Supreme Court Defends Justice in Nullity of Marriage
The Supreme Court recently reaffirmed the principles of justice and fairness in a nullity of marriage case involving an alleged victim of bigamous marriage. This ruling underscores the court’s stance that the right to challenge a bigamous marriage must be preserved, especially when one party is an unsuspecting victim.
“If a person not party to the marriage can challenge a bigamous marriage, there is no reason to foreclose action to nullify his alleged bigamous marriage,” local sources said. The court emphasized that if the individual is indeed an innocent party, he should be granted the right to seek redress and have the marriage declared null, restoring his legal capacity to marry validly in the future.
Such a decision ensures that no one is left without recourse when deceived into a marriage that is legally flawed and voidable.
Case Background and Legal Proceedings
The case involves an Italian citizen residing in the Philippines who married a Filipino woman in Italy in 2011. The marriage was registered with the Philippine Consulate in Milan. However, the Italian man later discovered that his Filipino wife had two previous valid marriages in the Philippines, both still legally binding.
He filed a nullity petition in the regional trial court (RTC) in 2022, seeking to have their marriage declared null and void on the grounds of bigamy. Alternatively, he requested the cancellation of the marriage record with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The RTC dismissed the case, citing lack of jurisdiction since the marriage was contracted abroad. It also noted that had the Filipino wife been the petitioner, the outcome might have differed. The court further ruled that the PSA-related request should have been filed separately.
Supreme Court’s Reversal and Legal Reasoning
Upon appeal, the Supreme Court reversed the RTC’s dismissal. The High Court clarified that Philippine courts do have jurisdiction to nullify bigamous marriages involving foreigners and Filipinos, even if the marriage took place overseas.
This aligns with the principle that the validity of a marriage involving Filipino citizens must comply with Philippine laws, preventing circumvention by marrying abroad. It also protects the family rights and duties of Filipino citizens consistently.
The court explained that a marriage, valid in the country where it was celebrated, can still be declared void in the Philippines if it violates local laws such as the prohibition against bigamy. This is a clear exception to the general rule recognizing foreign marriages.
The SC criticized the RTC for failing to address the merits of the case and improperly distinguishing the petitioner’s legal capacity. It stressed the court’s responsibility to invalidate bigamous marriages, which undermine both legal and moral foundations.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The ruling emphasized that bigamous marriages are offensive to public policy. Previous court decisions have allowed prior spouses to seek nullity in cases of bigamy, regardless of who files the petition.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court granted the petition, reversed the RTC’s orders, and remanded the case for proper resolution on its merits. The RTC must now proceed with the case promptly.
This decision reinforces the protection of individuals deceived into unlawful marriages and upholds the integrity of marriage laws in the Philippines.
For more news and updates on nullity of marriage, visit Filipinokami.com.