The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CPCP) seeks further government intervention against domestic abuse.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, spokesperson of CBCP, called for the Philippine government to address the lapses in Republic Act 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, rather than pass a law legalizing divorce in the country.
"(RA 9262) ay magandang batas na para ipa-stop mo yung abuse pero, sa nangyayari, walang pangil," Secillano said on Monday, June 3, during DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
"I-reform nila iyon kasi magandang batas na iyon, iyon talaga ang tumututok sa violence against women, iyon nga sana talaga ang gagawa na paraan para ma-protect yung abused spouse," he added.
Secillano made the suggestion while insisting that divorce will not address domestic abuse, and might even worsen the problem since the abusive spouse will not undergo rehabilitation.
The priest even described divorce as 'a wrong medicine to a real problem'.
"Kapag meron abusive spouse, hindi mo naman ginamot yung kanyang pag-abuso, hinayaan mo lang sila maghiwalay, kapag nakakuha ulit iyan ng mapapangasawa niyan, abusive pa rin iyan," Secillano stressed.
"Kapag hindi mo naman iyon binigyan ng intervention, marami punching bag na pwedeng gawin, na mapapangasawa niya later on, at magiging pervasive lang yung situation," he remarked.
Last May 22, the House of Representatives passed House Bill No 9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act, in third and final reading.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a simillar measure, Senate Bill No. 147 or the Dissolution of Marriage Act, in the Upper House of Congress.
