The absolute divorce bill under House Bill No. 9349, entitled “An Act Reinstituting Absolute Divorce as an Alternative Mode for the Dissolution of Marriage”, which was approved on third and final reading on May 22, 2024 by the House of Representatives, was finally transmitted to the Senate as contained in a letter dated June 10, 2024 from House Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco to Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero.  

The transmittal was in compliance with the request of Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, the principal author of the divorce bill, in a letter dated May 28, 2024 to Velasco asking him to immediately transmit the approved bill to the Senate pursuant to the unanimous directive of the House. 

This means that the transmittal to the Senate will not wait for the plenary action of the House when the sessions start on July 22, 2024 as previously announced by Velasco. 

EDCEL C. LAGMAN