Sorry Philippines! You’re gonna be on your own ’cause your only companion in this loveless marriage is just not going to stay together for the children. Yep, that’s right, Malta is going to pull a bitch move and get her own free-wheeling divorzju lifestyle complete with her own martini, long cigarette and lounge coat.
‘Cause no matter what some of those PM’s think, there is an extremely high chance that they will vote for the May 28th introduction into the Malta parliament a referendum in order to legalize divorce and has removed the illegality of it while it is pending passage, leaving the Philippines as the last country on this planet where divorce is still illegal. The final vote for the Maltese bill is not yet determined but the 2nd vote (out of three) on its reading is on July 4th (which evokes the idea of freedom in other cultures too *wink wink*)
But noooOOoooo, the Philippines had to come back and say “Fuck you” to Malta by trying to race through its OWN legislation to legalize divorce. It seems no one wants to be the one seen as the last one standing at the altar, so to speak. But before we all go running off to the Philippines to get a Vegas-style wedding and divorce, it looks like its going to be awhile before it gets passed. It seems that the mostly Catholic nation and the church’s authorities do not seem enamored by the prospect and have vowed to block passage of the bill.
For now, couples can only legally separate but cannot remarry because the marriage is not recognized as ended, a declaration of nullity which makes any children in the marriage illegitimate or Article 36 of the Family Code which provides the marriage to be annulled if a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is given and one of the parties is declared psychologically incapacitated to participate in the marriage. It seems that in both countries, there is inevitably a strong proud religious-based “family values” constituency that has been crusading against the legalization in both countries but for now it seems like Malta is going to achieve the recognizance before the Philippines.
If you would like to visit the Reading Room (Two gentille floors above the aforementioned Book Club, which I hear is being held in the trenches and moats under the castle in order to muffle the brut screaming. We shall be able to enjoy our fine tea, crumpets, jam and clotted cream). Oh dear, civilization or um…. civilisation , if I’m invoking the Queen’s dialect.
Here are some useful links:
Divorce Bill before Parliament- PN group divided
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110531/local/divorce-bill-before-parliament-tomorrow.368250
PM keeps voting intentions to himself
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110531/local/PM-keeps-voting-intentions-to-himself.368160
Malta divorce decision poses new questions for expats
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/offshorefinance/8554645/Malta-divorce-decision-poses-new-questions-for-expats.html
Malta divorce vote: Second chance or try harder?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13580505
Filipino-Style Divorce, Anyone?
http://the-diplomat.com/asean-beat/2011/06/16/filipino-style-divorce-anyone/
Philippines Stands All but Alone in Banning Divorce
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/asia/18iht-philippines18.html
Philippines only country without divorce, Malta gives in
(Author’s note: I love the spin on this)
http://www.philippinenews.com/top-of-the-news/2258-philippines-only-country-without-divorce-malta-gives-in.html
One more, if you’re still interested. check out the comments on some of these articles:
Philippine body tackles divorce bill after Malta vote
http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=19174
Top image (Via Flickr: Thomas_Ashland)
Second Image
(via Flickr, MrMonochrome)
