Maricel Cruz of the Manila Standard Today reports that Cebu 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia has filed a bill requiring foreign nationals to first obtain a certificate of good moral character before they can marry a Filipina.
The report explained that "House Bill 2387... requires additional requirements for male citizens or subjects of a foreign country such as a certificate of good moral character to be issued by his diplomatic or consular official, before a marriage license can be obtained." Aside from this, foreign fiancés will also have to seek "a certificate that he has a gainful trade, business or employment," to complete their application for a marriage license.
Garcia said that the bill "is aimed at curbing exploitation of Filipino women, through mail-order or pen-pal, Facebook, website mail, and other Internet-coursed marriages."
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