According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 4 out of 10 Filipinos were never married.

Based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing among 10 years and above household population 34.26 million persons (39.7%) were never married while 33.87 million persons (39.2%) were married.

Meanwhile, the remaining were live-in, widowed, divorced, separated or annuled.

In an interview with Bataan First District Representative Geraldine B. Roman at DZRH Program Isyung Pambayan with Milky Rigonan, Roman explained that family relations is like a diagnosis that shows what the mentality is nowadays.

“Ito ay usapang family relations pero very interesting ito kasi nga, ito ay parang diagnosis, ito ang nagpapakita kung ano talaga ang kaisipan ng mga tao sa panahong ito. Noong araw, panaginip lahat ng babae at mga lalake ay mag-asawa, magpakasal pero tila nagbabago ang mentalidad.” Roman said.

When asked about the generation today, how some of the youth in their late 20’s or early 30’s do not want to get married but rather would put career first, Roman explained that the trend is the same in US and Europe. She further explained that of course we all want our lives to be good before getting married.

“Napapansin ko noong araw, ang mga nag aasawa ay batang bata pa lang…….siguro yun ang dahilan kung bakit 4 out of 10 filipinos na maaaring magpakasal na ay hinde pa nagpapakasal.” Roman said.

“Ang mga millennials gusto nila na maconsolidate ang kanilang career, kumita sila ng pera, mapag ipon, bumili ng bahay at kotse, makabiyahe.” Roman added.

Roman mentioned that live-in partners are also increasing especially in big urban centers like Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao and that they chose to live together first rather than getting married.

Last 2021, there is a data that shows an increase of filipinos getting married in the country at 48.2%.

“Yes pero kung ihahambing mo sa total number ng mga nasa isang stable relationship, yung proportion niya lumiit. Tumaas man ang numero, dumami rin ang nag lilive-in. So, is it a problem yun ang katanugan natin.” Roman explained.

“Wala naman naviviolate na batas tungkol sa pagsasama unless of course may previous commitment yung isa dun sa dalawang partners. Nasa previous marriage siya, nag hiwalay so wala naman problema doon. Syempre, kung ikaw ay conservative, yung pananaw, syempre ma scascandalize ka doon. Ako personally ginagalang ko yung mga nagsasama, kinikilala ko rin ang kanilang karapatan na magasama. They are 2 consenting adults na walang previous commitment, kung nag desisyon sila na mag sama kahit di sila kinakasal sa huwes o simbahan pareho pa rin dapat ang kanilang karapatan,” Roman added.

Meanwhile, when talking about on other reasons why couples do not get married is because there is no divorce in the country

“Ayaw nila siguro magpakasal kasi walang divorce….nauuso pa social media, nababalitaan nila, kahit sa showbiz na maraming naghihiwalay, nagiging toxic ang relationship tapos there’s no way out of the relationship, so they rather na wag nuna magpakasal, magsama sila tapos they are free to leave the relationship kung hindi nag work.” Roman said.

When asked about if there is a bill about divorce, Roman said that there is 1 filed by Congressman Edcel Lagman.

“Ang tanging layunin ng bill na ito ay mabigyan ng option yung mga taong trapped sa toxic relationship lalo na ang kababaihan na biktima ng physical violence and verbal abuse at tsaka wala na ng magagawa kumbaga na exhaust mo na, pinagdaanan mo na yung dapat pagdaanan, ginawa mo na yung dapat gawin para ayusin ang relationship pero it did not work out.”