Steve Jobs once said to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round

pegs in a square hole, the one who see things differently theyre not fond of rules You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify them or vilify them, but the only thing you cant do is ignore them because they change things they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. We on the affirmative side, for our proposition of a renewable marriage are defying the norms but it does not mean that we are defying the morals rather we would suggest a more moral proposition to debate this morning.

Before we start our argument let me define first our proposition. Marriage is a social union or a legal contract between persons that creates kinship. Under the family code, the primary purpose of marriage is to establish a conjugal and harmonious family life. The elements of our proposition would be that the marriage entered into and solemnized between two parties would be a term contract. The contract of marriage is valid for ten years. Unless renewed, it will automatically be terminated. However, before the expiry of ten years, if the couple feel that their marital bond is still strong they can opt for an early renewal of their marriage.

The affirmative side firmly believes that this proposition should be passed because we reckon it as a primary solution to end domestic violence and this would preserve the human rights of women and children distressed by household hostility. Marriage and domestic violence is a fatal combination. A survey conducted by the Social Weather Station shows that 39% of men admitted that they have physically harmed their wives. And the 2010 Annual Human Rights Report reveals that there is a 91% increase on reported violence before the office of the Philippine National Police compared to the 2009 records. Let alone the much higher number of unreported cases. Marital problems are traumatic for the members of the family especially the maltreated spouse and children. The impact on children is appalling. Body Shop International estimates that 1.8 to 3.2 million Filipino children are exposed to domestic violence and suffer the traumatic effects for the rest of their lives. This number just escalates year after year. And a child growing up in a violent home will

spread violence in society. When love and respect ceases, marriage becomes a war zone. Why bring your children in a concentration camp? Marriage is not a boxing arena, and husbands and wives are not trained to be Pacquiao and Marquez. Setting expiration to a marriage contract is also a principal option to our citizenry not to take annulment which is very costly and is a very long process. Usually on the minimum annulment would take 6 months and could run 5-10 years under our current judicial system. Furthermore, around 700 - 800 case of annulment are filed daily and only 7,000-8,000 of these cases are resolved annually. Moreover, IBON Foundations studies show that 88% of Filipino families are living in poverty nd could not afford annulment. And the cost of annulment ranges from P250,00 and higher and P 250,000 is already the annual income of an ordinary Filipino family. The renewable marriage contract bill as a social reform would address this annulment problems.

The adaptation of the renewable marriage contract does not mean that we of the affirmative group do not hold the sanctity of marriage rather we are more adapting to a moral issue that women and their human rights should be protected together with their children. Apple Incorporated founded by Steve Jobs has a market capitalization of $330 billion and a net worth of $ 300 billion. This success would not be possible if the founders continue to conform with the norms rather they have materialized the idea that is perceived to be impossible by others. From mouse clicks we are introduced to the power of touch. Like a Apple, the affirmative side believe that our proposition would open doors for women to be empowered, for their children and for society to outgrow its tolerance for domestic violence and the perceived double standards in men and women.