Manila: Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros announced her intention to refile the Dissolution of Marriage bill in the 20th Congress, emphasizing her ongoing advocacy for divorce legislation despite delays in the Senate. The bill, which has undergone two interpellations, is currently pending on its second reading.

According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros expressed her commitment to continue pushing for the bill. During the regular Kapihan sa Senado media forum, she stated, “Pag hindi pa rin mabigyang daan ‘yung (If it still isn’t given a chance), continuation of second reading, interpellation. we will simply refile. That’s my commitment.”

Hontiveros also voiced optimism about the progress of other long-delayed measures, including the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIESC) Equality Bill and the Anti-Teenage Pregnancy Bill. She expressed hope that the 20th Congress will finally pass the SOGIESC Equality Bill into law, noting that it has been refiled for at least 10 consecutive Congresses without enactment.

Regarding the Anti-Teenage Pregnancy Bill, Hontiveros highlighted the urgency of addressing teenage pregnancy, which she described as a “national emergency.” She criticized disinformation that has hindered progress on provisions such as comprehensive sexuality education, stating, “It really deserves to be passed alang-alang sa ating mga teenagers, sa ating mga teenage parents, at lahat pa ng mga stakeholders na sumusuporta sa ating mga teenagers (for the sake of our teenagers, our teenage parents, and all other stakeholders who support teenagers).”