NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
of £ije
*22 SEP 12 A 8 *03
RECEIVUO BY;
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 1298
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI
AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE CIVIL EFFECTS OF CHURCH DECREED ANNULMENT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, the State recognizes marriage as an inviolable 
social institution1. As marriage is the foundation of the family, the State shall defend the 
right of spouses to found a family In accordance with their religious convictions.
In the Philippines, more than eighty-six percent (86%) of the population is Roman 
Catholic while four percent (4%) are from Muslim minority.2 In a predominantly Catholic or 
Christian Philippines, marriage is also a religious act. Although it is a religious act, marriage 
solemnized in the church is recognized by the State. Corollarlly, the State should also 
recognize the annulment of marriage granted by the church.
Similar to this principle is the recognition the State gives to divorce under Islamic 
Laws through Presidential Decree No. 1083. Thus, there should also be State recognition 
of annulments granted by the Church or by any duly recognized religious denomination, 
consistent with the principle of equality before the law.
Although divorce remains a contentious issue in the Catholic Church, annulment of 
marriage is allowed. However, the process is both inefficient and arduous depending on 
the nature of the case and the available evidence. As a result, the annulment process can 
take years to conclude. In September 8, 2015, Pope Francis released two motu proprio
1 Article XV Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
1 Asia Society, Religion in the Philippines (https://asiasociety.org/education/religion-philippines)


documents that were meant to make the annulment process more efficient.3 The date of 
effectivity for the documents was December 8, 2015.
Given the strides taken by the Church to improve the efficiency of the annulment 
process and the State's principle of equality before the law, this bill proposes to recognize 
church annulments to have the same effect as an annulment declared by a competent 
court.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZUBIRl
3 AkinJ., Pope Francis Reforms Annulment Process {https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/pope- 
francis-reforms-annulment-process-9-things-to-know-and-share)


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
fefuatc 
of tlje crrun-p
*22 SEP 12 A8 -03
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1298
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI
AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE CIVIL EFFECTS OF CHURCH DECREED ANNULMENT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Church Decreed Annulment Act".
2
3 
SEC. 2. Whenever a marriage, duly and legally solemnized by a priest, minister,
4 
imam, rabbi or presiding elder of any church or religious sect in the Philippines is
5 
subsequently annulled or dissolved in a final judgment or decree In accordance with the
6 
canons or precepts of the church or religious sect, the said annulment or dissolution shall
7 
have the same effect as a decree of annulment or dissolution issued by a competent court.
8 
SEC. 3. The final judgment or decree of annulment or dissolution issued by the
9 
proper church or religious sect shall be recorded in the appropriate civil registry within thirty
10 
(30) days from issuance of said final judgment or decree of annulment or dissolution.
11 
SEC. 4. Either of the former spouses may marry again after complying with the
12 
requirements of the preceding paragraph and Article 52 of Executive Order No. 209 or the
13 
Family Code of the Philippines, otherwise, the subsequent marriage shall be null and void.
14 
In securing a marriage license, the spouse involved must present a certified true
15 
copy of the said final judgment or decree of declaration of nullity, annulment or dissolution
16 
of marriage registered with the appropriate civil registry.
17 
SEC. 5. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
18 
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, repealed
19 
or modified accordingly.


1 
SEC. 6. If any part or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, other
2 
parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to remain in full force and
3 
effect.
4 
SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any
5 
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,