Ka Leody favors legalizing divorce

MANILA, Philippines — Partido ng Lakas ng Masa (PLM) presidential candidate Leody de Guzman yesterday gave his full backing for the decriminalization of abortion and legalization of divorce in the country.

At the Catholic E-Forum hosted by Radio Veritas, De Guzman said many deaths among women could be prevented by decriminalizing abortion.

“The death of many women undergoing such a secret system of abortion would be prevented,” he said in Filipino.

According to De Guzman, such policy will not encourage women to undergo abortion, but will only reduce risk in case they would choose to forgo their pregnancy.

He further pointed out that the use of contraceptives is now accepted by society.

At the same forum, De Guzman expressed his support for the resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.

But De Guzman said peace talks will no longer be necessary if the government would be able to meet the communist rebels’ demands.

If given the chance to become president, De Guzman said he would heed the NPA’s just demand and thus encourage them to give up the armed struggle.