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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solon seeks Church, legal scholars' help in expanding grounds for annulment of marriage

Solon seeks Church, legal scholars' help in expanding grounds for annulment of marriage

Published Feb 28, 2025 03:16 am

At A Glance

  • ​Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre is trying to convince Church leaders, canon lawyers and legal scholars to support the expansion of grounds for annulment as well as the streamlining of its legal process in a bid to reform the country's marriage laws.

​Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre is trying to convince Church leaders, canon lawyers and legal scholars to support the expansion of grounds for annulment as well as the streamlining of its legal process in a bid to reform the country's marriage laws.

At the 31st National Convention of the Canon Law Society of the Philippines (CLSP), Acidre stressed the need for legal changes to better reflect real-life marital challenges and ensure justice and fairness in annulment proceedings.

The key reforms that he is seeking through House Bill No. 10970 are:

  • The Expanded Grounds for Annulment and Legal Separation, which introduces new legal grounds for annulment, such as lack of maturity, deception, coercion, and fraudulent intent, which are currently not fully covered under civil law;
  • Faster and More Affordable Annulment Process so nullity cases will follow a summary procedure that will ensure quicker resolutions and lower the costs for couples seeking legal remedies; and
  • The Recognition of Church Annulments in Civil Law, which proposes that Church-declared nullities be legally recognized to reduce the need for duplicate proceedings in civil courts.

Acidre also noted the supposed inconsistency between civil law and Church law on marriage nullity.

He said that while psychological immaturity was recognized as grounds for nullity by the Catholic Church, civil legislation does not provide the same consideration.

Citing Pope Francis' call for a more pastoral approach to annulments, Acidre argued that a Church with the authority to solemnize marriages should also have a recognized role in nullifying them under clear legal parameters.

Acidre also dismissed concerns that the bill weakens the institution of marriage. He argued that the measure would instead reinforce the integrity of marriage by ensuring that unions are entered into with full awareness, freedom, and responsibility.

"House Bill No. 10970 is not about making annulments easy—it’s about making them just. It provides legal remedies for those in untenable unions while safeguarding marriage for those who truly honor their vows," he said.

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