MANILA: Philippine mother-of-three Stella Sibonga is desperate to end a marriage she never wanted. But divorce in the Catholic-majority country is illegal, and a court annulment takes years. The Philippines is the only place outside the Vatican where divorce is outlawed, with the Catholic Church - which ho
"Why are we, the ones who experienced suffering, abandonment and abuse, being punished by the law?" said Sibonga, 45, who lives near Manila.The most powerful opponent to divorce in the Philippines is the Catholic Church, which is also against abortion and contraceptives.
In 2005, 43 per cent of Filipinos supported legalising divorce"for irreconcilably separated couples", while 45 per cent disagreed.A group of lawmakers is now leading a fresh push to legalise divorce, with several bills filed in the House and the Senate. Before he was elected, President Ferdinand Marcos said the country should consider allowing divorce, but insisted it should not be easy.The burdensome process for getting a court order to end a marriage has spawned online scams offering to secure a quick ruling without time-consuming court appearances.
"Annulment takes so long, it's so expensive and it's not guaranteed, so I'm seeking a more convenient way."
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