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URLhttps://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/divorce-still-illegal-philippines-january-2025/
Last Crawled2026-04-07 12:23:17 (9 days ago)
First Indexed2025-01-14 10:05:27 (1 year ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Meta TitleFACT CHECK: Divorce is still illegal in the Philippines
Meta DescriptionWhile the House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize divorce, it still needs to go through the Senate and receive presidential approval before it can become law
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Already have Rappler+? to listen to groundbreaking journalism. SUMMARY This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. While the House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize divorce, it still needs to go through the Senate and receive presidential approval before it can become law Claim: Divorce has been legalized in the Philippines. Rating: FALSE Why we fact-checked this: The TikTok video containing the claim has over 3 million views, 213,300 likes, 70,300 shares, and 6,918 comments as of writing. Text in the video states: “Finally, approved na ang divorce dito sa Pilipinas . House Bill 9349.” (Finally, divorce has been approved here in the Philippines. House Bill 9349.) The video caption claims that divorce is now legal in the Philippines and mentions the House of Representatives passing the Absolute Divorce Bill on final reading.  The facts: While the video does show the House of Representatives passing House Bill No. 9349 , this does not mean divorce has been legalized in the Philippines. For a bill to become law , it must be approved by both houses of Congress and receive presidential approval. After a bill passes the House, it is transmitted to the Senate for review, amendments, and hearings. Once the Senate approves it, a bicameral committee resolves any differences with the House version. The reconciled version of the bill must then be approved by both chambers. Only after this process can the President sign it into law or veto it, with Congress able to override a veto by a two-thirds majority vote. If the President does not sign a bill within 30 days from receipt in his office, the bill may lapse into law. As of writing, divorce remains illegal in the Philippines because the measure allowing couples to terminate their marriage through absolute divorce has not yet passed all these steps. The House approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 9349 on May 22, 2024.  In September 2023, the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality approved Senate Bill No. 2443, a consolidated measure on absolute divorce. As of writing, it is pending second reading .  Absolute divorce : House Bill No. 9349 , authored by Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman , seeks to legalize absolute divorce in the Philippines, citing grounds like psychological incapacity, abandonment without justifiable cause, bigamy, drug addiction, infidelity, domestic or marital abuse, and irreconcilable differences, among others.  Lagman argues that the bill provides an alternative to annulment for victims, especially women in abusive marriages. (READ: [Rappler Investigates] They want out, but can’t ) In the upper chamber, Senate Bill No. 2443 faces mixed opinions . The measure’s authors — senators Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Robinhood Padilla, Pia Cayetano, and Imee Marcos — are in favor of the measure. Senators JV Ejercito and Grace Poe are also reportedly in favor of the bill.  Meanwhile, Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, Chiz Escudero, and Migz Zubiri oppose the bill, citing reasons such as the sanctity of marriage and a preference for focusing on making the annulment of marriages more accessible. (READ: [ANALYSIS] A lawyer looks at the divorce bill in the Philippines ) Church leads opposition: The Philippines remains the only country, along with the Vatican, without a divorce law. The Catholic Church strongly opposes the passage of a divorce bill, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) arguing that it would harm families and undermine marriage. The CBCP calls divorce “anti-family, anti-marriage, and anti-children,” and urged Filipinos to “discern together,” even as it acknowledges that it cannot impose its views on the state. – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com Marjuice Destinado is a Rappler intern. She is a third-year political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU), serving as feature editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication. Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.   Summarize this article with AI How does this make you feel? Loading
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For context, always refer to the full article. ![FACT CHECK: Divorce is still illegal in the Philippines](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2025/01/2024-fact-check-carousel-divorce-bill.jpg) *While the House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize divorce, it still needs to go through the Senate and receive presidential approval before it can become law* **Claim:** Divorce has been legalized in the Philippines. ##### **Rating: FALSE** **Why we fact-checked this:** The TikTok video containing the claim has over 3 million views, 213,300 likes, 70,300 shares, and 6,918 comments as of writing. Text in the video states: “Finally, approved *na ang* divorce *dito sa Pilipinas*. House Bill 9349.” (Finally, divorce has been approved here in the Philippines. House Bill 9349.) The video caption claims that divorce is now legal in the Philippines and mentions the House of Representatives passing the Absolute Divorce Bill on final reading. ![](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2025/01/2024-fact-check-full-post-divorce-bill.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024) **The facts:** While the video [does show](https://youtu.be/xy5VKBsy4t4?si=Pr_r3SAHtUahN6Dd) the House of Representatives passing [House Bill No. 9349](https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4421540192!.pdf), this does not mean divorce has been legalized in the Philippines. For a [bill to become law](https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/about/legpro.asp), it must be approved by both houses of Congress and receive presidential approval. After a bill passes the House, it is transmitted to the Senate for review, amendments, and hearings. Once the Senate approves it, a bicameral committee resolves any differences with the House version. The reconciled version of the bill must then be approved by both chambers. Only after this process can the President sign it into law or veto it, with Congress able to override a veto by a two-thirds majority vote. If the President does not sign a bill within 30 days from receipt in his office, the bill may lapse into law. As of writing, [divorce remains illegal in the Philippines](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/philippines-divorce-bill-legalise-senate-13775949.html) because the measure allowing couples to terminate their marriage through absolute divorce has not yet passed all these steps. The House [approved](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/house-approves-divorce-bill-may-2024/) on third and final reading House Bill No. 9349 on May 22, 2024. In September 2023, the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality [approved](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/divorce-bill-hurdles-senate-committee-level-september-2023/) Senate Bill No. 2443, a consolidated measure on absolute divorce. As of writing, it is [pending second reading](https://web.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=19&q=SBN-2443). **Absolute divorce**: [House Bill No. 9349](https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4421540192!.pdf), authored by [Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225339), seeks to legalize [absolute divorce](https://www.rappler.com/video/88378-rapplertalk-divorce-philippines-discussions/) in the Philippines, citing [grounds](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225339) like psychological incapacity, abandonment without justifiable cause, bigamy, drug addiction, infidelity, domestic or marital abuse, and irreconcilable differences, among others. Lagman argues that the bill provides an alternative to [annulment](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/116266-infographic-how-get-annulled/) for victims, especially [women](https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-reasons-women-seek-divorce-philippines/) in abusive marriages. (READ: [\[Rappler Investigates\] They want out, but can’t](https://www.rappler.com/voices/newsletters/investigates-divorce-philippines/)) In the upper chamber, Senate Bill No. 2443 faces [mixed opinions](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/where-do-senators-stand-divorce-bill/). The measure’s authors — senators Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Robinhood Padilla, Pia Cayetano, and Imee Marcos — are in favor of the measure. Senators JV Ejercito and Grace Poe are also reportedly in favor of the bill. Meanwhile, Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, Chiz Escudero, and Migz Zubiri oppose the bill, citing reasons such as the sanctity of marriage and a preference for focusing on making the annulment of marriages more accessible. (READ: [\[ANALYSIS\] A lawyer looks at the divorce bill in the Philippines](https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/analysis-lawyer-looks-divorce-bill-philippines/)) **Church leads opposition:** The Philippines remains the [only country,](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/philippines-divorce-law-bill-illegal-vatican-b2596030.html) along with the Vatican, without a divorce law. The Catholic Church strongly opposes the passage of a divorce bill, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) arguing that it would harm families and undermine marriage. The CBCP calls divorce [“anti-family, anti-marriage, and anti-children,”](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/907784/cbcp-divorce-is-anti-family-anti-marriage-and-anti-children/story/) and urged Filipinos to “discern together,” even as it acknowledges that it cannot [impose](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/catholic-bishops-conference-statement-divorce-bill-july-2024/) its views on the state. **– Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com** *Marjuice Destinado is a Rappler intern. She is a third-year political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU), serving as feature editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication.* *Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one* [*Fact Check*](https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check) *at a time.* Summarize this article with AI Share in Chat Share article [Facebook](https://facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Fnewsbreak%2Ffact-check%2Fdivorce-still-illegal-philippines-january-2025%2F&utm_source=fb_share&utm_medium=social) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Fnewsbreak%2Ffact-check%2Fdivorce-still-illegal-philippines-january-2025%2F&text=FACT%20CHECK%3A%20Divorce%20is%20still%20illegal%20in%20the%20Philippines&via=rapplerdotcom&utm_source=tw_share&utm_medium=social) *** [Copy Link](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/divorce-still-illegal-philippines-january-2025/) Copied How does this make you feel? Loading #### Related Topics [divorce in the Philippines](https://www.rappler.com/topic/divorce/) [House of Representatives](https://www.rappler.com/topic/house-representatives/) [Senate of the Philippines](https://www.rappler.com/topic/senate-of-the-philippines/) *** *** #### divorce in the Philippines [Newsbreak Podcasts and Videos](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/podcasts-videos/) ## [Order in the Court: Philippines, only country without divorce aside from Vatican](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/podcasts-videos/order-in-the-court-video-philippines-only-country-without-divorce-vatican-city/) Share in Chat Share article [Facebook](https://facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Fnewsbreak%2Fpodcasts-videos%2Forder-in-the-court-video-philippines-only-country-without-divorce-vatican-city%2F&utm_source=fb_share&utm_medium=social) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rappler.com%2Fnewsbreak%2Fpodcasts-videos%2Forder-in-the-court-video-philippines-only-country-without-divorce-vatican-city%2F&text=Order%20in%20the%20Court%3A%20Philippines%2C%20only%20country%20without%20divorce%20aside%20from%20Vatican&via=rapplerdotcom&utm_source=tw_share&utm_medium=social) *** [Copy Link](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/podcasts-videos/order-in-the-court-video-philippines-only-country-without-divorce-vatican-city/) Copied [![Order in the Court: Philippines, only country without divorce aside from Vatican](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2024/06/divorce-bll-cebu-independence-day-june-12-2024-001-scaled.jpg?resize=257%2C257&crop=238px%2C0px%2C1707px%2C1707px)](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/podcasts-videos/order-in-the-court-video-philippines-only-country-without-divorce-vatican-city/) [Philippine News](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/) ## 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SUMMARY This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. ![FACT CHECK: Divorce is still illegal in the Philippines](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2025/01/2024-fact-check-carousel-divorce-bill.jpg) *While the House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize divorce, it still needs to go through the Senate and receive presidential approval before it can become law* **Claim:** Divorce has been legalized in the Philippines. ##### **Rating: FALSE** **Why we fact-checked this:** The TikTok video containing the claim has over 3 million views, 213,300 likes, 70,300 shares, and 6,918 comments as of writing. Text in the video states: “Finally, approved *na ang* divorce *dito sa Pilipinas*. House Bill 9349.” (Finally, divorce has been approved here in the Philippines. House Bill 9349.) The video caption claims that divorce is now legal in the Philippines and mentions the House of Representatives passing the Absolute Divorce Bill on final reading. ![](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2025/01/2024-fact-check-full-post-divorce-bill.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024) **The facts:** While the video [does show](https://youtu.be/xy5VKBsy4t4?si=Pr_r3SAHtUahN6Dd) the House of Representatives passing [House Bill No. 9349](https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4421540192!.pdf), this does not mean divorce has been legalized in the Philippines. For a [bill to become law](https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/about/legpro.asp), it must be approved by both houses of Congress and receive presidential approval. After a bill passes the House, it is transmitted to the Senate for review, amendments, and hearings. Once the Senate approves it, a bicameral committee resolves any differences with the House version. The reconciled version of the bill must then be approved by both chambers. Only after this process can the President sign it into law or veto it, with Congress able to override a veto by a two-thirds majority vote. If the President does not sign a bill within 30 days from receipt in his office, the bill may lapse into law. As of writing, [divorce remains illegal in the Philippines](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/philippines-divorce-bill-legalise-senate-13775949.html) because the measure allowing couples to terminate their marriage through absolute divorce has not yet passed all these steps. The House [approved](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/house-approves-divorce-bill-may-2024/) on third and final reading House Bill No. 9349 on May 22, 2024. In September 2023, the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality [approved](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/divorce-bill-hurdles-senate-committee-level-september-2023/) Senate Bill No. 2443, a consolidated measure on absolute divorce. As of writing, it is [pending second reading](https://web.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=19&q=SBN-2443). **Absolute divorce**: [House Bill No. 9349](https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4421540192!.pdf), authored by [Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225339), seeks to legalize [absolute divorce](https://www.rappler.com/video/88378-rapplertalk-divorce-philippines-discussions/) in the Philippines, citing [grounds](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225339) like psychological incapacity, abandonment without justifiable cause, bigamy, drug addiction, infidelity, domestic or marital abuse, and irreconcilable differences, among others. Lagman argues that the bill provides an alternative to [annulment](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/116266-infographic-how-get-annulled/) for victims, especially [women](https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-reasons-women-seek-divorce-philippines/) in abusive marriages. (READ: [\[Rappler Investigates\] They want out, but can’t](https://www.rappler.com/voices/newsletters/investigates-divorce-philippines/)) In the upper chamber, Senate Bill No. 2443 faces [mixed opinions](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/where-do-senators-stand-divorce-bill/). The measure’s authors — senators Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Robinhood Padilla, Pia Cayetano, and Imee Marcos — are in favor of the measure. Senators JV Ejercito and Grace Poe are also reportedly in favor of the bill. Meanwhile, Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, Chiz Escudero, and Migz Zubiri oppose the bill, citing reasons such as the sanctity of marriage and a preference for focusing on making the annulment of marriages more accessible. (READ: [\[ANALYSIS\] A lawyer looks at the divorce bill in the Philippines](https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/analysis-lawyer-looks-divorce-bill-philippines/)) **Church leads opposition:** The Philippines remains the [only country,](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/philippines-divorce-law-bill-illegal-vatican-b2596030.html) along with the Vatican, without a divorce law. The Catholic Church strongly opposes the passage of a divorce bill, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) arguing that it would harm families and undermine marriage. The CBCP calls divorce [“anti-family, anti-marriage, and anti-children,”](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/907784/cbcp-divorce-is-anti-family-anti-marriage-and-anti-children/story/) and urged Filipinos to “discern together,” even as it acknowledges that it cannot [impose](https://www.rappler.com/philippines/catholic-bishops-conference-statement-divorce-bill-july-2024/) its views on the state. **– Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com** *Marjuice Destinado is a Rappler intern. She is a third-year political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU), serving as feature editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication.* *Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one* [*Fact Check*](https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check) *at a time.* Summarize this article with AI How does this make you feel? Loading
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