MANILA – Senatorial aspirants Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Vic Rodriguez said on Tuesday they are against the bill seeking to legalize absolute divorce in the Philippines.

Speaking at Harapan 2025, the Senate hopefuls said they believe annulment should be made more affordable and accessible instead.

"Ang divorce sa Pilipinas is very, very divisive. Meron tayong paraan ngayon na tanggap ng sektor kung paano maghiwalay ang dalawa ang mag-asawa na merong pangaabuso and that’s annulment. Yung problema natin diyan  marami tayong friends na annulled, napakamahal, dumadaan pa yan sa korte," Aquino said.

"Kung wala kang pera, napaka-impossible na dumaan diyan. Gawin natin diyan, gawin natin siyang mas abot kaya, mas madali, at wala na sa korte. Gawin nating administrative na parang adoption," he added.

Rodriguez, for his part, said he is not comfortable with legalizing divorce.

"Nandiyan na yung annulment at legal separation. Sa tingin ko sapat na yan. At again on constitutional ground, mahirap naman na basta tayong susuong sa Divorce Bill," he said.

Rodriguez cited a provision of Article 2 Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution, which recognizes the sanctity of family life.

"It is treated as the basic social economic institution na dapat palakasin. So on constitutional ground may reservation ako sa Divorce Bill," he said.

Last June, the House of Representatives transmitted to the Senate the Absolute Divorce Bill after approving it on third and final reading.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada earlier said the bill is not the priority of the Senate, admitting he is against the measure.

Senate President Francis Escudero said he does not see how the bill will help the poor since it does not allow the Public Attorney's Office to take on cases.