Senate panel OKs absolute divorce bill

BY HANNAH TORREGOZA 

Sep 19, 2023 02:17 PM

  

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The Philippines is now poised to join other countries that honors and recognizes divorce. 

 

This, after a Senate panel approved the measure that provides absolute divorce in the Philippines. 

 

Senate Bill No. 2443, or the proposed “Dissolution of Marriage Act”, expands the grounds for dissolution of marriage, and institutes divorce in the Philippines, has been approved by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

 

The consolidated version of the bill were authored by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Pia Cayetano, and Imee Marcos. 

 

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Senators Grace Poe, and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also signed the measure under Committee Report No. 124.

 

Under the bill, either or both spouses can seek a judicial decree of absolute divorce based on the following grounds: 

 

1. Five years of separation, whether continuous or broken without a judicial decree of separation, provided that the spouses are legally separated by judicial decree under Article 55 of the Family Code of the Philippines, a two year period from the time of the issuance of the decree of legal separation will suffice;
2. The commission of the crime of rape by the respondent-spouse against petitioner spouse, whether before or after the celebration of their marriage;
3. Physical violence or grossly abusive conduct, provided that lesbianism, and homosexuality shall not be ground, unless either or both spouses commit marital infidelity;
4. Final decree of absolute divorce obtained in a foreign jurisdiction by any Filipino citizen, regardless of who they married;
5. Irreconcilable marital differences or irreparable breakdown of the marriage despite earnest efforts at reconciliation, subject to a cooling-off period of 60 days;
6. A marriage annulment or dissolution, duly authorized by a church or religious entity or a marriage termination duly authorized by customs and practices traditionally recognized, accepted and observed by an indigenous cultural community (ICC) or indigenous peoples (IP) to which the parties belong. 

Under the measure, the court shall provide for child support pursuant to the pertient provisions of the Family Code. 

 

The court shall also provide for spousal support, provided that the spouse who gave cause for divorce shall not be entitled to spousal support.

 

Under the proposed law, any person who fails to provide court-ordered child support and/or court-ordered spousal support shall be punished by prision mayor and shall be fined in the amount of P100,000 to not more than P300,000 on top of unpaid child support and/or spousal support with compounding legal interest computed from date of default until full payment. 

 

Based on the bill, if the spouses have agreed to reconcile at any time, the procedure under Articles 64, 65 and 66 of the Family Code of the Philippines shall apply. 

 

A panel at the House of Representatives has also approved their version of the absolute divorce bill last year. 

Bong Go files bill modernizing PH Coast Guard’s capabilities ​

BY HANNAH TORREGOZA 

Jul 9, 2023 10:43 AM

  

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Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has filed a bill seeking to modernize the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and strengthen its capabilities in guarding the country’s maritime resources in light of the series of maritime incidents and emergencies in the West Philippine Sea.

                                    Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go (Senate PRIB Photo)

In filing Senate Bill No. 2112, Go said it is imperative to upgrade the PCG’s vessels, aircraft and equipment to international standards, as this will significanlty improve its response time when there are maritime incidents and emergencies. 
 
"Our coast guard serves as the frontline defense against threats like smuggling and terrorism. Additionally, they provide invaluable assistance during natural disasters and emergencies,” Go said.
 
"However, our coast guard faces several challenges that hamper their effectiveness including outdated equipment, inadequate training, and insufficient funding,” he noted.
 
“Hence, I am proposing this bill to address these issues and modernize our coast guard to better protect our country and our people,” Go said.
 
Once passed into law, it would allow the PCG to undergo a comprehensive modernization program designed to eliminate accidents at sea, expedite response times during search and rescue operations, and bolster national security efforts.
 
The bill also aims to help in the enforcement of Philippine laws in the maritime zone, minimize pollution, and improve response times for recovering and mitigating spills.
 
Go said the reported aggressive moves of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels and militia last June 30, chasing two Philippine vessels during a resupply mission, highlights the importance of modernizing the PCG.
 
He noted that the PCG ships—BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua—were merely providing escort to a small boat delivering supplies to the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre. 
 
The mission encountered a significant number of Chinese Coast Guard militia vessels, described as an "armada."
 
Part of the bill, Go said seeks to provide training and capacity-building programs for the PCG to make sure that its personnel are well-prepared for any challenges that may arise.
 
Under the bill, he said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) would be the implementing agency that will have the authority to enter into multi-year contracts subject to Congress’ and the President’s approval. 
 
"Moreover, this bill will establish a system of accountability and transparency in managing the coast guard's resources and operations. It guarantees efficient and effective use of the allocated funds for the modernization of our coast guard," Go said.
 
“The modernization of our coast guard is crucial for our national security and the safety and well-being of our citizens, particularly those whose livelihood depends on our seas and waterways. We must ensure that our PCG is fully equipped and prepared to protect our waters and our people,” he pointed out.

‘Anti-poor’: Tulfo slams gov’t plan to tax junk food

BY HANNAH TORREGOZA 

  

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Senator Raffy Tulfo on Sunday, July 2 criticized the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) “anti-poor” plan to impose taxes on junk food and other food items next year.
 

                                        Sen. Raffy Tulfo (Senate PRIB Photo)

Tulfo pointed out it would be the poorest of the poor that heavily rely on these affordable food items would be the most affected.
 
Instead of these, the senator said the BIR should consider taxing cosmetics and other luxury items. 
 
“Bakit pinagdidiskitahan ng BIR ang mga chichirya at nais nilang patawan ng buwis ang mga ito (Why is the BIR even considering taxing junk food)? This is very anti-poor!” Tulfo said.
 
“Kung ang pakay nila ay para makalikom ng dagdag kita para sa kaban ng bayan mula sa mga consumer products, bakit ‘di nila punteryahin ang mga luxury items gaya ng mga food supplements, protein bars, energy bars, slimming drinks pati na maging mga cosmetic products (If their goal is to raise more revenue for public funds from consumer products, why don't they target luxury items such as food supplements, protein bars, energy bars, slimming drinks and even cosmetics)?” he pointed out.
 
Finance Secretary Ben Diokno had said the Department of Finance (DOF) plans to impose a ₱10 per 100 grams or ₱10 per 100 milliliters tax on pre-packaged foods, including confectioneries, snacks, desserts, and frozen confectioneries.
 
But Tulfo said that if the BIR badly wants to boost public revenue, it should focus train its sights on food supplements and cosmetic products, which are both part of a multi-billion peso industry.
 
The lawmaker said he believes food supplements and cosmetic products would still be bought by the middle income earners regardless of the price. 
 
On the other hand, Tulfo said the Department of Health’s (DOH) should prompt manufacturers to decrease the sodium content of packaged food. 
 
He said this would be a better alternative that giving approval to the proposed tax measure to supposedly discourage consumers from buying junk food that they said could lead to obesity and diabetes.
 
According to Tulfo, Singapore manufacturers were able to find low sodium substitute for processed food product without heavily affecting the taste. 

Go vows to monitor Nordeco’s promise to end Samal’s power woes this month

BY HANNAH TORREGOZA 

May 26, 2023 09:59 AM

  

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Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has vowed to keep track of Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s (Nordeco) promise to end the power crisis gripping the Island Garden of Samal City residents by the end of May.
 

                           Senator Christopher "Bong" Go (Photo from O/S Bong Go)

Go made the assurance in an interview in Maco, Davao de Oro even as he urged officials of Nordeco to keep their word and fast track the installation of additional generator sets in the area.
 
“I understand the problems hounding Nordeco, that’s why I urge you to hurry up, because sometimes the people cannot understand the technical issues,” Go said in Filipino during the interview.
 
The electricity woes hounding Samal Island was also tackled by Sen. Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo during the Senate Committee on Energy hearing last Wednesday, May 24.
 
Marilou Impuesto, Manager of Nordeco’s Institutional Service Department, said the company is targeting to fix the problems and provide stable power supply on Samal “within this month” of May.
 
According to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), Samal island has a power demand of 9 megawatts but the current available power in the area is only at 6.1 megawatts (MW) after three generator sets malfunctioned.
 
Two of these generator sets are under Nordeco. According to the company, Nordeco has securred additional 2MW generator sets which will arrive by Friday.
 
Go said he hopes the plans and the timeline will push through to ensure that electricity in Samal island would be fully operational.
 
“If this doesn’t get resolve, we will have an economic crisis in the area or in the island itself,” the senator said of the famous local tourist spot.
 
“It’s very difficult to have brownouts, because tourism is affected. The residents there are affected as well…When there is no electricity, everyone is affected,”
 
“The water source is affected, even the people’s mobility; transportation and communication lines are also affected. Tourism is affected, and many people will lose jobs and livelihood if there is a power crisis,” the senator stressed.
 

DOH, DepEd urged to launch more HIV awareness, campaign information among Filipino youth

 

NEWSNATIONAL

BY HANNAH TORREGOZA 

  

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Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday, March 15 called on the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to step up efforts on raising the youth’s awareness on the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.
 
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, made the call following the release of the HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines for January 2023, which revealed that 86 cases were recorded among children and adolescents or those aged 19 and below. 
 
The same study cited that 79 percent of these cases were prevalent among adolescents aged 10 to 19, while seven were less than 10 years old.
 
“Nakakaalarma at nakakalungkot isipin na kung sino pa ang dapat na binibigyan ng dobleng pag-aaruga dahil sa kanilang murang edad at kahinaan ay sila pa ang nakakaranas ng matinding pagdurusa (It is alarming and sad to think that those who should be given double care because of their young age and weakness are the ones who are experiencing great suffering),” Gatchalian said in a statement.
 
“Ang nakababahalang balitang ito ay kinakailangan ng mas maigting na pakikipag-ugnayan ng DOH sa iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan para ikalat nang husto ang kaalaman tungkol sa sakit at kung paano maiwasan ito (This alarming news calls for closer collaboration by the DOH with various government agencies and local governments to widely spread knowledge about the disease and how to prevent it),” he said.
 
The same study also showed that the total number of new HIV cases for the month of January was 1,454. Of the 1,365 reported cases acquired through sexual contact, 998 or 70 percent were males who reported having sex with another male, 193 or 13 percent were males having sex with females, and 240 or 17 percent were males having sex with both males and females.
 
Gatchalian pointed out the findings of the University of the Philippines Population Institute’s (UPPI) 2021 Young Adult and Fertility Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) also revealed that youth awareness of HIV and acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) dropped to 78% in 2021—the lowest recorded since 1994 when the rate of youth awareness on HIV and AIDS was 95 percent. 
 
In 2013, the percentage of youth who were aware of HIV and AIDS already dropped to 85 percent.
 
Because of this, the lawmaker said he will pursue a Senate inquiry on HIV infections among youth, as well as adolescent pregnancies. 
 
Last year, Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No.13 in a bid to review and assess the DepEd’s implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).
 
“Nais nating tiyakin na sapat ang kaalaman ng ating mga kabataan pagdating sa HIV, lalo na’t maaaring magdulot ito ng pinsala sa kanilang kalusugan at kapakanan. Susuriin natin kung paano natuturuan ang ating mga kabataan upang pangalagaan ang kanilang mga kalusugan (We want to make sure that our young people have enough knowledge when it comes to HIV, especially because it can cause damage to their health and well-being. We will examine how our youth are educated to take care of their health),” the senator stressed. 

Bong Go seeks heightened monitoring of border control amid China’s COVID-19 surge

Published January 4, 2023, 9:24 AM

by Hannah Torregoza, MB

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called on the government to strengthen its monitoring system in the country’s borders as more travelers coming from China raises concerns of a surge in more COVID-19 cases. 

“Secure our borders. Intensify our monitoring. Review our current protocols especially from incoming travelers from China because it has been reported that COVID-19 cases there are increasing and they are having lockdowns,” Go said in Filipino during an ambush interview in Misamis Oriental on Monday, January 2.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, likewise, urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to review and strengthen COVID-19 guidelines in order to prevent the Philippines from being impacted by the surge of COVID-19 cases in China.

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“Reviewing the guidelines should be a daily basis so that not one positive for COVID can get through because it’s difficult to start all over again,” Go said.

“It is very difficult to put to waste what we worked hard for. We have come a long way in our COVID response and we don’t want to go back to what was done before, strictly imposing lockdowns. Many of our countrymen will lose their jobs again,” he added.

As far as he is concerned, the senator said Filipinos should not relax their vigilance as long as COVID-19 is still present. 

“It’s important for us to balance everything. While COVID is still here, it is still dangerous,” he said.

Go reiterated his call for people who are still unvaccinated to get jabbed and those who are eligible for boosters to get themselves boosted, stressing these are essential for combatting COVID-19.

“Vaccination is the only key or solution so that we can gradually return to our normal lives and have herd immunity. When we are vaccinated, we are more protected,” he stressed.