The Country Where Divorce Is Illegal

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30 May 2024

Philippines is the only country than the Vatican that denies divorce to the majority of its citizens

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Annulment is the only legal route to get out of a marriage for most citizens of the Philippines

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The Muslim Personal Code, however, allows for divorce for couples who got married through the Islamic rite under specific circumstances

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The country has now taken the first step towards remedying the situation. The lower house of Philippines' Parliament recently passed a Bill to legalise divorce 

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Representative Edcel Lagman said, "This is a clear and resounding victory and signals imminent liberation for Filipino wives who are entombed in toxic, abusive, and long-dead marriages"

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The Bill will go to the Senate in August, and will require presidential assent to become law

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Notably, Divorce was allowed in the Philippines before the Spanish rule in the 16th Century

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The divorce legislation was struck down in 1950 when the Philippines' civil code was enacted. It was replaced by rules on legal separation

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Divorce remains illegal in Philippines because of the Catholic Church, which views marriage as a holy commitment to the spouse, as well as God and society

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Roman Catholics make up 78.8% of the Philippines' population while 6.4% are Muslims, the second largest group in the country

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