Talisay dad bats for free marriage licenses

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Eduardo R. Gullas III is asking Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to grant free licenses, permits and certificates of no marriage to indigent couples availing of a free marriage service in July.

Gullas, chairman of the committee on family, women and children, said even if he is the only bachelor among the members of the council, as legislator, he would wanted poor couples who can't afford a church wedding to have a chance to get married.

In his Resolution No. 2014-20-4, approved in last Tuesday's council session, Gullas said it is the intent of the city to erase the stigma on illegitimate children, especially those children of indigent parents.

Gullas said these children should be allowed to grow normally and that their legal rights as legitimate offspring should be established.

"There are hundreds of illegitimate children conceived and born out of wedlock to parents without impediment to marry each other. This noble intention will be realized by affording opportunity to the indigent couples having illegitimate children to have them legitimated by a valid marriage," Gullas said.

The city government will shoulder all expenses related to the mass wedding in July. The only thing the couples need to do is to attend the church ceremony and to be present at the reception.

In Talisay, a certificate of no marriage, which is prerequisite to matrimony, costs P400 per couple while marriage license costs P175. — (FREEMAN)