The Power of Print Media

Petisyon sa Tagalog

Kami, ang mga nakalagda, ay magalang na nananawagan sa Kongreso na magpatibay ng makatao, abot-kayang, at malinaw na batas sa diborsyo. Inilalarawan ng Artikulo 1 ng Family Code ang kasal bilang “isang natatanging kontrata ng permanenteng unyon,” ngunit wala itong lunas kapag ang unyon ay tuluyang nasira. Noong 13 Marso 2024 inaprubahan ng komite ang Senate Bill 2443, na nagtatakda ng “absolute divorce” at nangangakong gagawin itong “abordable, mabilis, at murang-mura” para sa mahihirap. Pumasa na rin sa ikalawang pagbasa sa Kamara noong 15 Mayo 2024 ang House Bill 9349 (Absolute Divorce Act) at hinihintay na lamang ang huling aksiyon ng Senado. Ang annulment ay mabagal at magastos; ang legal separation ay iniiwang nakagapos pa rin sa papel ang mag-asawa. Ang diborsyo ay hindi banta sa pananampalataya; ang bawat simbahan ay mananatiling malaya sa sariling doktrina. Sa pagkilala sa realidad, pinalalakas ng Estado ang mga pamilyang buo at binibigyan ng dangal—at legal na linaw—ang mga kailangang magsimulang muli.

Pangalan / Lagda __________________________________
Barangay / Lungsod ________________________________
Petsa ____________________________________________

Petisyon sa Cebuano

Kami, ang mga nagpirma, mapangayoong naghangyo sa Kongreso nga pagtugotan ang usa ka makatao, barato, ug hayag nga balaod sa diborsyo. Ang Article 1 sa Family Code naghulagway sa kaminyoon isip “espesyal nga kontrata sa permanente nga panaghiusa,” apan walay alibyo kung ang panaghiusa dili na maremedyohan. Kaniadtong 13 Marso 2024, gihuptan sa komite ang Senate Bill 2443 nga naglatid sa “absolute divorce” ug nagsaad nga ang proseso “maka-afford, paspas, ug barato” alang sa kabus. Milahos na usab sa ikaduhang pagbasa sa House niadtong 15 Mayo 2024 ang House Bill 9349; naghulat na lang sa katapusang lihok sa Senado. Ang annulment mahal ug dugay; ang legal separation biyaan gihapon nga gapos sa papel ang magtiayon. Dili hulga sa relihiyon ang diborsyo; ang tagsa-tagsa ka simbahan magpabiling gawasnon sa doktrina. Sa pag-ila sa kamatuoran, lig-on ang buhi nga pamilya ug hatagan og dignidad—ug legal nga kahayag—kadtong kinahanglan magsugod pag-usab.

Ngalan / Pirma ___________________________________
Barangay / Siyudad ________________________________
Petsa ____________________________________________

Petition in English

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of the Philippines, respectfully urge Congress to pass a humane, affordable, and transparent civil divorce law. Article 1 of the Family Code frames marriage as “a special contract of permanent union,” yet offers no remedy when that union is irretrievably broken. On 13 March 2024 the Senate committee approved Senate Bill 2443 defining absolute divorce and promising proceedings that are “affordable, expeditious, and inexpensive” for indigent litigants. House Bill 9349, the Absolute Divorce Act, passed second reading on 15 May 2024 and now awaits final Senate action. Annulment remains costly and slow; legal separation leaves couples forever bound on paper. Divorce is no threat to faith; every church remains free to govern its own sacrament. By recognising reality, the State affirms compassion, strengthens intact families, and offers dignity—and legal clarity—to those who must begin again.

Printed Name / Signature ___________________________
Barangay / City ___________________________________
Date ____________________________________________FREEDOM TO LOVE AGAIN PETITION  We, the undersigned citizens and residents of the Philippines, respectfully urge Congress to enact a humane, affordable, and transparent civil divorce law.  **WHEREAS** Article 1 of the Family Code frames marriage as “a special contract of permanent union” but offers no remedy when that union is irreparably broken ([en.wikipedia.org][1]);  **WHEREAS** Senate Bill 2443, approved at committee level on 13 March 2024, defines absolute divorce and promises court proceedings that are “affordable, expeditious, and inexpensive” for indigent litigants ([respicio.ph][2]);  **WHEREAS** House Bill 9349, the Absolute Divorce Act, passed second reading in the House on 15 May 2024 and awaits final Senate action ([en.wikipedia.org][1]);  **WHEREAS** annulment remains costly, slow, and premised on declaring a valid marriage void from the start, while legal separation leaves couples forever bound on paper;  **THEREFORE**, we ask Congress to pass a divorce measure that • recognises marriages that can no longer be healed, without erasing the couple’s shared history; • protects minors through clear custody and support provisions; • scales or waives fees for indigent petitioners; and • respects religious freedom by leaving sacramental doctrine to each church.  By recognising reality, the State affirms compassion, strengthens intact families, and offers dignity—and legal clarity—to those who must begin again.  Printed Name / Signature \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Barangay / City \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  (Optional note of support)  ---  ---  **Media partners:** please broadcast or print this petition in full and invite a respected national personality to stand up “for the rights of the people” by endorsing Freedom to Love Again on air, online, or in print.  [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce_in_the_Philippines?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Divorce in the Philippines" [2]: https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/status-of-divorce-legislation-in-philippines-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Status of Divorce Legislation in Philippines 2025"