REP. LAWRENCE “LAW” H. FORTUN
Agusan del Norte 1st District
Member in the Minority
A lawyer by profession | Mobile number 09177292437
Ihabol sa Women’s Month | Congress to go on recess on March 27
PASS SPOUSES FUNDAMENTAL EQUALITY BILL, FORTUN APPEALS TO HOUSE LEADERSHIP AND COLLEAGUES
Before National Women’s Month ends, there is still ample time for the House of Representatives to pass, at least on Second Reading, House Bill No. 6078 or the Spouses Fundamental Equality Bill.
The measure, which is already long overdue, seeks to rectify discriminatory provisions under the Family Code that continue to propagate unequal status of spouses and perpetuate the obsolete concept of superiority of the husband over the wife. In particular, these provisions refer to matters of parental consent to marriage of children between 18 to 21 years of age, administration and enjoyment of community and conjugal property, exercise of parental authority over children and legal guardianship over properties of minor children where the husband is given special preference by the law.
HB00111 – By Rep. Lawrence Fortun
Full Title: AN ACT ENSURING THE FUNDAMENTAL EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN UNDER THE LAWS ON MARRIAGE AND FAMILY RELATIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 14, 96, 124, 211, AND 225 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 209, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Bill Status: Substituted by HB06078
Mother Bill Status: Pending With Rules (Included in OB on 2020-01-28)
These archaic provisions are inconsistent with the 1987 Constitution which declares it the policy of the state to “recognize the role of women in nation building and ensure the fundamental equality women and men before the law.”
The provisions also run counter to R.A. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women which lays emphasis on the fundamental equality of men and women on matters of marriage and family relations. Moreover, the Philippines, as a signatory to the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, has committed to review its domestic laws, policies and practices that discriminate against women and amend or repeal them.
The Committee on Women and Gender Equality has approved the measure as early as January of 2020, or over a year ago. Regrettably, it has not moved since then. We appeal to the esteemed leadership of the House and our distinguished colleagues to approve the measure soonest. Let this be our concrete and meaningful participation in the commemoration of the National Women’s Month. That cherished equality should start in the home, in the family.
I am most confident that this measure, if passed in the House soon, will have a smooth-sailing passage in the Senate. (END)
