Relative Divorce (Reaction Paper)
Relative Divorce (Reaction Paper)
Relative Divorce (Reaction Paper)
Commonly, ordinary people mistakenly assume that there is divorce in our law. This is due to the rampant
misrepresentations of television dramas that lead to such ignorance. In truth, many law book authors, specifically in
Family Code as part of the Civil Law, what we have here in the Philippines is what we call relative divorce. This is kind
of divorce has the same effect as absolute divorce it severs the bind of marriage but for determined grounds only which
are provided under the law unlike divorce the couple may only allege that the marriage does not work anymore it then
such divorce may be granted. This Article has for its purpose to elucidate the complexities of annulment or relative
divorce in the Philippines.
A marriage may be annulled for any of the following causes, existing at the time of the
marriage:
1) That the party in whose behalf it is sought to have the marriage annulled was
eighteen years of age or over but below twenty-one, and the marriage was solemnized without
the consent of the parents, guardian or person having substitute parental authority over the
party, in that order, unless after attaining twenty-one, such party freely cohabited with the
other and both lived together as husband and wife;
2) That either party was of unsound mind, unless such party after coming to reason,
freely cohabited with the other as husband and wife;
3) That the consent of either party was obtained by fraud, unless such party
afterwards, with full knowledge of the facts constituting the fraud, freely cohabited with the
other as husband and wife;
4) That the consent of either party was obtained by force, intimidation or undue
influence, unless the same having disappeared or ceased, such party thereafter freely
cohabited with the other as husband and wife;
5) That either party was physically incapable of consummating the marriage with
the other, and such incapacity continues and appears to be incurable; or
6) That either party was afflicted with a sexually transmissible disease found to be
serious and appears to be incurable.
As provided before, relative divorce can only be granted if the ground provided for by the law is present. If not
then it will not be granted. The enumeration of the grounds is exclusive meaning what it does not include is excluded.
The first four grounds prohibits the injured party who freely cohabits with the other as husband and wife
despite defects in the relationship because of the policy of the state to enhance and promote the permanence of
marriage (Sta. Maria, 2015). However, the same is not true with the last two ground. Whether or not the injured party
freely cohabited with the other does not in any way diminish his right to file an action for annulment.
Therefore, from the foregoing, we can conclude that the law provides for definite grounds by which a person
can legally annul his/her marriage with the other. By definite grounds it limits the floodgate of litigation of annulment of
marriage and at the same time upholds the provision of the constitution which favors the preservation of marital union.
References
Sta. Maria, M. (2015). Persons and Family Relations. Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Reaction Paper
Introduction
Annulment is not a new topic but some still cannot completely understand it out rightly. Considering our flexible
jurisprudence, the interpretation of the law over time have drastically changed. This paper is a reaction to what is
discussed in the preceding article.
I think the present law in annulment under Art. 45 of the Family Code is still applicable nowadays. In fact,
since it is a developing culture of the Filipinos to have their marriages annulled, this law comes into play. In our
jurisdiction no one can plainly claim that their marriage does not work anymore, thus, they can annul their marriage at
will. This situation is what this law intends to prevent. Unless the Constitution itself is amended as to its provisions
regarding family and the provision of the family code it will be very difficult for couples to sever their matrimonial bond.
This is good law because not only it prevents numerous litigation for annulment of marriage but also intensifies the
wisdom of the Constitution towards the preservation of the family as an integral unit of the society. This law should be
preserve and should be vacated only when the time comes that we are ready for such changes.
Conclusion
Therefore, the present law must not be vacated in toto to give way to the legalization of absolute divorce. It is
ingrained in our Filipino tradition that Family is the most precious things that we could have.