Short term marriage contracts sought, criticized

The Philippine Star reports that the Commission on Elections has been asked by a party-list group to revoke the credentials of the political organization 1-ABAA, which seeks marriage reform. The group, which hopes to alter marriage contracts to automatically expire after ten years, claims that many women find it difficult to exit abusive marriages under current law. Margie Tajon, the group's president, told GMANews.TV that she sought to “save the incompatible couples the trouble of going through a tedious and expensive annulment process." However, Rep. Liza Maza argued that the statute would fare worse for battered women, explaining that “There is a cycle of violence that involves the honeymoon stage and the violent stage, and it is possible that the batterer will suddenly shift from violent stage to honeymoon stage when the 10-year expiration nears and the cycle of violence will just continue".

According to ABA chairman Rep. Leonardo Q. Montemayor, who has proposed the ban on Tajon's group, the Commission on elections must take note of the Constitution, noting that “Under Sec. 12, Article II and Sec. 1, Article XV of the Constitution, the State must recognize the sanctity of family life and ensure its protection, strengthening and total development as a basic autonomous social institution and foundation of the nation” If the Commission on Elections dissolves 1-ABAA, it will nullify both the group and any planned proposals.