Philippine Missionary Institute

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Directed Research 1

An Exegetical Study

(The Relevance of Matthew 19:1-12 to Proposed Absolute Divorce Bill in the Philippine)

Submitted by:

Sheryl S. Sarza

Submitted to:

Prof. Gemma Reyes

September 27, 2019

 Chapter 1

I. Introduction

Throughout decades, divorce has been hotly debated among different sectors in the

Philippine society whether it should be legalized or it should never be allowed for it said that it

will ruin many Filipino families according to Attorney Aldwin Salumbides, from Coalition of

Concerned Families of the Philippines in his interview in a segment Talkback at ANC last

Monday, September 23, 2019. This bill was reintroduced during the 13th Congress in 2005 was

again rejected. However, many movements arise such as Divorce Advocate of the Philippines,

Gabriela and MAYA: The Feminist Collective that seeks divorce bill to be passed since cases of

disastrous marriages have been observed these past few years. In fact, records presented by the

Office of the Solicitor General show that there has been a total of 86,982 cases filed for

annulment from 2008 to 20171. While another survey conducted by “Social Weather Stations

between March 25 to 28, 2017, and December 8 to 16, 2017, 53% of Filipinos agreed to legalize

divorce in the country.”2

December 13, 2013 the bill was again introduced by Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros...

Later she became a senator and a principal author of the Absolute Divorce Bill in the Senate, was

approved on the third and final reading as House Bill (HB) No. 7303, which seeks to legalize

absolute divorce in the country on March 19, 2019. Finally, the historic discussion in Senate

about Absolute Divorce Bill was done last September 17, 2019. It was the first time that the

Senate conducted hearing on the divorce law in the Philippines. The masses have there

1
-----: http://www.osg.gov.ph/documents/open-data/mrcwithdecisions.pdf (accessed September 26,
2019).
2
Sofia Tomacruz, “53% of Filipinos agree to legalize divorce – SWS”, Rappler, (March 2018).
https://www.rappler.com/nation/197837-filipinos-agree-legalize-divorce-sws-survey. (accessed September 26,
2019).
contrasting sentiments with regards to the issue; others are excited and happy because for them,

their long awaited rights are on its way, while some profusely disagree for the beliefs that it

violates the sanctity of marriage.

Different opinions have been raised, cultural, legal, social, and most especially religious

outlook about the interpretation of divorce in a dominantly Christian nation like Philippines. This

matter is important to examine and address more significantly in the view of Scripture as a

concern for believers of Christ. Thus, this paper will study and try to response in the conflicting

issues in relation to Absolute Divorce Bill by careful exegesis of Matthew 19:1-12.

Background of the Study

The Philippines and the Vatican are the known states in the world that still do not have a

divorce law. This is due to some factors such the Philippine Constitutional provisions on

marriage and Roman Catholic and some Christian denominations strict adherence to the sanctity

of marriage and preservation of family.

The Family Code of the Philippines (1987), defines marriage as,

a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered in accordance with law for the

establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution

whose nature, consequences, and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulation, except that

marriage settlements may fix the property relations during the marriage within the limits provided by this

Code.3

On the other hand the, church define it as divine institution not made by human laws or a

decree of government. This is in accordance with Genesis 2:18 that marriage was instituted as

divine design included in the creation, as mentioned by Dr. Arsenio Domiguez, founder of

Philippine Missionary Institute, “God saw that a man’s wholeness can come only through the

3
Executive Order No. 209, The Family Code Of The Philippines, July 6, 1987.
complementation of the wife.”4 Despite of this two concrete definitions that tells us how

marriage should be treated responsibly, still difficulties, troubles and complexities are inevitable.

Marriage is both a right and a privilege, but these have been under attack for a very long

time. Marriage relationships have been plagued by abuses, domestic violence, intimidation,

infidelity, lack of financial support, and other reasons. This is evidently happening because

“based on the preliminary findings of the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey

(NDHS), one of four (26%) ever-married women aged 15-49 has ever experienced physical,

sexual or emotional violence by their husband or partner. One of five (20%) women has ever

experienced emotional violence, 14 percent has ever experienced physical violence, and 5

percent has ever experienced sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or

partner.”5 Knowing this fact, the Philippine law makers’ respond to this problem was the RA

9262 known as the Violence Against Women and Children which provides protective measures

for victims, and prescribes penalties for the abuser. Yet, this law penalizes the abuser inside

marriage, but does not end marriage. The victim can file annulment as an option if he/she really

has low resistance to the abusive partner and if he/she has financial capacity to recompense and

sustain the tiring and horrendous process in filing annulment case. For this reason, some

movements as mentioned earlier were vigilant to fight for the legalization of the divorce law.

Some Congressman and Senator seek to file a divorce bill, like Congressman Edzel Lagman,

Senator Pia Cayetano and the most prominent is Senator Risa Hontiveros who filed Absolute

Divorce Bill as an additional remedies to address issues of failed marriage.

4
Arsenio Domiguez, Theological Themes for the Philippine Church, (Quezon City Philippines: New Day
Publishers, 1989), 194.
5
Philippine Statistic Authority, Press Release: One In Four Women Have Ever Experienced Spousal Violence
(Preliminary results from the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey), Lisa Grace S. Bersales (Diliman
Quezon City: PSA, 2017
 The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines continually opposes the position of

having a divorce. Last September 18, 2019, one of the officers of the Catholic Bishops’

Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Fr. Jerome Secillano, the executive secretary of the

CBCP-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs (PCPA), stated in an interview that, “A divorce

law in the country is not needed as there are already legal processes in place for couples having

marital problems. He also explained that “divorce can never be pro-marriage, pro-family and

pro-children” and a form of “ideological colonization".6

The reason why divorce still not being legalized in the country is because of the

reverberating adage that we are a Christian country and the Protestant wings that hallowed the

Bible as the final authority for faith and practice quoted Biblical references which are against

divorce. Senator Joel Villanueva, a known Christian politician who also opposes the Absolute

Divorce Bill said in an interview on August 5, 2019 earlier before the scheduled Senate hearing

in 17th Congress, “Divorce? Over my dead body”! He also added that “we should not embrace

this kind of culture because marriage is a sacred thing”.7 Aside from religious view, he also sees

it as cultural issue. On the other hand, Ms. Beth Angsioco representative of the Democratic

Socialist Women of the Philippines stated in Senate hearing that, “Divorce is also a class issue.

Only those who have money have options. Divorce is not about religion, it is about the lives of

hundreds of thousands of people who would like to start a new life.” These various ideas and

opinions from different sectors and institutions about ADB only showed that the issues on

divorce should be properly addressed. Apparently, it is not only a socio-legal matter can solve

6
Ferdinand Patinio, “No need for divorce, legal methods available for couples: CBCP”, Philippine News
Agency, (September 18, 2019). https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080768 (accessed September 27, 2019).

7
Aika Rey, “Divorce bill? Villanueva says 'over my dead body'”, Rappler (August 05, 2019),
https://www.rappler.com/nation/237095-villanueva-response-divorce-bill-over-dead-body (accessed September
27, 2019).
the problem. In a dominantly Christian nation like Philippines, it is important to adhere to what

the church believe and say particularly on this issue as they perceived it from the Bible as the

Word of God. One particular biblical reference which stirred up controversy is the passage of

Matthew 19:1-12, which produced different opposing interpretations that may confuse the reader

and immediately apply to the current situation as an attack to ADB. Therefore, a keen exegetical

analysis study of this aforementioned passage is a necessity. I believe that as a Filipino Christian,

the Bible should respond to issues being faced by our fellow Filipino people, for the protection

of their rights and dignity. In my presupposition, I believe that the Bible recognizes the sanctity

of marriage but it also gives way for divorce as a last option in a tragic situation to offer those

victim a new hope and another chance for an abundant and prosperous life awaits.

Statement of the Problem

When marriages are in chaotic situation and individual life is at risk, the rule of law allows

annulment or legal separation as a remedy. Because of the weaknesses of the annulment law and

its legal proceedings in addressing the ballooning numbers of annulment cases filed in the court

and rising statistical data of domestic violence and other related issues of failed marriages, I was

compelled to study the relevance of Matthean text to ADB. Thus, this study will deal with the

query, what is the relevance of Matthew 19:1-12 to the proposed Absolute Divorce Bill? This

study will also respond to the following specific questions,

1. What could Jesus be saying about divorce?

2. What is legal separation? What could be the weaknesses of this law?

3. What are the provisions of the Absolute Divorce Bill?

4. Does Matthew 19:1-12 condemns or condones the idea of divorce?

5. What did Jesus say about divorce in Matthew 19:1-12?

Objectives of the Study

As a Filipino citizen, I wanted to know more about the existing laws on legal annulment,

and the Absolute Divorce Bill. (This bill is being discussed on the Senate, while the paper is on

progress.) Knowing this, the rule of law should be used to protect the rights of the weak, and

individuals who are suffering in their marriages, or experiencing domestic violence.

Also as a believer of Jesus, I want to understand what Jesus said about divorce in Matt

19:1-12. I want to see how the passage comes in dialogue with the current laws on legal

separation. I also want to find out whether there are alternatives readings of this passage.

Moreover, to delineate and understand the socio-cultural, political and religious background of

Matthew 19:1-12.

Significance of the Study

This study will help to understand and resolve the tensions between two opposing beliefs

in light of Matt. 19:1-12. It will also provide a clear and dependable scriptural basis for possible

recommendations or reconsiderations of either to pursue the advocacy of supporting the

legalization of Absolute Divorce Bill in the Philippines or to condemn the legalization of the said

bill.

Scope and Limitations

This study focuses on the analytical exegesis of Matthew 19:1-12 and other texts related

to it through quotation, allusion and echo via intertextuality and its relevance to Absolute

Divorce Bill. However, this study will not focus on the issue of annulment, legal separation and

other legal matter with the divorce bill.

Definition of Terms

Exegesis is the careful, systematic study of the Scripture to discover the original, intended

meaning. This is basically a historical task. It is the attempt to hear the Word as the original

recipients were to have heard it, to find out what was the original intent of the words of the Bible.8

Marriage – The union of male and female according to the design instituted by God as covenant

relations between the spouse and with God attested by the witnesses or by the church

congregation and legalized by the Constitution (mine).

Divorce – is a legal termination of a marriage by a court I a legal proceeding, requiring a petition

or complaint for divorce by one party, which will have the effect of returning both parties to the

status of single for all legal intents and purposes, including the right to contract a subsequent

marriage. A divorce decree shall include provisions for the care and custody of children,

protection of their legitime, termination and liquidation of their conjugal partnership of gains or

the absolute community and, when deemed proper by the court, alimony for the spouse deemed

by the court to in need of the same (Taken from proposed Absolute Divorce Bill).

Family - is the basic social unit which originates from the CREATION account found in Gen 1-

2. A man was to be the husband of one wife and was to leave his father and mother and be joined

to his wife. After God created Adam, He declared, "It is not good that man should be alone"

(Gen 2:18). Then He created woman and united the couple; and they became "one flesh" (Gen

2:24). Thus the family was designed by God to provide companionship for the various members

8
Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, (Manila, Philippines: OMF
Literature; 2004), p. 23.
of the family. In addition, the institution of marriage was approved and sanctioned by the Lord

(Matt 19:4-6).9

9
Chad Brand, Bible Dictionary,