Republic vs.

CA and Molina
G.R. No. 108763 February 13, 1997

FACTS:
The case at bar challenges the decision of CA affirming the marriage of
the respondent Roridel Molina to Reynaldo Molina void in the ground of
psychological incapacity. The couple got married in 1985, after a year,
Reynaldo manifested signs of immaturity and irresponsibility both as
husband and a father preferring to spend more time with friends whom
he squandered his money, depends on his parents for aid and assistance
and was never honest with his wife in regard to their finances. In 1986,
the couple had an intense quarrel and as a result their relationship was
estranged. Roridel quit her work and went to live with her parents in
Baguio City in 1987 and a few weeks later, Reynaldo left her and their
child. Since then he abandoned them.
ISSUE: Whether or not the marriage is void on the ground of
psychological incapacity.
HELD:
The marriage between Roridel and Reynaldo subsists and remains valid.
What constitutes psychological incapacity is not mere showing of
irreconcilable

differences

and

confliction

personalities.

It

is

indispensable that the parties must exhibit inclinations which would not
meet the essential marital responsibilites and duties due to some
psychological illness. Reynaldos action at the time of the marriage did
not manifest such characteristics that would comprise grounds for

psychological incapacity. The evidence shown by Roridel merely showed

that she and her husband cannot get along with each other and had not
shown gravity of the problem neither its juridical antecedence nor its
incurability. In addition, the expert testimony by Dr Sison showed no
incurable psychiatric disorder but only incompatibility which is not
considered as psychological incapacity.

CONCURRING OPINION:

I concur with the decision penned down by Justice Panganiban than in

cases of psyc