Conflict of Laws Cases 2016

8/15/2019 Conflict of Laws Cases 2016

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/conflict-of-laws-cases-2016 1/33

NARRA VS. NICKEL AND DISSENTING OPINION- TAB

Republic of the Philippine

SUPREME COURT

!"nil"

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-20997 April 27, 1967

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO CHANGE NAME OF ONG HUAN TIN TO TERESITA TAN ONG.

HUAN TIN, petitione#-"ppell"nt$

%.

REPULIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, oppoito#-"ppellee.

J. C. Yuseco for petitioner and appellant.

Office of the Solicitor General for oppositor and appellee.

SANCHE!, J.:

Petition to ch"n&e the n"'e of On& (u"n Tin to Te#eit" T"n )Speci"l P#ocee*in& +,/$ 0u%enile "n*

Do'etic Rel"tion Cou#t1. Due public"tion 2" h"*. The petition 2" et fo# he"#in&. But$ befo#e the petition

coul* be he"#* on the 'e#it$ the cou#t$ motu proprio$ in it o#*e# of No%e'be# 3$ /43 e5p#ee* the opinion

6th"t "n "lien c"nnot "%"il hi'elf of the p#o%iion of ou# Rule of Cou#t #el"tin& to ch"n&e of n"'e6 "n*

the#eupon *enie* the petition. A 'o%e to #econi*e# 2" #e7ecte* in the cou#t8 o#*e# of No%e'be# 9$ /43.

Offhoot i the p#eent "ppe"l.

/. At iue i 2hethe# "n "lien '": petition fo# " ch"n&e of n"'e. P#i'"#il:$ thi ;uetion hin&e on the p#ope#

inte#p#et"tion of the 2o#* pe#on " it i e'plo:e* in Rule /+, of the Rule of Cou#t. Thi p#oble'$ b: "ll

'e"n$ i not ne2.

In " #ecent 7u*ici"l tet )In the Petition fo# the Ch"n&e of N"'e of 0OSELITO <=$ G.R. L-+>?9$ !": $

/4331@e hel* th"t Philippine citienhip of the "pplic"nt i not " p#e#e;uiite fo# " petition to ch"n&e n"'e

"n*$ th"t$ "cco#*in&l:$ "n "lien '": petition fo# " ch"n&e of n"'e. The#e$ thi Cou#t$ pe"in& th#ou&h !#.

0utice !""lint"l$ *ecl"#e*

Rule /+, *oe not ": th"t onl: citien of the Philippine '": petition fo# " ch"n&e of n"'e. FNeithe#

*oe Public Act No. /,>3 of the Philippine Co''iion )en"cte* Septe'be# /$ /4+1 f#o' 2hich the

Rule h" been "*opte*. Section / p#o%i*e th"t 6" pe#on *ei#in& to ch"n&e hi n"'e h"ll p#eent

the petition to the Cou#t of Hi#t Int"nce of the p#o%ince in 2hich he #ei*e$ o#$ in the Cit: of !"nil"$ to

the 0u%enile "n* Do'etic Rel"tion Cou#t.6 (e#e the 2o#* 6pe#on6 i " &ene#ic te#' 2hich i not

li'ite* to Hilipino citien$ but e'b#"ce "ll n"tu#"l pe#on. The #ule *oe not e%en #e;ui#e th"t the

citienhip of the petitione# be t"te* in hi petition. It i enou&h th"t the petition be %e#ifie*$ i&ne* b:

the petitione# o# o'e othe# pe#on in hi beh"lf$ "n* et fo#th )"1 th"t the petitione# h" been " bona

fide #ei*ent of the p#o%ince 2he#e the petition i file* fo# "t le"t th#ee ),1 :e"# p#io# to the *"te of

filin& )b1 the c"ue fo# 2hich the ch"n&e of n"'e i ou&ht "n* )c1 the n"'e "e* fo# )Section 1.



The #ule i cle"# "n* "ffo#* no #oo' fo# inte#p#et"tion. It et fo#th "ll the #e;ui#e'ent$ "n* Hilipino

citienhip i not one of the'.

The cou#t a quo #ule* th"t ince the ue of u#n"'e i b"e* on f"'il: #i&ht$ "n* ince un*e# A#ticle

/ of the Ci%il Co*e l"2 #el"tin& to f"'il: #i&ht "n* *utie$ o# to the t"tu$ con*ition "n* le&"l

c"p"cit: of pe#on "#e bin*in& upon citien of the Philippine e%en thou&h li%in& "b#o"*$ the

con%e#e of the p#inciple 'ut be #eco&nie*$ th"t i to ":$ the "'e '"tte# in #epect of "#e "lien

'ut be &o%e#ne* b: the l"2 of hi o2n count#:. The '"7o# p#e'ie of the p#opoition '": be t#ue in

" &ene#"l ene one8 u#n"'e i uu"ll: th"t b: 2hich not onl: one " "n in*i%i*u"l but one8 f"'il:

" 2ell i no2n. Thu Title III of the Ci%il Co*e )A#ticle ,39 to ,?,1 cont"in p#o%iion fo# the ue of

u#n"'e b: le&iti'"te$ le&iti'"te*$ ille&iti'"te$ "n* "*opte* chil*#en$ " 2ell " b: 2o'en 2ho "#e

'"##ie*$ 2i*o2e* o# le&"ll: ep"#"te* f#o' thei# hub"n*. But " ch"n&e of n"'e " "utho#ie* un*e#

Rule /+, *oe not b: itelf *efine$ o# effect " ch"n&e in$ one8 e5itin& f"'il: #el"tion$ o# in the #i&ht

"n* *utie flo2in& the#ef#o' no# *oe it c#e"te ne2 f"'il: #i&ht "n* *utie 2he#e none befo#e 2e#e

e5itin&. It *oe not "lte# one8 le&"l c"p"cit:$ ci%il t"tu o# citienhip. h"t i "lte#e* i onl: the

n"'e$ 2hich in th"t 2o#* o# co'bin"tion of 2o#* b: 2hich " pe#on i *itin&uihe* f#o' othe# "n*

2hich he be"# " the l"bel o# "ppell"tion fo# the con%enience of the 2o#l* "t l"#&e in "**#ein& hi'$

o# in pe"in& of o# *e"lin& 2ith hi' ),> A'. 0u#. 41. The itu"tion i no *iffe#ent 2hethe# the pe#on

2hoe n"'e i ch"n&e* be " citien o# "n "lien.

To be u#e$ the#e coul* be int"nce 2he#e the ch"n&e "pplie* fo# '":be open to ob7ection b: p"#tie 2ho

"l#e"*: be"# the u#n"'e *ei#e* b: the "pplic"nt$ not bec"ue he 2oul* the#eb: "c;ui#e ce#t"in f"'il: tie

2ith the' but bec"ue the e5itence of uch tie 'i&ht be e##oneoul: i'p#ee* on the public 'in*. But thi

i p#eciel: the pu#poe of the 7u*ici"l "pplic"tion J to *ete#'ine 2hethe# the#e i p#ope# "n* #e"on"ble

c"ue fo# the ch"n&e of n"'e. A hel* b: thi Cou#t "#e e%e#"l c"e$ in 2hich pe#tinentl: enou&h the

petitione# 2e#e "lien$ the ch"n&e i not " '"tte# of #i&ht but of 7u*ici"l *ic#etion$ to be e5e#cie* in the li&ht

of the #e"on "**uce* "n* the cone;uence th"t 2ill liel: follo2 )On& Pen& O"n %. Republic$ L->+,$ No%

/4? T"n %. Republic$ L-/3,>9$ Ap#il 3$ /43 On& Te %. Republic$ L-/94$ 0une ,+$ /43 !oo#e %.

Republic$ L-/>9+?$ 0une 3$ /43,1. In not one of thoe c"e$ ho2e%e#$ h" it been #ule* th"t "n "lien i not

entitle* to file " petition "t "ll.6

. Nonethele$ 2e p"ue to coni*e# 2hethe# e%e#: "lien in thi count#: '": petition fo# " ch"n&e of n"'e.

Ch"n&e of n"'e J un*e# ou# o2n l"2 J i " peci"l p#ocee*in& to et"blih the t"tu of " pe#on in%ol%in&

hi #el"tion 2ith othe#$ th"t i$ hi le&"l poition in$ o# 2ith #e&"#* to$ the #et of the co''unit:. The petition

the#efo# i *i#ecte* "&"int "ll. It i in rem. So it i$ th"t un*e# Section , of Rule /+,$ public"tion of the petition

i #e;ui#e*./

The b#o"* &ene#"l *oct#ine i th"t the t"tu of "n "lien in*i%i*u"l i &o%e#ne* "n* cont#olle* b:

the lex domicilii .

I'plicit in thi p#ecept i th"t "n "lien '": be "llo2e* to ch"n&e hi n"'e he#e onl: if he be*o'icile* in the Philippine. An* 6*o'icile6 'e"n 6pe#'"nent ho'e$ the pl"ce to 2hich$ 2hene%e# "bent fo#

buine o# ple"u#e$ one inten* to #etu#n$ "n* *epen* on f"ct "n* ci#cu't"nce$ in the ene th"t the:

*icloe intent.6,

An "lien 2ho te'po#"#il: t": in the Philippine '": not the#e "%"il of the #i&ht to ch"n&e hi n"'e. Ho#$ 2h"t

&oo* 2ill th"t be if$ "fte# "ll$ hi t": 2ill be fo# " ho#t pe#io* of ti'e It 2oul* not be of 'uch benefit to hi'

cou#t p#ocee*in& fo# the pu#poe coul* :et be " uele ce#e'on: th"t "lut"#: effect flo2in& f#o' " ch"n&e

of hi oci"l #el"tion "n* con*ition '": not thu be "chie%e*. An* then$ toc houl* be t"en of the f"ct th"t in



" ch"n&e of n"'e$ thi#* pe#on "n* the St"te "#e conce#ne*. Co##ect$ then$ it i to ": th"t ch"n&e of n"'e i

not te'po#"#: in n"tu#e the ne2 n"'e '": not be hunte* "i*e "t 2ill.

e$ "cco#*in&l:$ l": *o2n the #ule th"t only "lien *o'icile* in the Philippine '": "ppl: fo# ch"n&e of n"'e in

the cou#t the#eof.1äwph1.!"t

Coni*e#in& th"t the petition he#ein co'plie 2ith the #e;uiite et fo#th in the Rule of Cou#t$ 2e %ote to et

"i*e the o#*e# of the 0u%enile "n* Do'etic Rel"tion Cou#t of No%e'be# 3$ /43 "n* No%e'be# 9$ /43

"n* to *i#ect "i* Cou#t to p#ocee* 2ith the he"#in& "n* *ete#'in"tion of Speci"l P#ocee*in& +,/$ entitle*

6In the !"tte# of the Petition to Ch"n&e N"'e of On& (u"n Tin to Te#eit" T"n.6 No cot. So o#*e#e*.

Concepcion# C.J.# $eyes# J.%.&.# 'i(on# $e)ala# *a+alintal# %en)(on# J.,.# -aldiar and Castro# JJ.# concur.


SUPREME COURT

HIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 1"#$%0 O&'o()r ", 200"

REPULIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitione#$

%.

CIPRIANO ORECI*O III, Repon*ent.

D E C I S I O N

+UISUMING, J.:

Gi%en " %"li* '"##i"&e bet2een t2o Hilipino citien$ 2he#e one p"#t: i l"te# n"tu#"lie* " " fo#ei&n citien

"n* obt"in " %"li* *i%o#ce *ec#ee c"p"cit"tin& hi' o# he# to #e'"##:$ c"n the Hilipino poue lie2ie #e'"##:un*e# Philippine l"2

Befo#e u i " c"e of fi#t i'p#eion th"t behoo%e the Cou#t to '"e " *efinite #ulin& on thi "pp"#entl:

no%el ;uetion$ p#eente* " " pu#e ;uetion of l"2.

In thi petition fo# #e%ie2$ the Solicito# Gene#"l ""il the *)&iio/ *"te* !": /$ ++$ of the Re&ion"l T#i"l

Cou#t of !ol"%e$ "'bo"n&" *el Su#$ B#"nch , "n* it R)ol'io *"te* 0ul: 9$ ++ *en:in& the 'otion fo#

#econi*e#"tion. The cou#t a quo h"* *ecl"#e* th"t he#ein #epon*ent Cip#i"no O#beci*o III i c"p"cit"te* to

#e'"##:. The fallo of the i'pu&ne* Deciion #e"*

(EREHORE$ b: %i#tue of the p#o%iion of the econ* p"#"&#"ph of A#t. 3 of the H"'il: Co*e "n* b: #e"on

of the *i%o#ce *ec#ee obt"ine* "&"int hi' b: hi A'e#ic"n 2ife$ the petitione# i &i%en the c"p"cit: to #e'"##:

un*e# the Philippine L"2.

IT IS SO ORDERED.,

The f"ctu"l "ntece*ent$ " n"##"te* b: the t#i"l cou#t$ "#e " follo2.

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2005/oct2005/gr_154380_2005.html#fnt1








On !": 9$ /4>/$ Cip#i"no O#beci*o III '"##ie* L"*: !:#o !. Vill"nue%" "t the =nite* Chu#ch of Ch#it in the

Philippine in L"'-"n$ O"'i Cit:. Thei# '"##i"&e 2" blee* 2ith " on "n* " *"u&hte#$ K#itoffe#

Si'bo#t#i V. O#beci*o "n* L"*: Ki'be#l: V. O#beci*o.

In /4>3$ Cip#i"noM 2ife left fo# the =nite* St"te b#in&in& "lon& thei# on K#itoffe#. A fe2 :e"# l"te#$ Cip#i"no

*ico%e#e* th"t hi 2ife h"* been n"tu#"lie* " "n A'e#ic"n citien.

So'eti'e in +++$ Cip#i"no le"#ne* f#o' hi on th"t hi 2ife h"* obt"ine* " *i%o#ce *ec#ee "n* then '"##ie*

" ce#t"in Innocent St"nle:. She$ St"nle: "n* he# chil* b: hi' cu##entl: li%e "t 33 A. "lnut G#o%e A%enue$

S"n G"b#iel$ C"lifo#ni".

Cip#i"no the#e"fte# file* 2ith the t#i"l cou#t " petition fo# "utho#it: to #e'"##: in%oin& P"#"&#"ph of A#ticle 3

of the H"'il: Co*e. No oppoition 2" file*. Hin*in& 'e#it in the petition$ the cou#t &#"nte* the "'e. The

Republic$ he#ein petitione#$ th#ou&h the Office of the Solicito# Gene#"l )OSG1$ ou&ht #econi*e#"tion but it 2"

*enie*.

In thi petition$ the OSG #"ie " pu#e ;uetion of l"2

(ET(ER OR NOT RESPONDENT CAN RE!ARR< =NDER ARTICLE 3 OH T(E HA!IL< CODE9

The OSG conten* th"t P"#"&#"ph of A#ticle 3 of the H"'il: Co*e i not "pplic"ble to the int"nt c"e

bec"ue it onl: "pplie to " %"li* 'i5e* '"##i"&e th"t i$ " '"##i"&e celeb#"te* bet2een " Hilipino citien "n*

"n "lien. The p#ope# #e'e*:$ "cco#*in& to the OSG$ i to file " petition fo# "nnul'ent o# fo# le&"l

ep"#"tion. Hu#the#'o#e$ the OSG "#&ue the#e i no l"2 th"t &o%e#n #epon*entM itu"tion. The OSG poit

th"t thi i " '"tte# of le&il"tion "n* not of 7u*ici"l *ete#'in"tion.3

Ho# hi p"#t$ #epon*ent "*'it th"t A#ticle 3 i not *i#ectl: "pplic"ble to hi c"e but init th"t 2hen hi

n"tu#"lie* "lien 2ife obt"ine* " *i%o#ce *ec#ee 2hich c"p"cit"te* he# to #e'"##:$ he i lie2ie c"p"cit"te* b:

ope#"tion of l"2 pu#u"nt to Section /$ A#ticle II of the Contitution.?

At the outet$ 2e note th"t the petition fo# "utho#it: to #e'"##: file* befo#e the t#i"l cou#t "ctu"ll: contitute* "

petition fo# *ecl"#"to#: #elief. In thi connection$ Section /$ Rule 3, of the Rule of Cou#t p#o%i*e

R=LE 3,

DECLARATOR< RELIEH AND SI!ILAR RE!EDIES

Section /. /ho may file petition0 An: pe#on inte#ete* un*e# " *ee*$ 2ill$ cont#"ct o# othe# 2#itten

int#u'ent$ o# 2hoe #i&ht "#e "ffecte* b: " t"tute$ e5ecuti%e o#*e# o# #e&ul"tion$ o#*in"nce$ o# othe#

&o%e#n'ent"l #e&ul"tion '":$ befo#e b#e"ch o# %iol"tion the#eof$ b#in& "n "ction in the "pp#op#i"te Re&ion"l

T#i"l Cou#t to *ete#'ine "n: ;uetion of cont#uction o# %"li*it: "#iin&$ "n* fo# " *ecl"#"tion of hi #i&ht o#

*utie$ the#eun*e#.

. . .

The #e;uiite of " petition fo# *ecl"#"to#: #elief "#e )/1 the#e 'ut be " 7utici"ble cont#o%e#: )1 the

cont#o%e#: 'ut be bet2een pe#on 2hoe inte#et "#e "*%e#e ),1 th"t the p"#t: eein& the #elief h" "

le&"l inte#et in the cont#o%e#: "n* )91 th"t the iue i #ipe fo# 7u*ici"l *ete#'in"tion.>















'"##:. e p#opoe th"t thi be *elete* "n* '"*e into l"2 onl: "fte# 'o#e 2i*ep#e"* conult"tion. )E'ph"i

upplie*.1

L)il'i4) I')'

Reco#* of the p#ocee*in& of the H"'il: Co*e *elibe#"tion ho2e* th"t the intent of P"#"&#"ph of A#ticle

3$ "cco#*in& to 0u*&e Alici" Se'pio-Di:$ " 'e'be# of the Ci%il Co*e Re%iion Co''ittee$ i to "%oi* the

"bu#* itu"tion 2he#e the Hilipino poue #e'"in '"##ie* to the "lien poue 2ho$ "fte# obt"inin& " *i%o#ce$

i no lon&e# '"##ie* to the Hilipino poue.

Inte#etin&l:$ P"#"&#"ph of A#ticle 3 t#"ce it o#i&in to the /4> c"e of 5an 'orn . $omillo$ Jr ./+ The 5an

'orn c"e in%ol%e* " '"##i"&e bet2een " Hilipino citien "n* " fo#ei&ne#. The Cou#t hel* the#ein th"t " *i%o#ce

*ec#ee %"li*l: obt"ine* b: the "lien poue i %"li* in the Philippine$ "n* cone;uentl:$ the Hilipino poue i

c"p"cit"te* to #e'"##: un*e# Philippine l"2.

Doe the "'e p#inciple "ppl: to " c"e 2he#e "t the ti'e of the celeb#"tion of the '"##i"&e$ the p"#tie 2e#e

Hilipino citien$ but l"te# on$ one of the' obt"in " fo#ei&n citienhip b: n"tu#"li"tion

The 7u#ip#u*enti"l "n2e# lie l"tent in the /44> c"e of 6uita . Court of 7ppeals.//

In 6uita$ the p"#tie 2e#e$" in thi c"e$ Hilipino citien 2hen the: &ot '"##ie*. The 2ife bec"'e " n"tu#"lie* A'e#ic"n citien in

/49 "n* obt"ine* " *i%o#ce in the "'e :e"#. The Cou#t the#ein hinte*$ b: 2": of obiter dictum$ th"t " Hilipino

*i%o#ce* b: hi n"tu#"lie* fo#ei&n poue i no lon&e# '"##ie* un*e# Philippine l"2 "n* c"n thu #e'"##:.

Thu$ t"in& into coni*e#"tion the le&il"ti%e intent "n* "ppl:in& the #ule of #e"on$ 2e hol* th"t P"#"&#"ph

of A#ticle 3 houl* be inte#p#ete* to inclu*e c"e in%ol%in& p"#tie 2ho$ "t the ti'e of the celeb#"tion of the

'"##i"&e 2e#e Hilipino citien$ but l"te# on$ one of the' beco'e n"tu#"lie* " " fo#ei&n citien "n* obt"in

" *i%o#ce *ec#ee. The Hilipino poue houl* lie2ie be "llo2e* to #e'"##: " if the othe# p"#t: 2e#e "

fo#ei&ne# "t the ti'e of the ole'ni"tion of the '"##i"&e. To #ule othe#2ie 2oul* be to "nction "bu#*it: "n*

in7utice. he#e the inte#p#et"tion of " t"tute "cco#*in& to it e5"ct "n* lite#"l i'po#t 2oul* le"* to

'ichie%ou #eult o# cont#"%ene the cle"# pu#poe of the le&il"tu#e$ it houl* be cont#ue* "cco#*in& to itpi#it "n* #e"on$ *i#e&"#*in& " f"# " nece"#: the lette# of the l"2. A t"tute '": the#efo#e be e5ten*e* to

c"e not 2ithin the lite#"l 'e"nin& of it te#'$ o lon& " the: co'e 2ithin it pi#it o# intent./

If 2e "#e to &i%e 'e"nin& to the le&il"ti%e intent to "%oi* the "bu#* itu"tion 2he#e the Hilipino poue

#e'"in '"##ie* to the "lien poue 2ho$ "fte# obt"inin& " *i%o#ce i no lon&e# '"##ie* to the Hilipino poue$

then the int"nt c"e 'ut be *ee'e* " co'in& 2ithin the conte'pl"tion of P"#"&#"ph of A#ticle 3.

In %ie2 of the fo#e&oin&$ 2e t"te the t2in ele'ent fo# the "pplic"tion of P"#"&#"ph of A#ticle 3 " follo2

/. The#e i " %"li* '"##i"&e th"t h" been celeb#"te* bet2een " Hilipino citien "n* " fo#ei&ne# "n*

. A %"li* *i%o#ce i obt"ine* "b#o"* b: the "lien poue c"p"cit"tin& hi' o# he# to #e'"##:.

The #econin& point i not the citienhip of the p"#tie "t the ti'e of the celeb#"tion of the '"##i"&e$ but thei#

citienhip at the time a alid diorce is obtained abroad b: the "lien poue c"p"cit"tin& the l"tte# to #e'"##:.

In thi c"e$ 2hen Cip#i"noM 2ife 2" n"tu#"lie* " "n A'e#ic"n citien$ the#e 2" till " %"li* '"##i"&e th"t

h" been celeb#"te* bet2een he# "n* Cip#i"no. A f"te 2oul* h"%e it$ the n"tu#"lie* "lien 2ife ube;uentl:

obt"ine* " %"li* *i%o#ce c"p"cit"tin& he# to #e'"##:. Cle"#l:$ the t2in #e;uiite fo# the "pplic"tion of P"#"&#"ph









of A#ticle 3 "#e both p#eent in thi c"e. Thu Cip#i"no$ the 6*i%o#ce*6 Hilipino poue$ houl* be "llo2e* to

#e'"##:.

e "#e "lo un"ble to ut"in the OSGM theo#: th"t the p#ope# #e'e*: of the Hilipino poue i to file eithe# "

petition fo# "nnul'ent o# " petition fo# le&"l ep"#"tion. Annul'ent 2oul* be " lon& "n* te*iou p#oce$ "n* in

thi p"#ticul"# c"e$ not e%en fe"ible$ coni*e#in& th"t the '"##i"&e of the p"#tie "ppe"# to h"%e "ll the

b"*&e of %"li*it:. On the othe# h"n*$ le&"l ep"#"tion 2oul* not be " ufficient #e'e*: fo# it 2oul* not e%e#

the '"##i"&e tie hence$ the le&"ll: ep"#"te* Hilipino poue 2oul* till #e'"in '"##ie* to the n"tu#"lie* "lien

poue.

(o2e%e#$ 2e note th"t the #eco#* "#e be#eft of co'petent e%i*ence *ul: ub'itte* b: #epon*ent conce#nin&

the *i%o#ce *ec#ee "n* the n"tu#"li"tion of #epon*entM 2ife. It i ettle* #ule th"t one 2ho "lle&e " f"ct h"

the bu#*en of p#o%in& it "n* 'e#e "lle&"tion i not e%i*ence./,

Acco#*in&l:$ fo# hi ple" to p#ope#$ #epon*ent he#ein 'ut p#o%e hi "lle&"tion th"t hi 2ife 2" n"tu#"lie*

" "n A'e#ic"n citien. Lie2ie$ befo#e " fo#ei&n *i%o#ce *ec#ee c"n be #eco&nie* b: ou# o2n cou#t$ the

p"#t: ple"*in& it 'ut p#o%e the *i%o#ce " " f"ct "n* *e'ont#"te it confo#'it: to the fo#ei&n l"2 "llo2in&

it./9 Such fo#ei&n l"2 'ut "lo be p#o%e* " ou# cou#t c"nnot t"e 7u*ici"l notice of fo#ei&n l"2. Lie "n:

othe# f"ct$ uch l"2 'ut be "lle&e* "n* p#o%e*./

Hu#the#'o#e$ #epon*ent 'ut "lo ho2 th"t the *i%o#ce*ec#ee "llo2 hi fo#'e# 2ife to #e'"##: " pecific"ll: #e;ui#e* in A#ticle 3. Othe#2ie$ the#e 2oul* be no

e%i*ence ufficient to *ecl"#e th"t he i c"p"cit"te* to ente# into "nothe# '"##i"&e.

Ne%e#thele$ 2e "#e un"ni'ou in ou# hol*in& th"t P"#"&#"ph of A#ticle 3 of the H"'il: Co*e )E.O. No.

+4$ " "'en*e* b: E.O. No. ?1$ houl* be inte#p#ete* to "llo2 " Hilipino citien$ 2ho h" been *i%o#ce* b:

" poue 2ho h"* "c;ui#e* fo#ei&n citienhip "n* #e'"##ie*$ "lo to #e'"##:. (o2e%e#$ coni*e#in& th"t in the

p#eent petition the#e i no ufficient e%i*ence ub'itte* "n* on #eco#*$ 2e "#e un"ble to *ecl"#e$ b"e* on

#epon*entM b"#e "lle&"tion th"t hi 2ife$ 2ho 2" n"tu#"lie* " "n A'e#ic"n citien$ h"* obt"ine* "

*i%o#ce *ec#ee "n* h"* #e'"##ie* "n A'e#ic"n$ th"t #epon*ent i no2 c"p"cit"te* to #e'"##:. Such

*ecl"#"tion coul* onl: be '"*e p#ope#l: upon #epon*entM ub'iion of the "fo#ecite* e%i*ence in hi f"%o#.

ACCOR*INGL5, the petition b: the Republic of the Philippine i GRANTE*. The ""ile* Deciion *"te*

!": /$ ++$ "n* Reolution *"te* 0ul: 9$ ++$ of the Re&ion"l T#i"l Cou#t of !ol"%e$ "'bo"n&" *el Su#$

B#"nch ,$ "#e he#eb: SET ASI*E.

No p#onounce'ent " to cot.

SO ORDERED.


SUPREME COURT

!"nil"

SECOND DIVISION

G.R. No. %0116 ) $0, 19%9

IMEL*A MANALA5SA5 PILAPIL, petitione#$

%.

HON. CORONA IA5-SOMERA, i )r &p&i'8 Pr)i3i 3) o/ ') R)iol Tril Cor' o/













h"%e "l#e"*: been "##"i&ne* "n* if not :et "##"i&ne*$ to 'o%e to *efe# fu#the# p#ocee*in&6 "n* to ele%"te the enti#e

#eco#* of both c"e to hi office fo# #e%ie2. 9

Petitione# the#e"fte# file* " 'otion in both c#i'in"l c"e to *efe# he# "##"i&n'ent "n* to upen* fu#the#

p#ocee*in& the#eon. 10 A " cone;uence$ 0u*&e Leon"#*o C#u upen*e* p#ocee*in& in C#i'in"l C"e No. >?-

9,9. On the othe# h"n*$ #epon*ent 7u*&e 'e#el: #eet the *"te of the "##"i&n'ent in C#i'in"l C"e No. >?-9, to

Ap#il 3$ /4>?. Befo#e uch che*ule* *"te$ petitione# 'o%e* fo# the c"ncell"tion of the "##"i&n'ent "n* fo# the upenion

of p#ocee*in& in "i* C#i'in"l C"e No. >?-9, until "fte# the #eolution of the petition fo# #e%ie2 then pen*in& befo#e

the Sec#et"#: of 0utice.11

A 'otion to ;u"h 2" "lo file* in the "'e c"e on the &#oun* of l"c of 7u#i*iction$12

2hich'otion 2" *enie* b: the #epon*ent 7u*&e in "n o#*e# *"te* Septe'be# >$ /4>?. The "'e o#*e# "lo *i#ecte* the

"##"i&n'ent of both "ccue* the#ein$ th"t i$ petitione# "n* illi"' Chi". The l"tte# ente#e* " ple" of not &uilt: 2hile the

petitione# #efue* to be "##"i&ne*. Such #efu"l of the petitione# bein& coni*e#e* b: #epon*ent 7u*&e " *i#ect conte'pt

he "n* he# counel 2e#e fine* "n* the fo#'e# 2" o#*e#e* *et"ine* until he ub'itte* he#elf fo# "##"i&n'ent. 1$ L"te#$

p#i%"te #epon*ent ente#e* " ple" of not &uilt:. 1#

On Octobe# ?$ /4>?$ petitione# file* thi peci"l ci%il "ction fo# certiorari "n* p#ohibition$ 2ith " p#":e# fo# "

te'po#"#: #et#"inin& o#*e#$ eein& the "nnul'ent of the o#*e# of the lo2e# cou#t *en:in& he# 'otion to

;u"h. The petition i "ncho#e* on the '"in &#oun* th"t the cou#t i 2ithout 7u#i*iction 6to t#: "n* *eci*e the

ch"#&e of "*ulte#:$ 2hich i " p#i%"te offene th"t c"nnot be p#oecute* de officio )ic1$ ince the pu#po#te*

co'pl"in"nt$ " fo#ei&ne#$ *oe not ;u"lif: " "n offen*e* poue h"%in& obt"ine* " fin"l *i%o#ce *ec#ee un*e#hi n"tion"l l"2 p#io# to hi filin& the c#i'in"l co'pl"int.6 1"

On Octobe# /$ /4>?$ thi Cou#t iue* " te'po#"#: #et#"inin& o#*e# en7oinin& the #epon*ent f#o'

i'ple'entin& the "fo#e"i* o#*e# of Septe'be# >$ /4>? "n* f#o' fu#the# p#ocee*in& 2ith C#i'in"l C"e No.

>?-9,. Sube;uentl:$ on !"#ch ,$ /4>> Sec#et"#: of 0utice Se*f#e: A. O#*oe "cte* on the "fo#e"i*

petition fo# #e%ie2 "n*$ uphol*in& petitione#8 #"tiocin"tion$ iue* " #eolution *i#ectin& the #epon*ent cit:

fic"l to 'o%e fo# the *i'i"l of the co'pl"int "&"int the petitione#. 16

e fin* thi petition 'e#ito#iou. The 2#it p#":e* fo# h"ll "cco#*in&l: iue.

=n*e# A#ticle ,99 of the Re%ie* Pen"l Co*e$ 17 the c#i'e of "*ulte#:$ " 2ell " fou# othe# c#i'e "&"int ch"tit:$c"nnot be p#oecute* e5cept upon " 2o#n 2#itten co'pl"int file* b: the offended spouse. It h" lon& ince been

et"blihe*$ 2ith un2"%e#in& conitenc:$ th"t co'pli"nce 2ith thi #ule i " 7u#i*iction"l$ "n* not 'e#el: " fo#'"l$

#e;ui#e'ent. 1% hile in point of t#ict l"2 the 7u#i*iction of the cou#t o%e# the offene i %ete* in it b: the 0u*ici"#: L"2$

the #e;ui#e'ent fo# " 2o#n 2#itten co'pl"int i 7ut " 7u#i*iction"l " '"n*"te ince it i th"t co'pl"int 2hich t"#t the

p#oecuto#: p#ocee*in& 19 "n* 2ithout 2hich the cou#t c"nnot e5e#cie it 7u#i*iction to t#: the c"e.

No2$ the l"2 pecific"ll: p#o%i*e th"t in p#oecution fo# "*ulte#: "n* concubin"&e the pe#on 2ho c"n le&"ll:

file the co'pl"int houl* be the offen*e* poue$ "n* nobo*: ele. =nlie the offene of e*uction$

"b*uction$ #"pe "n* "ct of l"ci%ioune$ no p#o%iion i '"*e fo# the p#oecution of the c#i'e of "*ulte#:

"n* concubin"&e b: the p"#ent$ &#"n*p"#ent o# &u"#*i"n of the offen*e* p"#t:. The o-c"lle* e5clui%e "n*

uccei%e #ule in the p#oecution of the fi#t fou# offene "bo%e 'entione* *o not "ppl: to "*ulte#: "n*concubin"&e. It i i&nific"nt th"t 2hile the St"te$ " parens patriae$ 2" "**e* "n* %ete* b: the /4> Rule

of C#i'in"l P#oce*u#e 2ith the po2e# to initi"te the c#i'in"l "ction fo# " *ece"e* o# inc"p"cit"te* %icti' in the

"fo#e"i* offene of e*uction$ "b*uction$ #"pe "n* "ct of l"ci%ioune$ in *ef"ult of he# p"#ent$

&#"n*p"#ent o# &u"#*i"n$ uch "'en*'ent *i* not inclu*e the c#i'e of "*ulte#: "n* concubin"&e. In othe#

2o#*$ onl: the offen*e* poue$ "n* no othe#$ i "utho#ie* b: l"2 to initi"te the "ction the#efo#.

Co#oll"#: to uch e5clui%e &#"nt of po2e# to the offen*e* poue to intitute the "ction$ it nece"#il: follo2

th"t uch initi"to# 'ut h"%e the t"tu$ c"p"cit: o# le&"l #ep#eent"tion to *o o "t the ti'e of the filin& of the



c#i'in"l "ction. Thi i " f"'ili"# "n* e5p#e #ule in ci%il "ction in f"ct$ l"c of le&"l c"p"cit: to ue$ " "

&#oun* fo# " 'otion to *i'i in ci%il c"e$ i *ete#'ine* " of the filin& of the co'pl"int o# petition.

The "bence of "n e;ui%"lent e5plicit #ule in the p#oecution of c#i'in"l c"e *oe not 'e"n th"t the "'e

#e;ui#e'ent "n* #"tion"le 2oul* not "ppl:. =n*e#t"n*"bl:$ it '": not h"%e been foun* nece"#: ince

c#i'in"l "ction "#e &ene#"ll: "n* fun*"'ent"ll: co''ence* b: the St"te$ th#ou&h the People of the

Philippine$ the offen*e* p"#t: bein& 'e#el: the co'pl"inin& 2itne the#ein. (o2e%e#$ in the o-c"lle* 6p#i%"te

c#i'e6 o# thoe 2hich c"nnot be p#oecute* de oficio$ "n* the p#eent p#oecution fo# "*ulte#: i of uch

&en#e$ the offen*e* poue "u'e " 'o#e p#e*o'in"nt #ole ince the #i&ht to co''ence the "ction$ o# to

#ef#"in the#ef#o'$ i " '"tte# e5clui%el: 2ithin hi po2e# "n* option.

Thi polic: 2" "*opte* out of coni*e#"tion fo# the "&&#ie%e* p"#t: 2ho 'i&ht p#efe# to uffe# the out#"&e in

ilence #"the# th"n &o th#ou&h the c"n*"l of " public t#i"l. 20 (ence$ " co&entl: "#&ue* b: petitione#$ A#ticle ,99 of

the Re%ie* Pen"l Co*e thu p#euppoe th"t the '"#it"l #el"tionhip i till ubitin& "t the ti'e of the intitution of the

c#i'in"l "ction fo#$ "*ulte#:. Thi i " lo&ic"l cone;uence ince the raison d9etre of "i* p#o%iion of l"2 2oul* be "bent

2he#e the uppoe* offen*e* p"#t: h"* ce"e* to be the poue of the "lle&e* offen*e# "t the ti'e of the filin& of the

c#i'in"l c"e. 21

In thee c"e$ the#efo#e$ it i in*ipen"ble th"t the t"tu "n* c"p"cit: of the co'pl"in"nt to co''ence the

"ction be *efinitel: et"blihe* "n*$ " "l#e"*: *e'ont#"te*$ uch t"tu o# c"p"cit: 'ut in*ubit"bl: e5it "

of the ti'e he initi"te the "ction. It 2oul* be "bu#* if hi c"p"cit: to b#in& the "ction 2oul* be *ete#'ine* b:

hi t"tu before o# subsequent to the co''ence'ent the#eof$ 2he#e uch c"p"cit: o# t"tu e5ite* p#io# to

but ce"e* befo#e$ o# 2" "c;ui#e* ube;uent to but *i* not e5it "t the ti'e of$ the intitution of the c"e.

e 2oul* the#eb: h"%e the "no'"lou pect"cle of " p"#t: b#in&in& uit "t the %e#: ti'e 2hen he i 2ithout

the le&"l c"p"cit: to *o o.

To #epe"t$ the#e *oe not "ppe"# to be "n: loc"l p#ece*enti"l 7u#ip#u*ence on the pecific iue " to 2hen

p#eciel: the t"tu of " co'pl"in"nt " "n offen*e* poue 'ut e5it 2he#e " c#i'in"l p#oecution c"n be

co''ence* onl: b: one 2ho in l"2 c"n be c"te&o#ie* " poee* of uch t"tu. St"te* *iffe#entl: "n*

2ith #efe#ence to the p#eent c"e$ the in;ui#: 2oul* be 2hethe# it i nece"#: in the co''ence'ent of "c#i'in"l "ction fo# "*ulte#: th"t the '"#it"l bon* bet2een the co'pl"in"nt "n* the "ccue* be une%e#e* "n*

e5itin& "t the ti'e of the intitution of the "ction b: the fo#'e# "&"int the l"tte#.

A'e#ic"n 7u#ip#u*ence$ on c"e in%ol%in& t"tute in th"t 7u#i*iction 2hich "#e in pari materia 2ith ou#$

:iel* the #ule th"t after a diorce has been decreed# the innocent spouse no lon)er has the ri)ht to institute

proceedin)s a)ainst the offenders 2he#e the t"tute p#o%i*e th"t the innocent poue h"ll h"%e the e5clui%e

#i&ht to intitute " p#oecution fo# "*ulte#:. he#e$ ho2e%e#$ p#ocee*in& h"%e been p#ope#l: co''ence*$ "

*i%o#ce ube;uentl: &#"nte* c"n h"%e no le&"l effect on the p#oecution of the c#i'in"l p#ocee*in& to "

concluion. 22

In the cite* &oftus c"e$ the Sup#e'e Cou#t of Io2" hel* th"t J

8No p#oecution fo# "*ulte#: c"n be co''ence* e5cept on the co'pl"int of the hub"n* o#

2ife.8 Section 94,$ Co*e. 2hou)h &oftus was husband of defendant when the offense is said to

hae been committed# he had ceased to be such when the prosecution was be)un "n*

"ppell"nt init th"t hi t"tu 2" not uch " to entitle hi' to '"e the co'pl"int. e h"%e

#epe"te*l: "i* th"t the offene i "&"int the unoffen*in& poue$ " 2ell " the t"te$ in

e5pl"inin& the #e"on fo# thi p#o%iion in the t"tute "n* 2e "#e of the opinion th"t the

unoffendin) spouse must be such when the prosecution is commenced . )E'ph"i upplie*.1



e ee no #e"on 2h: the "'e *oct#in"l #ule houl* not "ppl: in thi c"e "n* in ou# 7u#i*iction$ coni*e#in&

ou# t"tuto#: l"2 "n* 7u#"l polic: on the '"tte#. e "#e con%ince* th"t in c"e of uch n"tu#e$ the t"tu of

the co'pl"in"nt %i-"-%i the "ccue* 'ut be *ete#'ine* " of the ti'e the co'pl"int 2" file*. Thu$ the

pe#on 2ho initi"te the "*ulte#: c"e 'ut be "n offen*e* poue$ "n* b: thi i 'e"nt th"t he i till '"##ie*

to the "ccue* poue$ "t the ti'e of the filin& of the co'pl"int.

In the p#eent c"e$ the f"ct th"t p#i%"te #epon*ent obt"ine* " %"li* *i%o#ce in hi count#:$ the He*e#"l

Republic of Ge#'"n:$ i "*'itte*. S"i* *i%o#ce "n* it le&"l effect '": be #eco&nie* in the Philippine

inof"# " p#i%"te #epon*ent i conce#ne* 2$ in %ie2 of the n"tion"lit: p#inciple in ou# ci%il l"2 on the '"tte# of t"tu

of pe#on.

Thu$ in the #ecent c"e of 5an 'orn s. $omillo# Jr.# et al.# 2# "fte# " *i%o#ce 2" &#"nte* b: " =nite* St"te cou#t

bet2een Alice V"n Do#n7" Hilipin"$ "n* he# A'e#ic"n hub"n*$ the l"tte# file* " ci%il c"e in " t#i"l cou#t he#e "lle&in& th"t

he# buine conce#n 2" con7u&"l p#ope#t: "n* p#":in& th"t he be o#*e#e* to #en*e# "n "ccountin& "n* th"t the pl"intiff

be &#"nte* the #i&ht to '"n"&e the buine. Re7ectin& hi p#etenion$ thi Cou#t pe#picuoul: *e'ont#"te* the e##o#

of uch t"nce$ thu

The#e c"n be no ;uetion " to the %"li*it: of th"t Ne%"*" *i%o#ce in "n: of the St"te of the

=nite* St"te. The *ec#ee i bin*in& on p#i%"te #epon*ent " "n A'e#ic"n citien. Ho#

int"nce$ p#i%"te #epon*ent c"nnot ue petitione#$ " he# hub"n*$ in "n: St"te of the =nion. ...

It i t#ue th"t o2in& to the n"tion"lit: p#inciple e'bo*ie* in A#ticle / of the Ci%il Co*e$ onl:

Philippine n"tion"l "#e co%e#e* b: the polic: "&"int "bolute *i%o#ce the "'e bein&

coni*e#e* cont#"#: to ou# concept of public polic: "n* 'o#"lit:. (o2e%e#$ "lien '": obt"in

*i%o#ce "b#o"*$ 2hich '": be #eco&nie* in the Philippine$ p#o%i*e* the: "#e %"li* "cco#*in&

to thei# n"tion"l l"2. ...

Thu$ pu#u"nt to hi n"tion"l l"2$ p#i%"te #epon*ent i no lon&e# the hub"n* of petitione#. (e

2oul* h"%e no t"n*in& to ue in the c"e belo2 " petitione#8 hub"n* entitle* to e5e#cie

cont#ol o%e# con7u&"l "et. ...2"

=n*e# the "'e coni*e#"tion "n* #"tion"le$ p#i%"te #epon*ent$ bein& no lon&e# the hub"n* of petitione#$

h"* no le&"l t"n*in& to co''ence the "*ulte#: c"e un*e# the i'potu#e th"t he 2" the offen*e* poue "t

the ti'e he file* uit.

The "lle&"tion of p#i%"te #epon*ent th"t he coul* not h"%e b#ou&ht thi c"e befo#e the *ec#ee of *i%o#ce fo#

l"c of no2le*&e$ e%en if t#ue$ i of no le&"l i&nific"nce o# cone;uence in thi c"e. hen "i* #epon*ent

initi"te* the *i%o#ce p#ocee*in&$ he ob%ioul: ne2 th"t the#e 2oul* no lon&e# be " f"'il: no# '"##i"&e %o2

to p#otect once " *iolution of the '"##i"&e i *ec#ee*. Neithe# 2oul* the#e be " *"n&e# of int#o*ucin&

pu#iou hei# into the f"'il:$ 2hich i "i* to be one of the #e"on fo# the p"#ticul"# fo#'ul"tion of ou# l"2 on

"*ulte#:$ 26 ince the#e 2oul* thencefo#th be no pou"l #el"tionhip to pe" of. The e%e#"nce of the '"#it"l bon* h"*the effect of *ioci"tin& the fo#'e# poue f#o' e"ch othe#$ hence the "ctu"tion of one 2oul* not "ffect o# c"t oblo;u:

on the othe#.

The "fo#ecite* c"e of :nited States s. *ata c"nnot be uccefull: #elie* upon b: p#i%"te #epon*ent. In

"ppl:in& A#ticle 9,, of the ol* Pen"l Co*e$ ubt"nti"ll: the "'e " A#ticle ,,, of the Re%ie* Pen"l Co*e$

2hich punihe* "*ulte#: 6"lthou&h the '"##i"&e be "fte#2"#* *ecl"#e* %oi*6$ the Cou#t 'e#el: t"te* th"t 6the

l"2'"e# inten*e* to *ecl"#e "*ulte#ou the infi*elit: of " '"##ie* 2o'"n to he# '"#it"l %o2$ e%en thou&h it

houl* be '"*e to "ppe"# th"t he i entitle* to h"%e he# '"##i"&e cont#"ct *ecl"#e* null "n* %oi*$ until "n*

unle he "ctu"ll: ecu#e " fo#'"l 7u*ici"l *ecl"#"tion to th"t effect6. Definitel:$ it c"nnot be lo&ic"ll: infe##e*





2he Solicitor General for petitioners.edesma# Saludo = 7ssociates for respondent /illiam Gatchalian.Cero and 2anay &aw Office for respondent 2.'. Capulon)# '.>.2. Gatchalian# et al.

I*IN, J.:

Thi i " petition fo# certiorari "n* p#ohibition file* b: the Solicito# Gene#"l eein& /1 to et "i*e theReolutionTe'po#"#: Ret#"inin& O#*e# *"te* Septe'be# ?$ /44+$ iue* b: #epon*ent 0u*&e *e l" Ro" inCi%il C"e No. 4+-9/9 2hich *enie* petitione#8 'otion to *i'i "n* #et#"ine* petitione# f#o'co''encin& o# continuin& 2ith "n: of the p#ocee*in& 2hich 2oul* le"* to the *epo#t"tion of #epon*entilli"' G"tch"li"n$ *ocete* " D.C. No. 4+-,$ " 2ell " the O#*e# of #epon*ent 0u*&e C"pulon& *"te*Septe'be# 3$ /44+ in Ci%il C"e No. ,9,/-V-4+ 2hich lie2ie en7oine* petitione# f#o' p#ocee*in& 2ith the*epo#t"tion ch"#&e "&"int #epon*ent G"tch"li"n$ "n* 1 to p#ohibit #epon*ent 7u*&e f#o' fu#the# "ctin& inthe "fo#e"i* ci%il c"e.

On Octobe# ,$ /44+$ #epon*ent G"tch"li"n file* hi Co''ent 2ith Counte#-Petition$ *ocete* " G.R. No.43/-/,$ "lle&in& l"c of 7u#i*iction on the p"#t of #epon*ent Bo"#* of Co''iione#$ et "l.$ o%e# hi

pe#on 2ith p#":e# th"t he be *ecl"#e* " Hilipino citien$ o# in the "lte#n"ti%e$ to #e'"n* the c"e to the t#i"lcou#t fo# fu#the# p#ocee*in&.

On Dece'be# /,$ /44+$ petitione# file* thei# co''ent to #epon*ent G"tch"li"n8 counte#-petition. The Cou#tconi*e# the co''ent file* b: #epon*ent G"tch"li"n " "n2e# to the petition "n* petitione#8 co''ent ""n2e# to the counte#-petition "n* &i%e *ue cou#e to the petition.

The#e i no *ipute " to the follo2in& f"ct

On 0ul: /$ /43+$ S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n$ &#"n*f"the# of illi"' G"tch"li"n$ 2" #eco&nie* b: the Bu#e"u ofI''i&#"tion " " n"ti%e bo#n Hilipino citien follo2in& the citienhip of hi n"tu#"l 'othe#$ !"#ci"n" G"tch"li"n)Anne5 6/6$ counte#-petition1. Befo#e the Citienhip E%"lu"tion Bo"#*$ S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n tetifie* th"t he

h" fi%e )1 chil*#en 2ith hi 2ife Chu Gi' Tee$ n"'el: 0oe G"tch"li"n$ Glo#i" G"tch"li"n$ H#"ncicoG"tch"li"n$ Elen" G"tch"li"n "n* Ben7"'in G"tch"li"n )Anne5 66$ counte#-petition1.

On 0une ?$ /43/$ illi"' G"tch"li"n$ then " t2el%e-:e"# ol* 'ino#$ "##i%e* in !"nil" f#o' (on&on& to&ethe#2ith Glo#i"$ H#"ncico$ "n* 0ohnon$ "ll u#n"'e* G"tch"li"n. The: h"* 2ith the' Ce#tific"te of Re&it#"tion"n* I*entit: iue* b: the Philippine Conul"te in (on&on& b"e* on " c"ble&#"' be"#in& the i&n"tu#e ofthe then Sec#et"#: of Ho#ei&n Aff"i#$ Heli5be#to Se##"no$ "n* ou&ht "*'iion " Hilipino citien. Glo#i" "n*H#"ncico "#e the *"u&hte# "n* on$ #epecti%el:$ of S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n 2hile illi"' "n* 0ohnon "#e theon of H#"ncico.

Afte# in%eti&"tion$ the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: No. / #en*e#e* " *eciion *"te* 0ul: 3$ /43/$ "*'ittin& illi"'G"tch"li"n "n* hi co'p"nion " Hilipino citien )Anne5 6C6$ petition1. A " cone;uence the#eof$ illi"'

G"tch"li"n 2" iue* I*entific"tion Ce#tific"te No. /3/, b: the i''i&#"tion "utho#itie on Au&ut /3$ /43/)Anne5 6D6$ petition1.

On 0"nu"#: 9$ /43$ the then Sec#et"#: of 0utice iue* !e'o#"n*u' No. 4 ettin& "i*e "ll *eciionpu#po#tin& to h"%e been #en*e#e* b: the Bo"#* of Co''iione# on "ppe"l o# on #e%ie2 motu proprio of*eciion of the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#:. The "'e 'e'o#"n*u' *i#ecte* the Bo"#* of Co''iione# to#e%ie2 "ll c"e 2he#e ent#: 2" "llo2e* on the &#oun* th"t the ent#"nt 2" " Philippine citien. A'on& thoec"e 2" th"t of illi"' "n* othe#.

On 0ul: 3$ /43$ the ne2 Bo"#* of Co''iione#$ "fte# " #e%ie2 motu proprio of the p#ocee*in& h"* in theBo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#:$ #e%e#e* the *eciion of the l"tte# "n* o#*e#e* the e5cluion of$ "'on& othe#$



#epon*ent G"tch"li"n )Anne5 6E6$ petition1. A 2"##"nt of e5cluion also dated July ?# 1@?A 2" iue* "lle&in&th"t 6the *eciion of the Bo"#* of Co''iione# *"te* 0ul: 3$ /43 . . . h" no2 beco'e fin"l "n* e5ecuto#:)Anne5 6H6$ petition1.

The "ctu"l *"te of #en*ition of "i* *eciion b: the Bo"#* of Co''iione# )2hethe# on 0ul: 3$ /43 o# 0ul:+$ /431 bec"'e the ub7ect of cont#o%e#: in the /43? c"e of 7rocha s. 5io )/ SCRA ,1 2he#ein thiCou#t ut"ine* the %"li*it: of the *eciion of the ne2 Bo"#* of Co''iione# h"%in& been p#o'ul&"te* on0ul: 3$ /43$ o# 2ithin the #e&le'ent"#: pe#io* fo# #e%ie2.

So'eti'e in /4?,$ #epon*ent G"tch"li"n$ " 2ell " the othe# co%e#e* b: the 0ul: 3$ /43 2"##"nt ofe5cluion$ file* " 'otion fo# #e-he"#in& 2ith the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: 2he#e the *epo#tion c"e "&"int the'2" "i&ne*.

On !"#ch /9$ /4?,$ the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: #eco''en*e* to the then Actin& Co''iione# Victo# Nitu*"the #e%e#"l of the 0ul: 3$ /43 *eciion of the then Bo"#* of Co''iione# "n* the #ec"ll of the 2"##"nt of"##et iue* the#ein )Anne5 66$ counte#-petition1.

On !"#ch /$ /4?,$ Actin& Co''iione# Nitu*" iue* "n o#*e# #e"ffi#'in& the 0ul: 3$ /43/ *eciion of theBo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: the#eb: "*'ittin& #epon*ent G"tch"li"n " " Hilipino citien "n* #ec"lle* the 2"##"ntof "##et iue* "&"int hi' )Anne5 636$ counte#-petition1.

On 0une ?$ /44+$ the "ctin& *i#ecto# of the N"tion"l Bu#e"u of In%eti&"tion 2#ote the Sec#et"#: of 0utice#eco''en*in& th"t #epon*ent G"tch"li"n "lon& 2ith the othe# "pplic"nt co%e#e* b: the 2"##"nt of e5cluion*"te* 0ul: 3$ /43 be ch"#&e* 2ith %iol"tion of Sec. ,? )"1$ p"#. / "n* $ in #el"tion to Sec. 9 )c1$ "n* )*1"n* )e1 of Co''on2e"lth Act No. 3/,$ " "'en*e*$ "lo no2n " the I''i&#"tion Act of /49+ )Anne5 6G6$petition1.

On Au&ut /$ /44+$ the Sec#et"#: of 0utice in*o#e* the #eco''en*"tion of the NBI to the Co''iione# ofI''i&#"tion fo# in%eti&"tion "n* i''e*i"te "ction )Anne5 6+6$ counte#-petition1.

On Au&ut /$ /44+$ petitione# Co''iione# Do'in&o of the Co''iion of I''i&#"tion "n*Depo#t"tion iue* " 'iion o#*e# co''"n*in& the "##et of #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n )Anne5 6/>6$

counte#-petition1. The l"tte# "ppe"#e* befo#e Co''iione# Do'in&o on Au&ut +$ /44+ "n* 2" #ele"e* onthe "'e *": upon potin& P++$+++.++ c"h bon*.

On Au&ut 4$ /44+$ illi"' G"tch"li"n file* " petition fo# certiorari "n* p#ohibition 2ith in7unction befo#e theRe&ion"l T#i"l Cou#t of !"nil"$ B#. 4$ p#ei*e* b: #epon*ent 0u*&e *el" Ro"$ *ocete* " Ci%il C"e No.4+-9/9.

On Septe'be# 9$ /44+$ petitione# file* " 'otion to *i'i Ci%il C"e No. 4+-9/9 "lle&in& th"t #epon*ent 7u*&e h" no 7u#i*iction o%e# the Bo"#* of Co''iione# "n*o# the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#:. Nonethele$#epon*ent 7u*&e *el" Ro" iue* the ""ile* o#*e# *"te* Septe'be# ?$ /44+$ *en:in& the 'otion to*i'i.

!e"n2hile$ on Septe'be# 3$ /44+$ #epon*ent G"tch"li"n8 2ife "n* 'ino# chil*#en file* befo#e the Re&ion"lT#i"l Cou#t of V"lenuel"$ !et#o !"nil"$ B#. /?$ p#ei*e* b: #epon*ent 7u*&e C"pulon& Ci%il C"e No. ,9,/-V-4+ fo# in7unction 2ith 2#it of p#eli'in"#: in7unction. The co'pl"int "lle&e*$ "'on& othe#$ th"t petitione#"cte* 2ithout o# in e5ce of 7u#i*iction in the intitution of *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& "&"int illi"'. On the"'e *":$ #epon*ent C"pulon& iue* the ;uetione* te'po#"#: #et#"inin& o#*e# #et#"inin& petitione# f#o'continuin& 2ith the *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& "&"int illi"' G"tch"li"n.

The petition i "ncho#e* on the follo2in& p#opoition /1 #epon*ent 7u*&e h"%e no 7u#i*iction o%e#petitione# )Bo"#* of Co''iione#$ et "l.$1 "n* the ub7ect '"tte# of the c"e$ "ppell"te 7u#i*iction bein&%ete* b: BP /4 2ith the Cou#t of Appe"l 1 "u'in& #epon*ent 7u*&e h"%e 7u#i*iction$ the: "cte* 2ith&#"%e "bue of *ic#etion in p#ee'ptin& petitione# in the e5e#cie of the "utho#it: "n* 7u#i*iction to he"# "n*







RTC$ it *eciion '": be "ppe"l"ble to$ "n* '": be #e%ie2e* th#ou&h " peci"l ci%il "ction fo# certiorari b:$the RTC )Sec. /$ )/1 BP /41.

T#ue$ it i be:on* c"%il th"t the Bu#e"u of I''i&#"tion h" the e5clui%e "utho#it: "n* 7u#i*iction to t#: "n*he"# c"e "&"int "n "lle&e* "lien$ "n* in the p#oce$ *ete#'ine "lo thei# citienhip )L"o Gi %. Cou#t of

Appe"l$ />+ SCRA ?3 F/4>41. An* " 'e#e cl"i' of citienhip c"nnot ope#"te to *i%et the Bo"#* ofCo''iione# of it 7u#i*iction in *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& )!i#"n*" %. Depo#t"tion Bo"#*$ 49 Phil. ,/F/491.

(o2e%e#$ the #ule enunci"te* in the "bo%e-c"e "*'it of "n e5ception$ "t le"t inof"# " *epo#t"tionp#ocee*in& "#e conce#ne*. Thu$ 2h"t if the cl"i' to citienhip of the "lle&e* *epo#tee i "tif"cto#:Shoul* the *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& be "llo2e* to continue o# houl* the ;uetion of citienhip be %entil"te*in " 7u*ici"l p#ocee*in& In Chua >ion) s. 'eportation %oard )43 Phil. 33 F/41$ thi Cou#t "n2e#e* the;uetion in the "ffi#'"ti%e$ "n* e ;uote

/hen the eidence submitted by a respondent is conclusie of his citi(enship# the ri)ht to immediatereiew should also be reco)ni(ed and the courts should promptly enBoin the deportation proceedin)s . Acitien i entitle* to li%e in pe"ce$ 2ithout 'olet"tion f#o' "n: offici"l o# "utho#it:$ "n* if he i *itu#be*b: " *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in&$ he h" the un;uetion"ble #i&ht to #eo#t to the cou#t fo# hi p#otection$eithe# b: " 2#it of habeas corpus or of prohibition$ on the le&"l &#oun* th"t the Bo"#* l"c

7u#i*iction. 3f he is a citi(en and eidence thereof is satisfactory# there is no sense nor Bustice inallowin) the deportation proceedin)s to continue# )rantin) him the remedy only after the %oard hasfinished its inesti)ation of his undesirability .

. . . An* if the #i&ht )to pe"ce1 i p#eciou "n* %"lu"ble "t "ll$ it 'ut "lo be p#otecte* on ti'e$ top#e%ent un*ue h"#"'ent "t the h"n* of ill-'e"nin& o# 'iinfo#'e* "*'init#"ti%e offici"l. Of whatuse is this much boasted ri)ht to peace and liberty if it can be aailed of only after the 'eportation%oard has unBustly trampled upon it# besmirchin) the citi(en9s name before the bar of publicopinion )E'ph"i upplie*1

The *oct#ine of p#i'"#: 7u#i*iction of petitione# Bo"#* of Co''iione# o%e# *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& i$the#efo#e$ not 2ithout e5ception )C"l"c*": %. Vi%o$ ,, SCRA 9/, F/4?+ Vi%o %. !onte"$ 9 SCRA /

F/43?1. 0u*ici"l inte#%ention$ ho2e%e#$ houl* be &#"nte* onl: in c"e 2he#e the 6cl"i' of citienhip i oubt"nti"l th"t the#e "#e #e"on"ble &#oun* to belie%e th"t the cl"i' i co##ect. In othe# 2o#*$ the #e'e*:houl* be "llo2e* onl: on oun* *ic#etion of " co'petent cou#t in " p#ope# p#ocee*in& )Chu" (ion& %.Depo#t"tion Bo"#*$ supra Co. %. Depo#t"tion Bo"#*$ ?> SCRA /+? F/4??1. It "ppe"#in& f#o' the #eco#* th"t#epon*ent8 cl"i' of citienhip i ubt"nti"l$ " e h"ll ho2 l"te#$ 7u*ici"l inte#%ention houl* be "llo2e*.

In the c"e "t b"#$ the co'petent cou#t 2hich coul* p#ope#l: t"e co&ni"nce of the p#ocee*in& intitute* b:#epon*ent G"tch"li"n 2oul* nonethele be the Re&ion"l T#i"l Cou#t "n* not the Cou#t of Appe"l in %ie2 ofSec. / )/1$ BP /4$ 2hich confe# upon the fo#'e# 7u#i*iction o%e# "ction fo# p#ohibition concu##entl: 2iththe Cou#t of Appe"l "n* the Sup#e'e Cou#t "n* in line 2ith the p#onounce'ent of thi Cou#t in Chua>ion) "n* Coc"e.

O#*in"#il:$ the c"e 2oul* then be #e'"n*e* to the Re&ion"l T#i"l Cou#t. But not in the c"e "tb"#.1wphi1 Coni*e#in& the %olu'inou ple"*in& ub'itte* b: the p"#tie "n* the e%i*ence p#eente*$ e *ee' itp#ope# to *eci*e the cont#o%e#: #i&ht "t thi int"nce. An* thi cou#e of "ction i not 2ithout p#ece*ent fo# 6iti " che#ihe* #ule of p#oce*u#e fo# thi Cou#t to "l2": t#i%e to ettle the enti#e cont#o%e#: in " in&lep#ocee*in& le"%in& no #oot o# b#"nch to be"# the ee* of futu#e liti&"tion. No ueful pu#poe 2ill be e#%e* ifthi c"e i #e'"n*e* to the t#i"l cou#t onl: to h"%e it *eciion #"ie* "&"in to the Cou#t of Appe"l "n* f#o'the#e to thi Cou#t6 )!"#;ue %. !"#;ue$ ?, Phil. ?9 Ke#"'ic In*ut#ie$ Inc. %. Gue##e#o$ 3/ SCRA 3F/4?91 Al&e# Elect#ic$ Inc. %. Cou#t of Appe"l )/, SCRA ,? F/4>1$ citin) G":o %. G":o )3? SCRA /93F/4?1.

In &ian)a %ay &o))in) Co.$ 3nc. s. Court of 7ppeals )/? SCRA ,? F/4>>1$ e "lo t"te*



Re'"n* of the c"e to the lo2e# cou#t fo# fu#the# #eception of e%i*ence i not nece"#: 2he#e thecou#t i in " poition to #eol%e the *ipute b"e* on the #eco#* befo#e it. On '"n: occ"ion$ theCou#t$ in the public inte#et "n* the e5pe*itiou "*'init#"tion of 7utice$ h" #eol%e* "ction on the'e#it inte"* of #e'"n*in& the' to the t#i"l cou#t fo# fu#the# p#ocee*in&$ uch " 2he#e the en* of

7utice 2oul* not be ube#%e* b: the #e'"n* of the c"e o# 2hen public inte#et *e'"n* "n e"#l:*ipoition of the c"e o# 2he#e the t#i"l cou#t h"* "l#e"*: #ecei%e* "ll the e%i*ence of the p"#tie)uiu'bin& %. CA$ // SCRA ?+, H#"ncico$ et "l.$ %. The Cit: of D"%"o$ et "l.$ supra Republic %.Secu#it: C#e*it Q Accept"nce Co#p.$ et "l.$ /4 SCRA > S"'"l %. CA$ supra Republic %. Cent#"lSu#et: Q Inu#"nce Co.$ SCRA 39/1.

Lie2ie in 2eBones s. Gironella )/4 SCRA /++ F/4>>1$ e "i*

Soun* p#"ctice ee to "cco''o*"te the theo#: 2hich "%oi* 2"te of ti'e$ effo#t "n* e5pene$ bothto the p"#tie "n* the &o%e#n'ent$ not to pe" of *el": in the *ipo"l of the c"e )cf. He#n"n*e %.G"#ci"$ 4 Phil. 4$ 4?1. A '"#e* ch"#"cte#tic of ou# 7u*ici"l et-up i th"t 2he#e the *ict"te of

7utice o *e'"n* . . . the Sup#e'e Cou#t houl* "ct$ "n* "ct 2ith fin"lit: )Li Siu Li"t %. Republic$ /SCRA /+,4$ /+93$ citin) S"'"l %. CA$ 44 Phil. ,+ "n* =S %. Gi'ene$ ,9 Phil. ?9.1 )Be"utifont$ Inc.%. Cou#t of "ppe"l$ et "l.$ 0"n. 4$ /4>> See also L"bo %. Co''iion on Election$ /?3 SCRA /F/4>41.

Repon*ent G"tch"li"n h" "**uce* e%i*ence not onl: befo#e the Re&ion"l T#i"l Cou#t but "lo befo#e = inthe fo#' of public *ocu'ent "tt"che* to hi ple"*in&. On the othe# h"n*$ Speci"l P#oecuto# Ren"to !"boloin hi !"nifet"tion )*"te* Septe'be# 3$ /44+ $ollo$ p. 4>$ counte#-petition1 befo#e the Bu#e"u ofI''i&#"tion "l#e"*: t"te* th"t the#e i no lon&e# " nee* to "**uce e%i*ence in uppo#t of the *epo#t"tionch"#&e "&"int #epon*ent. In "**ition$ petitione# in%oe th"t thi Cou#t8 *eciion in 7rocha s.5io "n* 5io s. 7rca )supra1$ h" "l#e"*: ettle* #epon*ent8 "lien"&e. (ence$ the nee* fo# " 7u*ici"l*ete#'in"tion of #epon*ent8 citienhip peci"ll: o 2he#e the l"tte# i not eein& "*'iion$ but i "l#e"*:in the Philippine )fo# the p"t thi#t: F,+ :e"#1 "n* i bein& e5pelle* )Chu" (ion& %. Depo#t"tionBo"#*$ supra1.

Acco#*in& to petitione#$ #epon*ent8 "lien"&e h" been conclui%el: ettle* b: thi Cou#t inthe 7rocha "n* 5ioc"e$ e *i"&#ee. It 'ut be note* th"t in "i* c"e$ the ole iue #eol%e* the#ein

2" the "ctu"l *"te of #en*ition of the 0ul: 3$ /43 *eciion of the then bo"#* of Co''iione#$ i.e.$ 2hethe#the *eciion 2" #en*e#e* on 0ul: 3$ /43 o# on 0ul: +$ /43 it "ppe"#in& th"t the fi&u#e )*"te1 6+6 2"e#"e* "n* o%e# it 2" upe#i'poe* the fi&u#e 636 the#eb: '"in& the *eciion f"ll 2ithin the one-:e"##e&le'ent"#: pe#io* f#o' 0ul: 3$ /43/ 2ithin 2hich the *eciion '": be #e%ie2e*. Thi Cou#t *i* not ;u"#el:p" upon "n: ;uetion of citienhip$ 'uch le th"t of #epon*ent8 2ho 2" not " p"#t: in the "fo#e"i*c"e. The "i* c"e o#i&in"te* f#o' " petition fo# " 2#it of habeas corpus file* on 0ul: /$ /43 b: !"c"#io

A#och" in beh"lf of Pe*#o G"tch"li"n. ell ettle* i the #ule th"t " pe#on not p"#t: to " c"e c"nnot be boun*b: " *eciion #en*e#e* the#ein.

Neithe# c"n it be "#&ue* th"t the Bo"#* of Co''iione#8 *eciion )*"te* 0ul: 3$ /431 fin*in& #epon*ent8cl"i' to Philippine citienhip not "tif"cto#il: p#o%e*$ contitute res Budicata. Ho# one thin&$ "i* *eciion *i*not '"e "n: c"te&o#ic"l t"te'ent th"t #epon*ent G"tch"li"n i " Chinee. Secon*l:$ the *oct#ine of res

Budicata*oe not "ppl: to ;uetion of citienhip )L"bo %. Co''iion on Election )supra1 citin) So#i" %.Co''iione# of I''i&#"tion$ ,? SCRA /, Lee %. Co''iione# of I''i&#"tion$ 9 SCRA 3/ F/4?/ Si"Re:e %. Depo#t"tion Bo"#*$ / SCRA 9?> F/4>,1.

In *oy Ya &im s. Commissioner of 3mmi)ration )9/ SCRA 4 F/4?/1 "n* in &ee s. Commissioner of3mmi)ration Dsupra1$ thi Cou#t *ecl"#e* th"t

)e1%e#:ti'e the citienhip of " pe#on i '"te#i"l o# in*ipen"ble in " 7u*ici"l o# "*'init#"ti%e c"e$2h"te%e# the co##epon*in& cou#t o# "*'init#"ti%e "utho#it: *eci*e the#ein " to uch citienhip i&ene#"ll: not coni*e#e* " res adBudicata$ hence it h" to be th#ehe* out "&"in "n* "&"in " theocc"ion '": *e'"n*.





5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

/. !"e " 2"##"ntle "##et un*e# the Rule of C#i'in"l P#oce*u#e$ Rule //,$ Sec. $ fo# %iol"tion ofthe I''i&#"tion Act$ Sec. ,?$ p"#". " Sec. 9 "n* 93 A*'init#"ti%e Co*e

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

,. Deli%e# the upect to the Intelli&ence Di%iion "n* i''e*i"tel: con*uct cuto*i"l inte##o&"tion$ "fte#

2"#nin& the upect th"t he h" " #i&ht to #e'"in ilent "n* " #i&ht to counel . . .

(ence$ petitione#8 "#&u'ent th"t the "##et of #epon*ent 2" b"e*$ otenibl:$ on the 0ul: 3$ /43 2"##"ntof e5cluion h" ob%ioul: no le& to t"n* on. The 'iion o#*e#2"##"nt of "##et '"*e no 'ention th"t the"'e 2" iue* pu#u"nt to " fin"l o#*e# of *epo#t"tion o# 2"##"nt of e5cluion.

But the#e i one 'o#e thin& th"t 'ilit"te "&"int petitione#8 c"ue. A #eco#* in*ic"te$ 2hich petitione#con%enientl: o'itte* to t"te eithe# in thei# petition o# co''ent to the counte#-petition of #epon*ent$#epon*ent G"tch"li"n$ "lon& 2ith othe# p#e%ioul: co%e#e* b: the /43 2"##"nt of e5cluion$ file* " 'otionfo# #e-he"#in& befo#e the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: )BSI1 o'eti'e in /4?,.

On !"#ch /9$ /4?,$ the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#:$ "fte# &i%in& *ue cou#e to the 'otion fo# #e-he"#in&$

ub'itte* " 'e'o#"n*u' to the then Actin& Co''iione# Victo# Nitu*" )Anne5 66$ counte#-petition1#eco''en*in& / the #econi*e#"tion of the 0ul: 3$ /43 *eciion of the then Bo"#* of Co''iione# 2hich#e%e#e* the 0ul: 3$ /43/ *eciion of the then Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: No. / "n* the liftin& of the 2"##"nt of"##et iue* "&"int "pplic"nt. The 'e'o#"n*u' infe##e* th"t the 6%e#: b"i of the Bo"#* ofCo''iione# in #e%e#in& the *eciion of the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: 2" *ue to " fo#&e* c"ble&#"' b: thethen Sec#et"#: of Ho#ei&n Aff"i#$ . . .$ 2hich 2" *ip"tche* to the Philippine Conul"te in (on& Kon&"utho#iin& the #e&it#"tion of "pplic"nt " P.I. citien.6 The Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: conclu*e* th"t 6)i1f "t "ll$the c"ble&#"' onl: le* to the iu"nce of thei# Ce#tific"te)1 of I*entit: 2hich too the pl"ce of " p"po#t fo#thei# "utho#ie* t#"%el to the Philippine. It bein& o$ e%en if the "pplic"nt coul* h"%e ente#e* ille&"ll:$ the'e#e f"ct th"t the: "#e citien of the Philippine entitle the' to #e'"in in the count#:.6

On !"#ch /$ /4?,$ then Actin& Co''iione# Nitu*" iue* "n O#*e# )Anne5 636$ counte#-petition1 2hich

"ffi#'e* the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: No. / *eciion *"te* 0ul: 3$ /43/ "*'ittin& #epon*ent G"tch"li"n "n*othe# " Hilipino citien #ec"lle* the 0ul: 3$ /43 2"##"nt of "##et "n* #e%"li*"te* thei# I*entific"tionCe#tific"te.

The "bo%e o#*e# "*'ittin& #epon*ent " " Hilipino citien i the l"t offici"l "ct of the &o%e#n'ent on the b"iof 2hich #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n continu"ll: e5e#cie* the #i&ht of " Hilipino citien to the p#eent.Cone;uentl:$ the p#eu'ption of citienhip lie in f"%o# of #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n.

The#e houl* be no ;uetion th"t S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n$ &#"n*f"the# of illi"' G"tch"li"n$ i " Hilipino citien. A " '"tte# of f"ct$ in the %e#: o#*e# of the BOC of 0ul: 3$ /43$ 2hich #e%e#e* the 0ul: 3$ /43/ BSI o#*e#$ it i"n "ccepte* f"ct th"t S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n i " Hilipino. The openin& p"#"&#"ph of "i* o#*e# t"te

The cl"i' to Hilipino citienhip of "bo%en"'e* "pplic"nt i b"e* on the citienhip of one S"nti"&oG"tch"li"n 2hoe Philippine citienhip 2" #eco&nie* b: the Bu#e"u of I''i&#"tion in "n O#*e#*"te* 0ul: /$ /43+. )Anne5 6,?6$ Co''ent 2ith Counte#-Petition1.

Nonethele$ in "i* o#*e# it 2" foun* th"t the "pplic"nt the#ein h"%e not "tif"cto#il: p#o%en th"t the: "#ethe chil*#en "n*o# &#"n*chil*#en of S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n. The t"tu of S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n " " Hilipino 2"#eite#"te* in 7rocha "n* 7rca )supra1 2he#e "*%e#tence i '"*e to the 6"pplic"nt bein& the *ecen*"nt ofone S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n$ " Hilipino.6 )"t p. ,41.

In the 2o#n t"te'ent of S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n befo#e the Philippine Conul in (on&on& in /43/ )Anne5 6/6 tothe Co''ent of petitione# to Counte#-Petition1$ he #eite#"te* hi t"tu " " Philippine citien bein& the





It i "lo p#opoe* in the *ientin& opinion of !e#. 0utice Helici"no "n* D"%i*e$ 0#.$ th"t the BOC*eciion *"te* 0ul: 3$ /43 "n* the 2"##"nt of e5cluion 2hich 2" foun* to be %"li* in 7rocha houl* be"pplic"ble to #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n e%en if the l"tte# 2" not " p"#t: to "i* c"e. The: "lo opine*th"t un*e# Sec. ,? )b1 of the I''i&#"tion Act$ the fi%e )1 :e"# li'it"tion i "pplic"ble onl: 2he#e the*epo#t"tion i ou&ht to be effecte* un*e# cl"ue of Sec. ,? )b1 othe# th"n cl"ue $ ?$ >$ // "n* / "n* th"tno pe#io* of li'it"tion i "pplic"ble in *epo#t"tion un*e# cl"ue $ ?$ >$ // "n* /.

The Cou#t *i"&#ee. =n*e# Sec. ,4 of the I''i&#"tion Act$ it i #eite#"te* th"t uch *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in&houl* be intitute* 2ithin fi%e )1 :e"#. Section 9 of the "'e Act p#o%i*e pen"l "nction fo# %iol"tion ofthe offene the#ein enu'e#"te* 2ith " fine of 6not 'o#e th"n P/$+++.++ "n* i'p#ion'ent fo# not 'o#e th"nt2o )1 :e"# "n* *epo#t"tion if he i "n "lien.6 Thu

Pen"l P#o%iion

Sec. 9. An: in*i%i*u"l 2hoJ

)"1 hen "ppl:in& fo# "n i''i&#"tion *ocu'ent pe#on"te "nothe# in*i%i*u"l$ o# f"lel: "ppe"# in then"'e of *ece"e* in*i%i*u"l$ o# e%"*e the i''i&#"tion l"2 b: "ppe"#in& un*e# "n "u'e* n"'efictitiou n"'e o#

)b1 Iue o# othe#2ie *ipoe of "n i''i&#"tion *ocu'ent$ to "n: pe#on not "utho#ie* b: l"2 to#ecei%e uch *ocu'ent o#

)c1 Obt"in$ "ccept o# ue "n: i''i&#"tion *ocu'ent$ no2in& it to be f"le o#

)*1 Bein& "n "lien$ ente# the Philippine 2ithout inpection "n* "*'iion b: the i''i&#"tion offici"l$o# obt"in ent#: into the Philippine b: 2ilful$ f"le$ o# 'ile"*in& #ep#eent"tion o# 2ilful conce"l'entof " '"te#i"l f"ct o#

)e1 Bein& "n "lien h"ll fo# "n: f#"u*ulent pu#poe #ep#eent hi'elf to be " Philippine citien in o#*e#to e%"*e "n: #e;ui#e'ent of the i''i&#"tion l"2 o#

)f1 In "n: i''i&#"tion '"tte# h"ll no2in&l: '"e un*e# o"th "n: f"le t"te'ent o# #ep#eent"tiono#

)&1 Bein& "n "lien$ h"ll *ep"#t f#o' the Philippine 2ithout fi#t ecu#in& "n i''i&#"tion cle"#"ncece#tific"te #e;ui#e* b: ection t2ent:-t2o of thi Act o#

)h1 Atte'pt o# conpi#e 2ith "nothe# to co''it "n: of the fo#e&oin& "ct$ h"ll be &uilt: of "n offene$"n* upon con%iction the#eof$ shall be fined not more than one thousand pesos# and imprisoned for notmore than two years# and deported if he is an alien . )E'ph"i upplie*1

Such offene punih"ble b: co##ection"l pen"lt: p#ec#ibe in /+ :e"# )A#t. 4+$ Re%ie* Pen"l Co*e1co##ection"l pen"ltie "lo p#ec#ibe in /+ :e"# )A#t. 4$ Re%ie* Pen"l Co*e1.

It 'ut be note*$ ho2e%e#$ th"t un*e# Sec. /$ Act No. ,,3 F/43$ " "'en*e*$ )P#ec#iption fo# Viol"tionPen"lie* b: Speci"l Act "n* !unicip"l O#*in"nce1 6%iol"tion pen"lie* b: peci"l "ct h"ll$ unleothe#2ie p#o%i*e* in uch "ct$ p#ec#ibe in "cco#*"nce 2ith the follo2in& #ule . . .c1 "fte# ei)ht years fo#thoe punihe* b: i'p#ion'ent fo# t2o :e"# o# 'o#e$ but le th"n i5 :e"# . . .6

Cone;uentl:$ no p#oecution "n* cone;uent *epo#t"tion fo# %iol"tion of the offene enu'e#"te* in theI''i&#"tion Act c"n be initi"te* be:on* the ei&ht-:e"# p#ec#ipti%e pe#io*$ the I''i&#"tion Act bein& " peci"lle&il"tion.



The Cou#t$ the#efo#e$ hol* th"t the pe#io* of effectin& *epo#t"tion of "n "lien "fte# ent#: o# " 2"##"nt ofe5cluion b"e* on " fin"l o#*e# of the BSI o# BOC "#e not i'p#ec#iptible. The l"2 itelf p#o%i*e fo# " pe#io*of p#ec#iption. P#ec#iption of the c#i'e i fo#feitu#e o# lo of the #i&ht of the St"te to p#oecute the offen*e#"fte# the l"pe of " ce#t"in ti'e$ 2hile p#ec#iption of the pen"lt: i the lo o# fo#feitu#e b: the &o%e#n'ent ofthe #i&ht to e5ecute the fin"l entence "fte# the l"pe of " ce#t"in ti'e )P"*ill"$ C#i'in"l L"2$ Vol. /$ /4?9$ "t p.>1.

6Althou&h " *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& *oe not p"#t"e of the n"tu#e of " c#i'in"l "ction$ ho2e%e#$ coni*e#in&th"t it i " h"#h "n* e5t#"o#*in"#: "*'init#"ti%e p#ocee*in& "ffectin& the f#ee*o' "n* libe#t: of " pe#on$ thecontitution"l #i&ht of uch pe#on to *ue p#oce houl* not be *enie*. Thu$ the p#o%iion of the Rule ofCou#t of the Philippine p"#ticul"#l: on c#i'in"l p#oce*u#e "#e "pplic"ble to *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in&.6 )L"o Gi%. Cou#t of Appe"l$ supra1. =n*e# Sec. 3$ Rule ,4 of the Rule of Cou#t$ " fin"l 7u*&'ent '": not bee5ecute* "fte# the l"pe of fi%e )1 :e"# f#o' the *"te of it ent#: o# f#o' the *"te it beco'e fin"l "n*e5ecuto#:. The#e"fte#$ it '": be enfo#ce* onl: b: " ep"#"te "ction ub7ect to the t"tute of li'it"tion. =n*e#

A#t. //99 ),1 of the Ci%il Co*e$ "n "ction b"e* on 7u*&'ent 'ut be b#ou&ht 2ithin /+ :e"# f#o' the ti'e the#i&ht of "ction "cc#ue.

In #el"tion to Sec. ,? )b1 of the I''i&#"tion Act$ the #ule$ the#efo#e$ i

/. Depo#t"tion o# e5cluion p#ocee*in& houl* be initi"te* 2ithin fi%e )1 :e"# "fte# the c"ue of *epo#t"tion

o# e5cluion "#ie 2hen effecte* un*e# "n: othe# cl"ue othe# th"n cl"ue $ ?$ >$ // "n* / "n* ofp"#"&#"ph )"1 of Sec. ,? of the I''i&#"tion Act "n*

. hen *epo#t"tion o# e5cluion i effecte* un*e# cl"ue $ ?$ >$ // "n* / of p"#"&#"ph )"1 of Sec. ,?$ thep#ec#ipti%e pe#io* of the *epo#t"tion o# e5cluion p#ocee*in& i ei&ht )>1 :e"#.

In the c"e "t b"#$ it too petitione# > :e"# ince the BOC *eciion 2" #en*e#e* on 0ul: 3$ /43 befo#ethe: co''ence* *epo#t"tion o# e5cluion p#ocee*in& "&"int #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n in /44+.=n*oubte*l:$ petitione#8 c"ue of "ction h" "l#e"*: p#ec#ibe*. Neithe# '": "n "ction to #e%i%e "n*o#enfo#ce the *eciion *"te* 0ul: 3$ /43 be intitute* "fte# ten )/+1 :e"# )A#t. //99 F,$ Ci%il Co*e1.

Since hi "*'iion " " Hilipino citien in /43/$ #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n h" continuoul: #ei*e* in

the Philippine. (e '"##ie* Tin& Dee (u" on 0ul: /$ /4?, )Anne5 6>6$ counte#-petition1 2ith 2ho' he h" fou#)91 'ino# chil*#en. The '"##i"&e cont#"ct ho2 th"t "i* #epon*ent i " Hilipino )Anne5 6>61. (e hol*p"po#t "n* e"#lie# p"po#t " " Hilipino )Anne5e 646$ 6/+6 Q 6//6$ counte#-petition1. (e i " #e&ite#e*%ote# of V"lenuel"$ !et#o !"nil" 2he#e he h" lon& #ei*e* "n* e5e#cie* hi #i&ht of uff#"&e )Anne5 /$counte#-petition1. (e en&"&e* in buine in the Philippine ince /4?, "n* i the *i#ecto#office# of theInte#n"tion"l Pol:'e# Co#p. "n* Rope'"n Inte#n"tion"l Co#p. " " Hilipino )Anne5e$ 6/,6 Q 6/96$ counte#-petition1. (e i " t"5p":e#. Repon*ent cl"i' th"t the co'p"nie he #un "n* in 2hich he h" " cont#ollin&in%et'ent p#o%i*e li%elihoo* to 9$+++ e'plo:ee "n* "pp#o5i'"tel: $+++ *epen*ent. (e continuoul:en7o:e* the t"tu of Hilipino citienhip "n* *ich"#&e* hi #eponibilit: " uch until petitione# initi"te* the*epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& "&"int hi'.

6The po2e# to *epo#t "n "lien i "n "ct of the St"te. It i "n "ct b: o# un*e# the "utho#it: of the o%e#ei&n

po2e#. It i " police 'e"u#e "&"int un*ei#"ble "lien 2hoe p#eence in the count#: i foun* to be in7u#iouto the public &oo* "n* *o'etic t#"n;uilit: of the people6 )L"o Gi %. Cou#t of Appe"l$ supra1. (o2 coul* one2ho h" helpe* the econo': of the count#: b: p#o%i*in& e'plo:'ent to o'e 9$+++ people be coni*e#e*un*ei#"ble "n* be u''"#il: *epo#te* 2hen the &o%e#n'ent$ in it conce#te* *#i%e to "tt#"ct fo#ei&nin%eto#$ &#"nt Speci"l Rei*ent Vi" to "n: "lien 2ho in%et "t le"t =S+$+++.++ in the count#: E%en"u'in& "#&uen*o th"t #epon*ent i "n "lien$ hi *epo#t"tion un*e# the ci#cu't"nce i un7ut "n* unf"i#$ ifnot *o2n#i&ht ille&"l. The "ction t"en b: petitione# in the c"e "t b"# i *i"'et#ic"ll: oppoe* to ettle*&o%e#n'ent polic:.

Petitione#$ on the othe# h"n*$ cl"i' th"t #epon*ent i "n "lien. In uppo#t of thei# poition$ petitione# pointout th"t S"nti"&o G"tch"li"n8 '"##i"&e 2ith Chu Gi' Tee in Chin" " 2ell " the '"##i"&e of H#"ncico )f"the#of illi"'1 G"tch"li"n to On& Chiu Kio$ lie2ie in Chin"$ 2e#e not uppo#te* b: "n: e%i*ence othe# th"n





Sec. /. The follo2in& "#e citien of the Philippine

)/1 Thoe 2ho "#e citien of the Philippine "t the ti'e of the "*option of thi Contitution. . . .

Thi fo#ecloe "n: fu#the# ;uetion "bout the Philippine citienhip of #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n.

The Cou#t i not un"2"#e of /oon) /oo Yiu s. 5io )/, SCRA F/431 #elie* upon b: petitione#. The#ulin& "##i%e* the#e"t$ ho2e%e#$ c"nnot "ppl: in the c"e "t b"# fo# the i'ple #e"on th"t the p"#tie the#ein

tetifie* to h"%e been '"##ie* in Chin" b: " %ill"&e le"*e#$ 2hich un*oubte*l: i not "'on& thoe "utho#ie* toole'nie '"##i"&e " p#o%i*e* in A#t. 3 of the Ci%il Co*e )no2 A#t. ?$ H"'il: Co*e1.

P#e'ie coni*e#e*$ the Cou#t *ee' it unnece"#: to #eol%e the othe# iue #"ie* b: the p"#tie.

(EREHORE$ G.R. No. 4/-, i DIS!ISSED fo# l"c of 'e#it G.R. No. 43/-/, i he#eb: GRANTED"n* #epon*ent illi"' G"tch"li"n i *ecl"#e* " Hilipino citien. Petitione# "#e he#eb: pe#'"nentl: en7oine*f#o' continuin& 2ith the *epo#t"tion p#ocee*in& *ocete* " DC No. 4+-, fo# l"c of 7u#i*iction o%e##epon*ent G"tch"li"n$ he bein& " Hilipino citien Ci%il C"e No. 4+-9/9 "n* ,9,/-V-4+ pen*in& befo#e#epon*ent 7u*&e "#e lie2ie DIS!ISSED. ithout p#onounce'ent " to cot.

SO ORDERED.


SUPREME COURT

!"nil"

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-21076 Mr& $1, 196"

?ONG ?OO 5IU li NG 5AO, petitione#-"ppellee$

%.

HON. MARTINIANO P. :I:O, ETC., ET AL., #epon*ent-"ppell"nt.

,laton 7. %aysa for petitioner4appellee.

Office of the Solicitor General for respondents4appellants.

AUTISTA ANGELO, J.:

On 0une >$ /43/$ the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: No. , #en*e#e* " *eciion fin*in& petitione# to be le&"ll:

'"##ie* to Pe#fecto Bl" "n* "*'ittin& he# into the count#: " " non-;uot" i''i&#"nt. Thi *eciion 2"

"ffi#'e* b: the Bo"#* of Co''iione# on 0ul: /$ /43/ of 2hich petitione# 2" *ul: info#'e* in " lette# ent

on the "'e *"te b: the Sec#et"#: of the Bo"#*. (o2e%e#$ on 0une >$ /43$ the "'e Bo"#* of

Co''iione#$ but co'poe* enti#el: of " ne2 et of 'e'be#$ #en*e#e* " ne2 *eciion #e%e#in& th"t of the

Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: No. , "n* o#*e#in& petitione# to be e5clu*e* f#o' the count#:. On Au&ut 4$ /43$

petitione# file* " 'otion fo# ne2 t#i"l #e;uetin& "n oppo#tunit: to cl"#if: ce#t"in point t"en in the *eciion$ but

the "'e 2" *enie* fo# l"c of 'e#it. he#eupon$ on Septe'be# /9$ /43$ petitione# initi"te* the int"nt

petition fo# mandamus 2ith p#eli'in"#: in7unction befo#e the Cou#t of Hi#t Int"nce of !"nil" 2hich inci*ent"ll:

2" coni*e#e* b: it " " petition fo# certiorari .

In *ue ti'e$ #epon*ent file* thei# "n2e#$ "n*$ "fte# the p"#tie h"* ub'itte* " 2#itten tipul"tion of f"ct$

"tt"chin& the#eto o'e *ocu'ent"#: e%i*ence$ the cou#t a quo #en*e#e* " *eciion &#"ntin& in$ toto the #elief



p#":e* fo#. Thu$ the cou#t *ecl"#e* %"li* the *eciion #en*e#e* b: the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: No. , 2hile it

#et#"ine* #epon*ent f#o' e5clu*in& petitione# f#o' the count#:. Repon*ent inte#poe* the p#eent "ppe"l

It "ppe"# th"t in the p#ocee*in& hel* befo#e the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: o'eti'e in 0une$ /43/$ petitione#

*ecl"#e* th"t he c"'e to the Philippine in /43/ fo# the fi#t ti'e to 7oin he# hub"n* Pe#fecto Bl" to 2ho'

he 2" '"##ie* in Chin&"n&$ Chin" on 0"nu"#: /$ /44 th"t the: h"* e%e#"l chil*#en "ll of 2ho' "#e not

in the Philippine th"t thei# '"##i"&e 2" celeb#"te* b: one Chu" Tio$ " %ill"&e le"*e# th"t on 0une >$ /43/

the Bo"#* of Speci"l In;ui#: No. , #en*e#e* " *eciion fin*in&$ "'on& othe#$ th"t petitione# i le&"ll: '"##ie*

to Pe#fecto Bl"$ " Hilipino Citien$ "n* "*'itte* he# into the count#: " " non-;uot" i''i&#"nt th"t thi

*eciion 2" "ffi#'e* b: the Bo"#* of Co''iione# of 2hich petitione# 2" *ul: notifie* b: the Sec#et"#: of

"i* Bo"#* in " lette# *"te* 0ul: /$ /43/ th"t in " motu proprio *eciion #en*e#e* b: the Bo"#* of

Co''iione# co'poe* of " ne2 et of 'e'be# *"te* 0une >$ /43 the l"tte# foun* th"t petitione#8 cl"i'

th"t he i the l"2ful 2ife of Pe#fecto Bl" 2" 2ithout b"i in e%i*ence " it 2" 6be#eft of ubt"nti"l p#oof

of hub"n*-2ife #el"tionhip6 th"t "i* Bo"#* fu#the# hel* th"t$ it "ppe"#in& th"t in the ent#: p#ocee*in& of

Pe#fecto Bl" h"* on 0"nu"#: ,$ /49? he *ecl"#e* th"t he fi#t %iite* Chin" in /4, "n* '"##ie* petitione# in

/4,3$ it coul* not poibl: ut"in he# cl"i' th"t he '"##ie* Pe#fecto Bl" in /44 th"t in "n "ffi*"%it *"te*

Au&ut 4$ /43 Pe#fecto Bl" cl"i'e* th"t he 2ent to Chin" in /44$ /4, "n* /49/$ "lthou&h in hi #e-ent#:

*ecl"#"tion he "*'itte* th"t he fi#t 2ent to Chin" in /4,$ then in /4,?$ then in /4,4$ "n* l"tl: in /49/ "n*

th"t Pe#fecto Bl" in the "'e "ffi*"%it lie2ie cl"i'e* th"t he fi#t 2ent to Chin" 2hen he 2" 'e#el: fou#:e"# ol* o th"t co'pute* f#o' hi *"te of bi#th in /4+> it 'ut h"%e been in /4/. 1äwph1.!"t

In %ie2 of the *ic#ep"ncie foun* in the t"te'ent '"*e b: petitione# "n* he# "lle&e* hub"n* Pe#fecto Bl"

in the e%e#"l in%eti&"tion con*ucte* b: the i''i&#"tion "utho#itie conce#nin& thei# "lle&e* '"##i"&e befo#e

" %ill"&e le"*e# in Chin" in /44$ couple* 2ith the f"ct th"t the onl: b"i in uppo#t of petitione#8 cl"i' th"t

he i the l"2ful 2ife of Pe#fecto Bl" i 6" '" of o#"l "n* *ocu'ent"#: e%i*ence be#eft of ubt"nti"l p#oof

of hub"n*-2ife #el"tionhip$6 the Bo"#* of Co''iione# motu proprio #e%ie2e* the #eco#* conce#nin& the

"*'iion of petitione# into the count#: #eultin& in it fin*in& th"t he 2" i'p#ope#l: "*'itte*. Thu$ "i*

Bo"#* '"*e the follo2in& co''ent

The onl: b"i in uppo#t of the cl"i' th"t he i the 2ife of Pe#fecto Bl" i " '" of o#"l "n**ocu'ent"#: e%i*ence be#eft of ubt"nti"l p#oof of hub"n*-2ife #el"tionhip. She #elie on the

#eco#* of Pe#fecto Bl" in connection 2ith hi c"ncell"tion c"e "n* the teti'on: of the uppoe*

chil*#en in the p#e%iou "*'iion p#ocee*in&. But thi cl"i' i belie* b: the "*'iion of Pe#fecto

Bl" hi'elf$ in the he"#in& con*ucte* b: " Bo"#* of peci"l in;ui#: in connection 2ith hi ent#: on

0"nu"#: ,$ /49?$ th"t he 2" '"##ie* to one N& <o in Ki S":$ Chin&"n&$ Chin" in /4,3$ hi fi#t %iit

the#e bein& in /4, he coul* not the#efo#e h"%e been '"##ie* to he#ein "pplic"nt in /44.

The "bo%e co''ent c"nnot be *ipute*$ it fin*in& uppo#t in the #eco#*. In*ee*$ not onl: i the#e no

*ocu'ent"#: e%i*ence to uppo#t the "lle&e* '"##i"&e of petitione# to Pe#fecto Bl" but the #eco#* i

punctu#e* 2ith o '"n: inconitencie 2hich c"nnot but le"* one to *oubt thei# %e#"cit: conce#nin& thep#eten*e* '"##i"&e in Chin" in /44. Thi cl"i' c"nnot "lo be ente#t"ine* un*e# ou# l"2 on f"'il: #el"tion.

Thu$ A#ticle / of ou# ne2 Ci%il Co*e p#o%i*e th"t l"2 #el"tin& to f"'il: #i&ht o# to the t"tu of pe#on "#e

bin*in& upon citien of the Philippine$ e%en thou&h li%in& "b#o"*$ "n* it i 2ell-no2n th"t in /44 in o#*e#

th"t " '"##i"&e celeb#"te* in the Philippine '": be %"li* it 'ut be ole'nie* eithe# b: " 7u*&e of "n: cou#t

infe#io# to the Sup#e'e Cou#t$ " 7utice of the pe"ce$ o# " p#iet o# 'inite# of the &opel of "n: *eno'in"tion

*ul: #e&ite#e* in the Philippine Lib#"#: "n* !ueu' )Public Act ,9/$ Section 1. E%en if 2e "u'e$

the#efo#e$ th"t the '"##i"&e of petitione# to Pe#fecto Bl" befo#e " %ill"&e le"*e# i %"li* in Chin"$ the "'e i

not one of thoe "utho#ie* in ou# count#:.













It i 2ell-ettle* in ou# 7u#i*iction th"t ou# cou#t c"nnot t"e 7u*ici"l notice of fo#ei&n l"2.9, Lie "n: othe#

f"ct$ the: 'ut be "lle&e* "n* p#o%e*. Aut#"li"n '"#it"l l"2 "#e not "'on& thoe '"tte# th"t 7u*&e "#e

uppoe* to no2 b: #e"on of thei# 7u*ici"l function.99 The po2e# of 7u*ici"l notice 'ut be e5e#cie* 2ith

c"ution$ "n* e%e#: #e"on"ble *oubt upon the ub7ect houl* be #eol%e* in the ne&"ti%e.

S)&o3 I)B

Respondent"s !ega #apacit$ to Remarr$

Petitione# conten* th"t$ in %ie2 of the inufficient p#oof of the *i%o#ce$ #epon*ent 2" le&"ll: inc"p"cit"te* to

'"##: he# in /449.

(ence$ he conclu*e th"t thei# '"##i"&e 2" %oi* ab initio.

Repon*ent #eplie th"t the Aut#"li"n *i%o#ce *ec#ee$ 2hich 2" %"li*l: "*'itte* in e%i*ence$ "*e;u"tel:

et"blihe* hi le&"l c"p"cit: to '"##: un*e# Aut#"li"n l"2.

Repon*ent8 contention i unten"ble. In it t#ict le&"l ene$ diorce 'e"n the le&"l *iolution of " l"2ful

union fo# " c"ue "#iin& "fte# '"##i"&e. But *i%o#ce "#e of *iffe#ent t:pe. The t2o b"ic one "#e )/1"bolute *i%o#ce o# a inculo matrimonii "n* )1 li'ite* *i%o#ce o# a mensa et thoro. The fi#t in* te#'in"te

the '"##i"&e$ 2hile the econ* upen* it "n* le"%e the bon* in full fo#ce.9 The#e i no ho2in& in the c"e

"t b"# 2hich t:pe of *i%o#ce 2" p#ocu#e* b: #epon*ent.

Repon*ent p#eente* " *ec#ee nii o# "n inte#locuto#: *ec#ee " con*ition"l o# p#o%iion"l 7u*&'ent of

*i%o#ce. It i in effect the "'e " " ep"#"tion f#o' be* "n* bo"#*$ "lthou&h "n "bolute *i%o#ce '": follo2

"fte# the l"pe of the p#ec#ibe* pe#io* *u#in& 2hich no #econcili"tion i effecte*.93

E%en "fte# the *i%o#ce beco'e "bolute$ the cou#t '": un*e# o'e fo#ei&n t"tute "n* p#"ctice$ till #et#ict

#e'"##i"&e. =n*e# o'e othe# 7u#i*iction$ #e'"##i"&e '": be li'ite* b: t"tute thu$ the &uilt: p"#t: in "

*i%o#ce 2hich 2" &#"nte* on the &#oun* of "*ulte#: '": be p#ohibite* f#o' #e'"##:in& "&"in. The cou#t '":"llo2 " #e'"##i"&e onl: "fte# p#oof of &oo* beh"%io#.9?

On it f"ce$ the he#ein Aut#"li"n *i%o#ce *ec#ee cont"in " #et#iction th"t #e"*

6/. A p"#t: to " '"##i"&e 2ho '"##ie "&"in befo#e thi *ec#ee beco'e "bolute )unle the othe#

p"#t: h" *ie*1 co''it the offence of bi&"':.69>

Thi ;uot"tion bolte# ou# contention th"t the *i%o#ce obt"ine* b: #epon*ent '": h"%e been #et#icte*. It *i*

not "bolutel: et"blih hi le&"l c"p"cit: to #e'"##: "cco#*in& to hi n"tion"l l"2. (ence$ 2e fin* no b"i fo#

the #ulin& of the t#i"l cou#t$ 2hich e##oneoul: "u'e* th"t the Aut#"li"n *i%o#ce ipso facto #eto#e*

#epon*ent8 c"p"cit: to #e'"##: *epite the p"ucit: of e%i*ence on thi '"tte#.

e "lo #e7ect the cl"i' of #epon*ent th"t the *i%o#ce *ec#ee #"ie " *iput"ble p#eu'ption o# p#eu'pti%e

e%i*ence " to hi ci%il t"tu b"e* on Section 9>$ Rule ,494 of the Rule of Cou#t$ fo# the i'ple #e"on th"t

no p#oof h" been p#eente* on the le&"l effect of the *i%o#ce *ec#ee obt"ine* un*e# Aut#"li"n l"2.

Significance of the #ertificate of !ega #apacit$



Petitione# "#&ue th"t the ce#tific"te of le&"l c"p"cit: #e;ui#e* b: A#ticle / of the H"'il: Co*e 2" not

ub'itte* to&ethe# 2ith the "pplic"tion fo# " '"##i"&e licene. Acco#*in& to he#$ it "bence i p#oof th"t

#epon*ent *i* not h"%e le&"l c"p"cit: to #e'"##:.

e cl"#if:. To #epe"t$ the le&"l c"p"cit: to cont#"ct '"##i"&e i *ete#'ine* b: the n"tion"l l"2 of the p"#t:

conce#ne*. The ce#tific"te 'entione* in A#ticle / of the H"'il: Co*e 2oul* h"%e been ufficient to et"blih

the le&"l c"p"cit: of #epon*ent$ h"* he *ul: p#eente* it in cou#t. A *ul: "uthentic"te* "n* "*'itte* ce#tific"te

i p#i'" f"cie e%i*ence of le&"l c"p"cit: to '"##: on the p"#t of the "lien "pplic"nt fo# " '"##i"&e licene.+

A it i$ ho2e%e#$ the#e i "bolutel: no e%i*ence th"t p#o%e #epon*ent8 le&"l c"p"cit: to '"##: petitione#. A

#e%ie2 of the #eco#* befo#e thi Cou#t ho2 th"t onl: the follo2in& e5hibit 2e#e p#eente* befo#e the lo2e#

cou#t )/1 fo# petitione# )"1 E5hibit 6A6 Co'pl"int/ )b1 E5hibit 6B6 Ce#tific"te of !"##i"&e Bet2een Re*e#ic

A. Recto )Hilipino-Aut#"li"n1 "n* G#"ce 0. G"#ci" )Hilipino1 on 0"nu"#: /$ /449 in C"b"n"tu"n Cit:$ Nue%"

Eci7")c1 E5hibit 6C6 Ce#tific"te of !"##i"&e Bet2een Re*e#ic A. Recio )Hilipino1 "n* E*ith" D. S"'on

)Aut#"li"n1 on !"#ch /$ /4>? in !"l"bon$ !et#o !"nil", )*1 E5hibit 6D6 Office of the Cit: Re&it#"# of

C"b"n"tu"n Cit: Ce#tific"tion th"t no info#'"tion of "nnul'ent bet2een Re*e#ic A. Recto "n* E*ith" D.

S"'on 2" in it #eco#*9 "n* )e1 E5hibit 6E6 Ce#tific"te of Aut#"li"n Citienhip of Re*e#ic A.

Recto )1 fo# #epon*ent )E5hibit 6/6 A'en*e* An2e#3 )b1 E5hibit 6S6 H"'il: L"2 Act /4? Dec#ee Ni

of Diolution of !"##i"&e in the H"'il: Cou#t of Aut#"li"?

)c1 E5hibit 6,6 Ce#tific"te of Aut#"li"n Citienhipof Re*e#ic A. Recto> )*1 E5hibit 696 Dec#ee Nii of Diolution of !"##i"&e in the H"'il: Cou#t of Aut#"li"

Ce#tific"te4 "n* E5hibit 66 St"tuto#: Decl"#"tion of the Le&"l Sep"#"tion Bet2een Re*e#ic A. Recto "n*

G#"ce 0. G"#ci" Recio ince Octobe# $ /44.3+

B"e* on the "bo%e #eco#*$ 2e c"nnot conclu*e th"t #epon*ent$ 2ho 2" then " n"tu#"lie* Aut#"li"n

citien$ 2" le&"ll: c"p"cit"te* to '"##: petitione# on 0"nu"#: /$ /449. e "&#ee 2ith petitione#8 contention

th"t the cou#t a quo e##e* in fin*in& th"t the *i%o#ce *ec#ee ipo f"cto clothe* #epon*ent 2ith the le&"l

c"p"cit: to #e'"##: 2ithout #e;ui#in& hi' to "**uce ufficient e%i*ence to ho2 the Aut#"li"n pe#on"l l"2

&o%e#nin& hi t"tu o# "t the %e#: le"t$ to p#o%e hi le&"l c"p"cit: to cont#"ct the econ* '"##i"&e.

Neithe# c"n 2e &#"nt petitione#8 p#":e# to *ecl"#e he# '"##i"&e to #epon*ent null "n* %oi* on the &#oun* ofbi&"':. Afte# "ll$ it '": tu#n out th"t un*e# Aut#"li"n l"2$ he 2" #e"ll: c"p"cit"te* to '"##: petitione# " "

*i#ect #eult of the *i%o#ce *ec#ee. (ence$ 2e belie%e th"t the 'ot 7u*iciou cou#e i to #e'"n* thi c"e to

the t#i"l cou#t to #ecei%e e%i*ence$ if "n:$ 2hich ho2 petitione#8 le&"l c"p"cit: to '"##: petitione#. H"ilin& in

th"t$ then the cou#t a quo '": *ecl"#e " nullit: of the p"#tie8 '"##i"&e on the &#oun* of bi&"':$ the#e bein&

"l#e"*: in e%i*ence t2o e5itin& '"##i"&e ce#tific"te$ 2hich 2e#e both obt"ine* in the Philippine$ one in

!"l"bon$ !et#o !"nil" *"te* !"#ch /$ /4>? "n* the othe#$ in C"b"n"tu"n Cit: *"te* 0"nu"#: /$ /449.

(EREHORE$ in the inte#et of o#*e#l: p#oce*u#e "n* ubt"nti"l 7utice$ 2e RE%A&D the c"e to the

cou#t a quo fo# the pu#poe of #ecei%in& e%i*ence 2hich conclui%el: ho2 #epon*ent8 le&"l c"p"cit: to '"##:

petitione# "n* f"ilin& in th"t$ of *ecl"#in& the p"#tie8 '"##i"&e %oi* on the &#oun* of bi&"':$ " "bo%e*icue*. No cot.

SO ORDERED.

Documents

Conflict of Laws Cases 2016