Feature

More than half of Filipino netizens want to do background checks on fiancés before marriage

Until what point in your relationship can you truly say “Love is enough”?

When we fall in love, we tend to shut down our faculties of reason and have our emotions get the better of us. We believe in our partner 100 percent. We give them faith that they are not lying, that they are who they say they are.

For many people, this is what happens until reality kicks in and they are slapped back to the painful truth.

There have been a lot of cases abroad, and even here in the UAE, where a person marries someone, only to find out that they were already previously married in the Philippines. It’s something considered odd because one of the major requirements to get married in most Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate posts around the world is the Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from the National Statistics Office. How can this even happen? Apparently, for someone who tries hard, it’s possible—mostly through faking the document. Others claim some men even convert to Islam for them to be able to marry multiple women.

It’s unfortunate for the spouse left behind in the Philippines, because even if they want to press charges, if the accused is abroad, the Philippine laws do not apply. According to Atty. Persida Acosta from Public Attorneys’ Office, the spouse contracting a second marriage in another country cannot be prosecuted in the Philippines, because it was done outside of our country’s jurisdiction.

“Crimes committed outside the territory of the Philippines are not within the jurisdiction of Philippine authorities to prosecute, subject only to certain exceptions that are not related to your case. Because of this principle, you may not file a criminal case for bigamy against your husband in the Philippines since it was committed outside our country’s territorial jurisdiction,” she said in an article released on Manila Times about bigamy.

We have asked netizens through our segment, “Tanong Ng Bayan,” if they will check their fiancé’s marital status with NSO before marriage or just trust them 100 percent. More than half of them want to do background checks on their partners.

Netizen Gerly Deguilmo said it’s better to check with the NSO first if they are single or married. “Naranasan ko na kasi ‘yan may nanligaw sa akin at ang sabi niya he was single. I told him I’ll confirm first with the NSO if you’re really single? Ayon naglaho na parang bula,” she said.

Madz Macapagal, for her part, had her partner background-checked by her father at the NSO. “Bago ko sinagot, pina-check ko talaga sa NSO kung single siya.”

Paula Vianca Lim added that the best way to check one’s marital status is through their CENOMAR. “Get their CENOMAR and check mo din sa Pinas kung single ba talaga,” she said.

Netizen Reyza Hista Montilla said she experienced it when her ex-partner, whom she met in Saudi, lied to her about being single. “Noong umuwi na kami sa Pinas. I found out na kasal pala. Kaya next time kuhanan na agad ang partner niyo ng CENOMAR kasi pwede naman na sa online eh,” she said.

Very few netizens, meanwhile, answered that they will choose to trust their partners 100 percent.

Rnel Enc said her reason was because background checks are a hassle. “Nakakatamad mag-check sa NSO o PSA kasi traffic lagi. Ang haba haba ng pila. Ang mahal ng pamasahe. Magtitiwala na lang ako walang kapagod pagod at tipid pa,” she said.

Staff Report

The Filipino Times is the chronicler of stories for, of and by Filipinos all over the world, reaching more than 236 countries in readership. Any interesting story to share? Email us at [email protected]

Related Articles

Back to top button