The proposed Absolute Divorce Act or House Bill (HB) No. 9349 has corrected the tally of votes on Monday, July 29 in Batasang Pambansa Complex.
The decision reflected with a total of 131 affirmative votes, with no changes, negative votes and abstentions.
Before the House Session ended on Monday, Senior Deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said that there was a correction on the votes made on third reading two months ago.
“Before we continue, the chair would like to manifest that he was informed by the secretariat of a correction in the result of the nominal voting on House Bill No. 9349 or the Absolute Divorce Bill that the body approved on third reading last May 22, 2024.”, Senior Deputy Gonzales said.
Gonzales mentioned that Secretary Veloso review on the vote cast has been corrected from its first nominal voting of 126 affirmative votes, 109 negative votes, and 20 abstentions to 131 affirmative votes.
However, the correction of the votes shows alteration or manipulation of numbers, according to Former Senator President Vicente Sotto III.
The original cast of vote targeted 126-109-20 with a total number of 255 lawmakers, and should reach a total of 128 affirmative votes to pass the bill on its third reading.
Sotto believes that the number for quorum added five more with a total of 260 lawmakers, surpassing the 128 count of votes.
“They are just cheating themselves.” says Sotto.
Photo Courtesy: House of Representatives