Questions Civil

It is said that equity follows the law What do you understand by
this phrase, and what are its basic implications? 5%
1. When one exercises a right recognized by law, knowing that he

thereby causes an injustice to another, the latter is entitled to
recover damages. This is known as the principle of
A. res ipsa loquitur.
B. damnum absque injuria.
C. vicarious liability.
D. abuse of rights.
2. The doctrine of stare decisis prescribes adherence to precedents

in order to promote the stability of the law. But the doctrine can be
abandoned
A. When adherence to it would result in the Governments loss of

its case.
B. When the application of the doctrine would cause great

prejudice to a foreign national.
C. When necessary to promote the passage of a new law.
D. When the precedent has ceased to be beneficial and useful.
3. Congress passed a law imposing taxes on income earned

out of a particular activity that was not previously taxed. The law,
however, taxed incomes already earned within the fiscal year
when the law took effect. Is the law valid?
(A) No, because laws are intended to be prospective, not

retroactive.
(B) No, the law is arbitrary in that it taxes income that has already
been spent.
(C) Yes, since tax laws are the lifeblood of the nation.
(D) Yes, tax laws are an exception; they can be given retroactive
effect.
DON, an American businessman, secured parental consent for the
employment of five minors to play certain roles in two movies he was
producing at home in Makati. They worked at odd hours of the day
and night, but always accompanied by parents or other adults. The
producer paid the children talent fees at rates better than adult
wages.
But a social worker, DEB, reported to OSWD that these children often
missed going to school. They sometimes drank wine, aside from
being exposed to drugs. In some scenes, they were filmed naked or
in revealing costumes. In his defense, DON contended all these
were part of artistic freedom and cultural creativity. None of the
parents complained, said DON. He also said they signed a contract
containing a waiver of their right to file any complaint in any office
or tribunal concerning the working conditions of their children
acting in the movies.
Is the waiver valid and binding? Why or why not? Explain. (5%)
Cristy and her late husband Luis had two children, Rose and Patrick,
One summer, her mother-in-law, aged 70, took the two children,
then aged 10 and 12, with her on a boat trip to Cebu. Unfortunately,
the vessel sank en route, and the bodies of the three were never
found. None of the survivors ever saw them on the water. On the
settlement of her mother-in-law's estate, Cristy files a claim for a
share of her estate on the ground that the same was inherited by
her children from their grandmother in representation of their father,
and she inherited the same from them. Will her action prosper? (2%)
Zirxthoussous delos Santos filed a petition for change of name with

the Office of the Civil Registrar of Mandaluyong City under the
administrative proceeding provided in Republic Act No. 9048. He
alleged that his first name sounds ridiculous and is extremely difficult
to spell and pronounce. After complying with the requirements of
the law, the Civil Registrar granted his petition and changed his first
name Zirxthoussous to "Jesus." His full name now reads "Jesus delos
Santos."
Jesus delos Santos moved to General Santos City to work in a multi-

national company. There, he fell in love and married Mary Grace
delos Santos. She requested him to have his first name changed
because his new name "Jesus delos Santos" is the same name as
that of her father who abandoned her family and became a
notorious drug lord. She wanted to forget him. Hence, Jesus filed
another petition with the Office of the Local Civil Registrar to
change his first name to "Roberto." He claimed that the change is
warranted because it will eradicate all vestiges of the infamy of
Mary Grace's father.
1. Will the petition for change of name of Jesus delos Santos to

Roberto delos
2. What entries in the civil registry may be changed or corrected

without a judicial order? (2.5%)
At age 18, Marian found out that she was pregnant. She insured her
own life and named her unborn child as her sole beneficiary. When
she was already due to give birth, she and her boyfriend Pietro, the
father of her unborn child, were kidnapped in a resort in Bataan
where they were vacationing. The military gave chase and after
one week, they were found in an abandoned hut in Cavite. Marian
and Pietro were hacked with bolos. Marian and the baby delivered
were both found dead, with the baby's umbilical cord already cut.
Pietro survived.
(A) Can Marian's baby be the beneficiary of the insurance taken

on the life of the mother? (2%)
Ricky donated P 1 Million to the unborn child of his pregnant

girlfriend, which she accepted. After six (6) months of pregnancy,
the fetus was born and baptized as Angela. However, Angela died
20 hours after birth. Ricky sought to recover the P 1 Million. Is Ricky
entitled to recover? Explain. (5%)
Write "TRUE" if the statement is true or "FALSE" if the statement is false.

If the statement is FALSE, state the reason. (2% each).
Roberta, a Filipino, 17 years of age, without the knowledge of his

parents, can acquire a house in Australia because Australian Laws
allow aliens to acquire property from the age of 16.
Gianna was born to Andy and Aimee, who at the time Gianna's
birth were not married to each other. While Andy was single at the
time, Aimee was still in the process of securing a judicial declaration
of nullity on her marriage to her ex-husband. Gianna's birth
certificate, which was signed by both Andy and Aimee, registered
the status of Gianna as "legitimate", her surname carrying that of
Andy's and that her parents were married to each other.
(A) Can a judicial action for correction of entries in Gianna's birth

certificate be successfully maintained to:
(a) Change her status from "legitimate" to "illegitimate" (1%); and
(b) Change her surname from that of Andy's to Aimee's maiden

surname? (1%)
(B) Instead of a judicial action, can administrative proceedings be

brought for the purpose of making the above corrections? (2%)
Emmanuel and Margarita, American citizens and employees of the

U.S. State Department, got married in the African state of Kenya
where sterility is a ground for annulment of marriage. Thereafter, the
spouses were assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Manila. On the first
year of the spouses tour of duty in the Philippines, Margarita filed
an annulment case against Emmanuel before a Philippine court on
the ground of her husband's sterility at the time of the celebration of
the marriage.
(A) Will the suit prosper? Explain your answer. (3%)

If Ligaya, a Filipino citizen residing in the United States, files a petition
for change of name before the District Court of New York, what law
shall apply? Explain. (2%)
(B) If Henry, an American citizen residing in the Philippines, files a

petition for change of name before a Philippine court, what law
shall apply? Explain. (2%)
1. Which of the following is NOT included in the attributes of

juridical capacity?
a) Juridical capacity is inherent in every natural person, and

therefore it is not acquired.
b) Juridical capacity is lost only through death.
c) Juridical capacity is the fitness to be the subject of legal

relations.
d) Juridical capacity cannot exist without capacity to act.
2. Which of the following is NOT a restriction on ones

capacity to act?
a) Minority
b) Marriage
c) Deaf-mute
d) Civil Interdiction
3. Because of Xs gross negligence, Y suffered injuries that resulted

in the abortion of the foetus she carried. Y sued X for, among other
damages, P1 million for the death of a family member. Is Y entitled
to indemnity for the death of the foetus she carried?
4. Birth determines personality. Death extinguishes it. Under what

circumstances may the personality of a deceased person continue
to exist?
Distinguish briefly but clearly between: Domiciliary theory and

nationality theory of personal law. (5%)
Felipe is a Filipino citizen. When he went to Sydney for vacation, he
met a former business associate, who proposed to him a transaction
which took him to Moscow. Felipe brokered a contract between
Sydney Coals Corp. (Coals), an Australian firm, and Moscow Energy
Corp. (Energy), a Russian firm, for Coals to supply coal to Energy on
a monthly basis for three years. Both these firms were not doing, and
still do not do, business in the Philippines. Felipe shuttled between
Sydney and Moscow to close the contract. He also executed in
Sydney a commission contract with Coals and in Moscow with
Energy, under which contracts he was guaranteed commissions by
both firms based on a percentage of deliveries for the three-year
period, payable in Sydney and in Moscow, respectively, through
deposits in accounts that he opened in the two cities. Both firms
paid Felipe his commission for four months, after which they stopped
paying him. Felipe learned from his contacts, who are residents of
Sydney and Moscow, that the two firms talked to each other and
decided to cut him off. He now files suit in Manila against both Coals
and Energy for specific performance.
A. Define or explain the principle of lex loci contractus. (2%)
B. Define or explain the rule of forum non conveniens (3%)
C. Should the Philippine court assume jurisdiction over the case?

Explain. (5%)
PH and LV are HK Chinese. Their parents are now Filipino citizens who
live in Manila. While still students in MNS State, they got married
although they are first cousins. It appears that both in HK and in MNS
State first cousins could marry legally.
They plan to reside and set up business in the Philippines. But they
have been informed, however, that the marriage of first cousins
here is considered void from the beginning by reason of public
policy. They are in a dilemma. They dont want to break Philippine
law, much less their marriage vow. They seek your advice on
whether their civil status will be adversely affected by Philippine
domestic law? What is your advice? (5%)
Miss Universe, from Finland, came to the Philippines on a tourist visa.

While in this country, she fell in love with and married a Filipino
doctor. Her tourist visa having been expired and after the maximum
extension allowed therefore, the Bureau of Immigration and
Deportation (BID) is presently demanding that she immediately
leave the country but she refuses to do so, claiming that she is
already a Filipino Citizen by her marriage to a Filipino citizen. Can
the BID still order the deportation of Miss Universe? Explain. 5%
Felipe and Felisa, both Filipino citizens, were married in Malolos,
Bulacan on June 1, 1950. In 1960 Felipe went to the United States,
becoming a U.S. citizen in 1975. In 1980 they obtained a divorce
from Felisa, who was duly notified of the proceedings. The divorce
decree became final under California Law. Coming back to the
Philippines in 1982, Felipe married Sagundina, a Filipino Citizen. In
2001, Filipe, then domiciled in Los Angeles, California, died, leaving
one child by Felisa, and another one by Sagundina. He left a will
which he left his estate to Sagundina and his two children and
nothing to Felisa. Sagundina files a petition for the probate of
Felipes will. Felisa questions the intrinsic validity of the will, arguing
that her marriage to Felipe subsisted despite the divorce obtained
by Felipe because said divorce is not recognized in the Philippines.
For this reason, she claims that the properties and that Sagundina
has no successional rights.
(A) Is the divorce secured by Felipe in California recognizable and

valid in the Philippines? How does it affect Felipes marriage to
Felisa? Explain. (2%).
(B) What law governs the formalities of the will? Explain.
(C) Will Philippine law govern the intrinsic validity of the will? Explain.
(2%)
In a class suit for damages, plaintiffs claimed they suffered injuries

from torture during martial law. The suit was filed upon President EMs
arrival on exile in HI, a U.S. state. The court in HI awarded plaintiffs
the equivalent of P100 billion under the U.S. law on alien tort claims.
On appeal, EMs Estate raised the issue of prescription. It argued
that since said U.S. law is silent on the matter, the court should apply:
(1) HIs law setting a two-year limitation on tort claims; or (2) the
Philippine law which appears to require that claims for personal
injury arising from martial law be brought within one year.
Plaintiffs countered that provisions of the most analogous federal

statute, the Torture Victims Protection Act, should be applied. It sets
ten years as the period for prescription. Moreover, they argued that
equity could toll the statute of limitations. For it appeared that EM
had procured Constitutional amendments granting himself and
those acting under his direction immunity from suit during his tenure.
In this case, has prescription set in or not? Considering the

differences in the cited laws, which prescriptive period should be
applied: one year under Philippine law, two years under HIs law,
ten years under U.S. federal law, or none of the above? Explain. (5%)
1. TRUE or FALSE. Answer TRUE if the statement is true, or FALSE if the

statement is false. Explain your answer in not more than two (2)
sentences.
(A) The doctrine of "processual presumption" allows the court of the

forum to presume that the foreign law applicable to the case is the
same as the local or domestic law. (1%)
Define, Enumerate or Explain. (2% each)
(A) Give at least two reasons why a court may assume jurisdiction
over a conflict of laws case.
Alden and Stela were both former Filipino citizens. They were
married in the Philippines but they later migrated to the United
States where they were naturalized as American citizens. In their
union they were able to accumulate several real properties both in
the US and in the Philippines. Unfortunately, they were not blessed
with children. In the US, they executed a joint will instituting as their
common heirs to divide their combined estate in equal shares, the
five siblingS of Alden and the seven siblings of Stela. Alden passed
away in 2013 and a year later, Stela also died. The siblings of Alden
who were all citizens of the US instituted probate proceedings in a
US court impleading the siblings of Stela who were all in the
Philippines.
a) Was the joint will executed by Alden and Stela who were both
former Filipinos valid? Explain with legal basis. (3%)
b) Can the joint will produce legal effect in the Philippines with
respect to the propertiesand of Alden Stela found here? If so,
how? (3%)
c) Is the situation presented in Item I an example of depe9age?

(2%)
1. This attribute or incident of a case determine whether it is a

conflict-of-laws case or one covered by domestic law.
A. Cause of action
B. Foreign element
C. Jurisdiction
D. Forum non conveniens
2. The capacity of an heir to succeed shall be governed by the:
A. national law of the decedents heirs

B. law of the country where the decedent was a resident at the
time of his death
C. national law of the person who died
D. law of the country where the properties of the decedent are
located.
3. Even if the applicable law is a foreign law, a court in the
Philippines may be constrained to apply Philippine law under any of
the following instances, except:
A. when the foreign law, judgment or contract is contrary to a

sound and important public policy of the forum;
B. when the property subject of the case is located outside of the
Philippines;
C. when the foreign law or judgment is penal in nature;
D. when the foreign law is procedural in nature.
4. If a will is executed by a testator who was born a Filipino citizen

but became naturalized Japanese citizen at the time of his death,
what law will govern its testamentary provisions if the will is executed
in China and the property being disposed is located in Indonesia?
a) Chinese law
b) Philippine law
c) Indonesia law
d) Japanese law
5. A Japanese national and a Filipino national entered into a

contract for services in Thailand. The services will be rendered in
Singapore. In case of breach, what law will govern?
a) Thailand law
b) Philippine law
c) Singapore law
d) Japanese law
6. Pedro (Filipino) and his wife Jane (American) executed a joint

will in Canada, where such joint will is valid. In case the joint will is
probated in Japan, what law will govern the formalities of the joint
will?
a) American law
b) Philippine law
c) Canadian law
d) Japanese law
7. A French national revokes his will in Japan where he is domiciled.
He then changed his domicile to the Philippines where he died. The
revocation of his will in Japan is valid under Japanese law but invalid
under Philippine law. The affected heir is a Malaysian national
residing in the Philippines. What law will apply?
a) Japanese law
b) Philippine law
c) French law
d) Malaysian law
8. Pedro (Filipino and Bill (American) entered into a contract in

Australia, whereby it was agreed that Pedro will build a commercial
building for Bill in the Philippines, and in payment for the
construction, Bill will transfer and convey his cattle ranch located in
Japan in favor of Pedro. In case Pedro performs his
obligation, but Bill fails or refuses to pay, what law will govern?
a) American law
b) Philippine law
c) Australian law
d) Japanese law
9. The will of a Filipino executed in a foreign country ---
A. cannot be probated in the Philippines;
B. may be probated in the Philippines provided that properties

in the estate are located in the Philippines;
C. cannot be probated before the death of the testator;
D. may be probated in the Philippines provided it was executed

in accordance with the laws of the place where the will was
executed.
An Australian living in the Philippines acquired shares of stock worth
P10 million in food manufacturing companies. He died in Manila,
leaving a legal wife and a child in Australia and a live-in partner with
whom he had two children in Manila. He also left a will, done
according to Philippine laws, leaving all his properties to his live-in
partner and their children. What law will govern the validity of the
disposition in the will?
(A) Australia law since his legal wife and legitimate child are
Australians and domiciled in Australia.
(B) Australian law since the intrinsic validity of the provisions of a

will is governed by the decedents national law.
(C) Philippine law since the decedent died in Manila and he

executed his will according to such law.
(D) Philippine law since the decedents properties are in the

Philippines
May an illegitimate child, upon adoption by her natural father, use

the surname of her natural mother as the middle name? (2.5%)
Hans Berber, a German national, and his Filipino wife, Rhoda, are
permanent residents of Canada. They desire so much to adopt
Magno, an 8-year old orphaned boy and a baptismal godson of
Rhoda. Since the accidental death of Magno's parents in 2004, he
has been staying with his aunt who, however, could hardly afford to
feed her own family. Unfortunately, Hans and Rhoda cannot come
to the Philippines to adopt Magno although they possess all the
qualifications as adoptive parents.
Is there a possibility for them to adopt Magno? How should they go

about it? (5%)
In 1984, Eva, a Filipina, went to work as a nurse in the USA. There, she
met and fell in love with Paul, an American citizen, and they got
married in 1985. Eva acquired American citizenship in 1987. During
their sojourn in the Philippines in 1990, they filed a joint petition for
the adoption of Vicky, a 7-year old daughter of Eva's sister. The
government, through the Office of the Solicitor General, opposed
the petition on the ground that the petitioners, being both
foreigners, are disqualified to adopt Vicky.
a) Is the government's opposition tenable? Explain. (2%)

b) Would your answer be the same if they sought to adopt Eva's
illegitimate daughter? Explain. (2%)
c) Supposing that they filed the petition to adopt Vicky in the year
2000, will your answer be the same? Explain. (2%)
A German couple filed a petition for adoption of a minor Filipino
child with the Regional Trial Court of Makati under the provisions of
the Child and Youth Welfare Code which allowed aliens to adopt.
Before the petition could be heard, the Family Code, which
repealed the Child and Youth Welfare Code, came into effect.
Consequently, the Solicitor General filed a motion to dismiss the
petition, on the ground that the Family Code prohibits aliens from
adopting. If you were the judge, how will you rule on the motion?
(5%)
Sometime in 1990, Sarah, born a Filipino but by then a naturalized

American citizen, and her American husband Tom, filed a petition
in the Regional Trial Court of Makati, for the adoption of the minor
child of her sister, a Filipina. Can the petition be granted?
Lina, a former Filipina who became an American citizen shortly after

her marriage to an American husband, would like to adopt in the
Philippines, jointly with her husband, one of her minor brothers.
Assuming that all the required consents have been obtained, could
the contemplated joint adoption in the Philippine prosper? Explain.
A Filipino couple, Mr. and Mrs. BM, Jr., decided to adopt YV, an
orphan from St. Claires orphanage in New York City. They loved
and treated her like a legitimate child for they have none of their
very own. However, BM, Jr., died in an accident at sea, followed to
the grave a year later by his father, BM, Sr. Each left a sizeable estate
consisting of bank deposits, lands and buildings in Manila. May the
adopted child, YV, inherit from BM, Jr.? May she also inherit from BM,
Sr.? Is there a difference? Explain. (5%)
Rafael, a wealthy bachelor, filed a petition for the adoption of Dolly,

a one- year old foundling who had a severe heart ailment. During
the pendency of the adoption proceedings, Rafael died of natural
causes. The Office of the Solicitor General files a motion to dismiss
the petition on the ground that the case can no longer proceed
because of the petitioner's death.
(A) Should the case be dismissed? Explain. (2%)

(B) Will your answer be the same if it was Dolly who died during the
pendency of the adoption proceedings? Explain. (2%)
Spouses Rex and Lea bore two children now aged 14 and 8. During
the subsistence of their marriage, Rex begot a child by another
woman. He is now 10 years of age.
On Leas discovery of Rexs fathering a child by another woman,

she filed a petition for legal separation which was granted.
Rex now wants to adopt his illegitimate child.
(A) Whose consent is needed for Rexs adoption of his illegitimate child?
(2.5%)
(B) If there was no legal separation, can Rex still adopt his illegitimate
child? Explain. (2.5%)
Honorato filed a petition to adopt his minor illegitimate child
Stephanie, alleging that Stephanies mother is Gemma Astorga
Garcia; that Stephanie has been using her mothers middle name
and surname; and that he is now a widower and qualified to be her
adopting parent. He prayed that Stephanies middle name be
changed from "Astorga" to "Garcia," which is her mothers surname
and that her surname "Garcia" be changed to "Catindig," which is
his surname. This the trial court denied. Was the trial court correct in
denying Hororatos request for Stephanies use of her mothers
surname as her middle name? Explain. (5%)
Despite several relationships with different women, Andrew

remained unmarried. His first relationship with Brenda produced a
daughter, Amy, now 30 years old. His second, with Carla, produced
two sons: Jon and Ryan. His third, with Donna, bore him no children
although Elena has a daughter Jane, from a previous relationship.
His last, with Fe, produced no biological children but they informally
adopted without court proceedings, Sandy's now 13 years old,
whom they consider as their own. Sandy was orphaned as a baby
and was entrusted to them by the midwife who attended to Sandy's
birth. All the children, including Amy, now live with Andrew in his
house.
(A) Is there any legal obstacle to the legal adoption of Amy by

Andrew? To the legal adoption of Sandy by Andrew and Elena?
(2%)
Eighteen-year old Filipina Patrice had a daughter out of wedlock

whom she named Laurie. At 26, Patrice married American citizen
John who brought her to live with him in the United States of
America. John at once signified his willingness to adopt Laurie.
Can John file the petition for adoption? If yes, what are the
requirements? If no, why? (5%)
Spouses Esteban and Maria decided to raise their two (2) nieces,
Faith and Hope, both minors, as their own children after the parents
of the minors died in a vehicular accident.
Ten (10) years after, Esteban died. Maria later on married her boss
Daniel, a British national who had been living in the Philippines for
two (2) years.
With the permission of Daniel, Maria filed a petition for the adoption
of Faith and Hope. She did not include Daniel as her co-petitioner
because for Maria, it was her former husband Esteban who raised
the kids.
If you are the judge, how will you resolve the petition? (4%)
Bert and Joe, both male and single, lived together as common law
spouses and agreed to raise a son of Bert's living brother as their
child without legally adopting him. Bert worked while Joe took care
of their home and the boy. In their 20 years of cohabitation they
were able to acquire real estate assets registered in their names as
co-owners. Unfortunately, Bert died of cardiac arrest, leaving no will.
Bert was survived by his biological siblings, Joe, and the boy.
a) Can Article 147 on co-ownership apply to Bert and Joe, whereby
all properties they acquired will be presumed to have been
acquired by their joint industry and shall be owned by them in equal
shares? (2%)
b) What are the successional rights of the boy Bert Joe and raised
as their son? (2%)
c) If Bert and Joe had decided in the early years of their

cohabitation to jointly adopt the boy, would they have been legally
allowed to do so? Explain with legal basis. (3%)
1. Under RA 8043, an adopter is required to be at least years old and

years older than the child to be adopted at the time of the
application unless the adopter is the parent by nature of the child.
A) 30 and 15
B) 27 and 16
C) 50 and 10
D) 18 and 15
2. Under RA 8043, a child qualified to be adopted is any person

below ___ years old.
A) 18
B) 21
c) 15
d) 16
3. Which of the following DOES NOT result in permanent

termination of parental authority?
A) Death of the parents.
B) Death of the child.
C) Emancipation of the child.
D) Conviction of the parents of a crime which carries with it the

penalty of civil interdiction.
4. The court, in an action filed for the purpose, may suspend
parental authority if the parent or the person exercising parental
authority commits any of the following acts, except:
A) Treats the child with excessive harshness or cruelty.
B) Gives the child corrupting orders, counsel or example.
C) Compels the child to take up a course in college against

his/her will.
D) Subjects the child or allows him to be subjected to acts of

lasciviousness.
On April 15, 1980, Rene and Angelina were married to each other
without a marriage settlement. In 1985, they acquired a parcel of
land in Quezon City. On June 1, 1990, when Angelina was away in
Baguio, Rene sold the said lot to Marcelo. Is the sale void or
voidable? (2%)
In 1985, Sonny and Lulu, both Filipino citizens, were married in the
Philippines. In 1987, they separated, and Sonny went to Canada,
where he obtained a divorce in the same year. He then married
another Filipina, Auring, in Canada on January 1,1988. They had two
sons, James and John. In 1990, after failing to hear from Sonny, Lulu
married Tirso, by whom she had a daughter, Verna. In 1991, Sonny
visited the Philippines where he succumbed to heart attack.
a) Discuss the effect of the divorce obtained by Sonny and Lulu in

Canada. (2%)
b) Explain the status of the marriage between Sonny and Auring.
(2%)
c) Explain the status of the marriage between Lulu and Tirso. (2%)
d) Explain the respective filiation of James, John and Verna. (2%)
e) Who are the heirs of Sonny? Explain. (2%)
Which of the following remedies, i.e. (a) declaration of nullity of

marriage, (b) annulment of marriage, (c) legal separation, and/or
(d) separation of property, can an aggrieved spouse avail
himself/herself of
(i) If wife discovers after the marriage that her husband has AIDS;
(ii) Goes abroad to work as a nurse and refuses to come home

after the expiration of the three-year contract there;
(iii) If the husband discovers after the marriage that his wife has
been a prostitute before they got married;
(iv) If the husband has a serious affair with his secretary and refuses
to stop notwithstanding advice from relatives and friends; and
(v) If the husband beats up his wife every time he comes home
drunk (5%)
If drug addiction, habitual alcoholism, lesbianism or homosexuality
should occur only during the marriage, would this constitute grounds
for a declaration of nullity or for legal separation, or would they
render the marriage voidable? (1%).
Saul, a married man, had an adulterous relation with Tessie. In one

of the trysts, Saul's wife, Cecile, caught them in flagrante. Armed
with a gun, Cecile shot Saul in a fit of extreme jealousy, nearly killing
him. Four (4) years after the incident, Saul filed an action for legal
separation against Cecile on the ground that she attempted to kill
him.
(1) If you were Saul's counsel, how will you argue his case? (2.5%)
(2) If you were the lawyer of Cecile, what will be your defense?
(2.5%)
(3) If you were the judge, how will you decide the case? (5%)
Marvin, a Filipino, and Shelley, an American, both residents of

California, decided to get married in their local parish. Two years
after their marriage, Shelley obtained a divorce in California. While
in Boracay, Marvin met Manel, a Filipina, who was vacationing
there. Marvin fell in love with her. After a brief courtship and
complying with all the requirements, they got married in Hong Kong
to avoid publicity, it being Marvin's second marriage. Is his marriage
to Manel valid? Explain. (5%)
Gemma filed a petition for the declaration of nullity of her marriage

with Arnell on the ground of psychological incapacity. She alleged
that after 2 months of their marriage, Arnell showed signs of
disinterest in her, neglected her and went abroad. He returned to
the Philippines after 3 years but did not even get in touch with her.
Worse, they met several times in social functions but he snubbed
her. When she got sick, he did not visit her even if he knew of her
confinement in the hospital. Meanwhile, Arnell met an accident
which disabled him from reporting for work and earning a living to
support himself. Will Gemma's suit prosper? Explain. (5%)
Article 36 of the Family Code provides that a marriage contracted

by any party who, at the time of the celebration, was
psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential marital
obligations of marriage, shall be void. Choose the spouse listed
below who is psychologically incapacitated. Explain. (2.5%) a)
Nagger b) Gay or Lesbian c) Congenital sexual pervert d) Gambler
e) Alcoholic
On May 1, 1978 Facundo married Petra, by whom he had a son
Sotero. Petra died on July 1, 1996, while Facundo died on January
1, 2002. Before his demise, Facundo had married, on July 1, 2002,
Quercia. Having lived together as husband and wife since July 1,
1990, Facundo and Quercia did not secure a marriage license but
executed the requisite affidavit for the purpose. To ensure that his
inheritance rights are not adversely affected by his father second
marriage, Sotero now brings a suit to seek a declaration of the nullity
of the marriage of Facundo and Quercia, grounded on the
absence of a valid marriage license. Quercia contends that there
was no need for a marriage license in view for her having lived
continuously with Facundo for five years before their marriage and
that has Sotero has no legal personality to seek a declaration of
nullity of the marriage since Facundo is now deceased.
A. Is the marriage of Facundo and Quercia valid, despite the

absence of a marriage license? Explain. (2%)
B. Does Sotero have the personality to seek the declaration of
nullity of the marriage, especially now that Facundo is already
deceased? Explain. (3%)
BONI and ANNE met while working overseas. They became

sweethearts and got engaged to be married on New Years Eve
aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean. They took the proper license
to marry in New York City, where there is a Filipino consulate. But as
planned the wedding ceremony was officiated by the captain of
the Norwegian-registered vessel in a private suite among selected
friends.
Back in Manila, Anne discovered that Boni had been married in

Bacolod City 5 years earlier but divorced in Oslo only last year. His
first wife was also a Filipina but now based in Sweden. Boni himself is
a resident of Norway where he and Anne plan to live permanently.
Anne retains your services to advise her on whether her marriage to

Boni is valid under Philippine law? Is there anything else she should
do under the circumstances? (5%)
Gigi and Ric, Catholics, got married when they were 18 years old.
Their marriage was solemnized on August 2, 1989 by Ric's uncle, a
Baptist Minister, in Calamba, Laguna. He overlooked the fact that
his license to solemnize marriage expired the month before and that
the parties do not belong to his congregation. After 5 years of
married life and blessed with 2 children, the spouses developed
irreconcilable differences, so they parted ways. While separated,
Ric fell in love with Juliet, a 16 year-old sophomore in a local college
and a Seventh-Day Adventist. They decided to get married with the
consent of Juliet's parents. She presented to him a birth certificate
showing she is 18 years old. Ric never doubted her age much less
the authenticity of her birth certificate. They got married in a
Catholic church in Manila. A year after, Juliet gave birth to twins,
Aissa and Aretha.
(1) What is the status of the marriage between Gigi and Ric valid,
voidable or void? Explain. (2.5%)
(2) What is the status of the marriage between Ric and Juliet
valid, voidable or void? (2.5%)
(3) Suppose Ric himself procured the falsified birth certificate to
persuade Juliet to marry him despite her minority and assured
her that everything is in order. He did not divulge to her his prior
marriage with Gigi. What action, if any, can Juliet take against
him? Explain. (2.5%)
(4) If you were the counsel for Gigi, what action/s will you take to
enforce and protect her interests? Explain. (2.5%)
A. Give a brief definition or explanation of the term psychological

incapacity as a ground for the declaration of nullity of a marriage.
(2%)
B. If existing at the inception of marriage, would the state of being

of unsound mind or the concealment of drug addiction, habitual
alcoholism, homosexuality or lesbianism be considered indicia of
psychological incapacity? Explain. (2%).
Gene and Jane, Filipino, met and got married in England while both
were taking up post-graduate courses there. A few years after their
graduation, they decided to annul their marriage. Jane filed an
action to annul her marriage to Gene in England on the ground of
latters sterility, a ground for annulment of marriage in England. The
English court decreed the marriage annulled. Returning to the
Philippines, Gene asked you whether or not he would be free to
marry his former girlfriend. What would your legal advice be? 5%
Alex was born a Filipino but was a naturalized Canadian citizen at

the time of his death on December 25, 1998. He left behind a last
will and testament in which he bequeathed all his properties, real
and personal, in the Philippines to his acknowledged illegitimate
Fillpina daughter and nothing to his two legitimate Filipino sons. The
sons sought the annulment of the last will and testament on the
ground that it deprived them of their legitimes but the daughter was
able to prove that there were no compulsory heirs or legitimes under
Canadian law. Who should prevail? Why? (5%)
Under Article 213 of the Family Code, no child under 7 years of age
shall be separated from the mother unless the court finds
compelling reasons to order otherwise.
(1) Explain the rationale of this provision. (2.5%)

(2) Give at least 3 examples of "compelling reasons" which justify the
taking away from the mother's custody of her child under 7 years
of age. (2.5%)
If during class hours, while the teacher was chatting with other
teachers in the school corridor, a 7 year old male pupil stabs the eye
of another boy with a ball pen during a fight, causing permanent
blindness to the victim, who could be liable for damages for the
boys injury: the teacher, the school authorities, or the guilty boys
parents? Explain.
Distinguish briefly but clearly between: Substitute parental authority

and special parental authority.
Ed and Beth have been married for 20 years without children.

Desirous to have a baby, they consulted Dr. Jun Canlas, a ,
prominent medical specialist on human fertility. He advised Beth to
undergo artificial insemination. It was found that Eds sperm count
was inadequate to induce pregnancy Hence, the couple looked
for a willing donor. Andy the brother of Ed, readily consented to
donate his sperm. After a series of test, Andy's sperm was medically
introduced into Beth's ovary. She became pregnant and 9 months
later, gave birth to a baby boy, named Alvin.
(1) Who is the Father of Alvin? Explain. (2.5%)

(2) What are the requirements, if any, in order for Ed to establish
his paternity over Alvin. (2.5%)
A. RN and DM, without any impediment to marry each other, had

been living together without benefit of church blessings. Their
common-law union resulted in the birth of ZMN. Two years later, they
got married in a civil ceremony. Could ZMN be legitimated?
Reason. (5%)
Steve was married to Linda, with whom he had a daughter, Tintin.
Steve fathered a son with Dina, his secretary of 20 years, whom Dina
named Joey, born on September 20, 1981. Joey's birth certificate
did not indicate the father's name. Steve died on August 13, 1993,
while Linda died on December 3, 1993, leaving their legitimate
daughter, Tintin, as sole heir. On May 16, 1994, Dina filed a case on
behalf of Joey, praying that the latter be declared an
acknowledged illegitimate son of Steve and that Joey be given his
share in Steve's estate, which is now being solely held by Tintin. Tintin
put up the defense that an action for recognition shall only be filed
during the lifetime of the presumed parents and that the exceptions
under Article 285 of the Civil Code do not apply to him since the
said article has been repealed by the Family Code. In any case,
according to Tintin, Joey's birth certificate does not show that Steve
is his father.
a) Does Joey have a cause of action against Tintin for recognition

and partition? Explain. (2%)
b) Are the defenses set up by Tintin tenable? Explain. (2%)
c) Supposing that Joey died during the pendency of the action,
should the action be dismissed? Explain. (2%)
Gabby and Mila got married at Lourdes Church in Quezon City on

July 10, 1990. Prior thereto, they executed a marriage settlement
whereby they agreed on the regime of conjugal partnership of
gains. The marriage settlement was registered in the Register of
Deeds of Manila, where Mila is a resident. In 1992, they jointly
acquired a residential house and lot, as well as a condominium unit
in Makati. In 1995, they decided to change their property relations
to the regime of complete separation of property. Mila consented,
as she was then engaged in a lucrative business. The spouses then
signed a private document dissolving their conjugal partnership and
agreeing on a complete separation of property.
Thereafter, Gabby acquired a mansion in Baguio City, and a 5-

hectare agricultural land in Oriental Mindoro, which he registered
exclusively in his name. In the year 2000, Mila's business venture
failed, and her creditors sued her for P10,000,000.00. After obtaining
a favorable judgment, the creditors sought to execute on the
spouses' house and lot and condominium unit, as well as Gabby's
mansion and agricultural land.
a) Discuss the status of the first and the amended marriage

settlements. (2%)
b) Discuss the effects of the said settlements on the properties
acquired by the spouses. (2%)
c) What properties may be held answerable for Mila's obligations?
Explain. (2%)
As finance officer of K and Co., Victorino arranged a loan of P5

Million from PNB for the corporation. However, he was required by
the bank to sign a Continuing Surety Agreement to secure the
repayment of the loan. The corporation failed to pay the loan, and
the bank obtained a judgment against it and Victorino, jointly and
severally. To enforce the judgment, the sheriff levied on a farm
owned by the conjugal partnership of Victorino and his wife Elsa. Is
the levy proper or not? (3%)
For five years since 1989, Tony, a bank Vice-president, and Susan,
an entertainer, lived together as husband and wife without the
benefit of marriage although they were capacitated to many each
other. Since Tony's salary was more than enough for their needs,
Susan stopped working and merely "kept house". During that period,
Tony was able to buy a lot and house in a plush subdivision.
However, after five years, Tony and Susan decided to separate.
a) Who will be entitled to the house and lot? (3%)

b) Would it make any difference if Tony could not marry Susan
because he was previously married to Alice from whom he is
legally separated? (2%)
Emmanuel and Margarita, American citizens and employees of the

U.S. State Department, got married in the African state of Kenya
where sterility is a ground for annulment of marriage. Thereafter, the
spouses were assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Manila. On the first
year of the spouses tour of duty in the Philippines, Margarita filed
an annulment case against Emmanuel before a Philippine court on
the ground of her husbands sterility at the time of the celebration
of the marriage.
(A) Assume Emmanuel and Margarita are both Filipinos. After their
wedding in Kenya, they come back and take up residence in the
Philippines. Can their marriage be annulled on the ground of
Emmanuels sterility? Explain. (3%)

(A) The day after John and Marsha got married, John told her that
he was impotent. Marsha continued to live with John for 2 years.
Marsha is now estopped from filing an annulment case against
John.
A petition for declaration of nullity of a void marriage can only be

filed by either the husband or the wife? Do you agree? Explain your
answer. (5%)
G filed on July 8, 2000 a petition for declaration of nullity of her
marriage to B. During the pendency of the case, the couple
entered into a compromise agreement to dissolve their absolute
community of property. B ceded his right to their house and lot and
all his shares in two business firms to G and their two children, aged
18 and 19.
B also opened a bank account in the amount of P3 million in the

name of the two children to answer for their educational expenses
until they finish their college degrees.
For her part, G undertook to shoulder the day-to-day living expenses

and upkeep of the children. The Court approved the spouses
agreement on September 8, 2000.
A) Suppose the business firms suffered reverses, rendering G

unable to support herself and the children. Can G still ask for
support pendente life from B? Explain. (3%)
B) Suppose in late 2004 the two children had squandered the P3
million fund for their education before they could obtain their
college degrees, can they ask for more support from B? Explain.
(3%)
Harry married Wilma, a very wealthy woman. Barely five (5) years
into the marriage, Wilma fell in love with Joseph. Thus, Wilma went
to a small country in Europe, became a naturalized citizen of that
country, divorced Harry, and married Joseph. A year thereafter,
Wilma and Joseph returned and established permanent residence
in the Philippines.
A) Is the divorce obtained by Wilma from Harry recognized in the

Philippines? Explain your answer. (3%)
B) If Harry hires you as his lawyer, what legal recourse would you
advise him to take? Why? (2%)
C) Harry tells you that he has fallen in love with another woman,
Elizabeth, and wants to marry her because, after all, Wilma is
already married to Joseph. Can Harry legally marry Elizabeth?
Explain. (2%)
Cipriano and Lady Miros married each other. Lady Miros then left for
the US and there, she obtained American citizenship Cipriano later
learned all about this including the fact that Lady Miros has
divorced him in America and that she had remarried there. He then
filed a petition for authority to remarry, invoking Par. 2, Art. 26 of the
Family Code. Is Cipriano capacitated to re-marry by virtue of the
divorce decree obtained by his Filipino spouse who was later
naturalized as an American citizen? Explain. (5%)
True or False.
(A) Under Article 26 of the Family Code, when a foreign spouse

divorces his/her Filipino spouse, the latter may re-marry by proving
only that the foreign spouse has obtained a divorce against her or
him abroad. (1%)
After they got married, Nikki discovered that Christian was having
an affair with another woman. But Nikki decided to give it a try and
lived with him for two (2) years. After two (2) years, Nikki filed an
action for legal separation on the ground of Christian's sexual
infidelity. Will the action prosper? Explain. (5%)
No.VII. Write "TRUE" if the statement is true or "FALSE" if the statement

is false. If the statement is FALSE, state the reason. (2% each).
(2) If a man commits several acts of sexual infidelity, particularly in

2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, the prescriptive period to file for legal
separation runs from 2002.
You are a Family Court judge and before you is a Petition for the
Declaration of Nullity of Marriage (under Article 36 of the Family
Code)filed by Maria against Neil. Maria claims that Neil is
psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential
obligations of marriage because Neil is a drunkard, a womanizer, a
gambler, and a mama's boy- traits that she never knew or saw when
Neil was courting her. Although summoned, Neil did not answer
Maria's petition and never appeared in court.
To support her petition, Maria presented three witnesses- herself, Dr.

Elsie Chan, and Ambrosia.
Dr. Chan testified on the psychological report on Neil that she

prepared. Since Neil never acknowledged n9r responded to her
invitation for interviews, her report is solely based on her interviews
with Maria and the spouses' minor children. Dr. Chan concluded
that Neil is suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, an ailment
that she found to be already present since Neil's early adulthood
and one that is grave and incurable. Maria testified on the specific
instances when she found Neil drunk, with another woman, or
squandering the family's resources in a casino. Ambrosia, the
spouses' current household help, corroborated Maria's testimony.
On the basis of the evidence presented, will you grant the petition?
(8%)
The petitioner filed a petition for declaration of nullity of marriage

based allegedly on the psychological incapacity of the
respondent, but the psychologist was not able to personally
examine the respondent and the psychological report was based
only on the narration of petitioner. Should the annulment be
granted? Explain. (5%)
Roderick and Faye were high school sweethearts. When Roderick
was 18 and Faye, 16 years old, they started to live together as
husband and wife without the benefit of marriage. When Faye
reached 18 years of age, her parents forcibly took her back and
arranged for her marriage to Brad. Although Faye lived with Brad
after the marriage, Roderick continued to regularly visit Faye while
Brad was away at work. During their marriage, Faye gave birth to a
baby girl, Laica. When Faye was 25 years old, Brad discovered her
continued liaison with Roderick and in one of their heated
arguments, Faye shot Brad to death. She lost no time in marrying her
true love Roderick, without a marriage license, claiming that they
have been continuously cohabiting for more than 5 years.
(A) Was the marriage of Roderick and Faye valid? (2%)
Ana Rivera had a husband, a Filipino citizen like her, who was
among the passengers on board a commercial jet plane which
crashed in the Atlantic Ocean ten (10) years earlier and had never
been heard of ever since. Believing that her husband had died, Ana
married Adolf Cruz Staedtler, a divorced German national born of
a German father and a Filipino mother residing in Stuttgart. To avoid
being required to submit the required certificate of capacity to
marry from the German Embassy in Manila, Adolf stated in the
application for marriage license that he was a Filipino citizen. With
the marriage license stating that Adolf was a Filipino, the couple got
married in a ceremony officiated by the Parish Priest of Calamba,
Laguna in a beach in Nasugbu, Batangas, as the local parish priest
refused to solemnize marriages except in his church. Is the marriage
valid? Explain fully. (5%)

birth. All the children, including Amy, now live with andrew in his
house.
(A) Can Jon and Jane legally marry? (1%)

(5) Amor gave birth to Thelma when she was 15 years old.
Thereafter, Amor met David and they got married when she was 20
years old. David had a son, Julian, with his ex-girlfriend Sandra.
Julian and Thelma can get married.
In December 2000, Michael and Anna, after obtaining a valid
marriage license, went to the Office of the Mayor of Urbano,
Bulacan, to get married. The Mayor was not there, but the Mayors
secretary asked Michael and Anna and their witnesses to fill up and
sign the required marriage contract forms. The secretary then told
them to wait, and went out to look for the Mayor who was attending
a wedding in a neighboring municipality.
When the secretary caught up with the Mayor at the wedding

reception, she showed him the marriage contract forms and told
him that the couple and their witnesses were waiting in his office.
The Mayor forthwith signed all the copies of the marriage contract,
gave them to the secretary who returned to the Mayors office. She
then gave copies of the marriage contract to the parties, and told
Michael and Anna that they were already married. Thereafter, the
couple lived together as husband and wife, and had three sons.
(C). What property regime governs the properties acquired by the

couple? Explain. (2%)
In December 2000, Michael and Anna, after obtaining a valid

marriage license, went to the Office of the Mayor of Urbano,
Bulacan, to get married. The Mayor was not there, but the Mayors
secretary asked Michael and Anna and their witnesses to fill up and
sign the required marriage contract forms. The secretary then told
them to wait, and went out to look for the Mayor who was attending
a wedding in a neighboring municipality.
When the secretary caught up with the Mayor at the wedding

reception, she showed him the marriage contract forms and told
him that the couple and their witnesses were waiting in his office.
The Mayor forthwith signed all the copies of the marriage contract,
gave them to the secretary who returned to the Mayors office. She
then gave copies of the marriage contract to the parties, and told
Michael and Anna that they were already married. Thereafter, the
couple lived together as husband and wife, and had three sons.
(A) Is the marriage of Michael and Anna valid, voidable, or void?

Explain your answer. (3%)
(B) What is the status of the three children of Michael and Anna?
Explain your answer. (2%)
Ariz and Paz were officemates at Perlas ng Silangan Bank (PSB). They
fell in love with each other and had a civil and church wedding.
Meanwhile, Paz rapidly climbed the corporate ladder of PSB and
eventually became its Vice President, while Ariz remained one of its
bank supervisors, although he was short of 12 units to finish his
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
Ariz became envious of the success of his wife. He started to drink

alcohol until he became a drunkard. He preferred to join his
"barkadas"; became a wifebeater; would hurt his children without
any reason; and failed to contribute to the needs of the family.
Despite rehabilitation and consultation with a psychiatrist, his ways
did not change.
After 19 years of marriage, Paz, a devout Catholic, decided to have

their marriage annulled by the church. Through the testimony of Paz
and a psychiatrist, it was found that Ariz was a spoiled brat in his
youth and was sometimes involved in brawls. In his teens, he was
once referred to a psychiatrist for t reatment due to his violent
tendencies. In due time, the National Appellate Matrimonial
Tribunal (NAMT) annulled the union of Ariz and Paz due to the failure
of Ariz to perform and fulfill his duties as a husband and as a father
to their children. The NAMT concluded that it is for the best interest
of Paz, Ariz and their children to have the marriage annulled.
In view of the NAMT decision, Paz decided to file a Petition for

Declaration of Nullity of Marriage of their civil wedding before the
Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City using the NAMT decision
and the same evidence adduced in the church annulment
proceedings as basis.
If you are the judge, will you grant the petition? Explain. (5%)
Miko and Dinah started to live together as husband and wife

without the benefit of marriage in 1984. Ten (10) years after, they
separated. In 1996, they decided to live together again, and in
1998, they got married.
On February 17, 2001, Dinah filed a complaint for declaration of

nullity of her marriage with Miko on the ground of psychological
incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code. The court rendered
the following decision:
"1. Declaring the marriage null and void;
2. Dissolving the regime of absolute community of property; and
3. Declaring that a decree of absolute nullity of marriage shall only

be issued after liquidation, partition and distribution of the parties
properties under Article 147 of the Family Code."
Dinah filed a motion for partial reconsideration questioning the

portion of the decision on the issuance of a decree of nullity of
marriage only after the liquidation, partition and distribution of
properties under Article 147 of the Code.
If you are the judge, how will you decide petitioners motion for
partial reconsideration? Why? (4%)
After undergoing sex reassignment in a foreign country, Jose, who
is now using the name of "Josie," married his partner Ador. Is the
marriage valid? (1%)
(A) Yes, the marriage is valid for as long as it is valid in the place
where it is celebrated following Article 17 of the Civil Code.
(B) Yes, the marriage is valid if all the essential and formal elements
of marriage under the Family Code are present.
(C) No, the marriage is not valid because one essential element of
marriage is absent.
(D) No, the marriage is not valid but is voidable because "Josie"
concealed her real identity.
Ted, married to Annie, went to Canada to work. Five (5) years later,
Ted became a naturalized Canadian citizen. He returned to the
Philippines to convince Annie to settle in Canada. Unfortunately,
Ted discovered that Annie and his friend Louie were having an
affair. Deeply hurt, Ted returned to Canada and filed a petition for
divorce which was granted. In December 2013, Ted decided to
marry his childhood friend Corazon in the Philippines. In preparation
for the wedding, Ted went to the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City
where his marriage contract with Annie was registered. He asked
the Civil Register to annotate the decree of divorce on his marriage
contract with Annie. However, he was advised by the National
Statistics Office (NSO) to file a petition for judicial recognition of the
decree of divorce in the Philippines.
Is it necessary for Ted to file a petition for judicial recognition of the

decree of divorce he obtained in Canada before he can contract
a second marriage in the Philippines? (4%)
Rodolfo, married to Sharon, had an illicit affair with his secretary,

Nanette, a 19-year old girl, and begot a baby girl, Rona. Nanette
sued Rodolfo for damages: actual, for hospital and other medical
expenses in delivering the child by caesarean section; moral,
claiming that Rodolfo promised to marry her, representing that he
was single when, in fact, he was not; and exemplary, to teach a
lesson to like-minded Lotharios.
When Rona reaches seven (7) years old, she tells Rodolfo that she
prefers to live with him, because he is better off financially than
Nanette. If Rodolfo files an action for the custody of Rona, alleging
that he is Ronas choice as custodial parent, will the court grant
Rodolfos petition? Why or why not? (2%)
Gigolo entered into an agreement with Majorette for her to carry in
her womb his baby via in vitro fertilization. Gigolo undertook to
underwrite Majorettes prenatal expenses as well as those
attendant to her delivery. Gigolo would thereafter pay Majorette P2
million and, in return, she would give custody of the baby to him.
After Majorette gives birth and delivers the baby to Gigolo following
her receipt of P2 million, she engages your services as her lawyer to
regain custody of the baby.
(C) Who of the two can exercise parental authority over the child?
Explain. (2.5%)
In 1997, B and G started living together without the benefit of

marriage. The relationship produced one offspring, Venus. The
couple acquired a residential lot in Parariaque. After four (4) years
or in 2001, G having completed her 4-year college degree as a
fulltime student, she and B contracted marriage without a license.
The marriage of B and G was, two years later, declared null and
void due to the absence of a marriage license.
(B) Is Venus legitimate, illegitimate, or legitimated? Explain briefly.

(3%)
Spouses B and G begot two offsprings. Albeit they had serious

personality differences, the spouses continued to live under one
roof. B begot a son by another woman. G also begot a daughter
by another man.
(A) If G gives the surname of B to her daughter by another man, what

can B do to protect their legitimate children's interests? Explain. (5%)
(B) If B acquiesces to the use of his surname by Gs daughter by another
man, what is/are the consequence/s? Explain. (5%)
Gigolo entered into an agreement with Majorette for her to carry in

her womb his baby via in vitro fertilization. Gigolo undertook to
underwrite Majorettes prenatal expenses as well as those
attendant to her delivery. Gigolo would thereafter pay Majorette P2
million and, in return, she would give custody of the baby to him.
After Majorette gives birth and delivers the baby to Gigolo following
her receipt of P2 million, she engages your services as her lawyer to
regain custody of the baby.
(A) What legal action can you file on behalf of Majorette? Explain.
(2.5%)
(B) Can Gigolo demand from Majorette the return of the P2 million if he
returns the baby? Explain. (2.5%)
(C) Is the child entitled to support and inheritance from Gigolo? Explain.
(2.5%)
Roderick and Faye were high school sweethearts. When Roderick
was 18 and Faye, 16 years old, they started to live together as
husband and wife without the benefit of marriage. When Faye
reached 18 years of age, her parents forcibly took her back and
arranged for her marriage to Brad. Although Faye lived with Brad
after the marriage, Roderick continued to regularly visit Faye while
Brad was away at work. During their marriage, Faye gave birth to a
baby girl, Laica. When Faye was 25 years old, Brad discovered her
continued liaison with Roderick and in one of their heated
arguments, Faye shot Brad to death. She lost no time in marrying her
true love Roderick, without a marriage license, claiming that they
have been continuously cohabiting for more than 5 years.
(B) What is the filiation status of Laica? (2%)
(C) Can Laica bring an action to impugn her own status on the
ground that based on DNA results, Roderick is her biological
father? (2%)
(D) Can Laica be legitimated by the marriage of her biological

parents? (1%)
Gianna was born to Andy and Aimee, who at the time Gianna's
birth were not married to each other. While Andy was single at the
time, Aimee was still in the process of securing a judicial declaration
of nullity on her marriage to her ex-husband. Gianna's birth
certificate, which was signed by both Andy and Aimee, registered
the status of Gianna as "legitimate", her surname carrying that of
Andy's and that her parents were married to each other.
(A) Assuming that Aimee is successful in declaring her former

marriage void, and Andy and Aimee subsequently married each
other, would Gianna be legitimated? (1%)
TRUE or FALSE. Answer TRUE if the statement is true, or FALSE if the

sentences.
(B) A dead child can be legitimated. (1%)

birth. All the children, including Amy, now live with Andrew in his
house.
B) In his old age, can Andrew be legally entitled to claim support

from Amy, Jon, Ryan, Vina, Wilma, and Sandy assuming that all
of them have the means to support him? (1%)
C) Can Amy, Jon, Ryan, Vina, Wilma, and Sandy legally claim
support from each other? (2%)
Rodolfo, married to Sharon, had an illicit affair with his secretary,

Nanette, a 19-year old girl, and begot a baby girl, Rona. Nanette
sued Rodolfo for damages: actual, for hospital and other medical
expenses in delivering the child by caesarean section; moral,
claiming that Rodolfo promised to marry her, representing that he
was single when, in fact, he was not; and exemplary, to teach a
lesson to like-minded Lotharios.
(B) Suppose Rodolfo later on acknowledges Rona and gives her

regular support, can he compel her to use his surname? Why or why
not? (2%)
Four children, namely: Alberto, Baldomero, Caridad, and Dioscoro,

were born to the spouses Conrado and Clarita de la Costa. The
children's birth certificates were duly signed by Conrado, showing
them to be the couple's legitimate children.
Later, one Edilberto de la Cruz executed a notarial document

acknowledging Alberto and Baldomero as his illegitimate children
>with Clarita. Edilberto died leaving substantial properties. In the
settlement of his estate, Alberto and Baldomero intervened
claiming shares as the deceased's illegitimate children. The
legitimate family of Edilberto opposed the claim.
Are Alberto and Baldomero entitled to share in the estate of

Edilberto? Explain. (4%)
TRUE or FALSE. Answer TRUE if the statement is true, or FALSE if the

sentences.
(B) If there is no marriage settlement, the salary of a "spouse" in an

adulterous marriage belongs to the conjugal partnership of gains.
(1%)
Maria, wife of Pedro, withdrew P5 Million from their conjugal funds.
With this money, she constructed a building on a lot which she
inherited from her father. Is the building conjugal or paraphernal?
Reasons. (5%)

An individual, while single, purchases a house and lot in 1990 and

borrows money in 1992 to repair it. In 1995, such individual gets
married while the debt is still being paid. After the marriage, the
debt is still the responsibility of such individual.
Spouses Primo and Monina Lim, childless, were entrusted with the
custody of two (2) minor children, the parents of whom were
unknown. Eager of having children of their own, the spouses made
it appear that they were the childrens parents by naming them
Michelle P. Lim and Michael Jude Lim. Subsequently, Monina
married Angel Olario after Primos death.
She decided to adopt the children by availing the amnesty given

under R.A. 8552 to those individuals who simulated the birth of a
child. She filed separate petitions for the adoption of Michelle, then
25 years old and Michael, 18. Both Michelle and Michael gave
consent to the adoption.
The trial court dismissed the petition and ruled that Monina should
have filed the petition jointly with her new husband. Monina, in a
Motion for Reconsideration argues that mere consent of her
husband would suffice and that joint adoption is not needed, for
the adoptees are already emancipated.
Is the trial court correct in dismissing the petitions for adoption?

Explain. (5%)
Jambrich, an Austrian, fell in-love and lived together with Descallar

and bought their houses and lots at Agro-Macro Subdivision. In the
Contracts to Sell, Jambrich and Descallar were referred to as the
buyers. When the Deed of Absolute Sale was presented for
registration before the Register of Deeds, it was refused because
Jambrich was an alien and could not acquire alienable lands of the
public domain. After Jambrich and Descallar separated, Jambrich
purchased an engine and some accessories for his boat from
Borromeo. To pay for his debt, he sold his rights and interests in the
Agro-Macro properties to Borromeo.
Borromeo discovered that titles to the three (3) lots have been
transfereed in the name of Descallar. Who is the rightful owner of
the properties? Explain. (5%)
G and B were married on July 3, 1989. On March 4, 2001, the
marriage, which bore no offspring, was declared void ab initio
under Article 36 of the Family Code. At the time of the dissolution of
the marriage, the couple possessed the following properties:
A house and lot acquired by B on August 3, 1988, one third (1/3)

of the purchase price (representing downpayment) of which he
paid; one third (1/3) was paid by G on February 14, 1990 out of a
cash gift given to her by her parents on her graduation on April 6,
1989; and the balance was paid out of the spouses joint income;
and
An apartment unit donated to B by an uncle on June 19, 1987.
(A) Who owns the foregoing properties? Explain. (5%)

(B) If G and B had married on July 3, 1987 and their marriage was
dissolved in 2007, who owns the properties? Explain. (5%)
In 1997, B and G started living together without the benefit of

marriage. The relationship produced one offspring, Venus. The
couple acquired a residential lot in Paranaque. After four (4) years
or in 2001, G having completed her 4-year college degree as a
fulltime student, she and B contracted marriage without a license.
The marriage of B and G was, two years later, declared null and
void due to the absence of a marriage license.
(A) If you were the judge who declared the nullity of the marriage, to
whom would you award the lot? Explain briefly. (3%)
Marco and Gina were married in 1989. Ten years later, or in

1999, Gina left Marco and lived with another man, leaving their two
children of school age with Marco. When Marco needed money for
their children's education he sold a parcel of land registered in his
name, without Gina's consent, which he purchased before his
marriage. Is the sale by Marco valid, void or voidable? Explain with
legal basis. (4%)
Julie had a relationship with a married man who had legitimate
children. A son was born out of that illicit relationship in 1981.
Although the putative father did not recognize the child in his
certificate of birth, he nevertheless provided the child with all the
support he needed and spent time regularly with the child and his
mother. When the man died in 2000, the child was already 18 years
old so he filed a petition to be recognized as an illegitimate child of
the putative father and sought to be given a share in his putative
father's estate. The legitimate family opposed, saying that under the
Family Code his action cannot prosper because he did not bring
the action for recognition during the lifetime of his putative father.
a) If you were the judge in this case, would how you rule? (4%)
b) Wishing to keep the peace, the child during the pendency of

the case decides to compromise with his putative father's family by
abandoning his petition in exchange for Yi of what he would have
received as inheritance if he were recognized as an illegitimate
child. As the judge, would you approve such a compromise? (2%)
Kardo met Glenda as a young lieutenant and after a

whirlwind courtship, they were married. In the early part of his military
career, Kardo was assigned to different places all over the country
but Glenda refused to accompany him as she preferred to live in
her hometown. They did not live together until the 12th year of their
marriage when Kardo had risen up the ranks and was given his own
command. They moved to living quarters in Fort Gregorio. One day,
while Kardo was away on official business, one of his military aides
caught Glenda having sex with the corporal assigned as Kardo's
driver. The aide immediately reported the matter to Kardo who
rushed home to confront his wife. Glenda readily admitted the affair
and Kardo sentawayher in anger. Kardo would later come to know
the true extent of Glenda's unfaithfulness from his aides, his
household staff, and former neighbors who informed him that
Glenda has had intimate relations with various men throughout their
marriage whenever Kardo was away on assignment.
Kardo filed a petition for declaration of nullity of marriage

under Article 36. Based on interviews from Kardo, his aide, and the
housekeeper, a psychologist testified that Glenda's habitual
infidelity was due to her affliction with Histrionic Personality Disorder,
an illness characterized by excessive emotionalism and
uncontrollable attention-seeking behavior rooted in Glenda's
abandonment as a child by her father. Kardo himself, his aide, and
his housekeeper also testified in court. The RTC granted the petition,
relying on the liberality espoused by Te v. Te and Azcueta v.
Republic. However, the OSG filed an appeal, arguing that sexual
infidelity was only a ground for legal separation and that the RTC
failed to abide by the guidelines laid down in the Molina case. How
would you decide the appeal? (5%)
1. Lito was a commercial pilot who flew for Pacific-Micronesian Air.
In 1998, he was the co-pilot of the airline's Flight MA916 that
mysteriously disappeared two hours after take-off from Agana,
Guam, presumably over the Pacific Ocean. No trace of the plane
and its 105 passengers and crew was ever found despite diligent
search; Lito himself was never heard of again. Lito left behind his
wife, Lita, and their two children.
In 2008, Lita met and married Jaime. They now have a child of their
own. While on a tour with her former high school classmates in a
remote province of China in 2010, Lita was surprised to see Lito or
somebody who looked exactly like him, but she was sure it was Lito
because of the extreme surprise that registered in his face when he
also saw her. Shocked, she immediately fled to her hotel and post
haste returned to the country the next day. Lita now comes to you
for legal advice. She asks you the following questions:
a. If Lito is alive, what is the status of his marriage to Lita? (1%)
(A) The marriage was terminated when Lita married Jaime.
(B) The marriage subsists because Lita's marriage to Jaime is void.
(C) The marriage is terminated because Lito is presumed dead

after his plane has been missing for more than 4 years.
(D) The marriage can be formally declared terminated if Lito would

not resurface.
b. If Lito is alive, what is the status of Lita's marriage to Jaime? (1%)
(A) The marriage is valid because Lita's marriage to Lito was

terminated upon Lito's disappearance for more than seven
years.
(B) The marriage is valid. After an absence of more than 10 years,

Lito is already presumed dead for all purposes.
(C) The marriage is void. Lito's mere absence, however lengthy, is

insufficient to authorize Lita to contract a subsequent
marriage.
(D) The marriage is void. If Lito is indeed alive, his marriage to Lita was
never dissolved and they can resume their marital relations at
any time.
2. In 1989, Charice (Filipina) and Justine (American), were married
in the Philippines. In 1990, they separated and Justine went to Las
Vegas where he obtained a divorce in the same year. He then
married another Filipina, Lea, in Canada on January 1, 1992. They
had two (2) sons, James and John (who were both born in 1992). In
1993, after failing to hear from Justine, Charice married Bugoy (a
Filipino), by whom she had a daughter, Regine. In 2009, Regine
married James (son of Justine with Lea) in California, where such
marriage is valid.
A. What is the current status of the marriage of Charice and Justine

under Philippine laws?
a) Valid
b) Void
c) Voidable
d) Dissolved
B. What is the status of the marriage between Charice and Bugoy

a) Valid
b) Void
c) Voidable
d) Unenforceable
C. What is the status of the marriage between Charice and Bugoy

a) Valid
b) Void
c) Voidable
d) Unenforceable
D. What is the status of the marriage between Regine and James

E) Valid
F) Void
G) Voidable
H) Unenforceable
3. Ricky and Princess were sweethearts. Princess became pregnant.
Knowing that Ricky is preparing for the examinations, Marforth, a
lawyer and cousin of Princess, threatened Ricky with the filing of a
complaint for immorality in the Supreme Court, thus preventing him
from taking examinations unless he marries Princess. As a
consequence of the threat, Ricky married Princess. Can the
marriage be annulled on the ground of intimidation under Article 45
of the Family Code? Choose the best answer.
a) Yes, because without the threat, Ricky would not have

married Princess.
b) Yes, because the threat to enforce the claim of Princess

vitiates the consent of Ricky in contracting the marriage.
c) No, because the threat made by Marforth is just and legal.
d) No, because Marforth is not a party to the contract of

marriage between Princess and Ricky.
4. Agay, a Filipino citizen and Topacio, an Australian citizen, got

married in the consular office of the Philippines in Australia.
According to the laws of Australia, a marriage solemnized by a
consular official is valid, provided that such marriage is celebrated
in accordance with the laws of such consular official. Under
Philippine law, what is the status of the marriage of Agay and
Topacio? Choose the best answer.
a. Void, because the consular official only has authority to
solemnize marriages between Filipinos.
b. Valid, because according to the laws of Australia, such consular

official has authority to celebrate the marriage.
c. Voidable, because there is an irregularity in the authority of the

consular official to solemnize marriages.
d. Valid, because such marriage is recognized as valid in the place

where it was celebrated.
5. Separation of property between spouses during the marriage

may take place only:
a) by agreement of the spouses.
b) If one of the spouses has given ground for legal separation.
c) Upon order of the court.
d) If one spouse has abandoned the other.

6. The husband may impugn the legitimacy of his child but not on
the ground that:
a) the wife is suspected of infidelity.
b) the husband had a serious illness that prevented him from

engaging in sexual intercourse.
c) they were living apart.
d) he is physically incapable of sexual intercourse.
7. A marriage is void if:
a) solemnized with a marriage license issued without complying

with the required 10-day posting.
b) solemnized by a minister whom the parties believe to have the

authority.
c) between parties both 23 years of age but without parental

advice.
d) none of the above
In legal separation, which is not correct?
a) The aggrieved spouse may file the action within five (5) years
from the time of the occurrence of the cause.
b) No trial shall be held without the 6-month cooling off period

being observed.
c) The spouses will be entitled to live separately upon the start of

the trial.
d) The prosecuting attorney has to conduct his own investigation.
9. A husband by chance discovered hidden treasure on the

paraphernal property of his wife. Who owns the discovered
treasure?
a) The half pertaining to the husband (finder) belongs to the

conjugal partnership.
b) The half pertaining to the wife (as owner) belongs to the

c) One half shall belong to the husband as finder and the other half
shall belong to the wife as owner of the property.
d) a and b
10. Which of the following marriages is void for reasons of public
policy?
a) Between brothers and sisters, whether of the full or half blood.
b) Between step-parents and step children.
c) Between parents-in-law and children-in-law.
d) b and c
11. The following constitute the different circumstances or case of

fraud which will serves as ground for the annulment of a marriage,
except?
a) Non-disclosure of the previous conviction by final judgment of

the other party of a crime involving moral turpitude.
b) Concealment of a sexually- transmissible disease, regardless of

its nature, existing at the time of the marriage.
c) Concealment of drug addiction, habitual alcoholism,

homosexuality or lesbianism existing at the time of marriage.
d) Concealment by the wife or the husband of the fact of sexual

relations prior to the marriage.
12. Which of the following is not a requisite for a valid donation

propter nuptias?
a) The donation must be made before the celebration of the

marriage.
b) The donation shall be automatically revoked in case of non-

celebration of the marriage.
c) The donation must be made in consideration of the marriage.
d) The donation must be made in favor of one or both of the future

spouses.
13. Who are illegitimate children?
a) Children conceived or born outside a valid marriage.
b) Children born under a valid marriage, which was later declared

void because of the psychological incapacity of either or both of
the spouses.
c) Children conceived and born outside a valid marriage.
d) Children born under a valid marriage, but the parents later

obtained a legal separation.
14. An illegitimate child may use the surname of his father when his
filiation is established in any of the following instances, except:
a) Filiation has been recognized by the father through the record

of birth appearing in the civil register
b) Admission of filiation by the father in a public document.
c) Private handwritten instrument is made by the father

acknowledging his filiation.
d) Affidavit by the mother stating the name of his true father.
15. In the absence of contrary stipulation in a marriage settlement,

property relations of Filipino spouses shall be governed by ---
a) Philippines laws
b) Law of the place where the spouses reside
c) Law of the place where the properties are situated
d) Law of the place where they were married.
16. X and Y were to marry in 3 months. Meantime, to express his

affection, X donated a house and lot to Y, which donation X wrote
in a letter to Y. Y wrote back, accepting the donation and took
possession of the property. Before the wedding, however, Y
suddenly died of heart attack. Can Ys heirs get the property?
E. No, since the marriage did not take place.
F. Yes, since all the requisites of a donation of an immovable are

present.
G. No, since the donation and its acceptance are not in a public
instrument.
H. Yes, since X freely donated the property to Y who became its

owner.
17. Rene and Lily got married after a brief courtship. After one
month, Lily discovered that while Rene presented himself as a
macho man he was actually gay. He would not go to bed with her.
He kept obscene magazines of nude men and always sought the
company of handsome boys. What legal remedy does Lily have?
a) She can file an action for annulment of marriage on ground of

fraud.
b) She can seek a declaration of nullity of the marriage based on

Renes psychological incapacity.
c) She can go abroad and file for divorce in a country that can
grant it.
d) She has none since she had the opportunity to examine the
goods and freely entered into the marriage.
18. Manuel came to Manila and married Marianne. Unknown to

Marianne, Manuel had been previously convicted in Palawan of
theft and served time for it. After Marianne learned of his previous
conviction, she stopped living with him. Can Marianne seek the
annulment of the marriage based on Manuels nondisclosure of his
previous crime?
a) No, since the assumption is that marriage forgives all past

wrongs.
b) Yes, since the non-disclosure of that crime is the equivalent of

fraud, which is a ground for annulment.
c) No, in case of doubt, the law must be construed to preserve the

institution of marriage.
d) No, since Manuel already served the penalty for his crime.
19. Arthur and Helen, both Filipinos, got married and had 2 children.
Arthur later worked in Rome where he acquired Italian citizenship.
He got a divorce from Helen in Rome but, on returning to the
Philippines, he realized his mistake, asked forgiveness of his wife,
and resumed living with her. They had 2 more children. What is the
status of their 4 children?
a) The children born before the divorce are legitimate but those
born after it are not since Arthur got the divorce when he had
ceased to be a Filipino.
b) The divorce rendered illegitimate the children born before it

since the marriage that begot them had been nullified.
c) The children born before and after the divorce are all
legitimate since Philippine law does not recognize divorce.
d) All the children are legitimate since they were born of the same
father and mother.
20. Spouses A and B leased a piece of land belonging to B's parents
for 25 years. The spouses built their house on it worth P300,000.00.
Subsequently, in a case that C filed against A and B, the court
found the latter liable to C for P200,000.00. When the sheriff was
attaching their house for the satisfaction of the judgment, A and B
claimed that it was exempt from execution, being a family home. Is
this claim correct?
a) Yes, because while Bs parents own the land, they agreed to

have their daughter build her family home on it.
b) No, because there is no judicial declaration that it is a family

home.
c) No, since the land does not belong to A and B, it cannot qualify
as a family home.
d) Yes, because the A and Bs family actually lives in that house.
21. Solomon sold his coconut plantation to Aragon, Inc. for P100
million, payable in installments of P10 million per month with 6%
interest per annum. Solomon married Lorna after 5 months and
they chose conjugal partnership of gains to govern their property
relations. When they married, Aragon had an unpaid balance of
P50 million plus interest in Solomons favor. To whom will Aragons
monthly payments go after the marriage?
(A) The principal shall go to the conjugal partnership but the

interests to Solomon.
(B) Both principal and interests shall go to Solomon since they are
his exclusive properties.
(C) Both principal and interests shall go to the conjugal partnership

since these become due after the marriage.
(D) The principal shall go to Solomon but the interests to the

22. X and Y, although not suffering from any impediment, cohabited

as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage. Following the
birth of their child, the couple got married. A year after, however,
the court annulled the marriage and issued a decree of annulment.
What is the present status of the child?
a) Legitimated.
b) Illegitimate.
c) Natural child.
d) Legitimate.
23. When A and B married, they chose conjugal partnership of gains
to govern their property relations. After 3 years, B succeeded in
getting her marriage to A annulled on ground of the latters
psychological incapacity. What liquidation procedure will they
follow in disposing of their assets?
a) They will follow the rule governing the liquidation of a conjugal

partnership of gains where the party who acted in bad faith forfeits
his share in the net profits.
b) Since the marriage has been declared void, the rule for
liquidation of absolute community of property shall be followed.
c) The liquidation of a co- ownership applies since the annulment

brought their property relation under the chapter on property
regimes without marriage.
d) The law on liquidation of partnerships applies.
24. X and Y agreed verbally before their marriage (a) on the

paternity of the illegitimate child of Y and (b) on the economic
regime that will govern X and Ys property relations. Is the verbal
agreement valid?
A. No, because a marriage settlement to be valid should be in

writing.
B. Yes, since ante-nuptial agreements need not be in writing.
C. No, because a marriage settlement cannot include an

agreement on the paternity of an illegitimate child.
D. Yes, since even if it is not a valid marriage settlement, it is a valid

verbal contract.
25. Spouses X and Y have a minor daughter, Z, who needs support

for her education. Both X and Y, who are financially distressed, could
not give the needed support to Z. As it happens, Zs other relatives
are financially capable of giving that support. From whom may Z
first rightfully demand support? From her
A. grandfather.
B. brother.
C. uncle.
D. first cousin.
26. Fidel, a Filipino with fair complexion, married Gloria. Before the
marriage, Gloria confessed to Fidel that she was two-month
pregnant with the child of a black African who had left the country
for good. When the child was born, Fidel could not accept it being
too black in complexion. What is the status of the child?
A. Illegitimate, because Gloria confessed that the child is not

Fidels.
B. Illegitimate, because by the color of its skin, the child could not
possibly be that of Fidel.
C. Legitimate, because the child was born within a valid marriage.
D. Legitimate, because Fidel agreed to treat the child as his own

after Gloria told him who the father was.
27. The husbands acts of forcibly ejecting his wife without just cause
from the conjugal dwelling and refusing to take her back constitutes
A. desertion.
B. recrimination.
C. constructive abandonment.
D. de facto separation.
28. X insured himself for P5 million, designating Y, his wife, as his sole
beneficiary. The designation was irrevocable. A few years later, X
had their marriage annulled in court on the ground that Y had an
existing prior marriage. X subsequently died, Is Y entitled to the
insurance benefits?
A. Yes, since the insurance was not dependent on the marriage.
B. Yes, since her designation as beneficiary was irrevocable.
C. No, Xs designation of Y is revoked by operation of law upon

the annulment of their marriage based on Ys fault.
D. Yes, since without judicial revocation, Xs designation of Y

remains valid and binding.
29. May a spouse freely donate communal or conjugal property
without the consent of the other?
a. Absolutely not, since the spouses co-own such property.
b. Yes, for properties that the family may spare, regardless of

value.
c. Yes, provided the donation is moderate and intended for

charity or family rejoicing.
d. Yes, in a donation mortis causa that the donor may still revoke
in his lifetime.
30. Illegitimate children, those not recognized by their biological

fathers, shall use the surname of their
A. biological father subject to no condition.
B. mother or biological father, at the mothers discretion.
C. mother.
D. biological father unless he judicially opposes it.
31. What happens to the property regimes that were subsisting

under the New Civil Code when the Family Code took effect?
A. The original property regimes are immutable and remain

effective.
B. Those enjoying specific regimes under the New Civil Code may
adopt the regime of absolute community of property under the
Family Code.
C. Those that married under the New Civil Code but did not
choose any of its regimes shall now be governed by the regime of
absolute community of property.
D. They are superseded by the Family Code which has retroactive

effect.
32. A left B, his wife, in the Philippines to work in Egypt but died in
that country after a years continuous stay. Two months after As
death, B gave birth to a child, claiming it is As child. Who can assail
the legitimacy of the child?
A. As other heirs apart from B.
B. The State which has interest in the welfare of overseas contract

workers.
C. Any one who is outraged by Bs claim.
D. No one since A died.

33. QR and TS who had a marriage license requested a newly
appointed Judge in Manila to marry them on the beach of Boracay.
Since the Judge maintained Boracay as his residence, he agreed.
The sponsors were all public officials. What is the status of the
marriage.
A. Valid, since the improper venue is merely an irregularity; all the

elements of a valid marriage are present.
B. Void, because the couple did not get local permit for a beach
wedding.
C. Voidable, because the Judge acted beyond his territorial

jurisdiction and is administratively liable for the same.
D. Void, because the Judge did not solemnize the marriage within
the premises of his court.
34. X and Y, Filipinos, got married in Los Angeles, USA, using a

marriage license issued by the Philippine consul in Los Angeles,
acting as Civil Registrar. X and Y did not know that they were first
cousins because their mothers, who were sisters, were separated
when they were quite young. Since X did not want to continue with
the relation when he heard of it, he left Y, came to the Philippines
and married Z. Can X be held liable for bigamy?
A. No since Xs marriage to Y is void ab initio or did not exist.
B. No since X acted in good faith, conscious that public policy did

not approve of marriage between first cousins.
C. Yes since he married Z without first securing a judicial

declaration of nullity of his marriage to Y.
D. Yes since his first marriage to Y in Los Angeles is valid.
35. The wife filed a case of legal separation against her husband on
the ground of sexual infidelity without previously exerting earnest
efforts to come to a compromise with him. The judge dismissed the
case for having been filed without complying with a condition
precedent. Is the dismissal proper?
A. No, efforts at a compromise will only deepen the wifes anguish.
B. No, since legal separation like validity of marriage is not subject

to compromise agreement for purposes of filing.
C. Yes, to avoid a family feud that is hurtful to everyone.
D. Yes, since the dispute could have been settled with the parties
agreeing to legal separation.
36. Baldo, a rejected suitor, intimidated Judy into marrying him.
While she wanted to question the validity of their marriage two years
after the intimidation ceased, Judy decided in the meantime to
freely cohabit with Baldo. After more than 5 years following their
wedding, Judy wants to file a case for annulment of marriage
against Baldo on ground of lack of consent. Will her action prosper?
(A) Yes, the action for annulment is imprescriptible.
(B) No, since the marriage was merely voidable and Judy ratified
it by freely cohabiting with Baldo after the force and intimidation
had ceased.
(C) No, since the action prescribed 5 years from the date of the
celebration of the marriage.
(D) Yes, because the marriage was celebrated without Judy's

consent freely given.
37. Is the wife who leaves her husband without just cause entitled to
support?
A. No, because the wife must always be submissive and respectful

to the husband.
B. Yes. The marriage not having been dissolved, the husband

continues to have an obligation to support his wife.
C. No, because in leaving the conjugal home without just cause,

she forfeits her right to support.
D. Yes, since the right to receive support is not subject to any

condition.
38. While engaged to be married, Arnold and Josephine agreed in

a public instrument to adopt out the economic regime of absolute
community of property. Arnold acknowledged in the same
instrument that Josephines daughter Mary, is his illegitimate child.
But Josephine died before the marriage could take place. Does the
marriage settlement have any significance?
A. None, since the instrument containing the marriage settlement

is essentially void for containing an unrelated matter.
B. Yes, insofar as Arnold acknowledged Mary as his illegitimate

child.
C. None, since the marriage did not take place.
D. Yes, if they acquired properties while living together as husband

and wife.
39. Joseph, a 17-year old Filipino, married Jenny, a 21-year old
American in Illinois, USA, where the marriage was valid. Their parents
gave full consent to the marriage of their children. After three years,
Joseph filed a petition in the USA to promptly divorce Jenny and this
was granted. When Joseph turned 25 years, he returned to the
Philippines and married Leonora. What is the status of this second
marriage?
A. Void, because he did not cause the judicial issuance of

declaration of the nullity of his first marriage to Jenny before
marrying Leonora.
B. Valid, because Joseph's marriage to Jenny is void, he being

only 17 years of age when he married her.
C. Valid, because his marriage to Leonora has all the elements of

a valid marriage.
D. Void, because Joseph is still considered married to Jenny since

the Philippines does not recognize divorce.
40. No decree of legal separation can be issued
A. unless the childrens welfare is attended to first.
B. without prior efforts at reconciliation shown to be futile.
C. unless the court first directs mediation of the parties.
D. without prior investigation conducted by a public prosecutor.
41. When does the regime of conjugal partnership of gains begin to

exist?
A. At the moment the parties take and declare each other as

husband and wife before officiating officer.
B. At the time the spouses acquire properties through joint efforts.
C. On the date the future spouses executed their marriage

settlements because this is the starting point of their marital
relationship.
D. On the date agreed upon by the future spouses in their

marriage settlements since their agreement is the law between
them.
42. Josie, 18, married Dante, 25, without her parents knowledge
and consent, and lived with him. After a year, Josie returned to her
parents home, complained of the unbearable battering she was
getting from Dante, and expressed a desire to have her marriage
with him annulled. Who may bring the action?
A. Dante.
B. Her parents.
C. Josie herself.
D. The State.
43. X, a married man, cohabited with Y, an unmarried woman. Their

relation bore them BB, a baby boy. Subsequently, after X became
a widower, he married Y. Was BB legitimated by that marriage?
A. Yes, since his parents are now lawfully married.
B. Yes, since he is an innocent party and the marriage rectified

the wrong done him.
C. No, since once illegitimate, a child shall always remain

illegitimate.
D. No, since his parents were not qualified to marry each other
when he was conceived.
44. Conrad and Linda, both 20 years old, applied for a marriage
license, making it appear that they were over 25. They married
without their parents knowledge before an unsuspecting judge.
After the couple has been in cohabitation for 6 years, Lindas
parents filed an action to annul the marriage on ground of lack of
parental consent. Will the case prosper?
A. No, since only the couple can question the validity of their
marriage after they became 21 of age; their cohabitation also
convalidated the marriage.
B. No, since Lindas parents made no allegations that earnest

efforts have been made to come to a compromise with Conrad
and Linda and which efforts failed.
C. Yes, since the marriage is voidable, the couple being below 21

years of age when they married.
D. Yes, since Lindas parents never gave their consent to the

marriage.
45. Venecio and Ester lived as common-law spouses since both
have been married to other persons from whom they had been
separated in fact for several years. Hardworking and bright, each
earned incomes from their respective professions and enterprises.
What is the nature of their incomes?
A. Conjugal since they earned the same while living as husband

and wife.
B. Separate since their property relations with their legal spouses

are still subsisting.
C. Co-ownership since they agreed to work for their mutual

benefit.
D. Communal since they earned the same as common-law

spouses.
46. Before Karen married Karl, she inherited P5 million from her
deceased mother which amount she brought into the marriage.
She later used part of the money to buy a new Mercedes Benz in
her name, which Karen and her husband used as a family car. Is the
car a conjugal or Karens exclusive property?
A. It is conjugal property since the spouses use it as a family car.
B. It is Karens exclusive property since it is in her name.
C. It is conjugal property having been bought during the

marriage.
D. It is Karens exclusive property since she bought it with her own

money.
47. X and Y, both Filipinos, were married and resided in Spain

although they intend to return to the Philippines at some future
time. They have not executed any marriage settlements. What law
governs their property relations?
A) They may choose between Spanish law and Philippine law.
B) Philippine law since they are both Filipinos.
C) No regime of property relations will apply to them.
D) Spanish law since they live in Spain.

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It is said that equity follows the law What do you understand by

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