Relationship Reality Check (by Perry Gamsby)

Happiness is when expectations match reality…

There is a myth that exists that Filipinas are loyal, loving and will serve their husbands faithfully, treating him like a king. Like all myths, there is a foundation of truth within the hyperbole. The reality, though, is that the Filipino woman, the Filipina, is no different overall than any other female of the human species.

Divorce in the Philippines – Part 4

As we said at the beginning of this series of articles on ending marriage in the Philippines, the usual way most people go about it is to either obtain a Declaration of Absolute Nullity (because the marriage was void from the beginning and thus never happened in the eyes of the law) or they obtain an Annulment of Marriage. So, what are the grounds on which either outcome can be achieved?

Divorce In The Philippines – Part 3

A lot of people get divorced in the Philippines. Well, not quite. Let me clarify that statement. A lot of Filipinos get divorced, but not all of them do it in the Philippines. Many, like the rich and famous, ‘artistas’ or celebrities as we’d call them, fly to Guam and get divorced there. Those who end their marriage legally within the Philippines do it through their contacts in the Church and courts. It costs them a lot of money and or favours, but they get what they want.

 

Divorce In The Philippines – Part 2

So, how much does it cost to end a marriage in the Philippines? The simple answer is… a lot. At least by Filipino standards. It is so much that it is beyond the financial reach of most Filipino couples. There are a lot of people co-habiting in what we would refer to as a ‘De-Facto’, or ‘Common-Law’ relationship. This is often by mutual agreement between the parties, simply because they cannot afford the cost of getting a more legal arrangement put in place.

Divorce In The Philippines – Part 1 (by Perry Gamsby)

It might be a bit like jinxing the relationship you are about to enter into by talking about the ending of a marriage, but the reality for many foreigners who find their soul-mate in the Philippines is that she could already be married to someone else. The common misconception is that there is no divorce in the Philippines. This is not technically correct. You can end a marriage, but it isn’t easy, quick or inexpensive.

What is Divorce?

Divorce is the ending of a legal marriage, so the first thing to consider is whether the marriage itself is legal. Many, believe it or not, aren’t, or rather they might not have completely complied with the relevant legislation that governs marriage in the Republic of the Philippines. This is The Family Code. The Family Code, Chapter 1, Article 1 defines marriage as: