A senatorial candidate vowed on Thursday to push for the passage of a divorce bill and the legalization of same-sex unions if elected to the Senate.

During the "Harapan sa Diliman: A Senatorial Forum" on the Equality Agenda, lawyer Ernesto Arellano argued that it is "inhuman" to force couples to stay in dysfunctional marriages.

"Bigyan ng mas malalim na pag-aaral ang mga senador. Mabuti siguro, palitan natin sila at iboto natin ang mga senador na bukas at naiintindihan ang divorce (Senators should study this issue further. Maybe it's time to replace them with those who are open and understand divorce)," Arellano said.

"Isang krimen na pilitin mo yung mag-asawa na hindi na nagkakaintindihan [na magsama pa] (It's a crime to force married couples in conflict to stay together)," he added.

Lawyer and labor leader Sonny Matula agreed on the need to end "dead marriages" but argued that a divorce bill is unnecessary since annulment and legal separation already exist.

"Maaari naman nating gawan ng paraan... Sa kasalukuyan mayroon tayong legal separation, mayroon tayong annulment (We can find ways... Currently, we have legal separation and annulment)," Matula said.

Arellano, however, dismissed these options as "useless."

"Mas magandang putulin mo na para mag-umpisa sila ng bagong buhay (It's better to end it completely so they can start a new life)," he argued.

Debate on same-sex unions

On the issue of same-sex unions, independent Senate candidate Jose Jessie Olivar expressed neutrality but voiced concerns about tying LGBTQ+ couples to a marriage contract, citing religious reasons and the difficulty of obtaining a divorce in the Philippines.

Arellano, meanwhile, argued that respect for love and individual rights should be taught in schools.

"Ang aking Panginoon ay mapagmahal, papayagan niya yun. Kinakailangan isama sa curriculum sa paaralan ang pagbibigay ng galang sa katawan ng isang indibidwal. Huwag kang maging marahas sa mga nag-iibigan (My God is loving; He will allow it. Respect for an individual’s body should be included in the school curriculum. Don't be harsh toward those who love each other)," he said.

The Philippines does not currently recognize same-sex unions, including marriage or civil unions. Under the Family Code, marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman.

Background of candidates

Arellano, 83, is running under the Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi. In 2019, he ran under the Labor Win Alliance, placing 36th out of 62 candidates with 937,713 votes. He previously served as general secretary of Kilusang Mayo Uno and co-founded various labor and advocacy organizations.

Matula, representing the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party, ran for Senate in 2019 and 2022, ranking 50th and 36th, respectively.

Olivar, a transport union leader, serves as president of the Philtranco Workers Union-Association of Genuine Labor Organizations.

Senate Bill 2443, or the Dissolution of Marriage Act, which seeks to legalize divorce in the Philippines, was recommended for approval by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality in September 2023.