House approves Absolute Divorce Act, 131-109

The House of Representatives approved the Absolute Divorce Act for a second time on Wednesday during its final reading with 131 votes in favor, 109 against, and 20 abstentions.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco issued a memorandum correcting the initial vote count from 126 to 131 affirmative votes after concerns were raised by former Senate president Vicente Sotto III about parliamentary rules.

Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez has questioned the changes made to the voting tally, expressing doubt over whether the adjustment was made to ensure a majority vote.

Principal author Edcel Lagman argued that under House rules, a simple majority is sufficient if yes votes exceed no votes, despite opposition based on religious beliefs and fear of reprisals at the polls. The bill now faces approval in the Senate with optimism from Lagman due to changes in leadership there.

The vote was contentious, even splitting usual allies such as Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez's wife Yedda Marie Romualdez who voted against it, while her protege, presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, voted in favor.