Press Release

CONSULATE GENERAL, FALA-CHICAGO HOLD HYBRID WEBINAR ON DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW

Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, Consul Melvin Almonguera, FALA-Chicago President Atty. Zenia Salles, and

resource persons Atty. Hope Mercado-Krull and Atty. Janice Dantes during the hybrid webinar, “When Marriage

Ends: A Practical Guide to Illinois Divorce, Family Law, and Philippine Legal Implications,” held on 22 September 2026

(Chicago PCG screenshot)

CHICAGO 23 September 2026- The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in partnership with the Filipino American Lawyers Association (FALA)-Chicago, held on 22 September 2026 a hybrid webinar titled “When Marriage Ends: A Practical Guide to Illinois Divorce, Family Law, and Philippine Legal Implications,” providing members of the Filipino community and Consulate personnel with practical information on divorce and related family law matters in Illinois. Some twenty (20) community members participated virtually, while officers and staff of the Consulate General attended in person.

In her opening remarks, Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano highlighted the relevance of the topic to Filipino families in the Midwest, particularly given the differences between Illinois and Philippine law. For her part, Atty. Zenia Salles, President of FALA-Chicago, spoke about the organization’s mission to provide legal education and serve as a resource for the Filipino-American community.

Officials and staff of the Consulate General listening to the resource persons (Chicago PCG photo)

The webinar featured Atty. Hope Mercado-Krull and Atty. Janice Dantes as resource persons. Atty. Mercado-Krull discussed the Illinois divorce process, requirements, property division, and spousal support, while Atty. Dantes covered child custody, child support, and remarriage. Both resource persons also touched on the Philippine legal implications of divorce.

The session concluded with an open forum, allowing participants to raise questions and seek clarification on various issues related to divorce and family law. The activity further strengthened the continuing partnership between the Consulate General and FALA-Chicago in providing practical legal education and information to the Filipino-American community. END

Part 1 of 2 of the recording of the webinar “When Marriage Ends: A Practical Guide to Illinois Divorce, Family Law, and Philippine Legal Implications,” held on 22 September 2026

Part 2 of 2 of the recording of the webinar “When Marriage Ends: A Practical Guide to Illinois Divorce, Family Law, and Philippine Legal Implications,” held on 22 September 2026