The UP Gender Law and Policy Program continues its legislative work toward the passage of the law on absolute divorce in the Philippines

On 22 June 2026, the UP Gender Law and Policy Program (UP GLPP) conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) regarding the various divorce bills filed in the 20th Congress, together with the Office of Representative Sarah Elago and representatives from various organizations, including the Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP), Divorce for the Philippines Now, International (DIPI), Catholics for Reproductive Health, the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).

The FGD centered on a line-by-line reading of the legislative working draft of the divorce bill. UP GLPP shared its comments and recommendations to ensure clarity and statutory consistency, emphasizing that absolute divorce is fundamentally a secular human rights measure. The FGD concluded with a schedule of events and action plans geared toward pushing the bill through the 20th Congress.

UP GLPP also participated in the Technical Working Group meeting held at the House of Representatives on30 June 2026. Through its Program Director, Prof. Leo Battad, UP GLPP expressed its strong support for the passage of “An Act Instituting Divorce in the Philippines.” In coordination with over forty other resource persons, Prof. Battad proposed amendments to the consolidated substitute divorce bill to ensure its compliance with fair, equitable, and gender-responsive principles.

By advancing the Absolute Divorce Bill, UP GLPP remains committed to protecting the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and the principles found in international human rights instruments to which the Philippines is a party.