Pagpapawalang-bisa ng kasal ng dayuhan sa asawang Pinay

ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta @Magtanong Kay Attorney | August 20, 2025

Dear Chief Acosta,

Matapos ang limang taong pagsasama, naghiwalay kami ng aking asawang foreigner. Nang huli kaming magkausap, sinabi niya sa akin na maghahain siya ng petisyon para ipawalang-bisa ang aming kasal. Bilang isang foreigner, maaari ba siyang maghain ng nasabing petisyon? – Hermina

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Dear Hermina,

Ang kaukulang probisyon ng Administrative Matter No. 02-11-10-SC o The Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages, na inilabas ng Korte Suprema noong 4 Marso 2003, ay nagsasaad na ang petisyon para ipawalang-bisa ang kasal ay maaaring isampa lamang ng kahit sino sa mag-asawa:

“SECTION 2. Petition for declaration of absolute nullity of void marriages. –

(a) Who may file. – A petition for declaration of absolute nullity of void marriage may be filed solely by the husband or the wife.” 

Kaugnay nito, sa kasong Gianni De Munari vs. Thelma Gagui Asprec, G.R. No. 262831, 07 Abril 2025, sa panulat ni Honorable Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, pinagtibay ng ating Kagalang-galang na Korte Suprema na walang pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng mga Pilipino at mga dayuhan tungkol sa kung sino ang maaaring maghain ng aksyon para sa pagpapawalang-bisa ng kasal:

“A foreign national has the personality to file declaration of nullity of a bigamous marriage with a Filipino spouse xxx

This provision clearly states that only either the husband or the wife may file a petition to declare the marriage void. It is important to note that there is no distinction between Filipinos and foreigners regarding who may institute an action for nullity of marriage.

In Ambrose, the Court affirmed that there is no procedural barrier preventing a foreigner from filing a petition for declaration of nullity of marriage on the ground of psychological incapacity as the foregoing provision makes no distinction between citizens of the Philippines and a foreigner: xxx

Given the foregoing, the RTC erred in dismissing the Complaint filed by Gianni by making a distinction between his legal capacity to sue and that of Thelma. By doing so, it failed to address the factual issues necessary to resolve whether the marriage between the parties should be nullified on the ground of bigamy. This oversight contradicts the court’s duty to invalidate bigamous marriages, which are not only illegal but also undermine the legal and moral foundation of the marital institution. xxx

If a person not party to the marriage can challenge a bigamous marriage, there is no reason to foreclose Gianni’s action to nullify his alleged bigamous marriage with Thelma. His legal standing is further justified as the present action pertains to his civil status, condition, and legal capacity. If Gianni is indeed unsuspecting victim of a bigamous marriage, he must be granted the right to seek redress and have the marriage declared null and void, thereby restoring his legal capacity to enter into a valid marriage in the future.

Moreover, recognizing Gianni’s right to file the Complaint upholds the principles of justice and fairness. It ensures that individuals are not left without recourse when they are deceived into entering a marriage that is fundamentally flawed and legally untenable.”

Kung kaya, ang iyong banyagang asawa ay maaaring maghain ng petisyon para ipawalang-bisa ang inyong kasal. Ito ay pagkilala sa kanyang karapatan na itaguyod ang katarungan at pagiging patas.

Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang iyong katanungan. Ang payong aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa mga impormasyon na iyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng iyong salaysay.

Maraming salamat sa iyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.