P-Noy won't back divorce bill

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM - President Benigno Aquino III said proposals seeking the adoption of divorce in the country will not get Malacañang backing at this time.

President Aquino told reporters during a coffee break at the residence of Philippine Ambassador Nestor Ochoa in Brunei said his administration is busy with other priority measures and will not bother to include the debate on divorce.

“Ang pangako ko kasi job generation, education, health, judicial reform, and we are doing all of that already. The responsible parenthood bills, with the ability of the state to help all these families… yung divorce I think is not a priority at this time,” the President said.

Malacañang is pushing for the passage of responsible parenthood bills, which, just like the divorce bill, is being strongly opposed by the Catholic Church.

He said that the government must first set the momentum for the priority agenda before venturing to another contentious issue like proposals on divorce.

President Aquino, meanwhile, said he favors extensive debate on the issue in line with his personal position during the presidential campaign last year.

“Ayokong padaliin yung proseso na ang impression ay katulad na nga ng lahat sa Las Vegas -- kasal ka sa umaga, puwedeng ma-divorce ka sa hapon. Napaka-importante ang pamilya na dapat ma-address ang lahat ng concerns,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that there are marital break-ups that are beyond repair and these should also be considered.

“There has to be a way out where they are able to regain the right to marry but they have to go through a very exhaustive process that will give them stuffs to rethink whether or not they want to dissolve the family,” he said. (PNA)