Philippines: the fight for divorce

People in Philippines want divorce - 3rd July 2023

In the Catholic country of the Philippines, divorce is forbidden. People are fighting to change the law.

Stella Sibonga’s a mother of three children. She and her husband haven’t lived together for years. So Sibonga, like others, would like a divorce. Nowadays, Vatican City is the only other country where divorce is impossible.

Unhappy couples can request a separation, but not a divorce. Even getting a separation is difficult. It’s only possible in certain situations, such as when one partner’s a serious criminal. But after a separation, you can’t remarry. And you can’t have a sexual relationship with someone else.

Sibonga’s had a long relationship with her new partner. But they can’t get married. She said, "When I finally found someone who loves me and accepts me with all my failures, we still can’t marry."

The Philippines is 78 percent Catholic and divorce was forbidden for centuries under Spanish law. Little changed after the United States controlled the country. After becoming independent in 1946, the Philippines’ marriage laws have stayed the same.

During the election in 2022, President Marcos said the divorce laws might change. Politicians are working on it, but it’s a slow process.

Sibonga’s upset by the situation and said, "All we want is to be free."