Former presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe has filed a bill that seeks to amend the Family Code of the Philippines and update the grounds for legal separation- to include physical violence. When she was campaigning for the country's top post, Sen. Poe commented on strengthening the Legal Separation Article of the Family Code of the Philippines.
Senate Bill No. 1366 is titled an “Act expanding the grounds for legal separation, amending for the purpose Article 55 of the Family Code of the Philippines.”
Sen. Poe said “As it stands now, the provision requires repeated physical violence or grossly abusive conduct in order to justify a legal separation.”
“The wording is problematic because, first, the abuse must be repeated, putting the life of the victim at risk; and second, it does not recognize sexual abuse which is what usually happens in the privacy of homes,” Senator Poe added.
Senate Bill No. 1366 is titled an “Act expanding the grounds for legal separation, amending for the purpose Article 55 of the Family Code of the Philippines.”
Sen. Poe said “As it stands now, the provision requires repeated physical violence or grossly abusive conduct in order to justify a legal separation.”
“The wording is problematic because, first, the abuse must be repeated, putting the life of the victim at risk; and second, it does not recognize sexual abuse which is what usually happens in the privacy of homes,” Senator Poe added.
According to Sen. Poe, under the current Civil Code, any physical violence less than an attempt on the life of the other spouse is not a ground for legal separation. This is the main purpose for introducing the new Senate Bill. Sen. Poe wants the reduce this requirement. In her proposed bill, the physical abuse need not be repetetive, nor should it be due to an attempt on life. This means "A husband who physically manhandles his wife every time he is drunk without intent to kill" will be a ground for legal separation.
Currently, the Philippines has no Divorce Law. But a very similar effect can be achieved via either annulment or legal separation. As annulments tend to be very expensive and takes a longtime for a finality of decision, many resort to legal separation.
But what is the difference between Annulment, Divorce and Legal Separation? Watch this video to find out.
Currently, the Philippines has no Divorce Law. But a very similar effect can be achieved via either annulment or legal separation. As annulments tend to be very expensive and takes a longtime for a finality of decision, many resort to legal separation.
But what is the difference between Annulment, Divorce and Legal Separation? Watch this video to find out.
Going back to the existing law, here are the criteria for filing legal separation:
Senator Poe says her proposal applies to both spouses, regardless of gender. She is merely filling a "gap" in the existing law.
source: MB, Pressreader, ChanRobles
- Repeated physical violence or grossly abusive conduct directed against the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner;
- Physical violence or moral pressure to compel the petitioner to change religious or political affiliation;
- Attempt of respondent to corrupt or induce the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner, to engage in prostitution, or connivance in such corruption or inducement;
- Final judgment sentencing the respondent to imprisonment of more than six years, even if pardoned;
- Drug addiction or habitual alcoholism of the respondent;
- Lesbianism or homosexuality of the respondent;
- Contracting by the respondent of a subsequent bigamous marriage, whether in the Philippines or abroad;
- Sexual infidelity or perversion;
- Attempt by the respondent against the life of the petitioner; or
- Abandonment of petitioner by respondent without justifiable cause for more than one year.
Senator Poe says her proposal applies to both spouses, regardless of gender. She is merely filling a "gap" in the existing law.
source: MB, Pressreader, ChanRobles
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