almelor vs. rtc of las pinas city, 563 scra 447, aug 26, 2008.doc

8/14/2019 Almelor vs. RTC of Las Pinas City, 563 SCRA 447, Aug 26, 2008.doc

1/22

Republic of the Philippines

Supreme CourtManilaTHIRD DIVISION

MANUEL G. ALMELOR, G.R. No. 179620Petitioner,

Present:

YNARES-SANTIAGO,J., - versus - Chairperson,

AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,

CHICO-NAZARIO,

NACHURA, and

THE HON. REGIONAL TRIAL REYES,JJ.COURT OF LAS PIAS CITY,BRANCH 2!, "#$ Prom!"ated:LEONIDA T. ALMELOR,

Res#ondent. A"st $%, $&&'

( - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (

D E C I S I O N

REYES, R.T.,J.%

MARRIAGE, in its tota!it), in*o!*es t+e s#oses ri"+t to t+e

ommnit) o t+eir /+o!e !i*es. It !i0e/ise in*o!*es a tre intert/inin" o

#ersona!ities.1213

T+is is a #etition or re*ie/ on certiorario t+e 4eision$2$3 o t+e

Cort o A##ea!s 5CA6 den)in" t+e #etition or ann!ment o 7d"ment and

airmin" in totot+e deision o t+e Re"iona! Tria! Cort 5RTC6, 8as Pi9as,

1213 See Se#arate O#inion o stie Romero inRepublic v. Court of Appeals,G.R. No. 1&';%rar)

1io, /it+ Assoiate

sties Re"a!ado E. Maam>on" and Artro G. Ta)a", onrrin".


2/22

ran+ $B@. T+e CA dismissed otri"+t t+e R!e @; #etition or >ein" t+e

/ron" remed).

T&' F"()*

Petitioner Mane! G. A!me!or 5Mane!6 and res#ondent 8eonida

Trinidad 58eonida6 /ere married on anar) $?, 1?'? at t+e Mani!a

Cat+edra!.orn on Oto>er $&, 1?'? 5$6 Na#o!eon Mane!, >orn on A"st ?, 1??1

and 5orn on !) @, 1??@. @2@3 Mane! and 8eonida are

>ot+ media! #ratitioners, an anest+esio!o"ist and a #ediatriian,

res#eti*e!).B2B3

Ater e!e*en 5116 )ears o marria"e, 8eonida i!ed a #etition /it+ t+e

RTC in 8as Pi9as Cit) to ann! t+eir marria"e on t+e "rond t+at Mane!

/as #s)+o!o"ia!!) ina#aitated to #erorm +is marita! o>!i"ations. T+e

ase, do0eted as 8P-&&-&1!i e)e, Mane! /as t+e #itre o a #eret +s>and and

at+er. T+is /as not t+e ase in +is #ri*ate !ie. At +ome, 8eonida desri>ed

Mane! as a +ars+ disi#!inarian, nreasona>!) meti!os, easi!) an"ered.

Mane!s nreasona>!e /a) o im#osin" disi#!ine on t+eir +i!dren /as t+e


3/22

ase o t+eir reent i"+ts as a o#!e. ;2;3 8eonida om#!ained t+at t+is

/as in star0 ontrast to t+e a!!e"ed !a*is+ aetion Mane! +as or +is

mot+er. Mane!s dee# atta+ment to +is mot+er and +is de#endene on +er

deision-ma0in" /ere inom#re+ensi>!e to 8eonida.'2'3

=rt+er addin" to +er /oes /as +is onea!ment to +er o +is

+omose(a!it). Her ss#iions /ere irst arosed /+en s+e notied

Mane!s #e!iar !oseness to +is ma!e om#anions. =or instane, s+e

a"+t +im in an indisreet te!e#+one on*ersation maniestin" +is aetion

or a ma!e a!!er.?2?3 S+e a!so ond se*era! #orno"ra#+i +omose(a!

materia!s in +is #ossession.1&21&3 Her /orse ears /ere onirmed /+en s+e

sa/ Mane! 0issed anot+er man on t+e !i#s. T+e man /as a ertain 4r.

No"a!es.112113F+en s+e onronted Mane!, +e denied e*er)t+in". At t+is

#oint, 8eonida too0 +er +i!dren and !et t+eir on7"a! a>ode. Sine t+en,

Mane! sto##ed "i*in" s##ort to t+eir +i!dren.1$21$3

4r. a!entina de! =onso Garia, a !inia! #s)+o!o"ist, /as #resented

to #ro*e 8eonidas !aim. 4r. de! =onso Garia testiied t+at s+e ondted

e*a!ati*e inter*ie/s and a >atter) o #s)+iatri tests on 8eonida. S+e a!so

+ad a one-time inter*ie/ /it+ Mane! and ae-to-ae inter*ie/s /it+ Ma.

Pa!ina Corrinne 5t+e e!dest +i!d6.1e

inra>!e.

;2;3 Id.'2'3 Id. at $%.?2?3 Id.1&21&3Id.112113Id.1$21$3Id.1i!it),

*er>a! and #+)sia! a""ression and !a0 o "enine remorse. Ri"id!) #er*asi*e and e"os)ntoni in natre

and +ene no eeti*e #s)+iatri t+era#eti moda!it) o!d satisatori!) remed) +is nremittin"

#s)+o!o"), deendants #s)+o!o"ia! ina#ait) +as its anteedene as ear!) as >eore +is marria"e. ( ( (


4/22

Mane!, or +is #art, admitted t+at +e and 8eonida +ad some #ett)

ar"ments +ere and t+ere. He, +o/e*er, maintained t+at t+eir marita!

re!ations+i# /as "enera!!) +armonios. T+e #etition or ann!ment i!ed >)

8eonida ame as a sr#rise to +im.

Mane! ontered t+at t+e tre ase o 8eonidas +osti!it) a"ainst

+im /as t+eir #roessiona! ri*a!r). It >e"an /+en +e resed to +eed t+e

memorandm1B21B3re!eased >) C+rist t+e in" Hos#ita!. T+e memorandm

ordered +im to desist rom on*ertin" +is o/n !)in"-in !ini to a #rimar) or

seondar) +os#ita!.1%21%3 8eonidas ami!) o/ns C+rist t+e in" Hos#ita!

/+i+ is sitated in t+e same s>di*ision as Mane!s !ini and residene.1;

21;3 In ot+er /ords, +e and +er ami!) +a*e om#etin" or ri*a! +os#ita!s in

t+e same *iinit).

Mane! >e!ied +er a!!e"ation t+at +e /as a re! at+er to t+eir

+i!dren. He denied ma!treatin" t+em. At most, +e on!) im#osed t+e

neessar) disi#!ine on t+e +i!dren.

He a!so deended +is s+o/ o aetion or +is mot+er. He said t+ere

/as not+in" /ron" or +im to retrn t+e !o*e and aetion o t+e #erson

/+o reared and !oo0ed ater +im and +is si>!in"s. T+is is es#eia!!) a#t no/

t+at +is mot+er is in +er t/i!i"+t )ears.1'21'3 Mane! #ointed ot t+at 8eonida

ond a!t in t+is ot+er/ise +ea!t+) re!ations+i# >ease o +er *er) 7ea!os

and #ossessi*e natre.1?21?3

T+is same o*er!) 7ea!os >e+a*ior o 8eonida dro*e Mane! to a*oid

t+e om#an) o ema!e riends. He /anted to a*oid an) rt+er

misnderstandin" /it+ +is /ie. t, 8eonida instead on7red # stories

1B21B3Id. at @'. 4ated Oto>er $;, 1??'.1%21%3Id.1;21;3Id.1'21'3Id.1?21?3Id.


5/22

a>ot +is se(a! #reerene. S+e a!so a>riated ta!es a>ot #orno"ra#+i

materia!s ond in +is #ossession to ast do>t on +is mas!init).$&2$&3

To orro>orate +is *ersion, +e #resented +is >rot+er, ess G.

A!me!or. ess narrated t+at +e sa!!) sta)ed at Mane!s +ose drin" +is

/ee0!) tri#s to Mani!a rom Iri"a Cit). He /as a /itness to t+e "enera!!)

+armonios re!ations+i# >et/een +is >rot+er Mane! and sister-in-!a/,

8eonida. Tre, t+e) +ad some arre!s t)#ia! o a +s>and and /ie

re!ations+i#. t t+ere /as not+in" simi!ar to /+at 8eonida desri>ed in +er

testimon).$12$13

ess rt+er testiied t+at +e /as /it+ +is >rot+er on t+e da) 8eonida

a!!e"ed!) sa/ Mane! 0issed anot+er man. He denied t+at s+ an inident

orred. On t+at #arti!ar date,$$2$$3+e and Mane! /ent strai"+t +ome

rom a tri# to io!. T+ere /as no ot+er #erson /it+ t+em at t+at time,

e(e#t t+eir dri*er.$er $B, $&&B, t+e RTC "ranted t+e #etition

or ann!ment, /it+ t+e o!!o/in" dis#osition:

FHERE=ORE, #remised on t+e ore"oin", 7d"ment is +ere>)

rendered:

1. 4e!arin" t+e marria"e ontrated >) +erein #arties on

$? anar) 1?'? and a!! its eets nder t+e !a/ #-

$&2$&3Id.$12$13Id.$$2$$3Id. at @;. 4ated No*em>er 1, $&&$.$


6/22

"#$ /o+$ o )&' 3'4+##+#45

$. 4isso!*in" t+e re"ime o ommnit) #ro#ert) >et/eent+e same #arties /it+ oreitre o deendants s+are

t+ereon in a*or o t+e same #arties +i!dren /+ose


7/22

!e"a! stod) is a/arded to #!ainti /it+ *isitoria! ri"+t

aorded to deendant

. 4iretin" t+e 8oa! Ci*i! Re"istrars o 8as

Pi9as Cit) and Mani!a Cit) to ase t+e

re"istration o t+e said Entr) o d"ment int+eir res#eti*e oo0s o Marria"es.

U#on om#!iane, a deree o n!!it) o marria"e s+a!! >e issed.

SO OR4ERE4.$@2$@3 5Em#+asis s##!ied6

T+e tria! ort n!!iied t+e marria"e, not on t+e "rond o Arti!e t Arti!e @B o t+e =ami!) Code. It ratioinated:

( ( ( a are! e*a!ation and in-de#t+ ana!)sis o t+e srrondin"irmstanes o t+e a!!e"ations in t+e om#!aint and o t+e e*idene

#resented in s##ort t+ereo 5sic6 re*ea!s t+at in t+is ase 5sic6 t+ere is

more t+an meets t+e e)es 5sic6.

ot+ !e"a!!) and >io!o"ia!!), +omose(a!it) ( ( ( is, indeed,

"enera!!) inom#ati>!e /it+ +etero se(a! marria"e. T+is is reason eno"+

t+at in t+is 7risdition 5sic6 t+e !a/ reo"niDes marria"e as a s#eia!ontrat e(!si*e!) on!) >et/een a man and a /oman ( ( ( and t+s

/+en +omose(a!it) +as tres#assed into marria"e, t+e same !a/ #ro*ides

am#!e remedies to orret t+e sitation 2Arti!e @B5on" and Artro G. Ta)a", onrrin".


8/22

Mane! ontended t+at t+e assai!ed deision /as issed in e(ess o

t+e !o/er orts 7risdition t+at it +ad no 7risdition to disso!*e t+e

a>so!te ommnit) o #ro#ert) and oreit +is on7"a! s+are in a*or o +is

+i!dren.

CA D+*o*+)+o#

On !) ) 4ENIE4. T+e Cort A==IRMS in toto t+e 4eision 5datedNo*em>er $B, $&&B6 o t+e Re"iona! Tria! Cort 5ran+ $B@6, in 8as

Pi9as Cit), in Ci*i! Case No. 8P-&&-&1) t+e !o/er Cort. t t+e remed) assmin" t+ere /asa mista0e is not a Petition or Ann!ment o d"ment >t an ordinar)

a##ea!. An error o 7d"ment ma) >e re*ersed or orreted on!) >)

a##ea!.

F+at #etitioner is asri>in" is an error o 7d"ment, not o

7risdition, /+i+ is #ro#er!) t+e s>7et o an ordinar) a##ea!.

In s+ort, #etitioner admits t+e 7risdition o t+e !o/er ort >t +e

!aims e(ess in t+e e(erise t+ereo. ExcessJ assmin" t+ere /as is not

o*ered >) R!e @; o t+e 1??; R!es o Ci*i! Proedre. T+e R!e reerst+e !a0 o 7risdition and not t+e e(erise t+ereo.$'2$'3

I**-'*

Petitioner Mane! ta0es t+e #resent reorse *ia R!e @B, assi"nin" to

t+e CA t+e o!!o/in" errors:

$;2$;3Id. at @1.$'2$'3Id. at


9/22

ITHE HONORA8E COURT O= APPEA8S ERRE4 IN NOT

TREATING THE PETITION =OR ANNU8MENT O= U4GMENT AS

A PETITION =OR REIEF IN IEF O= THE IMPORTANCE O=THE ISSUES INO8E4 AN4 IN THE INTEREST O= USTICE

II

THE HONORA8E COURT O= APPEA8S ERRE4 IN UPHO84INGTHE 4ECISION O= THE TRIA8 COURT AS REGAR4S THE OR4ER

4EC8ARING THE MARRIAGE AS NU88 AN4 OI4 ON THE

GROUN4 O= PETITIONERS PSYCHO8OGICA8 INCAPACITY

III

THE HONORA8E COURT O= APPEA8S ERRE4 IN UPHO84INGTHE 4ECISION O= THE TRIA8 COURT AS REGAR4S THE OR4ER

TO =OR=EIT THE SHARE O= PETITIONER IN HIS SHARE O= THE

CONUGA8 ASSETS.$?2$?3

O- R-+#4

I. The stringent rules of procedures may be relaxed to serve the

demands of substantial justice and in the Courts exercise of equity

jurisdiction.

Genera!!), an a##ea! ta0en eit+er to t+e S#reme Cort or t+e CA >)

t+e /ron" or ina##ro#riate mode s+a!! >e dismissed.stantia! 7stie as e(#editios!) as

#ossi>!e.!e

t+ro"+ no a!t o #etitioner.


10/22

Appeals,rar) $1, 1??$, $&% SCRA @$? Cabutin v. A!acio,G.R. No. BB$$', =e>rar) $',1?'?, 1;& SCRA ;B&A!erican Express $nternational, $nc. v. $nter!e#iate Appellate Court,G.R. No. 8-

;&;%%, No*em>er ?, 1?'', 1%; SCRA $&? %onseca v. Court of Appeals,G.R. No. 8-


11/22

drin" t+e #enden) o t+e ase. Ne*ert+e!ess, s+e is ordered reinstated

/it+ot >a0 /a"es. On a##ea!, Ner*es stated in +er #etition, inter alia:

1. T+is is a #etition or certiorarii!ed #rsant to Arti!e IL-A, Setion; o t+e Constittion o t+e P+i!i##ines and nder R!e %B o t+e

R!es o Cort.

$. t #er S#reme Cort Re*ised Administrati*e Cir!ar No. 1-?B

5Re*ised Cir!ar No. 1-?16 #etitioner is i!in" t+e instant #etition

/it+ t+is Honora>!e Cort instead o t+e S#reme Cort.


12/22

certiorari instead o a motion or ne/ tria! or an ordinar) a##ea!. In t+e

interest o 7stie, t+is Cort onsidered t+e #etition, pro hac vice, as a

#etition or certiorarinder R!e %B.

T+is Cort ond t+at >ased on Tans a!!e"ations, t+e tria! ort pri!a

facie ommitted "ra*e a>se o disretion in renderin" a 7d"ment >)

dea!t. I norreted, it /i!! ase #etitioner "reat in7stie. T+e Cort

e!idated in t+is /ise:

Indeed, /+ere as +ere, t+ere is a stron" s+o/in" t+at "ra*e

misarria"e o 7stie /o!d res!t rom t+e strit a##!iation o t+e R!es,

/e /i!! not +esitate to re!a( t+e same in t+e interest o s>stantia! 7stie.@inds t+e !ient. Sti!!, t+is Cort +as

reo"niDed ertain e(e#tions: 516 /+ere re0!ess or "ross ne"!i"ene o

onse! de#ri*es t+e !ient o de #roess o !a/ 5$6 /+en its a##!iation

/i!! res!t in otri"+t de#ri*ation o t+e !ients !i>ert) and #ro#ert) or 5e made to ser or +is

onse!s "ra*e mista0es. Hi"+er interests o 7stie and eit) demand t+at

+e >e a!!o/ed to *enti!ate +is ase in a +i"+er ort.

In Apex &ining, $nc. v. Court of Appeals,@'2@'3 t+is Cort e(#!ained

t+s:

It is sett!ed t+at t+e ne"!i"ene o onse! >inds t+e !ient. T+is is

>ased on t+e r!e t+at an) at #erormed >) a onse! /it+in t+e so#e o +is"enera! or im#!ied at+orit) is re"arded as an at o +is !ient. Ho/e*er,

/+ere onse! is "i!t) o "ross i"norane, ne"!i"ene and dere!ition o

dt), /+i+ res!ted in t+e !ients >ein" +e!d !ia>!e or dama"es in a

dama"e sit, t+e !ient is de#ri*ed o +is da) in ort and t+e 7d"ment ma)>e set aside on s+ "rond. In t+e instant ase, +i"+er interests o 7stie

and eit) demand t+at #etitioners >e a!!o/ed to #resent e*idene on t+eirdeense. Petitioners ma) not >e made to ser or t+e !a/)ers mista0es.

T&+* Co-) + "":* 3' $+*o*'$ )o 4"#) '+' )o ")+'* "44+'/'$

@;2@;3Id. at B;@.@'2@'3G.R. No. 1


14/22

3: '+$:, "-$, '('** +#"))'#)+o# "#$ $o#+4&) +#(o')'#(' o":'*, &+(& &"* )&' (o#*';-'#(' o $'+/+#4 )&'+ (+'#)*, o )&'+$": +# (o-).@?2@?3 5Em#+asis s##!ied6

C!ear!), t+is Cort +as t+e #o/er to e(e#t a #arti!ar ase rom t+e

o#eration o t+e r!e /+ene*er t+e demands o 7stie reire it. Fit+ more

on*ition s+o!d it /ie!d s+ #o/er in a ase in*o!*in" t+e sarosant

instittion o marria"e. T+is Cort is "ided /it+ t+e t+rst o "i*in" a #art)

t+e !!est o##ortnit) to esta>!is+ t+e merits o ones ation.B&2B&3

T+e !ient /as !i0e/ise s#ared rom onse!s ne"!i"ene in

Govern!ent ervice $nsurance ste! v. Bengson Co!!ercial Buil#ings,

$nc.B12B13andAncheta v. Guerse-*alagon.B$2B$3 Said t+e Cort inBengson:

t i nder t+e irmstanes o t+e ase, t+e r!e deserts its #ro#er

oie as an aid to 7stie and >eomes a "reat +indrane and +ie enem),

its ri"ors mst >e re!a(ed to admit e(e#tions t+ereto and to #re*ent amisarria"e o 7stie. In ot+er /ords, t+e ort +as t+e #o/er to e(e#t a

#arti!ar ase rom t+e o#eration o t+e r!e /+ene*er t+e #r#oses o7stie reire it.B


15/22

Indeed, mere a!!e"ations o on!itin" #ersona!ities, irreoni!a>!edierenes, inessant arre!s andor >eatin"s, n#redita>!e mood

s/in"s, inide!ities, *ies, a>andonment, and dii!t), ne"!et, or ai!re

in t+e #erormane o some marita! o>!i"ations do not sie to esta>!is+#s)+o!o"ia! ina#ait).BB2BB3

I so, t+e !o/er ort s+o!d +a*e dismissed otri"+t t+e #etition or

not meetin" t+e "ide!ines set in &olina. F+at 8eonida attem#ted to

demonstrate /ere Mane!s +omose(a! tendenies >) itin" o*ert ats

"enera!!) #redominant amon" +omose(a! indi*ida!s.B%2B%3 S+e /anted to

#ro*e t+at t+e #erei*ed +omose(a!it) rendered Mane! ina#a>!e o

!i!!in" t+e essentia! marita! o>!i"ations.

t instead o dismissin" t+e #etition, t+e tria! ort #-++'$ t+e

marria"e >et/een Mane! and 8eonida on t+e "rond o *itiated onsent >)

*irte o rad. In s##ort o its on!sion, t+e !o/er ort reasoned ot:

As insinated >) t+e State 5#. ;B, TSN, 1B 4eem>er $&&!is+ /it+

ertaint) t+at deendant is rea!!) a +omose(a!. T+is is t+e at t+at an >e$'$-('$rom t+e tota!it) o t+e marria"e !ie senario o +erein #arties.

eore +is marria"e, deendant 0ne/ *er) /e!! t+at #eo#!e arond

+im e*en in!din" +is o/n !ose riends $o-3)'$ +is tre se(a!#reerene 5TSN, ##. t deendant did not do an)t+in" to #ro*e to t+e/+o!e /or!d one and or a!! t+e trt+ o a!! +is denia!s. 4eendant

t+reatened to se t+ose #eo#!e >t not+in" +a##ened ater t+at. T+ere ma)

+a*e >een more im#ortant matters to attend to t+an to /aste time andeort i!in" ases a"ainst and >e eeted >) t+ese #eo#!e and so, #ttin"

more #remims on deendants denia!s, #!ainti 7st t+e same married

+im. Reasons #on reasons ma) >e ad*aned to eit+er e(!#ate or nai! to

t+e ross deendant or +is at o initia!!) onea!in" +is +omose(a!it) to#!ainti, >t in t+e end, on!) one t+in" is ertain K e*en drin" +is

marria"e /it+ #!ainti, t+e smo0e o do>t a>ot +is rea! #reerene

ontined and e*en "ot t+i0er, reason /+) o>*ios!) deendant ai!ed to

esta>!is+ a +a##) and so!id ami!) and in so ai!in", #!ainti and t+eir+i!dren >eame +is innoent and n/i!!in" *itims.

BB2BB3Rollo,#. @?.B%2B%3Id.


16/22

Yes, t+ere is not+in" nto/ard o a man i, !i0e +erein deendant,

+e is meti!os o*er e*en sma!! detai!s in t+e +ose 5sic6 !i0e /ron"!)o!ded >ed s+eets, et. or i a man is more at+oritati*e in 0no/in" /+at

!ot+es or 7e/e!r) s+a!! it +is /ie 5##. ;;-'1, TSN, 1B 4eem>er $&&t t+ese admissions o deendant ta0en in t+e !i"+t o e*idene #resenteda##arent!) s+o/in" t+at +e +ad e(tra ondness o +is ma!e riends 5sic6 to

t+e e(tent t+at t/ie on se#arate oasions 5##. @-;, TSN, 1@ =e>rar)

$&&16 +e /as a!!e"ed!) seen >) #!ainti 0issin" anot+er man !i#s-to-!i#s

#!s t+e +omose(a! ma"aDines and ta#es !i0e/ise a!!e"ed!) diso*erednderneat+ +is >ed 5E(+i>its 8J and MJ6, t+e do>t as to +is rea! se(

identit) >eomes stron"er. T+e asation o #!ainti *erss t+ereo o

deendant ma) >e t+e name o t+e "ame in t+is ase >t t+e sim#!e reasono #roessiona! ri*a!r) ad*aned >) t+e deendant is ertain!) not eno"+

to 7sti) and o>sre t+e estion /+) #!ainti s+o!d ase +im o s+

a *er) nto/ard inide!it) at t+e e(#ense and +mi!iation o t+eir +i!drenand ami!) as a /+o!e.B;2B;3

E*ident!), no siient #roo /as #resented to s>stantiate t+e

a!!e"ations t+at Mane! is a +omose(a! and t+at +e onea!ed t+is to

8eonida at t+e time o t+eir marria"e. T+e !o/er ort onsidered t+e #>!i

#ere#tion o Mane!s se(a! #reerene /it+ot t+e orro>oration o

/itnesses. A!so, it too0 o"niDane o Mane!s #e!iarities and inter#reted

it a"ainst +is se(a!it).

E*en assmin", ex gratia argu!enti, t+at Mane! is a +omose(a!, t+e

!o/er ort annot a##reiate it as a "rond to ann! +is marria"e /it+

8eonida. T+e !a/ is !ear K a marria"e ma) >e ann!!ed /+en t+e onsent o

eit+er #art) /as o>tained >) rad,B'2B'3 s+ as onea!ment o

+omose(a!it).B?2B?3 No/+ere in t+e said deision /as it #ro*en >)

#re#onderane o e*idene t+at Mane! /as a +omose(a! at t+e onset o +is

marria"e and t+at +e de!i>erate!) +id s+ at to +is /ie. %&2%&3 It is t+e

onea!ment o +omose(a!it), and not +omose(a!it) per se, t+at *itiates

t+e onsent o t+e innoent #art). S+ onea!ment #res##oses >ad ait+

and intent to derad t+e ot+er #art) in "i*in" onsent to t+e marria"e.

B;2B;3Id. at @?-B&.B'2B'3=ami!) Code, Art. @B5


17/22

Consent is an essentia! reisite o a *a!id marria"e. To >e *a!id, it

mst >e ree!) "i*en >) >ot+ #arties. An a!!e"ation o *itiated onsent mst

>e #ro*en >) #re#onderane o e*idene. T+e =ami!) Code +as enmerated

an e(!si*e !ist o irmstanes%12%13onstittin" rad. Homose(a!it)per

seis not amon" t+ose ited, >t its onea!ment.

T+is distintion >eomes more a##arent /+en /e "o o*er t+e

de!i>erations%$2%$3o t+e Committees on t+e Ci*i! Code and =ami!) 8a/, to

/it:

stie Ca"ioa remar0ed t+at t+is "rond s+o!d >e e!iminated in

t+e #ro*ision on t+e "ronds or !e"a! se#aration. 4ean G#it, +o/e*er,

#ointed ot t+at in Arti!e @%, t+e) are ta!0in" on!) o onea!ment,J /+i!ein t+e arti!e on !e"a! se#aration, t+ere is ata!it). d"e 4i) added t+at in

!e"a! se#aration, t+e "rond e(isted ater t+e marria"e, /+i!e in Arti!e @%,

t+e "rond e(isted at t+e time o t+e marria"e. stie Re)es s""ested t+at,or !arit), t+e) add t+e #+rase e(istin" at t+e time o t+e marria"eJ at t+e

end o s>#ara"ra#+ 5@6. T+e Committee a##ro*ed t+e s""estion.%!an0et denia!, >t

one t+at is onstitti*e o rad. It is t+is ndamenta! e!ement t+at

res#ondent ai!ed to #ro*e.

In t+e United States, +omose(a!it) +as >een onsidered as a >asis or

di*ore. It indiates t+at estions o se(a! identit) stri0e so dee#!) at one

%12%13Arti!e @%. An) o t+e o!!o/in" irmstanes s+a!! onstitte rad reerred to in Nm>er < o t+e

#reedin" Arti!e:

16 Non-dis!osre o #re*ios on*ition >) ina! 7d"ment o t+e ot+er #art) o a rime

in*o!*in" mora! tr#itde

$6 Conea!ment >) t+e /ie o t+e at t+at at t+e time o t+e marria"e, s+e /as #re"nant >) a

man ot+er t+an +er +s>and

!e disease, re"ard!ess o its natre, e(istin" at t+e timeo t+e marria"e or

@6 Conea!ment o dr" addition, +a>ita! a!o+o!ism, or +omose(a!it) or !es>ianism

e(istin" at t+e time o t+e marria"e.%$2%$3Mintes o t+e 1B@t+Meetin" o t+e Ci*i! Code and =ami!) 8a/ Committees +e!d on Se#tem>er %,

1?'%, ?:&& a.m. at t+e Conerene Room, =irst =!oor, ao>o Ha!!, U.P. 8a/ Com#!e(, 4i!iman, eDon

Cit).%


18/22

o t+e >asi e!ements o marria"e, /+i+ is t+e e(!si*e se(a! >ond

>et/een t+e s#oses.%B2%B3 In Crutcher v. Crutcher,%%2%%3t+e Cort +e!d:

Unnatra! #raties o t+e 0ind +ar"ed +ere are an inamosindi"nit) to t+e /ie, and /+i+ /o!d ma0e t+e marria"e re!ation so

re*o!tin" to +er t+at it /o!d >eome im#ossi>!e or +er to dis+ar"e t+e

dties o a /ie, and /o!d deeat t+e /+o!e #r#ose o t+e re!ation. In t+enatra! orse o t+in"s, t+e) /o!d ase menta! serin" to t+e e(tent o

aetin" +er +ea!t+.%;2%;3

Ho/e*er, a!t+o"+ t+ere ma) >e simi!ar sentiments +ere in t+e

P+i!i##ines, t+e !e"a! o*ertones are si"niiant!) dierent. 4i*ore is notreo"niDed in t+e ontr). Homose(a!it) and its a!!e"ed inom#ati>i!it) to

a +ea!t+) +eterose(a! !ie are not santioned as "ronds to se*er t+e

marria"e >ond in or 7risdition. At most, it is on!) a "rond to se#arate

rom >ed and >oard.

F+at /as #ro*en in t+e +earin"s a /uo /as a re!ati*e!) >!iss!

marita! nion or more t+an e!e*en 5116 )ears, /+i+ #roded t+ree 5rden o #roo to s+o/ t+e n!!it) o t+e marria"e rests on

8eonida. Sad!), s+e ai!ed to dis+ar"e t+is ons.

T+e same ai!re to #ro*e rad /+i+ #r#orted!) res!ted to a

*itiated marita! onsent /as ond in )illanueva v. Court of Appeals.%'2%'3 In

)illanueva, instead o #ro*in" *itiation o onsent, a##e!!ant resorted to

>ase!ess #ortra)a!s o +is /ie as a #er#etrator o rad!ent s+emes. Said

t+e Cort:

=ata! indin"s o t+e Cort o A##ea!s, es#eia!!) i t+e)oinide /it+ t+ose o t+e tria! ort, as in t+e instant ase, are "enera!!)

>indin" on t+is Cort. Fe airm t+e indin"s o t+e Cort o A##ea!s t+at

#etitioner ree!) and *o!ntari!) married #ri*ate res#ondent and t+at no

t+reats or intimidation, dress or *io!ene om#e!!ed +im to do so, t+s K

A##e!!ant an+ored +is #ra)er or t+e ann!ment o +is marria"e on

t+e "rond t+at +e did not ree!) onsent to >e married to t+e a##e!!ee. He

%B2%B3;' A8R $d '&;.%%2%%3


19/22

ited se*era! inidents t+at reated on +is mind a reasona>!e and /e!!-

"ronded ear o an imminent and "ra*e dan"er to +is !ie and saet). ( ( (

T+e Cort is not on*ined t+at a##e!!ants a##re+ension o dan"er

to +is #erson is so o*er/+e!min" as to de#ri*e +im o t+e /i!! to enter*o!ntari!) to a ontrat o marria"e. It is not dis#ted t+at at t+e time +e/as a!!e"ed!) >ein" +arassed, a##e!!ant /or0ed as a serit) "ard in a

>an0. Gi*en t+e rdiments o se!-deense, or, at t+e *er) !east, t+e #ro#er

/a) to 0ee# +imse! ot o +arms /a). ( ( (

A##e!!ant a!so in*o0ed rad to ann! +is marria"e, as +e /as

made to >e!ie*e >) a##e!!ee t+at t+e !atter /as #re"nant /it+ +is +i!d

/+en t+e) /ere married. A##e!!ants e(se t+at +e o!d not +a*eim#re"nated t+e a##e!!ee >ease +e did not +a*e an eretion drin" t+eir

tr)st is !ims) at >est, and an otri"+t !ie at /orst. T+e om#!aint is >eret

o an) reerene to +is ina>i!it) to o#!ate /it+ t+e a##e!!ee. ( ( (

( ( ( (

( ( ( T+e ai!re to o+a>it >eomes re!e*ant on!) i it arises as ares!t o t+e #er#etration o an) o t+e "ronds or ann!!in" t+e marria"e,

s+ as !a0 o #arenta! onsent, insanit), rad, intimidation, or nde

in!ene ( ( (. Sine t+e a##e!!ant ai!ed to 7sti) +is ai!re to o+a>it/it+ t+e a##e!!ee on an) o t+ese "ronds, t+e *a!idit) o +is marria"e

mst >e #+e!d.%?2%?3

eri!), t+e !o/er ort ommitted "ra*e a>se o disretion, not on!)

>) so!e!) ta0in" into aont #etitioners +omose(a!it) #er se and not its

onea!ment, >t >) de!arin" t+e marria"e *oid rom its e(istene.

T+is Cort is mind! o t+e onstittiona! #o!i) to #rotet and

stren"t+en t+e ami!) as t+e >asi atonomos soia! instittion and

marria"e as t+e ondation o t+e ami!).;&2;&3

T+e State and t+e #>!i +a*e

*ita! interest in t+e maintenane and #reser*ation o t+ese soia! instittions

a"ainst deseration >) a>riated e*idene.;12;13 T+s, an) do>t s+o!d >e

reso!*ed in a*or o t+e *a!idit) o marria"e.

%?2%?3)illanueva v. Court of Appeals,id. at B%?-B;&.;&2;&3P+i!i##ine Constittion 51?';6, Art. II, Se. 1$ #ro*ides:

Se. 1$. T+e State reo"niDes t+e santit) o ami!) !ie and s+a!! #rotet and stren"t+en t+eami!) as a >asi atonomos soia! instittion. ( ( (

Art. L, Ses. 1-$ #ro*ides:

Se. 1. T+e State reo"niDes t+e =i!i#ino ami!) as t+e ondation o t+e nation.

Aordin"!), it s+a!! stren"t+en its so!idarit) and ati*e!) #romote its tota! de*e!o#ment.

Se. $. Marria"e, as an in*io!a>!e soia! instittion, is t+e ondation o t+e ami!) and

s+a!! >e #roteted >) t+e State.;12;13"olentino v. )illanueva,G.R. No. 8-$


20/22

III. In a valid marriage, the husband and ife jointly administer and

enjoy their community or conjugal property.

Arti!e ?% o t+e =ami!) Code, on re"imes o a>so!te ommnit)

#ro#ert), #ro*ides:

Art. ?%. T+e administration and en7o)ment o t+e ommnit)

#ro#ert) s+a!! >e!on" to >ot+ s#oses 7oint!). In ase o disa"reement, t+e

+s>ands deision s+a!! #re*ai!, s>7et to reorse to t+e ort >) t+e

/ie or a #ro#er remed), /+i+ mst >e a*ai!ed o /it+in i*e )ears romt+e date o t+e ontrat im#!ementin" s+ deision.

In t+e e*ent t+at one s#ose is ina#aitated or ot+er/ise na>!e to#artii#ate in t+e administration o t+e ommon #ro#erties, t+e ot+er

s#ose ma) assme so!e #o/ers o administration. T+ese #o/ers do not

in!de t+e #o/ers o dis#osition or enm>rane /it+ot t+e at+orit) ot+e ort or t+e /ritten onsent o t+e ot+er s#ose. In t+e a>sene o s+

at+orit) or onsent, t+e dis#osition or enm>rane s+a!! >e *oid.

Ho/e*er, t+e transation s+a!! >e onstred as a ontinin" oer on t+e#art o t+e onsentin" s#ose and t+e t+ird #erson, and ma) >e #ereted

as a >indin" ontrat #on t+e ae#tane >) t+e ot+er s#ose orat+oriDation >) t+e ort >eore t+e oer is /it+dra/n >) eit+er or >ot+

oerors.

A simi!ar #ro*ision, Arti!e 1$@;$2;$3#resri>es 7oint administration

and en7o)ment in a re"ime o on7"a! #artners+i#. In a *a!id marria"e, >ot+

s#oses e(erise administration and en7o)ment o t+e #ro#ert) re"ime,

7oint!).

In t+e ase nder re*ie/, t+e RTC dereed a disso!tion o t+e

ommnit) #ro#ert) o Mane! and 8eonida. In t+e same >reat+, t+e tria!

ort oreited Mane!s s+are in a*or o t+e +i!dren. Considerin" t+at t+e

marria"e is #+e!d *a!id and s>sistin", t+e disso!tion and oreitre o

;$2;$3Art. 1$@. T+e administration and en7o)ment o t+e on7"a! #artners+i# #ro#ert) s+a!! >e!on" to >ot+

s#oses 7oint!). In ase o disa"reement, t+e +s>ands deision s+a!! #re*ai!, s>7et to reorse to t+e

ort >) t+e /ie or #ro#er remed), /+i+ mst >e a*ai!ed o /it+in i*e )ears rom t+e date o t+eontrat im#!ementin" s+ deision. In t+e e*ent t+at one s#ose is ina#aitated or ot+er/ise na>!e to #artii#ate in t+e administration o

t+e on7"a! #ro#erties, t+e ot+er s#ose ma) assme so!e #o/ers o administration. T+ese #o/ers do not

in!de dis#osition or enm>rane /it+ot at+orit) o t+e ort or t+e /ritten onsent o t+e ot+er

s#ose. In t+e a>sene o s+ at+orit) or onsent, t+e dis#osition or enm>rane s+a!! >e *oid.

Ho/e*er, t+e transation s+a!! >e onstred as a ontinin" oer on t+e #art o t+e onsentin" s#ose and

t+e t+ird #erson, and ma) >e #ereted as a >indin" ontrat #on t+e ae#tane >) t+e ot+er s#ose or

at+oriDation >) t+e ort >eore t+e oer is /it+dra/n >) eit+er or >ot+ oerors.


21/22

Mane!s s+are in t+e #ro#ert) re"ime is n/arranted. T+e) remain t+e 7oint

administrators o t+e ommnit) #ro#ert).

=HEREFORE,t+e #etition is GRANTED. T+e a##ea!ed 4eision

is REVERSED and SET ASIDEand t+e #etition in t+e tria! ort to ann!

t+e marria"e is DISMISSED.

SO ORDERED.

RUBEN T. REYES Assoiate stie

FE CONCUR:

CONSUELO YNARES>SANTIAGOAssoiate stie

C+air#erson

MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA>MARTINE? MINITA V. CHICO>NA?ARIO Assoiate stie Assoiate stie

ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURAAssoiate stie

A T T E S T A T I O N

I attest t+at t+e on!sions in t+e a>o*e 4eision +ad >een rea+ed in

ons!tation >eore t+e ase /as assi"ned to t+e /riter o t+e o#inion o t+e

Corts 4i*ision.

CONSUELO YNARES>SANTIAGO Assoiate stie


22/22

C+air#erson

C E R T I F I C A T I O N

Prsant to Setion 1o*e 4eision +ad >een rea+ed in ons!tation >eore t+e ase /as

assi"ned to t+e /riter o t+e o#inion o t+e Corts 4i*ision.

REYNATO S. PUNO C+ie stie

almelor vs. rtc of las pinas city, 563 scra 447, aug 26, 2008.doc

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