Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District), senior vice chairman of the House Committee on Revision of Laws, yesterday said the proposed divorce bill is not likely to be passed before the House of Representatives adjourns in February.

Gabriela Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus have a pending bill in the House seeking to amend the Family Code, to include a divorce provision.

“I don't think there is enough time” to approve the divorce bill, Alvarez said, pointing out that it took almost 15 years for the controversial Reproductive Health bill to pass, and 17 years for the sin tax act.

The divorce bill itself is controversial and needs further study, she said, adding that she prefers that public hearings be held on it so they can hear the opinions of others.

Alvarez said she did not want to state her stand on the divorce bill because it is pending before a committee of which she is vice chairman, and sometimes she has to preside over it.

In fact, during the first House hearing on the divorce bill she was the one who presided, she said.

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the divorce bill could just as contentious as the RH bills.*CPG

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