On Marriage and Divorce

The Philippines is inching closer to legalizing divorce, making it one of the last holdouts in the world to do so. Currently, it’s the ONLY country where divorce is still illegal.

The Philippine Constitution, THE HIGHEST law of the land, states that ANY law or contract that contradicts it is void and unconstitutional. Section 2, Article XV of the Constitution provides: “Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State.” In other words, for divorce to be legal, the Constitution must first be amended. Passing such law without amendment is unconstitutional and would render it void.

My Opinion: Maybe Don’t Get Married in the First Place?

People have this fairytale notion that marriage is all about rainbows and happily ever after. They think marrying their so-called “love of their life” will solve all their problems. Data doesn’t lie. 53% of marriages end in divorce. Actually, you dont even need the data. Just look around you—notice the failed marriages, the childish behavior, the utter disaster that many unions become. . And so just because everyone around you is doing it, doesn’t mean you should do it as well. If your relatives and/or friends are pushing you to do it, do not listen to them. Remember, misery loves company. I am not saying dont get married. Im saying that marriage should be YOUR decision, not your partner’s, your relative’s, your friend’s, nor God’s.

The Case of Chi Ming Tsoi vs Court of Appeals

This case perfectly illustrates the sheer stupidity of mankind. In this annulment case, the wife claimed her husband was a closeted homosexual and impotent. And guess what? The court ruled in her favor. Annulment in the Philippines is notoriously strict and expensive. There are cases where the wife becomes a drug addict or abusive, yet the court still denies annulment. But in this instance, the court leaned on Catholic doctrine (pray for this country) to justify their decision.

They argued that procreation is a fundamental part of marriage. Since the husband couldn’t procreate and refused to have sex with his wife, he was deemed “psychologically incapacitated.” Seriously, how much did the girl bribe the court for this one? This case showcases the utter foolishness of couples who jump into marriage without thinking. If sex is important to you, then have sex before marriage. If you’re too scared of God to do that, then why are you getting divorced? The hypocrisy is glaring. Catholicism’s selective morality strikes again.

Financial Considerations

Marry someone richer than you. In the Philippines, if you don’t have a prenuptial agreement (which the wealthier partner should insist on), properties become joint. Without a prenup, your spouse could end up with half of everything, including your hard-earned assets. Imagine, you are working all your life and someone would just take half of it FOR FREE. That is worse than income taxes. And as a rule of thumb, marry someone smart—it’s a good baseline for avoiding future headaches.

On Timing

It’s best to get married before your parents die. If your parents are responsible and leave you an inheritance, those properties will become joint if you’re married. So, the house your dead father spent all of his money for could end up partially owned by someone who did not contribute a thing. To avoid this, consider tying the knot when you notice that your parents are getting weak and potentially dying. If they have no inheritance for you, marry whenever you want.

Religious Context

The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, and this influences many people’s views on marriage and divorce. Some argue that the country’s religious values are at odds with modern views on these issues. While Catholicism promotes family values, it also frowns upon divorce, abortion, and premarital sex. This selective morality is hypocritical and contribute to the country’s poverty by encouraging marriages that aren’t financially or emotionally stable. And let’s be real: God is dead. It’s time to face reality.

Divorce and Remarriage

Divorcees are selfish. The children are the real victims. These people shouldn’t have gotten married or had kids in the first place if they couldn’t predict the outcome. They are stupid for not foreseeing the end. Love doesn’t justify their actions—love leads to familiarity, which often translates to boredom, but that’s not an excuse to divorce. Loss of love isn’t an excuse either; love isn’t a fleeting feeling but a conscious choice. What makes them more selfish is the fact that 50% of divorcee remarry within 5 years after the divorce.

In conclusion, marriage should be approached with caution. This isn’t to discourage people from marrying; it can be fulfilling if done wisely. But remove religious pressure from the equation. If your faith is important to you, then live by its principles, including abstaining from premarital sex. For everyone else, think carefully and plan wisely before walking down the aisle.