A senator expressed openness to legalize divorce after signing the committee report of the Senate version of the divorce bill. At a press briefing, the former Senate president pro tempore said she signed the committee report on the proposed “Dissolution of Marriage Act” that hurdled the Senate women, children, family relations and gender equality panel last year. The main proponent of the Senate version of the divorce bill was Sen. Risa Hontiveros, with backers including Sens. Robin Padilla, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, and Raffy Tulfo. Other senators who signed the report included Poe and Cayetano, who said they signed to propose amendments during interpellation at the plenary. Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III also signed the report with the intention to interpellate. The Senate President earlier explained his opposition to the House version of divorce as it lacked a provision allowing the Public Attorney’s Office to take on divorce cases for indigent clients.
