There were a lot of questions on the first FAQ, some of which were not answered due to certain prohibitions (see Part 1 or Part 3). For information purposes, we added Part II, wherein we discussed other common issues relating to the topic on annulment and divorce. These issues include the role of the Solicitor General, the duration and costs of annulment proceedings, and where to seek free legal aid.
Should I seek an annulment?
This is a personal decision that should not be taken lightly. While divorce is not allowed in the Philippines, the fact that the law provides for annulment means that there are meritorious instances that would justify the annulment of marriage.
What specifically is the role of the Solicitor General in the process of annulment? Is it true that the SolGen is often the source of delay?
The Solicitor General is authorized to intervene and take part in the proceedings for annulment and declaration of nullity of marriages before the RTC and on appeal to higher courts.The Solicitor General is the principal law officer and legal defender of the land. His intervention in the proceedings ensures that the interest of the State is represented and protected in proceedings for annulment and declaration of nullity of marriages by preventing collusion between the parties, or the fabrication or suppression of evidence. This is the express pronouncement of the Supreme Court. The SolGen may or may not appeal an annulment decision, and such decision is within its authority. In other words, it’s not true, and unfair to say, that the SolGen is the cause of delay.
How long does an annulment process usually take?
The entire process could take less than a year or, if you’re unfortunate, years. There are so many factors that could delay the proceedings. You and your lawyer must be vigilant in making sure that the proceedings go smoothly.
How much does it usually cost?
This is a difficult question, primarily because there are so many variations. If you have absolutely limited resources, you could file the petition as a pauper litigant (for filing fees) and seek free legal aid (discussed below). If you engage the services of a private lawyer, the entire process may cost you at least Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP50,000).
I have a limited amount of money. Where can I seek legal aid?
There are certain institutions where you could seek free legal assistance. Start with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), although they may or may not accept your case, depending on their load (they’re usually overloaded with cases). The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and certain law schools, provide free legal aid. Remember, however, that your request may be denied because there are other important cases handled by these institutions.
How can I verify if my lawyer really filed the petition in court or if a decision was really issued? Can I obtain a copy of the decision?
You may ask your lawyer to provide you with a copy of all documents (motions, pleadings, orders, decisions, etc.) relating to your case. The photocopying cost, of course, will be charged to you. In any case, you could always request to photocopy the record with the court where the petition was filed.
If there’s already a decision annulling my marriage, but the decision is appealed by the Office of the Solicitor General, is it ok to remarry?
No. Unless and until the decision in your favor becomes final and executory (no motion for reconsideration or appeal was filed) and the other requisites have been complied with, you can’t remarry.
If there’s already a divorce validly secured abroad (by the foreigner-spouse or the Filipino spouse who became a foreign citizen, losing his/her Filipino citizenship in the process), can the Filipino spouse immediately remarry?
No. For purposes of re-marriage, the divorce validly secured abroad is not automatically recognized here in the Philippines. The foreign divorce decree must be recognized here in the Philippines; a process which may only be done through the courts.
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magandang araw attorney, nais ko lang po sanang magtanong tungkol sa annulment, halos sampung taon na po akong hiwalay sa aking asawa na ngayon ay may grlfriend na ako halos limang taon na po. ngayon po ako ay nasa qatar at ang aking girlfrend ay nasa pilipinas. paano po ba mag pa annul? ako po ay nakulong nung akoy nasa pinas pa dahil po sa droga. at ang aking asawa naman po ay may anak na sa ibang lalaki. sana po matulungan nyo po ako sa problemang ito nais ko po sanang pakasalan ang girlfrend ko. anu po ang gagawin ko attorney?
magandang araw attorney, nais ko lang po sanang magtanong tungkol sa annulment, halos sampung taon na po akong hiwalay sa aking asawa na ngayon ay may grlfriend na ako halos limang taon na po. ngayon po ako ay nasa qatar at ang aking girlfrend ay nasa pilipinas. paano po ba mag pa annul? ako po ay nakulong nung akoy nasa pinas pa dahil po sa droga. at ang aking asawa naman po ay may anak na sa ibang lalaki. sana po matulungan nyo po ako sa problemang ito nais ko po sanang pakasalan ang girlfrend ko. anu po ang gagawin ko attorney?
Prior to Judicial Affidavits, there were typically two to ten hearings during an annulment case. Does the use of Judicial Affidavits reduce the number hearings or simply expedite the presentation of evidence? Simply stated, do Judicial Affidavits speed up the case or do they only give the court more time to cover more cases?
good pm po attorney. ako po halos 2 taon nang kasal sa aking asawa at may 1 po kaming anak. Last december ko po nalaman na may babae siya at ngayon po ay nagsasama sila. umuuwi po ang asawa ko once a week. pwede ko po ba silang kasuhan? ano po ang mga hakbang na pwede kong gawin laban sa kanila?
maraming salamat po.
gud eve po ask ko po about my situation k kc po divorce na ako sa ibang bansa but naghiring kami s court doon at sa katunayan po nsa aking pangangalaga ang anak kong lalaki isa lng po ang nagging anak namin pwd po bang ung papers ng custody at divorce paper ay pwd po bang ipasa s nso so nd n po dadaan ng court ditto s pilipinas dhl dun ay ginawa n namin at my mga dokumento n nagppatunay na dumaan ako s mga proseso n gnaw n rin dito?
kinasal po km noon 2005 dito s pinas until mg 1 yr ako s japan nagkaroon n agad km ng prblema physically emotionally verbally sinasaktan nia po ako kahrap ng aming anak so nilayasan k po cia at pansamantala umwi ng pinas but tinakot po nia ako noon so bmalik uli po ako s knya then after noon mas lalo nmn po lumalala gngawa nia akin 5 yrs po km ngsama ng akin asawa so tiniis k po lht un pero noon feb 22 2010 tinangka nia akong patayin he is alcoholic mnsan nirrape nia ko then until nabuntis po ako s 2nd baby namin pero pinalalag nia masakit tanggapin pinatay k sariling dugo k nd ko kagustuhan un lahat wla n po akong ngawa dun my diary po ako kpg my gngwa po ciang msama skn sinusulat k.kahit un anaknamin eh malayo po loob ng bata s kanya dhl s nkkita nia sa ama nia.feb 22 2013 ngdivorce n po km wth court there so na skin po un bata but I need my singleness here in phil but nd ko po kaya un cnsbi nilang bayad para s lawyer umwi po km ng pinas para lng mkuha k un singleness ayaw k n po kasing madawit un name nia ayoko k na pong maalala gusto k na pong mawala lahat ng kaugnayan namin sa isat isa .thank you po
magandang gabi po attorney, itatanong ko lang po sana kung may bisa po ang kasal ko, kinasal po kmi ng aking ex-wife nong feb 2001 sa munusipyo, ang meyor po ang nagkasal sa amin pro sya ay pinanganak nong october 18, 1983 kasalukuyan po syang 17 pa lang noon pro ginawa po nilang 19 ang taon nya pra lang po kmi payagan n ikasal sa makatuwid pineke po nila ang birth cert nya pra payagan lang kmi ikasal, nagkaron po kmi ng 2 anak pro naghiwalay kmi dahil sya ay nanlalaki habang ako po ay nasa barko, halos 5 taon na po kming hiwalay ngayon at patuloy ko parin po sinusustentuhan ang mga anak nmin, nagkaron narin po ako ng ibang pamilya at ang ex-wife ko po ay may anak nrin sa ibang lalaki, gusto ko po sanang makasal kmi ng kinakasama ko ngayon pro napag alaman ko po na nakarehistro sa NSO ang kasal po namin ng ex-wife ko kahit pineke ang edad po nya, ano po ang dapat ko gawin para mapawalang bisa ang kasal ko po sa kanya…maraming salamat po at sana mabigyan po ako ng kasagutan sa mga tanong ko, God bless!
hi attorney gusto ko lang po magtanong,divorce po ako sa isang foreigner tapos ung ex husband ko po ang ng divorce sa akin.tapos nabalitaan q po n kelangan ko ung judicial recognition pra ma honor ung divorced q s philippine court.ngaun po may fiancee aq at ikakasal kami next year sa tingin niyo po how long does it take for the judicial recognition to be processed in the court and how much is the cost not the actual cost but just the approximate cost.thanks