Lagman ready to defend Absolute Divorce bill

The Manila Times

Lagman ready to defend Absolute Divorce bill  Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman, the primary author of the Absolute Divorce bill, says the measure is a continuation of his crusade on human rights. In an interview with PrimeTimes with Atty. Lia. Lagman said the Absolute Divorce bill would primarily serve abused women, battered and abandoned wives. He said House Bill (HB) 9349 was a 'pro-woman' legislation and hoped that it would be enacted into law. He sought to convince more senators to approve the bill. Lagman, a practicing Catholic, said that divorce was not a religious issue but a public right.  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net    Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes  #PrimeTimes  #edcellagman #divorcebill

Transcript

00:00Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to PRIMETIMES with attorney Leah.

00:08Today, we are honored to have Congressman Edsel Lagman, principal author of the Absolute

00:13Divorce Bill and an advocate of women and human rights as our distinguished guest.

00:19Join us as we delve into the intricacies surrounding the matters of the Absolute Divorce Bill and

00:23other legislation he wants to be passed.

00:26Please welcome Congressman Edsel Lagman.

00:28What made you champion this bill and how important is it to you to have this executed, to have

00:36this really put on paper already, po?

00:39Okay.

00:40First of all, thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts on this divorce bill.

00:47Well, this is a continuation of my advocacy for the promotion, protection, and fulfillment

00:56of human rights because I feel very strongly that the right to divorce has human rights

01:08implications, just like the reproductive health law, which I also principally authored.

01:15That was also a continuation of my crusade on human rights.

01:24This divorce bill is a sequel to the reproductive health law.

01:33Surprisingly, those who oppose the reproductive health law are the same opposers to the divorce bill.

01:44But this time, I think the Catholic Church is less vociferous because they have their

01:50own canonical divorce, euphemistically called the solution of marriage based on psychological incapacity.

02:00So, this is just my crusade and I feel very strongly for this.

02:07I hope before I retire in 2025, this will be enacted into law.

02:12You said something about the RH Bill and this Absolute Divorce Bill being a sequel to it.

02:18When one would think about it, it really is a sequel, right?

02:23And not a lot of congressmen or not a lot of legislators would have that kind of thinking.

02:29Now, Kong, what are your primary objectives?

02:32And what are the key provisions of this Absolute Divorce Bill that you would want to highlight to our kababayans?

02:40Because not everybody would understand, okay, Absolute Divorce Bill, maghihiwalay lang, yun lang ang thinking nila eh.

02:46So, can you walk us through this, Kong?

02:48Yes. Well, first of all, let us have the premises.

02:52We acknowledge that marriage is sacred.

02:58We believe in the tenets of the Catholic Church.

03:04I am a practicing Catholic.

03:07But we should remember that the divorce bill is part of a public discourse.

03:16It is not a religious issue.

03:19When a couple separates because of overriding reasons, even if they were married under Catholic rights,

03:31they do not commit any sacrilege.

03:34They do not even commit a sin.

03:37Correct.

03:38Well, when the constitution says that marriage is inviolable, that it is the foundation of the family,

03:48at the same time, the constitution does not prohibit the congress from enacting an absolute divorce law.

03:56Yes.

03:57This is a recognition that some marriages would fail.

04:04And there is a need for the state to rescue couples and their children from a house on fire.

04:13Correct.

04:14And then also, give the opportunity to the aggrieved spouse, in most cases, the battered woman or the abandoned wife,

04:24to regain her freedom, her self-esteem, her agency, and also her happiness.

04:37Yes.

04:38Together with the fact that under a divorce law, she can remarry.

04:43Yes.

04:44But that is not her priority.

04:47I have talked to so many women advocates, and they don't care of remarrying,

04:53as long as they are liberated from a bandage of a moribund marriage, which has long been dead.

05:06This is very interesting to me.

05:08Because as long as I can remember, there are already discussions about the absolute divorce bill.

05:17And I've talked with senators before who were advocating for it.

05:23I've talked with several congressmen.

05:25But this is the first time I've talked with you regarding the same.

05:28Now, Kong, they are saying that there are different legal mechanisms.

05:33There is the nullity, there is, you know, annulment, legal separation.

05:40Why put in divorce?

05:42Is it because we are only one of the two countries that do not have this?

05:47Or do you have something in mind deeper?

05:52You said earlier that we want to rescue the women, not only the women,

05:58but the parties inside a broken marriage to regain their self-esteem back,

06:03which is one of the most important principles.

06:06Let's make them human again.

06:08Now, Kong, what is the difference between this, the annulment, legal separation?

06:16And I'm very sure that you would enlighten our countrymen.

06:21This divorce bill is more comprehensive.

06:25It is more expeditious and affordable.

06:30And there is a fundamental difference between the solution of marriage under the family code,

06:40legal separation, and annulment.

06:43In the solution of marriage under the family code,

06:48the psychological incapacity must exist before the marriage

06:57or during the celebration of the marriage,

07:01although manifested after the marriage.

07:04In divorce, we said that psychological incapacity can be super meaning.

07:10It can be after the celebration of the marriage.

07:14Now, in legal separation, we all know that the parties are judicially separated from bed and board,

07:24but they cannot remarry.

07:26In other words, they are left to fend for themselves,

07:34and this would spawn criminality and illegitimate children.

07:43Maraming concuminates and adulterous relationship.

07:51And we create criminals and sinners because we prohibit them from having a complete separation,

08:03including the right to remarry.

08:06Now, in annulment of marriage, there are two fundamental differences between annulment and divorce.

08:15Number one is in annulment, there is avoidable marriage,

08:21which can ripen into a valid marriage because of the inaction or action of the parties.

08:28But in divorce, there is a valid marriage which has been thrown into toxic relation,

08:42dysfunctional relation because of marital conflict.

08:47And then there is need for the state to intervene,

08:52to give relief to parties who would need the state assistance.

08:57And this is the essence and core of the divorce.

09:01Then also, in annulment, the grounds for annulment should be before or during the celebration of the marriage,

09:11but not after the celebration of the marriage.

09:14So it is not marital infidelity, marital violence, marital abandonment are not covered under the annulment law

09:24because that is fundamental.

09:26It should be before or during the marriage.

09:29But in the case of divorce, many of the cases, and this is empirically established,

09:36happen after the celebration of the marriage and during cohabitation.

09:43So we address this situation.

09:46So it is not correct to say, we just amend.

09:50No, there is a fundamental difference.

09:53So we have a divorce law and we call it divorce because let's call a spade a spade.

10:00You mentioned about some people or critics or those opposition saying,

10:08let's just amend it, but it's easier said than done.

10:11A lot of discussions have already been tackled with regard to this, but nothing happened.

10:16I want to go deeper into the process of this.

10:20When we got the news that it was passed in the house, a lot of women and a lot of parties were overjoyed.

10:28Another opportunity for them to be liberated, right?

10:33It was hard for you to defend this inside.

10:35Because I understand, before, more people opposed, but now it was not.

10:43There were a lot of people saying yes to it.

10:46So what were the differences in the debates that happened during this Congress that were passed in the House of Representatives?

10:58We would like to thank the leadership for giving us the opportunity to really debate on this, to accept interpolations.

11:08There were about 11 interpolators and we have debated this for the span of several weeks.

11:17Most probably all aspects of the bill had been scrutinized and I think we were able to answer very well the questions asked,

11:31although some were repeatedly asked and then we repeatedly answered.

11:39You know, in Congress, if you are cornered, you lose.

11:45So you just go through the process and then be civil and then also stick to your position.

11:57And we feel that we have delivered the points and members of Congress understood the urgency of having this enacted into law.

12:12Because this is a pro-woman legislation, just like the reproductive health law.

12:19They ask why should a man be at the lead of a pro-woman legislation?

12:26It does not matter.

12:28We have advocacies, we stick to it, we try as much as possible to realize our mission.

12:39And this is a mission.

12:41That is why we are continuing this advocacy in the Senate.

12:46We will try to convince as many Senators as possible to really adopt the measure.

12:56And I would like to underscore that the House version and the Senate version are virtually identical.

13:07Because we both would institute absolute divorce as an alternative mode of dissolving a marriage.

13:18Yes, yes.

13:19Kong, I want to go back later to the Senate part.

13:23But right now, Kong, you're a seasoned lawyer.

13:26You're a career politician.

13:28You know, if we only talk about the law, I know you got it covered.

13:33All those who went through this process, I know you scrutinized it to the brim.

13:39But if there would be religious groups, I anticipate for that.

13:44I'm very sure that you are anticipating also for that.

13:47What are your safeguards now?

13:49Or what would your justifications or substantiations, I know you don't owe the groups anything

13:56because you are doing your job as a legislator to give bills into fruition that will really help you.

14:03But what would be your substantiations or justifications to religious groups, if any, that would be opposing this loudly?

14:13We would have to say to them that marriage, although sacred, although protected by the Constitution, is primarily a human institution.

14:30It is vulnerable to human priorities.

14:34That is why there is a saying that marriages are solemnized in heaven.

14:41But many plummet irretrievably into hell because the partners are mortal beings.

14:49So the church should be the first one to really understand this, that there is a need to give relief to those who are suffering from a disastrous relationship.

15:07And again, I will say that the church has this canonical divorce known as the solution of marriage.

15:15And no less than the Pope has liberalized the process.

15:21And the Pope said, speed up the process and pay less fees.

15:30And the Pope said to the clergy, try to be accommodating to the divorces.

15:40Allow them to receive the Holy Sacrament because communion is not a reward for the strong, but it is a nourishment for the weak.

15:56In other words, the Filipino clergy, the Catholic hierarchy of the Philippines should not be more popist than the Pope.

16:05You know, earlier we talked about how you are very optimistic.

16:11I will bring this to the Senate.

16:14Hopefully, the Senators will see your vision in the advocacy to promote women, human rights, empowerment.

16:25What are the hindrances you will see?

16:28Because of course, we do not live in a perfect world.

16:31Like these marriages, there is no perfect marriage.

16:34Well, the hindrance really is not on the merits of the bell,

16:41but the apprehension that those who would favor the measure will be castigated in the polls by the Catholics, by the clergy.

16:52But that is not true.

16:54There is no Catholic vote in this country.

16:58Remember, many supported the reproductive health bill, which became a law 11 years ago.

17:09And almost all of those who supported the bill were elected back to their offices.

17:17We go years back.

17:20There was the proposal then to make mandatory the teaching of No Limitangere and El Peripus Trismo, the two nobles of our national hero.

17:33The Church was against it.

17:35The Damasos were against it.

17:38But, you know, it passed.

17:42And those who advocated for the enactment of that mandatory law won in the next elections.

17:51So, what are the Catholic vote?

17:53They should not be afraid because the clergy can be the shepherd of the Catholic souls,

18:02but never should they control the conscience of Catholics.

18:08Very briefly, Kong.

18:10There was a list that came out on social media.

18:13I'm not sure if you've seen the list, but it was circulating around social media.

18:19There was a number already of the yeses.

18:23There was already a number of the noes.

18:25And there was a number of the not decided yet, of senators.

18:29What was your initial feeling if you've seen it?

18:32What was your initial reaction?

18:34Did you feel relieved?

18:37Or did you just say, fight it?

18:39Well, I am happy that there were more yeses in my list.

18:45And the noes were not that hard to convince.

18:51Because one said,

18:55I am happily married.

18:58I don't need this divorce.

19:00That is correct.

19:02Majority of the Filipino couples are happily married.

19:06They have enduring and loving unions.

19:09They do not need the divorce law.

19:12But how about those who are unfortunate?

19:16How about them?

19:19It's good if you are happily married.

19:21It's okay.

19:22You don't need the divorce.

19:24But those who need are those who are in tomb.

19:28Buried in dead marriages.

19:32And the Supreme Court said, I will repeat this.

19:35I will paraphrase.

19:37And the Supreme Court said,

19:39The dissolution of a marriage is a merciful internment of a long dead union.

19:49Kong, you've explained already about the differences amongst the sever of our marriages.

19:57Annulment, dissolution of marriage, and legal separation.

20:00And now, our absolute divorce bill.

20:03Kong, it says there in our absolute divorce bill,

20:06that the process is only one year.

20:09And I think that is one of the reasons why people are happy

20:14that they can get a remedy like this.

20:17So, can you walk us through as a lawyer, Kong?

20:20Let's remove the hat as a congressman.

20:23Put on your lawyer hat and explain to our fellow countrymen

20:26how this one-year process is.

20:29Because some annulments take 15 years to 20 years, Kong.

20:33If it's another annulment, the respondent should be dead before the decision comes out.

20:37Whatever it is.

20:38Yes, Kong.

20:39Well, one year.

20:41One year.

20:43You count that not from the time the petition is filed,

20:48but from the time the 60-day cooling period is done.

20:54From that, you count one year.

20:57This is not an ordinary RTC.

21:02This is before a special court known as the family court.

21:06There are very few cases there because these are domestic and family cases.

21:12So, there is a time for the judge to make a decision.

21:16But in our opinion, we said the Supreme Court is authorized

21:24to create more halls of the family court.

21:31For this purpose.

21:32For this purpose.

21:33We have a new proposal here.

21:36It's about the court-assisted petitioner.

21:40Those who are unable to survive will be judged.

21:45If they qualify.

21:46It's like a trial.

21:47It's like a trial.

21:48The judge will be judged by the attorney-de-officio.

21:53There will be no payment for the filing fees and judicial costs.

21:57And there will be professional services if needed by psychiatrists or psychologists.

22:06Yes.

22:07And this service will also be given to the children.

22:11So, in other words, this is really affordable.

22:16But they will say, maybe the attorney-de-officio or the official counsel will be short.

22:24Yes.

22:25Because there is not enough money.

22:26We have provided for that.

22:27Okay.

22:28We said that the Department of Justice is also authorized to create more position of

22:35PAO lawyers in order to assist the court-assisted petitioners.

22:40Okay.

22:41So, we have covered practically everything.

22:43Yes.

22:44From the increase in the sala of family courts to the increase in the position and items of PAO lawyers.

22:53Yes, Cong.

22:54Cong, you've mentioned about psychological incapacity.

22:56Sorry, psychologists' health earlier.

23:00In the absolute divorce law, if it would be passed, would psychological incapacity still be one of the…

23:10Is it still necessary to prove it?

23:13Or just the grounds that you have enumerated?

23:16Because it's the same with legal separation, except now, it's more expedient.

23:21It's more efficient.

23:23So, what are the grounds in the absolute divorce bill that are different in annulment, legal separation, and dissolution of service?

23:32First of all, in the dissolution of marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code, that is still a ground.

23:42But we have amended it.

23:44Okay.

23:45Psychological incapacity can be before, during the marriage, the solemnization of the marriage, or even after.

23:55Yes, Cong.

23:56We also adopted the grounds for legal separation as grounds for divorce and also the grounds for annulment.

24:03But we have also amended some provisions to make it even after the solemnization of the marriage.

24:11But what is important here is we have put safeguards.

24:16That it cannot be abused.

24:18That's it.

24:19We prohibit the collusion of the parties.

24:24Yes, Cong.

24:25Or those who just gossip.

24:27Yes, Cong.

24:28That's why the authority or the public prosecutor is given in every locality.

24:36To investigate.

24:37To investigate.

24:38Yes.

24:39And report to the court if there is a collusion or not.

24:42And if there is a collusion, the punishment is severe.

24:46Yes, Cong.

24:47Five years straight in prison.

24:48Oh, my God.

24:49And 300,000 fines.

24:52Really.

24:54We did not want people to abuse the divorce law.

24:57Also, we are not allowing no-fault divorce.

25:02Okay.

25:03We are not allowing notarial divorce.

25:13But that is happening.

25:14Yes, Cong.

25:15In Latin America.

25:16Yes.

25:17In Latin America, in Colombia, there is notarial divorce.

25:19That easy.

25:20In Colombia, the Constitution also talks about inviolability of marriage.

25:25Oh, my God.

25:26Of course.

25:27Of course.

25:28That is not doctrinal.

25:31That is oppressive.

25:37It's a legal fiction.

25:39Yes, Cong.

25:40Cong, how about irreconcilable differences?

25:43There are a lot of jurisdictions, not only in America, but other places or countries

25:48that highlight irreconcilable differences as one of their grounds for divorce.

25:52How about us?

25:53We have included that.

25:55We have defined it very strictly.

25:57There are elements to prove, one, that the differences are substantial.

26:09Okay.

26:10Two, it's due to the intransigent behavior of one or both spouses.

26:18Three, it results to the total breakdown of the marriage.

26:24And four, despite efforts, reconciliation is needed.

26:31Those are the parameters.

26:33So, it is not easy.

26:35Very stringent.

26:36It is stringent.

26:38But if evidence is shown establishing these elements, then the petition can be done.

26:46Okay.

26:47Earlier, we talked about DOJ can assist, the courts can create more salas.

26:55Would the Solicitor General still have any intervention with this?

27:00Because in the normal Article 36, usually the Solgent, on behalf of the State or the Republic,

27:07would try to keep the marriage intact.

27:10Does participation still exist here?

27:14We have adapted the rules in the Family Code on judicial proceedings with respect to the solution of marriage,

27:22legal separation, and element of marriage.

27:24The same rules would apply.

27:26Okay.

27:27But we have amended the prescriptive period.

27:31Okay.

27:32And also the cooling of period.

27:34It was 60 days lamang.

27:37Alam mo, if you cannot settle in 60 days, you cannot settle for eternity.

27:45Correct.

27:46However, the bill provides that during the proceedings, the parties can reconcile and the petition will be dismissed.

27:57If I got it correctly, I've read the bill.

27:59It is very stringent.

28:01You cannot say that this can be abused because it looks like a lawyer made it.

28:06So, there are safeguards, procedures, and compliances that one has to undertake.

28:12But my question is, how can we make sure that there are safeguards?

28:24Did you and those who advocate for this put more safeguards so that this would not be used on a whim?

28:37Earlier, we were not allowed to use it on a whim because the requirements are really difficult.

28:41But I have many good lawyers.

28:45So, how can we safeguard it further?

28:48The implementing rules and regulations can put additional safeguards provided they are not inconsistent with the law.

28:57Yeah.

28:59So, alam mo, kahit anong safeguard mo, meron pa rin magpapalusot.

29:05Pero the more stringent the safeguard, the slimmer is the opportunity na meron abuse.

29:11And we put these safeguards to prevent abuse.

29:16Correct.

29:17But incidentally, the studies abroad would show that the enactment of a divorce law does not resort to the floodgates of separation and divorces.

29:28Yes.

29:29Kasi meron ang sanction. Alam mo, yung custody, yung support. These are deterrent.

29:38Correct.

29:39Number two, yung sinasabi nilang safeguards are also to satisfy the opposition of the Catholic Church.

29:55Huwag na kayo masyadong umu-oppose by safeguards ito.

29:59Yes.

30:00Most probably, dun sa canonical divorce, yung safeguards hindi kasintindi ang safeguards namin.

30:06Correct.

30:07And we are giving in the law, civil recognition to canonical dissolution of marriages.

30:14Yes, Kong.

30:15Kong, I've always known you as a passionate person.

30:18I've met you several years back and whenever I hear you in the plenary, I've always known that you are an advocate.

30:26And when you advocate for something, you really will advocate for it.

30:30Kong, have you talked with Speaker Martin about this?

30:34Did he give you any support na tutulungan kita sa Senado?

30:37Kasi because of the list nga na got circulated, do you think it would be necessary to talk to the Senators at this onset already?

30:48Because I know Senator Robin is an advocate of the divorce bill, Senator Risa.

30:56So have you talked with any advocates there at this onset? May game plan na ho ba?

31:02Meron kaming game plan and we are starting that already.

31:06I have already texted, the day this bill was passed on third and final reading, I texted the new Majority Leader in the Senate,

31:17Senator Francis Tolentino, that kumpi pede, we can meet about this bill.

31:22And I am still waiting for his answer.

31:25But the women advocates are already starting their campaign in the Senate.

31:32And we will not have any stone unturned to get this enacted into law.

31:42This is a very important measure.

31:45Not because we want to join a community of nations, but thousands and thousands of abused women, of battered women, of abandoned women, would need this law.

31:59Again, so that they can regain their freedom, their self-respect, their agency, and their happiness.

32:11I'm sure, kanina sinabi natin, we have adopted already those remedies sa Family Code.

32:20So custody, support, dito ho ba sa absolute divorce bill na gusto nating maipasa?

32:29Is it more stringent? Would it favor the children more? Paano ho ang stigma?

32:34Dahil syempre pag may divorced parent ka, mahihirapan yung bata.

32:38Did you and the other advocates provide for such remedies to the children?

32:43Yes. We are continuing the parental relation between the divorced parents and their children.

32:51The primary custody is given to the innocent spouse.

32:56It is correct.

32:57But the offending spouse is not deprived of visitation rights.

33:05So halos sila pa rin ang may parental…

33:10Co-parenting.

33:11Co-parenting na tinatawag.

33:13Number two, iyong support. Kailangan may support yung mga bata.

33:19Of course.

33:20Ngayon na walang divorce, iwanan ka lang ng asawa mo, pabayaan ka lang. Walang support yung mga bata. Kawawa.

33:28Pero ngayon, kung merong dumadaan sa husgado, the court is mandated to grant support.

33:36Ang support naman depende sa kailangan ng person to be supported at yung kakakayahan ng taong magbigay ng support.

33:46Pero pag ikaw ay may mandato mag-support at hindi ka nagbigay, ikaw ay paparasahan ng husgado.

33:53At isa pa, iyong sa alimony.

33:55Yung alimony ngayon, iniwanan ka, binutalize ka, wala ka pang perang binibigay sa'yo.

34:02Nagulpi ka na.

34:03Nagulpi ka na.

34:05Pero dito, the court will grant you alimony.

34:09Dito sa aming panukala, three years ang alimony.

34:14Hanggang walang nakuhang mabuting trabaho yung offending spouse o hindi pa siya nag-asawa.

34:22Pero itong three years can be extended by the discretion of the court doon sa mga senior citizen, doon sa mga disabled, at doon sa mga less educated na offended spouses.

34:36Before I ask you a different question from the absolute divorce bill.

34:43Kung kailan ito maipapa... yung talagang officially transmit to the Senate and kailan na po ba yung debate?

34:49Tapos na.

34:50Tapos na yung official transmission.

34:52That was transmitted in a letter dated June 10 ng Secretary General upon my request.

35:03At ito naman ay received officially by the Senate the following day.

35:07So, transmitted na ito.

35:09So, wala nang problema na sinasabi lang counting.

35:13Tapos na yan.

35:14That's water under the bridge.

35:16When will the talks begin?

35:19The informal talks will begin anytime now.

35:24Before the sessions start.

35:27But the formal debate in the Senate will be when they convene for the third session of the 19th Congress.

35:37That will be starting July 22.

35:41Kung out of 10, how optimistic are you na maipapasa ho ito?

35:46Ang bilang ko, out of 10, the possibility of passing this and electing this into law is about 7.

35:55Okay. 7 is a good number.

35:56It's a good number.

35:57It's a good number. Mas mataas ko sa kalahat eh.

35:59Kung, ang tanong ko ngayon, this is outside the divorce bill.

36:03You are very passionate in advocating for women rights, for human rights.

36:09Kung, we all know that you are a lawyer.

36:13We all know that, you know, we are privileged enough to be given that title.

36:18Pero Kung, what made you, what pushed you na i-advocate po ang mga karapatan ng ating kababaihan

36:26na hindi lamang ho sa reproductive law, ngayon po sa absolute divorce, and I'm sure meron pa ho kayo na sa pipeline.

36:36What pushed you, Kung, to fight for our women here in the Philippines?

36:42Well, our women now, despite many laws favoring death and gender sensitive laws, are still oppressed and marginalized.

36:55Iyan ay isang advocacy ko na iyan ay katulad din ang advocacy ko for human rights.

37:02Yes.

37:04At ang isang pang advocacy ko, sana ito ay lumusod din sa House of Representatives sa Senado,

37:12yung bill ko on the protection of human rights defenders.

37:19Oh, okay.

37:20We protect the defenders of human rights against the abuses of agents of the state.

37:28At yung isang pang aking panukala na gusto kong maging batas ay gawin naman natin na official holiday, regular holiday, non-working holiday,

37:42yung culmination ng EDSA revolution. Nakapayal na yan.

37:46At parang hindi na ito, ang pang-celebrate will not depend on the prejudices of the sitting President.

37:562025 is just around the corner. And me, personally, I think you've contributed a lot to our country.

38:04Bata pa lamang ako, alam ko na yung paano kayo magtrabaho ko.

38:08Pero dahil malapit na ho ang 2025 at very exciting and hopefully very fruitful

38:17ang mangyayari dito sa ating Absolute Divorce Bill na maging batas ko sana.

38:22Ano pa po ba ang pwedeng i-expect ng ating mga kababayan aside po dun sa mga na-file na,

38:30celebrating the EDSA revolution as a holiday and the human rights defenders.

38:38Ano po pa ang ma-i-expect pa po ng ating mga kababayan from congressman Ed Salagman?

38:45Itong lahat na batas na ito na aking pasa at Republic Act na,

38:51yung tinatawag ko yung Triumvirate of Human Rights Legislation.

38:56Ano ito? Anti-criminalization of enforced disappearance.

39:08Yung compensation and recognition of the victims of human rights violations during martial law.

39:16And yung tinatawag natin na abolition of the death penalty. Lahat yan sa akin.

39:26And I have this past at the time when I was in the opposition.

39:31And I'm happy that my colleagues would see the veracity of all of these advocacies.

39:42And then also we have the reproductive health law, then the criminalization of early child marriage.

39:54At isa pang pinutulak namin ngayon, pumusan na sa House yung prevention of adult pregnancy.

40:01Sabi rin ng iba, prevention of child pregnancy.

40:07Pero lahat ito, these are good laws, but the test of a good law is not in its pressiology,

40:20but it is in its full and adequate implementation by the executive branch.

40:27Kaya ito ay aking susundan even if I am not enabled in public office.

40:32Kung gano na kayo katagal sa public service ko?

40:36Sa public service?

40:37Yes, public service, Kong.

40:38Well, a long time ago, I was Chief Counsel of the Committee on Justice under Senator Laurel, way back in the old Congress.

40:48Oh my goodness. Yes, Kong.

40:51Then, at the edge of revolution, I was Deputy Budget Minister, later Undersecretary under the term of President Cory.

41:06And then I have served Congress for more than three decades.

41:11You've been in the executive and the legislative, Kong.

41:15And also the judiciary because I was with the office of Chief Justice Castro in the Supreme Court.

41:24Naikot ko na.

41:25Well-rounded.

41:26Naikot ko na.

41:27So, Kong, executive, legislative, and judiciary.

41:30For you, Kong, which department has been most difficult for you?

41:38Kasi everything has its own quirks, so to speak, right?

41:43Pero saang departamento kayo pinakanahirapan bilang abogado at bilang public servant?

41:49Lahat ito ay mahirap, pero depende sa chagamo lang.

41:54Pero ang gusto ko talaga, yung legislative.

41:59Sabagat it's policymaking. Gumagawa ka ng batas, not for a few, but for everybody.

42:06Kaya yan ang gusto ko. At kaya nga ako ay hindi tumakbo for a local position. Sabagat ang gusto ko talaga, legislation.

42:15That can change lives, correct?

42:17Yes. But if you ask me, as a lawyer, sana nakapunta ako sa Court of Suprema.

42:23Oh.

42:24Pero, you know, that's monastic.

42:27Well, it's not too late, Kong.

42:29No, it's late because I'm 82.

42:34Okay.

42:35Seventy yun.

42:36Okay. So you're 82, Kong. You're fighting for women's rights.

42:41You are advocating to help human rights be promoted further here in the Philippines.

42:48So ano pa ang hindi nagagawa ng isang congressman Edsel Lagman sa iyong paningin?

42:53Palagay ko, yung lahat kong gustong gawain, halos nagawa ko na.

42:58Kaya pwede ako mag-retire from public office, but walang retirement from politics.

43:03Would you run?

43:04No, no. This will be my last term. This will be my last public office or elected office.

43:11Ako, I will devote my time to, most probably, to my grandchildren.

43:18Ay, meron kong 18 na grandchildren.

43:21Eighteen grandchildren.

43:23And I have four. Ako sa tuhon. Kaya marami akong magbibigyan ng pansin.

43:31Those are wonderful blessings, Kong.

43:34Kong, if given an opportunity right now to speak to the constituents who supported you all those 30 years in the legislature department,

43:48what would you like to tell them?

43:50And, you know, to those who are aspiring to also advocate, be it lalaki man siya, babae,

43:57those who would want to advocate more for women's rights, for human rights, and basically the rights of everyone.

44:07Huwag lang kalimutan yung oppressed and the marginalized.

44:11Because sila ang nangangailangan ng tulog.

44:15Pero I would like to give my constituents some lessons in life.

44:21And if you would permit me, I would enumerate some of them.

44:25Yes, Kong. Go ahead.

44:26One, if you want a yes for an answer, do not settle for maybe or no.

44:33Number two, always be prepared because the other party is also prepared.

44:40Number three, take down notes.

44:45You should not trust your memory because your memory can tell you.

44:52Then respect the views of others.

44:55But be steadfast in your position if you think you are right.

45:01Then also, if you believe in your existence, then you should believe in the Almighty Creator.

45:09Masasabi ho ba natin before 2025, maipapasa na ho itong absolute divorce bill?

45:14Yes. I am very positive that before the end of the 19th Congress, this will be part of the statute books.

45:24Pero this is not the end of the story.

45:26Of course.

45:27This is not the end of the struggle.

45:29Kahit ito mapirman ng Malacanan, hindi pa matutuyo yung ink niyan,

45:35meron pupunta sa Supreme Court to challenge this.

45:38We are prepared for that.

45:39I am now preparing my oral arguments before the Supreme Court.

45:44As a private lawyer already, Kong.

45:46Pero, Kong, do you think this would get support from our president?

45:53Yes. I am hoping for that.

45:59Because, you know, si Sandro, the president's son, approached me in the session hall.

46:08He told me, sabi niya, according to the president, there should be a conscience vote.

46:15And I am voting yes, sabi niya.

46:17In other words, this is the first bill passed by the House where the conscience vote prevailed.

46:26Thank you for telling us that, Kong.

46:28Alam ko 120 ang nag-yes?

46:32Yung unang bilang, 126 yes.

46:37109 no, 20 abstention.

46:41In the same day, sabi ng Secretary General, merong additional affirmative votes.

46:51Naging 131, pero the same din yung no at the same din yung abstention.

46:58We are looking forward kung ano ang mangyayari dito.

47:02This would change and revolutionize our country.

47:06Hindi lamang na makakasama tayo sa other nations. That's not it.

47:10I understand your advocacy here.

47:12You are fighting for something that really needs to be fought for.

47:16And for that, thank you so much, Congressman Edsel Agman.

47:19You are an advocate for human rights.

47:22You are an advocate for rights, basically.

47:25And for that, thank you so much.

47:26And we hope to get you back here soon again, Kong.

47:29Just call and I will be, if I am available, I will make myself available.

47:35And this has been PRIMETIMES with Attorney Lia.

47:38I wish you all a good day.

47:49PRIMETIMES www.primetimes.com

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