I previously wrote about “something that appears to be increasingly common nowadays — the live-in relationship, also called common-law marriage.” This is governed by Article 147 of the Family Code, which recognizes, and expressly governs the property relations in, the relationship where a man and a woman live exclusively with each other just like a husband and wife, but without the benefit of marriage (or when the marriage is void). In this situation, property acquired by both spouses through their work and industry shall be governed by the rules on equal co-ownership. Any property acquired during the union is presumed to have been obtained through their joint efforts. As to the homemaker, or the one who cared for and maintained the family household, he/she is still considered to have jointly contributed to the acquisition of a property, even if he/she did not directly participate in the property’s acquisition.
Recently, I stumbled on an interesting article discussing that “cohabitation has become more common than ever before. In fact, more than half of all couplesare now living together before they walk down the aisle.” I guess this “study” on cohabitation (or “live-in” relationships or “common-law” marriages), if ever one exists, is in the U.S. It may not be true here in the Philippines, but I could observe an increasing trend.
Whether my observation is right or wrong, you tell me.
True. Most I knew, due to practical reasons (the emotional freebies and the financial — cheaper when living together).
Pero mas madaming negative sides. Mas malalim ang epekto. Sa tingin ng tao, mag-asawa na sila. Nung nabuntis ang babae, “pamilya na sila”. Then suddenly, nung nagsimula na silang magsama, narealize ni lalaki, di pala niya mahal si babae. Iiwan niya, mahal niya ang anak niya siempre. Pero di nya kayang isipin na habangbuhay siyang nakatali sa babaeng dating akala niya mahal niya.
Eto ngayon, bumalik siya sa una niyang mahal. Nagpakasal sila ng sikreto. At nalaman din ng dalagang ina nang naglaon. Siempre umalma siya. Gumawa ng istorya, nag-iskandalo at sinangkot pa ang pamilya ng bagong asawang babae.
Ang epekto –sa tingin ng tao, si asawang babae ang “pangalawang asawa” at sinasabing ang dahilan ng pagkasira ng pamilya niya. Galit ang pamilya ni lalake sa kanya at ng dalagang ina. Sobrang kahihiyan ang sinapit ng pobreng bagong asawa.
Her marriage is under public scrutiny. Her family is put into public shame. She is demanded to leave her legal husband in favor of the single mom and child. There was no love in them. His sisters can attest that the single mom had never had sexual contact with him after she got pregnant.
They lived for the sake of the child. Does the public know? Will the public understand?
The society is not yet ready to accept such harsh realities. Especially when you are all living in suburbs — where family harmony is most important. There is social stigma.
This is true. I am his wife.
I guess one reason for this is it is so hard to get an annulment and for those who can not afford it, they just live together without the benefit of a marriage.
hi menchie:
may i offer my heartfelt sympathies to you.
just be strong and stand your ground.
good luck!
I am a widow. Me nakilala akong guy na nagooffer sa akin ng marriage. Muslim convert sya. Meron syang first wife and 3 kids, hiwalay na sila for 3 yrs now. Pwede ba kami magpakasal sa Phils? Saan kami pwedeng magpakasal? Dito kami ngayon sa Middle East. Kung dito kami magpapakasal sa sharia court, valid ba ito sa Pnas?
Appreciate your advice.
Menchie, my heart goes with you. I can relate because I am currently in a relationship right now where the my bf has a “common-law marriage.” they have a child and their families are close friends. People think they are “mag-asawa.” I stumbled upon this forum just because i’m confused about my situation. And i have to agree that once our relationship will be out in the public, i will be experiencing the same public scrutiny.
Hi. My boyfriend (of 9 years) and I already lived together for almost 6 months now. We are both 25 years old and working. Our problem is how will we tell our parents regarding our current situation. We are planning to get married on 2010.