Alvarez eyes OK of marriage dissolution bill in March

FILE: House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (PPD/Toto Lozano)

MANILA — House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Wednesday he expects the House of Representatives to pass the bill on dissolution of marriage before Congress goes into a Lenten break on March 23.

“Ang commitment ko diyan, magbi-break kami nitong March, ano, so kailangang maipasa iyan on third reading bago kami mag-break,” Alvarez said in a press conference.

He has already directed the House committee on population and family relations to fast-track the deliberation on the several bills on marriage dissolution.

Alvarez said they intend to introduce a cheaper and simpler alternative to the lengthy and costly process of annulment under the Family Code.

“At saka isi-simplify natin. Huwag nating pahirapan dahil ang nakuha natin doon sa mga reactions ng mga different committee hearings na ginawa, na sana man lang daw, huwag na yung expensive,” Alvarez said.

“Ano pa ba naman, pahirapan pa natin yung mga tao? Ayaw na nga, hindi ba? Tulungan natin to move forward,” Alvarez added.

The Speaker said apart from the marriage dissolution bill, the House also aims to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law before Lenten break.

Alvarez expressed optimism that it will be passed before Congress goes on break.

“Para sa akin, isa pa, gusto kong aprubahan yung BBL bago mag-break din kami,” Alvarez said.

“We just have to see to it na yung structure ng BBL ay adaptable later sa federal set-up,” Alvarez added. (PNA)