Lawyer's Creed

Mind your manners. Tell the truth. Know the law.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Siga v Cercado Jr G.R. No. 185374, March 11, 2015

Facts: In their Complaint, petitioners Simplicia Cercado-Siga (Simplicia) and Ligaya Cercado-Belison (Ligaya) claimed that they are the legitimate children of the late Vicente and Benita Castillo (Benita), who were married last 9 October 1929 in Pililla, Rizal. In support of the existence thereof, petitioners presented a copy of the Contrato Matrimonial which was issued by Iglesia Filipina Independiente church. Petitioners insist that the Contrato Matrimonial is a public document because it is required by law to be recorded in the local civil registrar...

Vitangcol v People G.R. No. 207406, January 13, 2016

Doctrine:Persons intending to contract a second marriage must first secure a judicial declaration of nullity of their first marriage. If they proceed with the second marriage without the judicial declaration, they are guilty of bigamy regardless of evidence of the nullity of the first marriage. Facts:On December 4, 1994, Norberto married Alice G. Eduardo (Alice). Born into their union were three (3) children. After some time, Alice eventually discovered that Norberto was previously married to a certain Gina M. Gaerlan (Gina) on July 17, 1987, as...

Castillo v Castillo G.R. No. 189607, April 18, 2016

Facts:On 25 May 1972, respondent Lea P. De Leon Castillo (Lea) married Benjamin Bautista (Bautista). On 6 January 1979, respondent married herein petitioner Renato A. Castillo (Renato). On 28 May 2001, Renato filed before the RTC a Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, praying that his marriage to Lea be declared void due to her subsisting marriage to Bautista. Respondent opposed the Petition, and contended that her marriage to Bautista was null and void as they had not secured any license therefor, and neither of them was a member of...

Republic v Tampus G.R. No. 214243, March 16, 2016

Facts: Respondent Nilda was married to Dante on November 29, 1975 in Cordova, Cebu. The marriage ceremony was solemnized by Municipal Judge Julian B. Pogoy of Cordova, Cebu. Three days thereafter, or on December 2, 1975, Dante, a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), left respondent, and went to Jolo, Sulu where he was assigned. The couple had no children. Since then, Nilda heard no news from Dante. She tried everything to locate· him, but her efforts proved futile. Thus, on April 14, 2009, she filed before the RTC a petition...