One step forward, two steps back?

The issue of legalization of divorce in the Philippines — the only country left in the whole wide world (yes, I kid you not) without divorce laws — is once again front and centre in Philippine political debates. This despite an overwhelming desire of the people to legalize divorce and start living in the 21st century — like the rest of the world.

A 2011 survey by the Social Weather Stations revealed a steadily increasing support among adult Filipinos to legalize divorce in the Philippines. The number of those in favour of divorce (50 per cent) clearly outweighs those who are against divorce (33 per cent).

Here's the funny part, most female senatorial candidates in the upcoming elections are against legislation legitimizing divorce, saying they are against it because they believe "the government should strengthen the family, not break it up," from the words of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bet Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay.

The other lady senatorial bets against divorce include Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros "Mitos" Magsaysay, former Tarlac Gov. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, Loren Legarda and Jamby Madrigal, according to a GMA News report. On her website, Madrigal did say there is already annulment in the Philippines but that option had become a privilege of the rich. I'm still not clear whether she is in favour or against divorce based on her statement, though. But anyway...

For the last 12 years, my family and I have been living in Canada, where divorce has been legal for like, forever. My children have developed great friendships with different kids, some of them have divorced parents. Whenever my kids would ask them why their parents got divorced, they would tell them nonchalantly, "because they were fighting all the time."

I can't presume to know the experiences of families who went through or are going through a divorce, but I am glad, as a woman, in this International Women's Day, that I have the power to chart my own destiny, to decide for my own family. And to me, that is really what this whole issue about divorce is all about. Laws don't break up families, laws don't tell husbands to beat up their wives, nor wives to leave their husbands. Laws empower the people. It allows the people to have the same rights as the rich couple next door. That's all.

I am a Filipina and a Roman Catholic. I am also a free woman.

My family