Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

The Supreme Court building in Padre Faura, Manila on August 24, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Several “friends of the court” or amici curiae on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court of the Philippines to recognize foreign divorce decrees involving two Filipino citizens, during the continuation of oral arguments on the issue.The case stems from a petition filed by a Filipino who obtained a divorce in the United States in 2010 to dissolve his marriage to a Filipina wife. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/15/divorce-sa-ibang-bansa-kinikilala-ba-sa-pilipinas-1006">Divorce sa ibang bansa, kinikilala ba sa Pilipinas?</a></div>The couple married in 2000. The petitioner later acquired American citizenship in 2019, but re-acquired his Filipino citizenship in 2020.During the proceedings, Mel Sta. Maria, a professor at the Far Eastern University Institute of Law, expressed support for granting the petition, arguing that current policies are outdated. “Our policy today, your honor, I’m sorry to say borders on racism, is xenocentric and it mirrors a colonial mentality where the natives have less rights and if they want to have more rights, they have to associate themselves with a foreigner,” Sta. Maria said.Meanwhile, Elizabeth Aguiling-Pangalangan of the University of the Philippines College of Law noted that divorce is already recognized in the Philippines under specific circumstances, such as among Muslims.She also stressed that there is no law that says divorce should not be allowed.“So even if the court recognizes foreign divorce, it will not be a violation of public policy so I believe it is time that such be recognized,” Aguiling-Pangalangan said.Maria Liza Lopez-Rosario of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School of Law however mentioned that under the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, marriage is a sacrament.“And considering that it is a sacrament, it is inviolable, dissoluble and therefore contracting a second marriage is against the nature of the sacrament of marriage,” Lopez-Rosario said.Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe, for her part, recommended the dismissal of the petition because the petitioner does not come with “clean hands.”In the memorandum of Berberabe submitted to the court, it was noted that state policy on foreign divorce does not apply to the petitioner who re-acquired his Philippine citizenship and can no longer be considered a foreigner.Under Article 26 of the Family Code, foreign divorce between a Filipino and a foreigner is recognized, not between two Filipinos.“It might be important to highlight that the petitioner has already filed a petition to declare their marriage null and void, but the court has already denied it and after that, went to the US and filed for divorce. So on many counts your honor, it is our submission that this petition should be dismissed,” Berberabe said. The oral arguments are set to resume on July 14.

Several “friends of the court” or amici curiae on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court of the Philippines to recognize foreign divorce decrees involving two Filipino citizens, during the continuation of oral arguments on the issue.

Several “friends of the court” or amici curiae on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court of the Philippines to recognize foreign divorce decrees involving two Filipino citizens, during the continuation of oral arguments on the issue.

Supreme Court urged to recognize foreign divorce between two Filipinos

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Supreme Court urged to recognize foreign divorce between two Filipinos

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News,

Published April 28, 2026 06:47 PM PHT

Read More:

divorce

SC

oral arguments

Supreme Court

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.