The approval in the last week of February of a committee in the House of Representatives of a bill that would allow divorce in the Philippines has stirred up the Catholic country, reviving an old debate on the legalization of divorce.

The House Committee on Population and Family Relations submitted a divorce bill that would legalize divorce in the Philippines and dissolution of marriage for plenary deliberations. The bill, entitled, "An act instituting absolute divorce in the Philippines," was approved with no contention.

Under the bill, married couples may end their marriage for several reasons, including abuse, infidelity, and irreconcilable differences.