House okays bill recognizing foreign divorce decree on 2nd reading

The bill proposes an amendment to the Family Code of the Philippines (Pexels photo)

MANILA – The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure recognizing a foreign divorce decree in the Philippines.

According to a statement issued Friday, the lower chamber passed via voice voting House Bill 7185, which seeks to allow Filipino spouses to remarry upon the acquisition of a foreign decree of termination of marriage.

Currently, a foreign divorce decree must be judicially recognized in the Philippines.

The bill proposes an amendment to the Family Code of the Philippines, which no longer requires a Filipino spouse to seek judicial recognition or enforcement of the foreign divorce decree.

It provides that registration of the duly-authenticated foreign decree of termination of marriage in the Philippine Civil Registry shall be sufficient proof of the capacity to remarry.

The bill was principally authored by Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano.