Filipino Activist Advocates for Divorce Law Amid Ongoing Struggles

Manila, February 11, 2025 –Filipino fruit vendor and activist Avelina Anuran is continuing her battle to legalize divorce in the Philippines, a country where the dissolution of marriage is restricted to annulment or nullification—a process that many cannot afford. Anuran, a mother of two, has publicly testified about the abuse she endured from her husband and keeps a medical certificate of the injuries she says he inflicted, hoping to use it as evidence one day in court.

The Philippines remains one of only two countries in the world, alongside Vatican City, where divorce is illegal. Last week, a new attempt to introduce a divorce law in the country failed as the Senate ended its session without even holding a hearing. Anuran, who has advocated for the law since 2019, remains undeterred, vowing to continue pushing for change. “Spouses have a right to be free,” she said. “Hopefully it will pass next year, with new senators coming in.”

The current law allows for annulments, but the process is expensive—up to $10,000—and does not consider grounds such as domestic violence, abandonment, or infidelity. For many Filipinos, especially those in abusive marriages, this means no legal recourse. Anuran, whose estranged husband remains a beneficiary on her life insurance, stressed her desire to be free from a marriage that has caused her ongoing distress.

Recent surveys show that public support for divorce is increasing, with about half of Filipinos now backing the idea of a change. Before taking office in 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos expressed openness to supporting divorce, yet the proposal still faces strong opposition in the Senate, largely due to the influence of the Catholic Church, which opposes divorce on religious grounds.

The proposed divorce bill would have provided legal and psychological assistance for low-income petitioners, capped lawyer fees, and aimed to resolve divorce petitions within a year. However, it was blocked in the Senate. Lawmaker Arlene Brosas, a co-author of the bill, criticized the Senate for its inaction and pledged to refile the bill when a new Congress convenes in July.

Despite the setbacks, Anuran remains committed to the cause. “No one’s backing down. Win or lose, the fight will continue,” she declared, continuing to advocate for the rights of women and children trapped in harmful marriages.