Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5699

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

AN ACT AMENDING ARTICLE 7 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Marriage is a sacred union between partners as they start to build a family. It
is one of the greatest blessings from God as it sets forth the pro creation of mankind.
The family established by the marriage of two individuals will lead to form the basic
institution of society, the family

However, nowadays, there is an increase of common law relationships or
“live-in” as a status of Filipino couples. There are also a number of instances of
common law relationships, even when the couple does not have any impediment to
contract marriage. Financial challenges, monetary difficulty, remoteness of the place
of the couple or the difference in the religious beliefs are just few of the reasons that
makes it difficult and cumbersome for the parties to contract marriage

The herein proposal adds to list of persons authorized to solemnize marriage
as provided in the Family Code. With these, couples are given more options to
choose their solemnizing officer and it is hoped to encourage couples to legalize
their unions.

With the foregoing, approval of the bill is earnestly requested

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Q
HOUSE BILL NO. 5699

AN ACT AMENDING ARTICLE 7 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Article 7 of the Executive Order No. 209 otherwise known as the
“Family Code of the Philippines” is hereby amended to read as follows:

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“Art. 7. Marriage may be solemnized by’

(1) Any incumbent member of the judiciary within the court's
jurisdiction;

(2) Any priest, rabbi, imam, or minister of any church or religious
sect duly authorized by his church or religious sect and
registered with the civil registrar general, acting within the limits
of the written authority granted by his church or religious sect
and provided that at least one of the contracting parties belongs
to the solemnizing officer's church or religious sect;

(3) Any ship captain or airplane chief only in the case mentioned in
Article 31;

(4) Any military commander of a unit to which a chaplain is
assigned, in the absence of the latter, during a military
operation, likewise only in the cases mentioned in Article 32;

(5) Any consul-general, consul or vice-consul in the case provided
in Article 10 [.] ;

(6) ANY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS;

(7)GOVERNORS OF THE PROVINCES, WITHIN THEIR
RESPECTIVE JURISDICTION.; AND


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(8) MAYORS OF MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES WITHIN THEIR
RESPECTIVE JURISDICTION.

SEC. 2. This law shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general of circulation

Approved,