The House of Representatives secretariat is delaying the transmission of House Bill 9349, known as the Absolute Divorce Act, to the Senate, pending concerns about the vote count process.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco stated that issues regarding the vote tally can be addressed when Congress reconvenes on July 22.
Velasco clarified that adjustments were made to affirmative votes after discrepancies were discovered during nominal voting, prompting Speaker Martin Romualdez to issue an advisory setting the votes at 131-109-20.
However, Senate President Vicente Sotto III questioned the changes, emphasizing the importance of following proper procedures in legislative processes.
Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula emphasized that if the divorce bill becomes law, it would only apply to civil marriages and not sacramental marriages blessed by the Catholic Church, urging a continued effort to support marriage and family.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 25, 2024
