Photo credit: Congress PH

The House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 9349 through viva voce voting on Wednesday. The bill, which aims to institute absolute divorce as an alternative means of dissolving irreparably broken or dysfunctional marriages, was principally authored by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

HB 9349 sets out specific grounds and judicial procedures for divorce, intending to alleviate the pain and stress experienced by children due to their parents' marital conflicts, and to offer divorced spouses a chance to remarry and find happiness anew. The grounds for filing a petition for absolute divorce include legal separation, annulment of marriage, a prolonged separation of at least five years, psychological incapacity, irreconcilable differences, and domestic or marital abuse as outlined in the Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

In addition to this landmark bill, the House also passed several measures focusing on the welfare of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Among these is House Bill 10188, the "Senior Citizens Protection Against Fraud Act," authored by Muntinlupa City Rep. Jaime Fresnedi. This bill mandates the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through local government units, to educate senior citizens and their families on various forms of fraud, including mail, telemarketing, and internet scams, and how to prevent and report such cases.

Furthermore, HB 10312 was approved, ensuring that the 20% discount privilege for senior citizens and PWDs remains applicable even when products are sold at promotional prices. This bill is primarily authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, and Agusan del Sur Rep. Alfelito Bascug.

The House also passed on second reading HB 10313, which involves adapting the eGov Super App, and HB 10314, which rationalizes the benefits and privileges for senior citizens and PWDs, further enhancing their well-being, dignity, and inclusion in society.