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TodayisMonday,October10,2016

RepublicofthePhilippines
SUPREMECOURT
Manila
ENBANC
A.M.No.021110SCMarch4,2003
RE:PROPOSEDRULEONDECLARATIONOFABSOLUTENULLITYOFVOIDMARRIAGESAND
ANNULMENTOFVOIDABLEMARRIAGES
RESOLUTION
ActingontheletteroftheChairmanoftheCommitteeonRevisionoftheRulesofCourtsubmittingforthis
Court's consideration and approval the Proposed Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and
AnnulmentofVoidableMarriages,theCourtResolvedtoAPPROVEthesame.
TheRuleshalltakeeffectonMarch15,2003followingitspublicationinanewspaperofgeneralcirculation
notlaterthanMarch7,2003
March4,2003
Davide,C.J.Bellosillo,Puno,VitugMendoza,Panganiban,Quisumbing,SandovalGutierrez,Carpio,Austria
Martinez,CarpioMorales,Callejo,Sr.andAzcuna
YnaresSantiago,onleave
Corona,onofficialleave
RULEONDECLARATIONOFABSOLUTENULLITYOFVOIDMARIAGESANDANNULMENTOFVOIDABLE
MARRIAGES
Section 1. Scope This Rule shall govern petitions for declaration of absolute nullity of void marriages and
annulmentofvoidablemarriagesundertheFamilyCodeoftePhilippines.
TheRulesofCourtshallapplysuppletorily.
Section2.Petitionfordeclarationofabsolutenullityofvoidmarriages.
(a)Whomayfile.Apetitionfordeclarationofabsolutenullityofvoidmarriagemaybefiledsolelybythe
husbandorthewife.(n)
(b)Wheretofile.ThepetitionshalbefiledintheFamilyCourt.
(c)Imprecriptibilityofactionordefense.AnActionordefenseforthedeclarationofabsolutenullityofvoid
marriageshallnotprescribe.
(d) What to allege. A petition under Article 36 of Family Code shall specially allege te complete facts
showing the either or both parties were psychologically incapacitated from complying with the essential
maritalobligationsofmarriagesatthetimeofthecelebrationofmarriageevenifsuchincapacitybecomes
manifestonlyafteritscelebration.
The complete facts should allege the physical manifestations, if any, as are indicative of psychological
incapacityatthetimeofthecelebrationofthemarriagebutexpertopinionneednotbealleged.
Section3.Petitionforannulmentofvoidablemarriages.
(a)Whomayfile.Thefollowingpersonsmayfileapetitionforannulmentofvoidablemarriagebasedon
anyofthegroundsunderarticle45oftheFamilyCodeandwithintheperiodhereinindicated:
(1) The contracting party whose parent, or guardian, or person exercising substitute parental
authority did not give his or her consent, within five years after attaining the age of twentyone
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unless,afterattainingtheageoftwentyone,suchpartyfreelycohabitatedwiththeotherashusband
orwifeortheparent,guardianorpersonhavinglegalchargeofthecontractingparty,atanytime
beforesuchpartyhasreachedtheageoftwentyone
(2)Thesanespousewhohadnoknowledgeoftheother'sinsanityorbyanyrelative,guardian,or
person having legal charge of the insane, at any time before the death of either party or by the
insanespouseduringthealucidintervalorafterregainingsanity,providedthatthepetitioner,after
comingtoreason,hasnotfreelycohabitedwiththeotherashusbandorwife
(3) The injured party whose consent was obtained by fraud, within five years after the discovery of
the fraud, provided that said party, with full knowledge of the facts constituting the fraud, has not
freelycohabitedwiththeotherashusbandorwife
(4)Theinjuredpartywhoseconsentwasobtainedby force, intimidation, or undue influence, within
fiveyearsfromthetimetheforceintimidation,orundueinfluencedisappearedor ceased, provided
that the force, intimidation, or undue influence having disappeared or ceased, said party has not
thereafterfreelycohabitedwiththeotherashusbandorwife
(5)Theinjuredpartywheretheotherspouseisphysicallyincapableofconsummatingthemarriage
withtheotherandsuchincapabilitycontinuesandappearstobeincurable,withinfiveyearsafterthe
celebrationofmarriageand
(6)Teinjuredpartywheretheotherpartywasafflictedwithasexuallytransmissiblediseasefoundto
beseriousandappearstobeincurable,withinfiveyearsafterthecelebrationofmarriage.
(b)Wheretofile.ThepetitionshallbefiledintheFamilyCourt.
Section4.Venue.ThePetitionshallbefiledintheFamilyCourtoftheprovinceorcitywherethepetitioneror
therespondenthasbeenresidingforatleastsixmonthspriortothedateoffiling.Orinthecaseofnonresident
respondent,wherehemaybefoundinthePhilippines,attheelectionofthepetitioner.
Section5.Contentsandformofpetition.(1)Thepetitionshallallegethecompletefactsconstitutingthecause
ofaction.
(2) It shall state the names and ages of the common children of the parties and specify the regime
governingtheirpropertyrelations,aswellasthepropertiesinvolved.
Ifthereisnoadequateprovisioninawrittenagreementbetweentheparties,thepetitionermayapply
foraprovisionalorderforspousalsupport,thecustodyandsupportofcommonchildren,visitationrights,
administrationofcommunityorconjugalproperty,andothermatterssimilarlyrequiringurgentaction.
(3)Itmustbeverifiedandaccompaniedcelebrationofmarriage.(b)Wheretofile.Thepetitionshallbefiled
intheFamilyCourt.
Section4.Venue.ThepetitionshallbefiledintheFamilyCourtoftheprovinceorcitywherethepetitioneror
therespondenthasbeenresidingforatleastsixmonthspriortothedateoffiling,orinthecaseofanonresident
respondent,wherehemaybefoundinthePhilippinesattheelectionofthepetitioner.
Section5.Contentsandformofpetition.(1)Thepetitionshallallegethecompletefactsconstitutingthecause
ofaction.
(2) it shall state the names and ages of the common children of the parties and specify the regime
governingtheirpropertyrelations,aswellasthepropertiesinvolved.
Ifthereisnoadequateprovisioninawrittenagreementbetweentheparties,thepetitionermayapply
for a provisional order for spousal support, custody and support of common children, visitation rights,
administrationofcommunityorconjugalproperty,andothermatterssimilarlyrequiringurgentaction.
(3) it must be verified and accompanied by a certification against forum shopping. The verification and
certification must be signed personally by me petitioner. No petition may be filed solely by counsel or
throughanattorneyinfact.
Ifthepetitionerisinaforeigncountry,theverificationandcertificationagainstforumshoppingshall
beauthenticatedbythedulyauthorizedofficerofthePhilippineembassyorlegation,consulgeneral,consul
orviceconsulorconsularagentinsaidcountry.
(4)itshallbefiledinsixcopies.ThepetitionershallserveacopyofthepetitionontheOfficeoftheSolicitor
General and the Office of the City or Provincial Prosecutor, within five days from the date of its filing and
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submittothecourtproofofsuchservicewithinthesameperiod.
Failuretocomplywithanyoftheprecedingrequirementsmaybeagroundforimmediatedismissal
ofthepetition.
Section6.Summons.TheserviceofsummonsshallbegovernedbyRule14oftheRulesofCourtandbythe
followingrules:
(1) Where the respondent cannot be located at his given address or his whereabouts are unknown and
cannotbeascertainedbydiligentinquiry,serviceofsummonsmay,byleaveofcourt,beeffecteduponhim
by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the
PhilippinesandinsuchplacesasthecourtmayorderInaddition,acopyofthesummonsshallbeserved
on the respondent at his last known address by registered mail or any other means the court may deem
sufficient.
(2)Thesummonstobepublishedshallbecontainedinanorderofthecourtwiththefollowingdata:(a)title
ofthecase(b)docketnumber(c)natureofthepetition(d)principalgroundsofthepetitionandthereliefs
prayed for and (e) a directive for the respondent to answer within thirty days from the last issue of
publication.
Section7.Motiontodismiss.Nomotiontodismissthepetitionshallbeallowedexceptonthegroundoflackof
jurisdiction over the subject matter or over the parties provided, however, that any other ground that might
warrantadismissalofthecasemayberaisedasanaffirmativedefenseinananswer.
Section8.Answer. (1) The respondent shall file his answer within fifteen days from service of summons, or
withinthirtydaysfromthelastissueofpublicationincaseofserviceofsummonsbypublication.Theanswermust
beverifiedbytherespondenthimselfandnotbycounselorattorneyinfact.
(2)Iftherespondentfailstofileananswer,thecourtshallnotdeclarehimorherindefault.
(3) Where no answer is filed or if the answer does not tender an issue, the court shall order the public
prosecutortoinvestigatewhethercollusionexistsbetweentheparties.
Section 9. Investigation report of public prosecutor. (1) Within one month after receipt of the court order
mentioned in paragraph (3) of Section 8 above, the public prosecutor shall submit a report to the court stating
whetherthepartiesareincollusionandservecopiesthereofonthepartiesandtheirrespectivecounsels,ifany.
(2)Ifthepublicprosecutorfindsthatcollusionexists,heshallstatetheonthefindingofcollusionwithinten
daysfromreceiptofacopyofareportThecourtshallsetthereportforhearingandIfconvincedthatthe
partiesareincollusion,itshalldismissthepetition.
(3)Ifthepublicprosecutorreportsthatnocollusionexists,thecourtshallsetthecaseforpretrial.Itshall
bethedutyofthepublicprosecutortoappearfortheStateatthepretrial.
Section 10. Social worker. The court may require a social worker to conduct a case study and submit the
corresponding report at least three days before the pretrial. The court may also require a case study at any
stageofthecasewhenevernecessary.
Section11.Pretrial.
(1)Pretrialmandatory.Apretrialismandatory.Onmotionormotuproprio,thecourtshallsetthepretrial
afterthelastpleadinghasbeenservedandfiled,oruponreceiptofthereportofthepublicprosecutorthat
nocollusionexistsbetweentheparties.
(2)Noticeofpretrial.(a)Thenoticeofpretrialshallcontain:
(1)thedateofpretrialconferenceand
(2) an order directing the parties to file and serve their respective pretrial briefs in such
mannerasshallensurethereceiptthereofbytheadversepartyatleastthreedaysbeforethe
dateofpretrial.
(b)Thenoticeshallbeservedseparatelyonthepartiesandtheirrespectivecounselsaswellason
thepublicprosecutor.Itshallbetheirdutytoappearpersonallyatthepretrial.
(c) Notice of pretrial shall be sent to the respondent even if he fails to file an answer. In case of
summonsbypublicationandtherespondentfailedtofilehisanswer,noticeofpretrialshallbesent
torespondentathislastknownaddress.
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Section12.Contentsofpretrialbrief.Thepretrialbriefshallcontainthefollowing:
(a) A statement of the willingness of the parties to enter into agreements as may be allowed by law,
indicatingthedesiredtermsthereof
(b)Aconcisestatementoftheirrespectiveclaimstogetherwiththeapplicablelawsandauthorities
(c)Admittedfactsandproposedstipulationsoffacts,aswellasthedisputedfactualandlegalissues
(d)Alltheevidencetobepresented,includingexpertopinion,ifany,brieflystatingordescribingthenature
andpurposethereof
(e)Thenumberandnamesofthewitnessesandtheirrespectiveaffidavitsand
(f)Suchothermattersasthecourtmayrequire.
Failuretofilethepretrialbriefortocomplywithitsrequiredcontentsshallhavethesameeffectasfailure
toappearatthepretrialunderthesucceedingparagraphs.
Section13.Effect of failure to appear at the pretrial. {a) If the petitioner fails to appear personally, the case
shall be dismissed unless his counsel or a duly authorized representative appears in court and proves a valid
excuseforthenonappearanceofthepetitioner.
(b)Iftherespondenthasfiledhisanswerbutfailstoappear,thecourtshallproceedwiththepretrialand
requirethepublicprosecutortoinvestigatethenonappearanceoftherespondentandsubmitwithinfifteen
daysthereafterareporttothecourtstatingwhetherhisnonappearanceisduetoanycollusionbetween
theparties.IfthereIsnocollusion,thecourtshallrequirethepublicprosecutortointervenefortheState
duringthetrialonthemeritstopreventsuppressionorfabricationofevidence.
Section14.Pretrialconference.Atthepretrialconference,thecourt:
(a)Mayrefertheissuestoamediatorwhoshallassistthepartiesinreachinganagreementonmattersnot
prohibitedbylaw.
Themediatorshallrenderareportwithinonemonthfromreferralwhich,forgoodreasons,thecourt
mayextendforaperiodnotexceedingonemonth.
(b)Incasemediationisnotavailedoforwhereitfails,thecourtshallproceedwiththepretrialconference,
onwhichoccasionitshallconsidertheadvisabilityofreceivingexperttestimonyandsuchothermakersas
mayaidinthepromptdispositionofthepetition.
Section15.Pretrialorder.{a)Theproceedingsinthepretrialshallberecorded.Uponterminationofthepre
trial,thecourtshallIssueapretrialorderwhichshallreciteindetailthematterstakenupIntheconference,the
action taken thereon, the amendments allowed on the pleadings, and except as to the ground of declaration of
nullity or annulment, the agreements or admissions made by the parties on any of the matters considered,
includinganyprovisionalorderthatmaybenecessaryoragreeduponbytheparties.
(b)Shouldtheactionproceedtotrial,theordershallcontainarecitalofthefollowing
(1) Facts undisputed, admitted, and those which need not be proved subject to Section 16 of this
Rule
(2)Factualandlegalissuestobelitigated
(3)Evidence,includingobjectsanddocuments,thathavebeenmarkedandwillbepresented
(4)Namesofwitnesseswhowillbepresentedandtheirtestimoniesintheformofaffidavitsand
(5)Scheduleofthepresentationofevidence.
(c)ThepretrialordershallalsocontainadirectivetothepublicprosecutortoappearfortheStateandtake
steps to prevent collusion between the parties at any stage of the proceedings and fabrication or
suppressionofevidenceduringthetrialonthemerits.
(d) The parlies shall not be allowed to raise issues or present witnesses and evidence other than those
statedinthepretrialorder.
Theordershallcontrolthetrialofthecase,unlessmodifiedbythecourttopreventmanifestinjustice.
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(e) The parties shall have five days from receipt of the pretrial order to propose corrections or
modifications.
Section16.Prohibitedcompromise. The courtshall not allow compromise on prohibited matters, such as the
following:
(a)Thecivilstatusofpersons
(b)Thevalidityofamarriageorofalegalseparation
(c)Anygroundforlegalseparation
(d)Futuresupport
(e)Thejurisdictionofcourtsand
(f)Futurelegitime.
Section17.Trial. (1) The presiding judge shall personally conduct the trial of the case. No delegation of the
receptionofevidencetoacommissionershallbeallowedexceptastomattersinvolvingpropertyrelationsofthe
spouses.
(2)Thegroundsfordeclarationofabsolutenullityorannulmentofmarriagemustbeproved.Nojudgment
onthepleadings,summaryjudgment,orconfessionofjudgmentshallbeallowed.
(3)Thecourtmayordertheexclusionfromthecourtroomofallpersons,includingmembersofthepress,
whodonothaveadirectinterestinthecase.Suchanordermaybemadeifthecourtdeterminesonthe
record that requiring a party to testify in open court would not enhance the ascertainment of truth would
causetothepartypsychologicalharmorinabilitytoeffectivelycommunicateduetoembarrassment,fear,
ortimiditywouldviolatetherightofapartytoprivacyorwouldbeoffensivetodecencyorpublicmorals.
(4)Nocopyshallbetakennoranyexaminationorperusaloftherecordsofthecaseorpartsthereofbe
madebyanypersonotherthanapartyorcounselofaparty,exceptbyorderofthecourt.
Section18.Memoranda.Thecourtmayrequirethepartiesandthepublicprosecutor,inconsultationwiththe
OfficeoftheSolicitorGeneral,tofiletheirrespectivememorandasupportoftheirclaimswithinfifteendaysfrom
thedatethetrialisterminated.ItmayrequiretheOfficeoftheSolicitorGeneraltofileitsownmemorandumifthe
caseisofsignificantinteresttotheState.Nootherpleadingsorpapersmaybesubmittedwithoutleaveofcourt.
Afterthelapseoftheperiodhereinprovided,thecasewillbeconsideredsubmittedfordecision,withorwithout
thememoranda.
Section19.Decision. (1) If the court renders a decision granting the petition, it shall declare therein that the
decreeofabsolutenullityordecreeofannulmentshallbeissuedbythecourtonlyaftercompliancewithArticle50
and51oftheFamilyCodeasimplementedundertheRuleonLiquidation,PartitionandDistributionofProperties.
(2)Theparties,includingtheSolicitorGeneralandthepublicprosecutor,shallbeservedwithcopiesofthe
decisionpersonallyorbyregisteredmail.Iftherespondentsummonedbypublicationfailedtoappearinthe
action,thedispositivepartofthedecisionshallbepublishedonceinanewspaperofgeneralcirculation.
(3) The decision becomes final upon the expiration of fifteen days from notice to the parties. Entry of
judgmentshallbemadeifnomotionforreconsiderationornewtrial,orappealIsfiledbyanyoftheparties
thepublicprosecutor,ortheSolicitorGeneral.
(4)Uponthefinalityofthedecision,thecourtshallforthwithissuethecorrespondingdecreeiftheparties
havenoproperties.
Ifthepartieshaveproperties,thecourtshallobservetheprocedureprescribedinSection21ofthisRule.
TheentryofjudgmentshallberegisteredintheCivilRegistrywherethemarriagewasrecordedandInthe
Civil Registry where the Family Court'granting the petition for declaration of absolute nullity or annulment of
marriageislocated.
Section20.Appeal.
(1)Precondition.Noappealfromthedecisionshallbeallowedunlesstheappellanthasfiledamotionfor
reconsiderationornewtrialwithinfifteendaysfromnoticeofjudgment.

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(2)Noticeofappeal.AnaggrievedpartyortheSolicitorGeneralmayappealfromthedecisionbyfilinga
NoticeofAppealwithinfifteendaysfromnoticeofdenialofthemotionforreconsiderationornewtrial.The
appellantshallserveacopyofthenoticeofappealontheadverseparties.
Section 21. Liquidation, partition and distribution, custody, support of common children and delivery of their
presumptiveiegltimes.Uponentryofthejudgmentgrantingthepetition,or,incaseofappeal,uponreceiptof
theentryofjudgmentoftheappellatecourtgrantingthepetition,theFamilyCourt,onmotionofeitherparty,shall
proceedwiththeliquidation,partitionanddistributionofthepropertiesofthespouses,includingcustody,support
ofcommonchildrenanddeliveryoftheirpresumptivelegitimespursuanttoArticles50and51oftheFamilyCode
unlesssuchmattershadbeenadjudicatedinpreviousjudicialproceedings.
Section22.IssuanceofDecreeofDeclarationofAbsoluteNullityorAnnulmentofMarriage."(a)Thecourtshall
issuetheDecreeafter
(1)Registrationoftheentryofjudgmentgrantingthepetitionfordeclarationofnullityorannulmentof
marriage in the Civil Registry where the marriage was celebrated and in the Civil Registry of the
placewheretheFamilyCourtislocated
(2) Registration of the approved partition and distribution of the properties of the spouses, in the
properRegisterofDeedswheretherealpropertiesarelocatedand
(3)Thedeliveryofthechildren'spresumptivelegitimesincash,property,orsoundsecurities.
(b) The court shall quote in the Decree the dispositive portion of the judgment entered and attach to the
Decreetheapproveddeedofpartition.
ExceptinthecaseofchildrenunderArticles36and53oftheFamilyCode,thecourtshallordertheLocal
CivilRegistrartoissueanamendedbirthcertificateindicatingthenewcivilstatusofthechildrenaffected.
Section23.Registrationandpublicationofthedecreedecreeasbestevidence.(a)Theprevailingpartyshall
causetheregistrationoftheDecreeintheCivilRegistrywherethemarriagewasregistered,theCivilRegistryof
theplacewheretheFamilyCourtissituated,andintheNationalCensusandStatisticsOffice.Heshallreporttd
thecourtcompliancewiththisrequirementwithinthirtydaysfromreceiptofthecopyoftheDecree.
(b) In case service of summons was made by publication, the parties shall cause the publication of the
Decreeonceinanewspaperofgeneralcirculation.
(c) The registered Decree shall be the best evidence to prove the declaration of absolute nullity or
annulment of marriage and shall serve as notice to third persons concerning the properties of petitioner
andrespondentaswellasthepropertiesorpresumptivelegitimesdeliveredtotheircommonchildren.
Section24.EffectofdeathofapartydutyoftheFamilyCourtorAppellateCourt.(a)Incaseapartydiesat
anystageoftheproceedingsbeforetheentryofjudgment,thecourtshallorderthecaseclosedandterminated,
withoutprejudicetothesettlementoftheestateinproperproceedingsintheregularcourts.
(b)Ifthepartydiesaftertheentryofjudgmentofnullityorannulment,thejudgmentshallbebindingupon
thepartiesandtheirsuccessorsininterestinthesettlementoftheestateintheregularcourts.
Section25.Effectlvity.ThisRuleshalltakeeffectonMarch15,2003followingitspublicationinanewspaperof
generalcirculationnotlaterthanMarch7,2003.
TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

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