TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre emphasized the urgent need for marriage law reforms during the 31st National Convention of the Canon Law Society of the Philippines (CLSP), held from February 24 to 27, 2025.

Addressing an audience of canon lawyers, legal scholars, and church leaders, Acidre discussed House Bill No. 10970, a proposed measure that seeks to expand the grounds for marriage nullity and legal separation, streamline judicial proceedings, and recognize church declarations of nullity in civil courts.

“Many Filipinos remain trapped in invalid marriages because current laws are too restrictive,” he stated. “House Bill No. 10970 expands the grounds for nullity, making justice accessible while protecting the sanctity of marriage.”

The proposed measure introduces broader legal grounds for nullity, addressing gaps in the current system, including lack of due discretion, entering marriage without full psychological maturity; simulation of consent, marrying for reasons other than genuine partnership; error in person, being deceived about a spouse’s identity or fundamental qualities; and fraud, force, or coercion – Cases where marriage was entered into under false pretenses or against free will.

Beyond expanding legal grounds, the bill seeks to make the annulment process more accessible by reducing financial and procedural burdens. Acidre noted that “seeking legal relief is costly and time-consuming.”

Key provisions of the bill include placing nullity cases under summary procedure, reducing delays and costs; expedited processing for uncontested cases, allowing clear cases to be resolved without lengthy hearings; and recognition of church nullity declarations, if a marriage is annulled by a church tribunal, it should carry legal weight in civil courts.

Acidre also addressed the inconsistency between civil and ecclesiastical law, pointing out that “the Catholic Church recognizes lack of due discretion as grounds for nullity—civil law does not. This discrepancy leaves many couples in legal limbo.”

He cited Pope Francis’ call for simplified annulment processes as a model for civil law reforms, asserting: “If a church has the authority to solemnize a marriage, it should also have the power to nullify it under clear legal parameters.”

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY —Journalist Roel Amazona has been elected as the new president of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) Press Corps, based in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City.

Amazona of Leyte Samar Daily Express who is also connected with the RMN Tacloban, garnered 18 votes for him to become the new president of the press corps.

In his speech, Amazona emphasized the importance of collaboration among media practitioners despite their diverse platforms and locations in the Eastern Visayas region.
“Truly, with cooperation and coordination, we can achieve more and do more,” he said during the oath-taking ceremony on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

He also expressed gratitude to the Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) for supporting media personnel and promoting transparency and open communication between the military and the press.

8ID Commander Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, and spokesperson Captain Jefferson Mariano commended the newly elected officers for their commitment to fostering a strong partnership between the press and the military.

The other newly elected officials of the 8th ID Press Corps were Rommel Rutor of DyMS-Catbalogan, vice president; Ricky Bautista of Samar Chronicle, secretary; Justine Traya of RMN-Tacloban, treasurer; Elvie Roa, West Leyte Weely Express, auditor; Dan Kerk Requiez,PRTV-12, PIO.

Also elected were provincial representatives: Rene Castino, RjFM for Samar; Bong Moscosa of GMA for Eastern Samar; Tonette Marticio, Manila Bulletin for Leyte; Danny Balading, DySM-Catarman, for Northern Samar; and Ramon Buyser of DyDM-Maasin for Southern Leyte.

(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY – Borongan City is set to venture into honey production after being selected by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau—Agroforestry Research, Development, and Extension Center (ERDB-ARDEC) for the “Integrating Apiculture and Floriculture for Enhancing Livelihoods and Sustainable Income Generation” program.

Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its potential to provide additional livelihood opportunities and income for residents, particularly farmers and women.

“This is a significant development, as honey collection and sales are expected to become a valuable source of income for our women’s sector and farmers,” he said.

Agda added that the program aligns with the city’s Dukwag Agrikultura initiative, which aims to improve the livelihoods of farmers and fishers, as well as the hiring of upland community members as forest rangers.

Aside from benefiting farmers and women, the project is also seen as a potential livelihood opportunity for former rebels.

A team from the DENR central office is currently in Borongan, assessing upland and agricultural barangays to identify suitable areas for the project’s implementation.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

PhilHealth reaffirmed its commitment to supporting people living with HIV (PLHIV) by providing increased financial access to essential healthcare through its comprehensive outpatient HIV/AIDS treatment coverage.

The enhanced Outpatient HIV Treatment (OHAT) Package now provides P58,500 in annual benefit, a 95% increase from the previous P30,000. The package includes antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all individuals with confirmed positive HIV test results confirmed by certified institutions, regardless of their clinical or immunologic status. It also ensures access to all minimum essential services necessary for effective HIV management.

This enhancement is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to continually improve and sustain health insurer’s healthcare benefits by ensuring adequate financial support to patients seeking medical treatment. In his second State of the Nation Address, the President emphasized that “The whole of society must exert efforts to suppress the alarming rise of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. To stem the tide, the strategic plan is to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and ample testing sites and medications.”
The OHAT Package can be accessed through any of the 234 PhilHealth-accredited DOHdesignated HIV Treatment facilities nationwide. With this improved OHAT Package, PhilHealth not only hopes to support PLHIV members to seek appropriate management but also to reassure and encourage other PhilHealth members to sign up for regular testing.
The state-insurer also emphasized that a separate package for TB-DOTS may be reimbursed at accredited TB-DOTS facilities. Members may avail of both the OHAT and TBDOTS packages simultaneously.

In 2024, PhilHealth disbursed a total of P1.66 billion for 176,819 Outpatient HIV/AIDS Package benefit claims.

For further inquiries on benefits and services, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at
(02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe)
0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812. (PR)