MANILA, Jan. 11 — A pro-women group has questioned a proposal that would mandate a 10-year limit on the validity of marriage contract, saying that such idea is not feasible and could even hinder women victims of domestic violence from immediately getting out of their marriage.
Senatorial candidate Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza said: "Putting expiration dates on marriage contracts is arbitrary and does not seem to address the problem of couples especially women in violent relationships."
"It could even tolerate the cycle of violence to continue as long as the contract has not yet expired," she said.
According to Maza, there is a cycle of violence that involves the honeymoon stage and the violent stage.
"It is possible that the batterer will suddenly shift from violent stage to honeymoon stage when the 10-year expiration nears and the cycle of violence will just continue," she said.
"This 10-year expiration date could also mean prolonging the agony of battered women," she added.
Maza further said that battered women invariably seek separation only after many years of trying to make the marriage work and separation only becomes imperative for them when they realize that it is necessary for their safety and their children’s survival.
Instead, the Gabriela party-list solon said she is pushing for House Bill 4016 or the "Divorce Bill" in the Philippines.
She said that her proposal would give couples the option for divorce, instead of confining their options to legal separation or annulment.
"The sanctity of marriage is not based on the number of marriages existing but on the quality of marital relationships. When a marriage is no longer viable, divorce should be an option," she said.
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