MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has officially sent House Bill No. 9349, the bill for absolute divorce, to the Senate.
Representative Edcel Lagman, the principal author of the bill, confirmed the transmission on Wednesday. The bill was approved by the House on May 22, and aims to reinstitute absolute divorce as an alternative means for dissolving a marriage.
Lagman noted that the bill’s swift transmission to the Senate followed his request to expedite the process, ensuring it did not have to wait until the House sessions resumed on July 22, 2024. This immediate action followed the House’s overwhelming approval.
Previously, there had been a delay in sending the bill to the Senate due to the need to correct the recorded affirmative votes from 126 to 131. This correction was completed by May 29.
House Bill No. 9349 includes grounds for divorce such as marital infidelity and domestic violence. It also incorporates all the reasons for legal separation, annulment, and declaration of nullity of marriage outlined in the Family Code.
With the bill now in the Senate, the legislative process continues as lawmakers consider this significant change to marital law in the Philippines.