What were the grounds for divorce for early Filipinos?

Answer 1

Divorce was widely practiced in the various tribal groups of the Philippines before colonization by Spain, which had taken control by 1564. Religious conversion to Catholicism was Spain's main objective. Catholicism took hold and Catholic Spain put an end to divorce and the equality that women had enjoyed previously.

Before the Spaniards, women were treated with great respect and had many rights that were recognized by law. A woman could inherit, own family property, name her child and divorce her husband. She could participate in politics. In any group she walked in front of the men as a sign of respect which was a rare occurrence in the world at that time. There was equality in marriage. If a chieftain died without a male heir, his daughter had the right to follow him as the leader.

Divorce was next permitted for a time by a law passed in 1917 on the grounds of adultery by the wife and concubinage by the husband. Divorce was allowed again during the Japanese occupation (1941-1945). Among the ten grounds for women and men were: infidelity, childlessness and failure to fulfill marital obligations. A full list has not been found.

Generally, divorce is not available to citizens of the Philippines.