In a recent voting of a crucial bill at the House of Representatives, a stark contrast emerged between the stances of two congressmen from Oriental Mindoro on the contentious Absolute Divorce Bill.

Oriental Mindoro First District Representative Arnan C. Panaligan voted against the bill, citing constitutional, legal, and religious reasons.

“The Absolute Divorce Bill contravenes the express mandate of Article XV, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution,” Panaligan stated, emphasizing the constitution’s description of marriage as an “inviolable social institution” that the state is mandated to protect.

Cong. Panaligan argued that the existing annulment law suffices to address problematic marriages and called for reforms to make the process “simpler, faster, and affordable.”

Panaligan, who is also a Catholic Christian, expressed his adherence to the teachings of the church, stating, “The separation of church and state does not mean separation of government from God.”

He stressed that as a politician and government official, it is his duty to “strive to defend government initiatives creating beliefs contrary to Christian service.”

In contrast, Oriental Mindoro Second District Representative Alfonso V. Umali Jr. abstained from voting on the bill.

While Cong. Umali did not issue a formal statement explaining his abstention, his legislative history shows a focus on economic recovery and consumer protection, with authored bills such as the GUIDE Act and the Electronic Commerce Bureau Act.

The Divorce Bill has been a subject of heated debate in a predominantly Catholic Philippines, where the legal dissolution of marriage remains a polarizing issue.

The contrasting positions of Representatives Panaligan and Umali reflect the broader societal and political divide on the matter.

The bill’s proponents argue for the need to provide legal relief to those trapped in irreparable marriages, while opponents like Panaligan warn of the potential erosion of marital sanctity and moral values.

As the nation watches, the Congress’s decision on the Absolute Divorce Bill will be a significant indicator of the Philippines’ direction on family law and individual rights.