Lawmaker Criticizes Couples for Christ Over Stance on Divorce
MANILA, Philippines — Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman has spoken out against the family-based ministry Couples for Christ (CFC), accusing them of “religious hypocrisy” regarding the issue of divorce.
Lagman, a key proponent of the absolute divorce bill in the House of Representatives, stated, “Let us stop the religious hypocrisy being spread by the Couples for Christ that because of human weakness the Philippines must not enact a divorce law but instead mend broken marriages.”
He explained that due to human frailties like marital abuse, infidelity, and abandonment, marriages can be irreparably damaged beyond repair. Lagman’s comments were in response to CFC’s statement urging the government not to “weaken” marriage through the proposed divorce law, advocating for a focus on strengthening families instead.
In a manifesto, CFC suggested that rigorous implementation of the Philippine Family Code is a more viable option to elevate Filipinos into law-abiding and emotionally stable citizens.
The CFC also pointed out that children of divorced parents are more likely to engage in criminal activities and experience mental health issues, suicidal thoughts, and poor academic performance.
Lagman referenced writings by Pope Francis to support his argument, emphasizing that divorce can provide relief to spouses facing human weaknesses and suffering, particularly battered and tormented wives.
House Bill No. 9349, which aims to reinstitute absolute divorce as a mode for dissolving marriages, has passed in the lower house and been transmitted to the Senate. Despite comments from Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada suggesting the bill may face challenges, supporters remain hopeful for its passage.
Additionally, CFC announced that should divorce become legalized in the country, they are prepared to initiate a people’s movement to counteract the law. The group, which has around 900,000 members globally, including 800,000 in the Philippines, expressed a desire to work with like-minded organizations in opposing the potential legalization of divorce.
People’s initiative, a method by which laws can be created in the Philippines, involves collecting signatures from at least 10 percent of registered voters with representation from each legislative district. The initiative must also be approved by the Commission on Elections before proceeding to a national referendum for a final decision.
