MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Outside of The Vatican, the Philippines is now the only country in the world that denies divorce to the majority of its citizens. It is the last straggler among the most devout of Catholic countries where the church has fought hard to enforce the sanctity of marriage.

Not even Pope Francis, who visited the Philippines earlier this year, seems to be able to soften the stance of the country’s dual-faced politicians and ultra conservative church leaders.(Francis has urged his bishops to take a more forgiving stance toward divorced Catholics. But with divorce being illegal in the Philippines, Francis’ appeal is a moot point.)

Today,  Philippine senators have rejected a proposal to legalize divorce in the Philippines despite surveys showing majority of Filipinos agreed to legalize “irreconcilably separated” couples.

Many legislators admitted that a divorce law would have little to no chance of passing both houses of congress. President Aquino, a devout Catholic, had previously said he does not favor divorce.

In an alternative move, Senator Bongbong Marcos, with full support from his fellow legislators from all sides of the aisle, said he will introduce a bill that would legalize philandering. “It already is a widespread practice in the country,” Marcos said, ” we might as well make it part of the law of our land.”

It is common knowledge that many Filipino politicians are certified philanderers.

Not everyone is happy about the proposed new bill.  Wives of philandering politicians said they will vigorously oppose it. Mistresses of philandering politicians are undecided whether or not to support the bill. They are afraid that their secret affairs with the politicians will be made public once the bill becomes law.