Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Party-list Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva expressed concern over the online survey conducted by Radio Veritas’ Veritas Truth Survey (VTS) from January 1 to 31 showing that 45 percent of the 1,200 respondents disagreed with the question “Should couples get married first before living together; and not engage in a common-law partnership arrangement?” Forty percent supported a marriage-first arrangement, while 15 percent was undecided.
Among young respondents aged 13-20 years old, only 34 percent agreed that marriage is a must for couples to live together, while an overwhelming 51 percent disagreed. Fifteen percent was undecided.
“The main purpose of marriage is to strengthen the bond between husband and wife under the blessing of God Almighty. Societies that have a weak view of marriage see a rise in moral decay and broken families. A nation is only as strong as its most basic unit, which is the family,” said Villanueva, who advocates for government intervention to remind the youth of the importance of marriage.
“Sadly, the youth’s high exposure to Western media may be a huge contributing factor to the minimization of marriage in their value system. Fortunately, it’s not too late. Through the re-institution of the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Law that CIBAC fought for in Congress, government, through the Department of Education (DepEd) can revive among our youth a fondness toward the institution of marriage that has always been characteristic of Filipino culture,” the House Deputy Speaker for Good Governance and Moral Uprightness said.
“Involvement in a sexual relationship outside of marriage is invitation to God’s wrath. Biblical verses such as 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19-21 show that fornication and sexual immorality bring about curses that inflict suffering on couples and children. Obedience to God through matrimonial grace provides not only legal but, above all, divine protections to couples and their families,” Villanueva added.
“The sacred blessing of marriage enables husband and wife to raise children in a God-fearing home that honors the inviolable covenant of the union between them. In effect, when couples are married, they are giving their children a powerful assurance that the home shall forever be a source of love and strength, come hell or high water. This assurance found in the united family keeps children off the streets, safe from drug abuse and alcohol abuse, and minimizes their propensity for risky sexual and criminal behavior. Thus, marriage is not only for the benefit of the couple. The state has a great interest in protecting and promoting the role of marriage in a healthy society,” the CIBAC solon said.
