Exploring Grounds for Annulment in the Philippines

In the legal landscape of the Philippines, there are instances where a union may be severed through specific legal processes. Since the Philippines is currently one of the few countries without a general divorce law, understanding the grounds for annulment in the Philippines is crucial for those seeking a way to nullify their union.

Annulment vs. Nullity: Knowing the Difference
To understand the process, one must first differentiate between an "annulment" and a "declaration of absolute nullity." Under the Family Code of the Philippines, an annulment refers to a marriage that was valid at the start but has a flaw that makes it "voidable." On the other hand, a declaration of nullity applies to marriages that were void from the beginning (void ab initio).
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The Legal Grounds for Annulment (Article 45)
The law provides six specific grounds for voiding a marriage:

Absence of Parental Permission: If either party was between 18 and 21 years old and got married without the consent of their parents or guardians.

Mental Incapacity: If at the time of the wedding, one party was of unsound mind, unless they freely cohabited after coming to reason.

Fraud: This involves deception regarding essential facts, such as the hiding of a criminal record, an undisclosed pregnancy, or a serious sexually transmissible disease.

Force, Intimidation, or Undue Influence: If the consent to marry was forced or intimidation.

Physical Incapacity: If either party is physically unable of consummating the marriage and the condition appears permanent.

Incurable STDs: If one party had a serious and incurable STD at the time of the marriage.

Psychological Incapacity: The Most Common Ground
A widely utilized ground in Philippine courts is Psychological Incapacity under Article 36. While often called an annulment, this is a petition for the declaration of nullity.

It refers to a condition where a spouse is truly incapable of complying with the essential marital obligations. Recent jurisprudence, the Supreme Court has modified that this no longer require a medical diagnosis of a personality disorder, but rather proof of a persistent "personality structure" that makes it impossible to sustain a functional marriage.
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What to Expect During the Process
Filing for an annulment is a lengthy process that requires the assistance of a skilled lawyer.

Psychological Evaluation: In many cases, a psychological report is used to prove the incapacity.

Petition Filing: The case must grounds for annulment in the philippines be filed in the Family Court where the petitioner or respondent resides.

Prosecutor's Role: The Office of the Solicitor General will ensure that no secret agreement exists between the spouses.

Summary
Navigating the grounds for annulment in the Philippines is a major life decision. By understanding Article 45 and Article 36, allows you to protect your rights and pursue the freedom you need. Seeking professional legal advice is the most effective first step in resolving a broken marriage.