Eigenmann vs.

Guerra (1964)
Ponente: Bengzon
Appeal from a judgment from the CFI Rizal, QC Branch

Plaintiff-Appellant: Eduardo Eigenman
Defendants: Maryden and Froilan Guerra (Marydens dad)

Facts: Petition was instituted by Eduardo Eigenmann to annul his marriage to Maryden Guerra
on the grounds that he was a minor who needed consent from his parents when he married
(20>x>16) and such consent was not given. He alleged that he was threatened and coerced into
the marriage and that the solemnizing officer who administered the marriage license was not
authorized thereby rendering the said license void ab initio.

Eduardo and Maryden met at the Clover Theater in Manila wherein the former was an actor-
singer and the latter was a dancer. They fell in love and decided to get married. On October 25,
1957 the two filed applications for a marriage license with the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon
City, with Eduardo stating in his application that he was 25 years and 8 months old (b. Feb 17,
1932). Plaintiffs mother discussed the contemplated marriage with the parents of Maryden in the
latters house.

Issues and Held: W/N their marriage should be annulled based on

(1) The plaintiff was a minor at the time of marriage (20>x>16) a minor who needed
consent from his parents when he married (16-20 years old) and such consent was
not given by his mother
NO. In his sworn application for a marriage license, he represented himself to be 25 years
and 8 months old; thereby making defendants that he was capacitated to marry without a
need of parental consent. He is precluded under the doctrine of equitable estoppel.
(2) His consent to the marriage was based on threats and intimidation by Marydens
father Froilan
NO. His claim was without factual or legal basis. There is no reasonable and well-
grounded fear of an imminent and grave evil upon plaintiffs person that would arise
from Froilans statement: Balita koy lumiligaw ka sa aking anak. Pag niloko mo iyan,
mag-ingat ka.
(3) The applications for marriage license were sworn to before a councilor of Quezon
City, an officer who is not legally authorized to administer oaths thereby rendering
the said license void ab initio
NO. Marriages solemnized by a license obtained wrongfully merely render the marriage
to be irregular and is not null and void.

Dispositive: Trial courts decision affirmed, with costs against plaintiff-appellant.