Page 1 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

Introduction
Divorce. The dissolution of marriage. The termination of a marital union. The
cancelling

and

reorganizing

of

the

legal

duties

and

responsibilities

of marriage. The dissolution of matrimony between a married couples. In

simpler terms, the end. The end of a couples marriage, a perfect union of
MAN and a WOMAN or their so called forever.
For couples who want to dissolve their union or live apart, there are two
options: legal separation and annulment. A legal separation allows a couple
to divide their properties and live apart, but it does not dissolve their
marriage, i.e., they cannot re-marry. In annulments and declaration of nullity
of marriage, you have to prove that the marriage was void from the
beginning or voidable according to a certain set of reasons as provided by
law such as absence of some formal and essential requisites of marriage.
Both options are flawed. In legal separations, the couples are legally
separated but the marriage is not severed. Quite literally, the couple remains
married only on paper. In an annulment, you must prove that your reason for
wanting to nullify the marriage existed even before the marriage--this
requires one to declare and prove that his or her partner is incapable of
functioning as wife or husband.
Because of our fast-growing society, we are also subjected to change. A
change in the way we live, speak, communicate, move, our physique, our
decisions, our perceptions or beliefs, and also in our relations. One of the
main reasons why divorce is accepted in another country and states. They
felt the change. The change in ones marital obligations.
Some married couples are not happy with their marriage, because it is either
that their partner has changed or maybe they already have someone else.

Page 2 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

Wouldnt that result into happiness turned into a catastrophic nightmare?

Would you still be merry and joyous? Will you ignore all the obvious
occurrence that there is something wrong? Lies, infidelity, immoral,
disrespect and abuse. These are standing points of legalizing divorce in the
Philippines

in

support

of

GABRIELA

Women's

Party

representatives

Luzviminda C. Ilagan and Emerenciana A. De Jesus with House Bill No. 1799,
or an Act of Legalizing Divorce in the Philippines. An Act Introducing Divorce
in the Philippines amending for the Purpose Title II, Articles 55 to 66 Inclusive
and Article 26 of Executive Order of 209, as amended otherwise known as
the Family Code of the Philippines and repelling Article 36 of the Same Code
and for other purposes.1
According to Sen. Pia Cayetano regarding annulment Ask anyone, Im sure
at some point in time whether it is one year or 10 years or 20 years, they
loved each other, so why cant you call it what it is? We loved each other,
something went wrong, and its done. Why will you say it never existed?
A divorce law will provide a remedy that Article 36 of the Family Code failed
to do. Validity or invalidity of a marriage is not the basis of divorce. It
terminates a marriage based on a ground that occurred during the marriage.2
According to the Philippine Commission on Women, 23% of ever-married
women experience the most common types of spousal violence of emotional
abuse it can be physical or oral defamation and other forms. One in seven

1 Gabriela Womens Party. Archived at http://www.gabrielawomensparty.net/legislation/hb-1799amending-family-code-legal-separation-and-divorce (accessed *date*)

2 Ager, Maila. Senate: Divorce Bill After RH, (December 19, 2012). Archived at
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/326847/senate-divorce-bill-after-rh (accessed *date*)

Page 3 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

ever-married women being beaten by their husbands through physical

violence while women who experienced sexual abuse with a survey of 8%.
In 2012, the number of cases of violence against women (VAW) reported to
the Philippine National Police (PNP) raised as much as 23.3% from the year
2011. The number grew from 12,948 cases up to 15,969. The highest
number of reported VAW cases is recorded in 2012 surpassing the records of
1997.3
The said violence results to one out of three women experience physical
injuries, such as bruises, swollen limbs, cuts, lacerations, burns, and pain.
According to Aries Joseph Hegina at Inquirer March 23, 2015, there are more
than 10 percent of women have suffered eye injuries, sprains, dislocations or
burns, and about the same numbers were reported that women have
attempted to commit suicide, because of the hellish maltreatment of their
husbands which causes severe trauma and phobia which leads to suicide.
Three out five women experienced sexual/physical violence reported having
suffered from psychological consequences like anger, depression, hatred and
anxiety. Anger that can harm their children which can lead to child abuse.
Three out of five Filipinos, or 60 percent, want divorce to be legalized for
irreconcilably separated couples, the results of a recent survey by the
Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed on Monday. The survey, which was
conducted from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 last year, revealed that 60 percent of
1,800 respondents agree that Married couples who have already separated
and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so that they can
get legally married again while 29 percent disagreed and 11 percent
undecided on the issue. Among the respondents, 16 percent have live-in
partners, 63 percent are married and 21 percent are single. SWS also
3 The Huffington Post. Dissecting Divorce in the Philippines. (October 24, 2013). Archived at

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/24/divorce-philippines_n_4157099.html (accessed ***)

Page 4 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

revealed that more men and women are in favor of the proposition, with 62
percent of male respondents (from 52 percent in March 2011) and 57 percent
of female respondents (from 49 percent in March 2011) agreeing to the
measure. Support for the approval of the legalization of divorce also rose in
all areas, with 67 percent of adult respondents from Metro Manila, 62 percent
from Balance Luzon, 55 percent from Visayas and 55 percent from Mindanao
all throwing their support for the initiative. During the last SWS survey on
divorce in March 2011, fifty percent of Filipinos favored the legalization of
divorce. SWS cleared that the survey is non-commissioned and was released
as a public service. The Philippines and Vatican City are the only two states
in the world, which ban the practice of divorce.4
These are the following reasons that one can file legal separation which can
also apply to divorce:
1. Sexual infidelity or perversion;
2. Drug addiction or habitual alcoholism of the respondent;
3. Lesbianism or homosexuality-of the respondent;
4. Contracting by the respondent of a subsequent bigamous marriage,
whether in the Philippines or abroad;
5. Final judgment sentencing the respondent to imprisonment of more than
six years, even if pardoned;
6. Attempt of respondent to corrupt or induce the petitioner, a common child,
or a child of the petitioner, to engage in prostitution, or connivance in such
corruption or inducement;

4 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/680740/3-out-of-5-filipinos-want-legalization-of-divorce-sws-survey

Page 5 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

7. Repeated physical violence or grossly abusive conduct directed against

the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner;
8. Physical violence or moral pressure to compel the petitioner to change
religious or political affiliation;
9. Attempt by the respondent against life of the petitioner; or
10. Abandonment of petitioner by respondent without justifiable cause for
more than one year.5
And how can someone say that marriage is a sacrament when others are just
being pushed to do so? When their intentions are wrecked?
As what we read in the article of Ms. Elizabeth Scalia at the theguardian.com,
Pope Francis has this quiet campaign to rethink divorce in the Catholic
Church. There was this friends who got married. The mother was a remarried
woman. The divorce created anxiety whether the mother would present
herself for the communion because the mother had ex-communicated herself
by remarrying outside the church, and before attaining an annulment. Then
the friend said She never loved my father, Her family wanted the
marriage, and she was obedient, but she never loved him. Prior to the
divorce, this had been a family of practicing Catholics. Three decades later,
the mother is fulfilled in her healthy, loving, second marriage but still
removed from the church, as are all of her children and grandchildren. If you
ask them, they will tell you they're Catholic, but only nominally; everyone
has been baptized and confirmed, but no one attends Mass or observes Holy
Days not even Christmas. Whether the grandchildren will feel compelled to
baptize their own children is unknowable, but we can hazard a guess.
5 Melencio S. Sta. Maria. Persons And Family Relations Law. (Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store 2010).

Page 6 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

Within four generations, a previously-faithful family has experienced a

categorical move away from Catholicism, trending toward 21st century
None-ism (a belief in not much of anything) and that trajectory can be
traced to a civil divorce that was met by inadequate outreach and, likely,
inadequate catechesis.
Because of these stories why the month February, in anticipation of it, the
pope will meet with the eight cardinals who advise him to discuss the
pastoral care of the modern family, which has been wracked by divorce,
redefined by secular interests and the sexual revolution, and is in dire need
of spiritual direction and large slices of capital "T" Truth, served up with
generous dollops of mercy.
Pope Francis has called the church a field hospital doing triage and
treatment to a wounded world, and he seems intent on advancing the
medicine of the Holy Eucharist to its patients:
The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize
for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak. These
convictions have pastoral consequences that we are called to consider with
prudence and boldness.
Those Catholics whose first marriages were doomed by reasons of coercion,
ignorance or immaturity have been in the waiting room for a long time. They
have been hoping their wounds can be treated with something penitential
and effective so they, and their children, can come home and receive the
powerful healing that is inherent in the Eucharist and in the fullness of
community.6
6 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/05/pope-francis-catholic-church-divorcechange

Page 7 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

And as what Evalyn G. Ursua said, The Catholic Church need not worry. The
institutions of marriage and the family have survived to this day, as they will
survive a Philippine divorce law. We are a secular state, where no religious
group has the right to define law or policy for the entire population. There is
not one but a plurality of beliefs in Philippine society. The law should only
give people a choice, to be exercised according to their own personal
beliefs.7
Aside from the Vatican, the Philippines is the only country which does not
provide a procedure for divorce. Furthermore, it is difficult for Filipinos to
obtain divorces abroad and often these are not recognized by the Philippines.
The only way a citizen of the Philippines can end their marriage is by
annulment, which is an onerous, expensive and time-consuming process that
is not even guaranteed to be successful.8
This effectively leaves most of the poor and overseas worker population of
the Philippines unable to move on with their lives from a marriage that is
often abusive, adulterous and contracted by deceitsuch as polygamous
marriagesunder threat from ones family or that of the spouses and/or
when the couple is very young and naive.
When it comes to examples, Hollywood celebrities dont set a good one since
some of them have numerous marriage-divorce relationships. And we think it
is ok since they are entitled to their own choices. Choices that the law gives
to its citizen and is exercised according to their own beliefs.
What about money? Whats the purpose of public attorneys then? And
divorce will be there as a choice and not a compulsory action.
7 http://positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/why-the-philippines-needs-a-divorce-law

8
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/24/divorce-philippines_n_4157099.html

Page 8 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

When it comes to effects of divorce, Ilagan says that the divorce bill will clear
questions about conjugal property and childrens legitimacy. She says that it
will also contain details on child support mechanisms after a marriage has
been severed. And when it comes to the psychological and emotional effect,
I can say that it will depend on how the parents will tackle their child
regarding the situation and how the child will accept it. It can make him
stronger, it can make him more understanding. The child can be openminded and will not expect that things will be full of rainbows and unicorns.
Lastly, divorce is better than being stuck in a loveless, violence-filled so
called family.
It may be divisive from the point of view of another sector, the Catholic
Church, but it may not be divisive if the people understood, if people knew
where we were coming from. - Luzviminda C. Ilagan9
Divorce and Separation: An Overview
Courts in the United States currently recognize two types of divorces:
absolute divorce, known as "divorce a vinculo matrimonii" and limited
divorce, known as "divorce a menso et thoro". To obtain an absolute divorce,
courts require some type of evidentiary showing of misconduct or
wrongdoing on one spouse's part. An absolute divorce is a judicial
termination of a legal marriage. An absolute divorce results in the changing
back of both parties' statuses to single. Limited divorces are typically
referred to as separation decrees. Limited divorces result in termination of
the right to cohabitate but the court refrains from officially dissolving the
marriage and the parties' statuses remain unchanged. Some states permit
conversion divorce. Conversion divorce transforms a legal separation into a
9
Id.

Page 9 of 21INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

IBUTANG

legal divorce after both parties have been separated for a statutorilyprescribed period of time.10
Philippine law, in general, does not provide for divorce inside the country,
and remain the only UN-member state to do so. The only exception is with
respect to Muslims, who are allowed by their religion to divorce in certain
circumstances. For the majority non-Muslims, the law only allows for
annulment of marriages. Women's groups have clamored for legalization of
divorce, but all past attempts to ratify it into law have failed.11
Article 26 of the Family Code confers jurisdiction on Philippine courts to
extend the effect of a foreign divorce decree to a Filipino spouse without
undergoing trial to determine the validity of the dissolution of the marriage.
The second paragraph of Article 26 of the Family Code provides that [w]here
a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner is validly celebrated
and a divorce is thereafter validly obtained abroad by the alien spouse
capacitating him or her to remarry, the Filipino spouse shall have capacity to
remarry under Philippine law.12 In Republic v. Orbecido,

this Court

recognized the legislative intent of the second paragraph of Article 26 which

is to avoid the absurd situation where the Filipino spouse remains married to
the alien spouse who, after obtaining a divorce, is no longer married to the
Filipino spouse89 under the laws of his or her country. The second
paragraph of Article 26 of the Family Code only authorizes Philippine courts
to adopt the effects of a foreign divorce decree precisely because the
10
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/divorce

11
Wikipedia. Divorce Law by Country. Wikipedia.org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce_law_by_country (accessed *date*)

12
Alex L. Monteclar. Compendium On The Law on Persons And Family Relations. (Manila, Philippines: Rex
Book Store 2010).

Page 10 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

Philippines does not allow divorce. Philippine courts cannot try the case on
the merits because it is tantamount to trying a case for divorce.13
It is true that owing to the nationality principle embodied in Article 15 of the
Civil Code, only Philippine nationals are covered by the policy against
absolute divorces the same being considered contrary to our concept of
public policy and morality. However, aliens may obtain divorces abroad,
which may be recognized in the Philippines, provided they are valid
according to their national law. In this case, the divorce in Nevada released
private respondent from the marriage from the standards of American law,
under which divorce dissolves the marriage. As stated by the Federal
Supreme Court of the United States in Atherton vs. Atherton, 45 L. Ed. 794,
799:
The purpose and effect of a decree of divorce from the bond of matrimony by
a court of competent jurisdiction are to change the existing status or
domestic relation of husband and wife, and to free them both from the bond.
The marriage tie when thus severed as to one party, ceases to bind either. A
husband without a wife, or a wife without a husband, is unknown to the law.
When the law provides, in the nature of a penalty that the guilty party shall
not marry again, that party, as well as the other, is still absolutely freed from
the bond of the former marriage.
In a subsequent case, Llorente vs. Ca (G.R. No. 124371 345 SCRA 592, 601),
23 November 2000, the Supreme Court again stated:
In Van Dorn v. Romillo, Jr. we held that owing to the nationality principle
embodied in Article 15 of the Civil Code, only Philippine nationals are covered
by the policy against absolute divorces, the same being considered contrary
to our concept of public policy and morality. In the same case, the Court
13
http://attylaserna.blogspot.com/2013/07/judicial-recognition-of-foreign-decree.html

Page 11 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

ruled that aliens may obtain divorces abroad, provided they are valid
according to their national law.
In Garcia vs. Recio, G.R. No. 138322, October 2, 2001, the Supreme Court
said:
At the outset, we lay the following basic legal principles as the take-off
points for our discussion. Philippine law does not provide for absolute
divorce; hence, our courts cannot grant it. A marriage between two Filipinos
cannot be dissolved even by a divorce obtained abroad, because of Articles
15 and 17 of the Civil Code. In mixed marriages involving a Filipino and a
foreigner, Article 26 of the Family Code allows the former to contract a
subsequent marriage in case the divorce is "validly obtained abroad by the
alien spouse capacitating him or her to remarry."14
These connote the judicial recognition by Philippine Family Courts of a
foreign decree or judgment of nullity of marriage. The recognition of a
foreign judgment only requires proof of fact of the judgment, it may be made
in a special proceeding for cancellation or correction of entries in the civil
registry under Rule 108 of the Rules of Court.

Theoretical Consideration
The construct of a good divorce emphasizes the importance of multiple
family relationships following divorce. As Ahrons (1994) noted, a family
following divorce is still a family in the sense that mothers and fathers
continue to be responsible for their children and need to cooperate to
facilitate childrens well-being. This perspective appears to follow from a
14
http://www1.lepitenbojos.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=376:divorce-isrecognized-in-the-philippines-&catid=59:legal-notes

Page 12 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

family systems perspective, in which the unit of analysis is not the individual
but the larger family system. Family systems theory argues that a family
consists of interconnected members, with each member influencing the
others to maintain (or fail to maintain) a healthy system (Bowen, 1978;
Minuchin,

1974).

Influence

involves

patterns

of

communication

and

interaction, the extent to which family members are separate or connected,

and adaptation to stress in the context of the entire family. In this sense, a
well-functioning post-divorce family is similar in many respects to a wellfunctioning two-parent family: Mothers and fathers enact the parent role
competently, children have close ties with both parents, and parents
coordinate their activities to promote childrens development and well-being.
Of course, divorced parents no longer have a romantic relationship or live
together. But this difference does not mean that a post-divorce family cannot
function in many respects
An alternative perspective views divorce as a potentially stressful experience
for children (Amato, 2000). According to stress theory, a large number of
changes concentrated within a short time can have adverse effects on the
mental and physical health of adults and children (Pearlin, Schieman, Fazio,
& Meersman, 2005). Moreover, studies indicate that exposure to stressors
during childhood predicts mental and physical health problems in adulthood
(e.g., Clark, Caldwell, Power, & Stansfeld, 2010). Divorce brings about
significant changes in most childrens lives, including the departure of one
parent from the household, a decline in standard of living, moving to a new
residence and neighborhood, giving up pets, changing schools, losing contact
with friends and classmates, dealing with parents new romantic partners or
spouses, living with step or half siblings, and adjusting to parents future
union disruptions. Given that children thrive on stability (Cherlin, 2009), the
cumulative effect of multiple changes concentrated within a short time
increases childrens risk for a variety of problems. Even among children who
do not develop clinically significant disorders, parental divorce can generate

Page 13 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

long-term feelings of unhappiness, confusion, and paindespite parents

best efforts to be supportive (Laumann-Billings & Emery, 2000; Marquardt,
2005). If mothers and fathers enact their parental roles competently and
cooperate in raising their children, then some of the potentially negative
effects of divorce can be avoided. But good parenting and co-parenting only
partly mitigate the full range of risk factors that often accompany divorce.
According to this perspective, children who experience good divorces will
benefit in some respects but will still experience many of the same problems
as children in other types of post-divorce families.
Although divorce is a stressful time for children, a redeeming feature may be
that the period following a divorce may be less stressful to children than
living in a home where there was a high level of conflict between parents.15
Effects of Divorce on Children
Studies have been performed in order to examine internalizing and
externalizing behavior problems in children and young adults from divorced
families. Scabini and Cigoli (2008), in their interviews with 30 Italian young
adult children of divorce, found that young adults may experience and
internalize their parents divorce differently depending on their gender.
Based on the sample, males tended to view an absent father as an absent
role model while females perceived him more as the absent partner of their
mother. This, in turn, developed in the male mind as a fear of turning into
their father, which could mean becoming abusive and/or negligent towards
their spouses and children. Males identified with the parent of the same
gender and, without a proper role model, became fearful that such

15
Adele Pillitteri. Maternal & Child Nursing: Care of the Childbearing & Childrearing Family. (Ohio:
Lippincott, 1999), 35.

Page 14 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

undesirable traits were innate. Females, on the other hand, were more likely
to focus on the importance of finding a reliable partner. For them, the
excessive maternal presence reinforced the need for stability and unity in a
familial setting (Scabini and Cigoli, 2008).
More recent studies have delved further into the relationships between
children of divorced parents and their nonresidential parent in order to
determine the impact of nonresidential parental involvement on the childs
wellbeing. Amato et al. (2011) found, in their cluster analysis of parenting
styles, that young adults and children displayed the fewest behavioral
problems as well as the closest relationship with their fathers, who usually
are the nonresidential parent, when their parents maintained a cooperative
relationship following the divorce. Using data on the relationship between
children and their biological fathers from the 1979 National Longitudinal
Survey of Youth, Carlson (2006) revealed several findings pertaining to
paternal involvement. First, father involvement, independent of other
examined mediating factors (maternal involvement and mental health,
number of siblings, and economic status), reduced the size and significance
of family structure effects (i.e. single parents, children born outside the
marriage)

on

adolescent

behavioral

outcomes.

Second,

despite

the

implications of gender socialization theory which suggest that a fathers

involvement would have a greater impact on the sons life than the
daughters, the benefits of high-quality father involvement mentioned above
apply equally to both boys and girls. Third, while continual nonresidential
father involvement is important and beneficial, it is more important that the
residential father (in the event that the mother remarries, cohabits, etc.) be
actively involved in the childrens lives as it promotes the social capital of the
family necessary to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment. Granted,
this last point only applies to a select group of divorced families, as does the
success of nonresidential father involvement, since only about 10-18% of

Page 15 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

nonresident fathers devote a significant amount of time to their children

(Carlson, 2006).
Although several studies report negative long-term effects of parental
divorce on children, the results should be interpreted cautiously for several
reasons. First, the role of other family factors such as parenting quality has
not been examined in much of the research on the long-term effects of
parental divorce. Second, it is possible that the children whose parents
divorced would have experienced the same negative outcomes, or more
problems, had their parents remained married. Although many of the studies
reviewed here are longitudinal studies, they rely on correlational methods
rather than experimental methods, so it is not possible to infer a causal
relationship between early parental divorce and later outcomes (Leon, 2003:
267).
Effects on Relationship Formation and Maintenance
The majority of research to date has focused on the negative effects of
parental divorce on children, teenagers, and young adults. Though more
recent studies have tested to see if and what positive effects exist, many still
demonstrate the more commonly recorded phenomena of previous research,
including pessimistic outlooks/feelings (towards themselves and future
intimate relationships) and low reports of self-esteem as well as outcomes on
areas such as academic performance, familial relationships, and performance
in everyday functioning (Carlson, 2006; Cartwright, 2008; Scabini and Cigoli,
2008; Sever et al., 2008). Qualitative studies have depicted children of
divorce as experiencing painful emotional states (i.e. anger, suspicion,
jealousy, etc.) as well as observing significant decreases in their levels of
self-worth, trust, and communication with their peers. Scabini and Cigoli
(2008) found that males from divorced families would often develop a fear of
being unable to maintain a healthy relationship with their spouse and
possible children. In Cartwrights (2008) study, the majority of her 40

Page 16 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

participants, young adults from New Zealand aged 19-29, reported having
negative beliefs about themselves and their outlook on life:
Some of the potentially negative beliefs they expressed were: no one stays
around forever; you are on your own in life; relationships are short-lived;
everyone goes their own way sooner or later; no one is going to be there for
you; relationships are a struggle; men only want sex; no one loves me; Im
going to end up divorced; I am not up to scratch; Ive got problems; I am too
emotional; I get sick of guys easily; I dont want to start something if its
going to be a waste of time; Im like my father (who was abusive); I wouldnt
be able to sustain being nice (Cartwright, 2008: 140).
Despite these findings, however, it must be acknowledged that studies have
yielded some positive outcomes. Sever et al. (2008), in their study of 158
Israeli young adults whose parents divorced while they were adolescents,
attempted to examine the processes that allow for post-divorce growth by
examining separate aspects of the divorce (family atmosphere before the
divorce, the divorce process) via interviews and questionnaires in order to
search for possible positive outcomes of parental divorce among Israeli
young adults and organize them based on the type and strength of their
relationships amongst each other. Their findings indicated that while many of
the participants did experience negative outcomes, nearly half reported that
their method of coping with their parents divorce resulted in more positive
than negative outcomes.
Of the coping styles used by the participants, reciprocal support, or the act of
establishing a two-way support system between offspring and parents,
yielded the best results in terms of positive long-term outcomes. By
implementing a give-and-take structure, the participants were able to
communicate their needs and insecurities properly, as well as effectively
determine reliable sources of support while at the same time becoming more
aware of the needs of others (not just including their parents) and obtain the

Page 17 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

skills necessary to provide support. The support coping style was found to be
strongly correlated to three factors, each representing a central theme of
positive outcomes: empowerment (defined as a subjective sense of growth,
strength, and maturity), empathy (an increased feeling of compassion for the
pain of others), and relationship-savvy (acknowledging the complexity of
intimate relationships and having realistic expectations of them). Participants
who reported primarily using the support coping style experienced a greater
sense of responsibility, maturity, self-confidence, and inner strength, as well
as a higher acceptance of their parents choices, weaknesses, and strengths.
These ultimately contributed to the participants understanding of intimate
relationships, helping them to make peace with their parents divorce as well
as

giving

them an

increased

sense

of

commitment

for

their

own

relationships. (Sever et al, 2008). (MOHI, 2014)16

Conclusion
Catholic legacy Divorce is not a new concept in the Philippines. It was legal
during the American colonial period and Japanese occupation in the first half
of the 20th century, but became prohibited with the enactment of the 1949
Civil Code.
The exception is for the Muslim population of the Philippines, who are in fact
able to obtain divorces; and this demonstrates an obvious lack of separation
of church and state within the Philippine governmentwhich is heavily
influenced, if not almost completely controlled by, the Catholic Church. This
goes against the notion of human rights.
To answer questions, if the scriptures said its wrong, then why tell that God
is there to forgive? To heal? Because God gave countable and definite laws
16
http%3A%2F%2Fetd.fcla.edu%2FCF
%2FCFH0004550%2FMohi_Grant_W_201405_BA.pdf&h=UAQG8Seid

Page 18 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

that man shall obey. Yes, but then again not all of us are saints. But we try
the very best to please him. Try our very best to prove to him that we
deserve to live here on Earth. That we deserve second chances in life, we
make mistakes. Then maybe with these chances, we can finally find that
person who deserves us and in return deserve them.
And we always had our own version of God. One who is always beside us,
guiding us with every step we take. A God who accepts us for who we are
with the different factors that made us society, pain, family. One who knows
that well bleed and eventually will make through. A God who knows that we
sinned and will repent. A God that knows that we will also do anything for
him. Lastly, a God who values our happiness against all. (Yes it may sound
selfish but all of our life, we were trained to give.)
Many instances of previous parental divorce research based their findings of
negative effects on correlations between the parents marital status
(divorced versus married) and how well children measured against certain
indicators of wellbeing (i.e. self-esteem, academic performance, etc.).
However, researchers have examined these correlations since then and have
found that such indicators exist independent of the parents marital status
(Bernstein, 2012). In Bernsteins survey of 45 university students, the
findings show that there is no causal relationship between parental divorce
and attachment insecurity, depression, or low self-esteem; rather, the
problematic beliefs surrounding parental divorce, particularly fear of
abandonment, had a higher likelihood of increasing risk for insecure romantic
attachment in children of divorce. This suggests that it is the individuals
experience and interpretation of the divorce, rather than the divorce itself,
sympathy (possibly as part of a supportive coping mechanism), enthusiasm
(believed to be a result of motivation encouraged by the stressful experience
of the divorce), awe (experiencing a greater sense of gratitude and
appreciation towards relationships), and perspective taking than did young

Page 19 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

adults with continuously married parents that influences the nature of their
outcome with regards to romantic attachment. Additionally, Bernstein (2012)
also found that young adults of divorce possessed more sympathy (possibly
as part of a supportive coping mechanism), enthusiasm (believed to be a
result of motivation encouraged by the stressful experience of the divorce),
awe (experiencing a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation towards
relationships),

and

perspective

taking

than

did

young

adults

with

continuously married parents. (MOHI, 2014)

This is the time to let our government absolutely legalized divorce. Protest
that women have rights. Have laws that protect them.

Page 20 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

Bibliography
Books:
1. Melencio S. Sta. Maria. Persons And Family Relations Law. (Manila, Philippines: Rex
Book Store 2010).

2. Adele Pilliterri. Maternal & Child Nursing: Care Of The Childbearing & Childrearing
Family. 3rd ed. (Ohio: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1999).

3. Alex L. Monteclar. Compendium On The Law on Persons And Family

Relations. (Manila,
Philippines: Rex Book Store 2010).
4. Edgardo Paras. Persons and Family Relations. (2008). See Pedro Solis, Legal
Medicine, p. 601
Journal/Newspaper Articles:
1. Maila Ager. Senate: Divorce Bill After Rh. Inquirer.net (2012).
2. Aries Joseph Hegina. 3 Out of 5 Filipinos Want Legalization Of Divorce-SWS Survey.
Inquirer.net (2015)
3. Elizabeth Scalia. Pope Franciss Quite Campaign To Rethink Divorce In The Catholic
Church. theguardian.com (2014).

Online Sources:
1. http://www.gabrielawomensparty.net/legislation/hb-1799-amending-family-codelegal-separation-and-divorce
2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/24/divorce-philippines_n_4157099.html
3. http://www.dreamwalkersworld.com/2011/05/philippine-house-bill-1799-divorcebill.html

Page 21 of 21
IBUTANG
INYO TITLE SA RESEARCH DIRI

4. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/05/pope-francis-catholicchurch-divorce-change
5. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/326847/senate-divorce-bill-after-rh
6. http://positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/why-the-philippines-needs-a-divorcelaw
7. http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107605/senators-not-in-favor-of-legalizingdivorce-in-the-philippines
Jurisprudence/Cases:
1. The Family Code of the Philippines 1987.