YOUTH AGAINST DIVORCE February 23, 2004 Senatorial candidate Boots Anson-Roa said yesterday that divorce, or legal separation, is not acceptable to the Filipino youth. Citing statistics from the Commission on Population, the multi-awarded actress who is running under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), said 61 per cent of the youth are opposed to the legalization of divorce. In another study, Anson-Roa said that 51 per cent of the youth are against adulterous relationships or infidelity in marriage. "But notwithstanding the statistics, we should not be lulled into complacency by not doing something to discourage divorce. The strong opposition of the youth against it should be supported by all the people, including parents," said the KNP candidate whose legislative platform centers on family unity. "We should launch a massive campaign to inform the people about the ill effects of divorce or legal separation on the family and the society as a whole," Anson-Roa added. Anson-Roa, one-time Gintong Ina Awardee, who is seeking a Senate seat under the KNP ticket led by its standard bearer, movie king Fernando Poe Jr. and his running mate, Senator Loren Legarda, also called on the youth to protect the family by opposing any form that will weaken family unity. "Divorce or legal separation is always a threat to family unity and should not be allowed to creep into our statute books," she remarked. Anson-Roa said that if elected to the Senate in the May elections, she would spearhead a study that will lead to the enactment of a law that would strengthen marital and family bonds, pointing out that a strong family is the key to a strong and great nation. "That is my legislative agenda and I appeal to the youth to support it," Anson-Roa said. Anson-Roa is also opposed to teenage marriages, saying these often lead to early marriage breakups. If elected to the Senate, the KNP bet said she would author a bill creating a Family Commission which will be mandated to protect family unity.