Philippines: the fight for divorce

Filipinos fight for divorce laws - 3rd July 2023

In the Catholic country of the Philippines, getting divorced isn’t an option. However, people are fighting to end this situation.

Mother of three children, Stella Sibonga, has been separated from her husband for years. Like many Filipinos, she doesn’t have legal permission to divorce. The Philippines and Vatican City remain the only two countries where it's still forbidden.

At present, unhappy couples can apply to be separated by law, but even this is a challenge. For a separation, your partner has to be in prison for six years or longer. Alternatively, you have to prove that your partner hits you, or has a lover. After separating, you can’t remarry or have a new sexual relationship.

While Sibonga’s now in a serious relationship, they’re prevented from marrying. "When I finally found someone who loves me and completely accepts me with all my failures, we still can’t marry." She said society would continue to see them as ’lovers’.

78 percent Catholic, divorce laws in the Philippines have been strict for centuries. Divorce was banned when the islands were under Spanish rule. When the US took control and also later, after independence in 1946, little changed.

Before his election in 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos announced the government should consider allowing divorce. However, progress has been difficult. Politician Risa Hontiveros is considering giving permission when both partners feel extremely unhappy in their marriage.

As for Sibonga, she's tired of being ’punished’ by the law. "All we want is to be free", she explained.