said on Monday, weighing on the topic that could be as divisive as the reproductive health law.

This occurred during the first episode of “Hiritan 2013,” the election series of GMA News' “Unang Hirit,”which was attended by incumbent Puerto Princesa mayor Edward Hagedorn, Sen. Loren Legarda, and former Senate president Ernesto Maceda, and former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

While they did not state whether they were for or against divorce, both Magsaysay and Legarda said it must first be seen how annulment laws may be made more accessible to more Filipinos.

"Kailangan nating aralin kung paano palawakin ang mga grounds para sa annulment. Mayroon naman pong civil annulment, at dapat pong aralin kung paano 'yan, para po maka-access ang lahat ng mga sector lalo na ang mga hindi nakakakuha ng abogadong mga mamahalin," Legarda said.
 

Legarda said she was open to discussions on what measure would be best for women who are victims of domestic violence.

Magsaysay also said that before looking at divorce, the country should focus on civil annulment, which should be available even to those who cannot afford it.

"Baka pag-aralan natin in a few years' time. Siguro tingnan natin 'yung civil annulment. Mas mahalaga 'yun civil annulment na makamtan ng karamihan, lalo na 'yung mga mahihirap," he said.

Magsaysay noted that at the heels of the passage of the controversial RH bill into law last December, it is too early for another "divisive issue" to make the headlines.

"Kailangang pag-aralan ng maigi 'yan, sapagkat bagamat tayo ay isa sa the fewest countries na wala, karamihan even Spain and Italy, tayo na lamang, pero mas mahalaga ang pagkakaisa. The divorce law will again be divisive and controversial," he said.

Meanwhile, Maceda said he was not in favor of divorce, as this will only lead to more separation in families.

"Hindi ako pabor sa diborsyo dahil nakita ko na maraming pamilya na lalong magkakahiwalay kapag may diborsyo, at dapat igalang natin 'yung paluntunan ng Catholic Church na laban sa diborsyo," he said.

On the other hand, Hagedorn said he was in favor of divorce, noting that it would be better for couples who do not get along to just part ways.

"Mas maigi na 'pag di na nagkakasunduan ay maghiwalay na," he said. "Mas mabuti po 'yan para sa akin."

Changing parties, Christmas bonus

Also during the segment, noted economist and “Unang Hirit” resident analyst Winnie Monsod questioned the candidates.

Legarda, a former member of Lakas-CMD and Nationalist People's Coalition, was asked what factors influenced her decision to change parties, as well as shift her stance on certain issues.

"What part of your decision is influenced by principle and which is influenced by political convenience?" Monsod asked.

Legarda answered, "Napakahalaga po sa 'kin ng principled politics. Napakahalaga po sa akin ng advocacy politics. Napakahalaga sa akin ng integridad. Napakahalaga sa akin ng pagtuwid ng ating mga prinsipyo, ng ating tuwid na daan sa lahat ng panunungkulan po natin, bilang senador, bilang mayor, ano man ang posisyon. And in all my 15 years, I am very proud, and that's a legacy I can leave my two sons," said Legarda, who is running as a common candidate of the Nationalist People's Coalition under the Liberal Party-led voalition, the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, and Makabayan coalition.

Meanwhile, Monsod asked Maceda, who was Senate president from 1996 to 1998, if he was in favor of the Senate giving Christmas bonuses of one to three years' worth of salaries to senators and Senate employees.

Maceda said he is not in favor of it. "Hindi ako sang-ayon na bibigyan ng isang taon hanggang tatlong taon. Hindi ko alam kung nangyayari 'yan ngayon. Kung nangyayari, sobra naman 'yan. Usually, binibigyan ng 14th month or at most 15th month extra pay, but more than that sobra na po," he said, referring to the bonus given to Senate employees.

"Sa mga senador po, that's a matter of definition. 'Yung P1.6 million ngayon na MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses), hindi natin masasabi na Christmas bonus 'yun because they are not supposed to spend that for themselves. They're supposed to buy supplies, buy equipment, etc.," added Maceda, referring to the additional P1.6 million that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile reportedly added to senators' budgets last December.

"Hindi ako sang-ayon na bigyan ng Christmas bonus ang mga senador. Hindi nila kailangan 'yun," Maceda concluded.


Magsaysay agreed, saying he did not receive any Christmas bonus during his time as senator. "Noong panahon ni Manong Ernie, wala kami. Walang Christmas bonus 'yung mga senador, lalung lalo na nasa minority kami... Tama si Manong Ernie Maceda, 'yan ang katotohanan," he said.

Transparency and leadership are most important, according to Magsaysay, who was asked by Monsod to make recommendations in order to lessen the perceived corruption in some senators.

"Ang number one sa akin, transparency. 'Yung Freedom of Information bill, kung maipasa 'yan, malaki ang maitulong. Pero ang mahalaga sa lahat 'yung leadership. If you have a moral, ethical, and honest leadership, makakatulong 'yan. Ang isang halimbawa ngayon itong administrasyon ni President [Benigno] Aquino III. Nakikita natin nag-iba na ang anyo ng ating kultura at hopefully gumawa 'yan ng kultura ng ethical standards para mawala na 'yung corruption," Magsaysay said.

Asked by Fr. Francis Lucas, president of Catholic Media Network, for his position on the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill now pending in Congress, Magsaysay, son of the late President Ramon Magsaysay Sr., said members of a family should not occupy office simultaneously, but they should not be prevented from entering politics.


"Hindi naman sa dini-defend ko 'yung dynasty, pero kapag ang puno ay mahusay ang pagsisilbi sa bayan, pagkatapos niya, puwede naman siguro 'yung bunga. Pero 'wag naman 'yung sabay-sabay. Dahil kung sabay-sabay, talagang parang walang ibang mahusay sa distrito o sa lalawigan, o sa national," he said.

Asked by Monsod what he would do in the Senate, Hagedorn said he would strive to involve the people beyond elections.

"Lagi tayong nasasabing we are a government of the people, for the people, by the people, pero pagdating lang ng eleksyon naaalala 'yung people. Pagdating na sa major decisions ng ating bansa, hindi na involved 'yung people... kulang na kulang ang oportunidad na nabibigay sa maliliit na mamamayan," said Hagedorn.

Hagedorn said that in almost 20 years as mayor of Puerto Princesa, he saw many points for improvement in the law.


"Doon po sa pamamalakad natin ng lungsod, napakarami nating nakitang kakulangan ba sa ating batas, although napakarami namang batas, lalo na po kung patungkol sa environment ang nandiyan na pero hindi naman nai-implement," said Hagedorn, who said he will push for sustainable development in all government units. — Carmela G. Lapeña/KBK, GMA News