Eigenmannn v. Guerra, 5 C.A. Rep.

836 (1964) May 11, 1964

Eduardo Eigenmann, plaintiff and appellant Maryden Guerra and Froilan Guerra, defendants and Issues:

appellees
•WON Eigenmann and Guerra’s marriage could be annulled based on the fact that Eigenmann was at the time of

execution of marriage was more than 16 years old and less than 20 years old.
Facts:

•WON Guerra’s father’s action towards Eigenmann is tantamount to forcing him to marry his daughter hence
• 1957 – Eigenmann (actor singer) met Maryden(dancer in the theatre) in Clover Theatre Manila; afterwards the
consent was not freely given.
two fell in love and decided to get married.

• WON a marriage licence wrongfully obtained could invalidate a marriage.

• October 25, 1957 – They filed applications for a marriage license where Eigenmann stated that he was 25 years

old and was born on February 17, 1932.

•WON Eigenmann was provided with parental consent to enter such contract.

• November 3, 1957 - Eigenmann’s parents and Maryden’s parents discussed the marriage
Ratio:

• November 5, 1959 – Eigenmann and Maryden were married by Judge Prudencio Encomienda of the Municipal
• No. During the application for a marriage license, Eigenmann presented himself to be over 25 years old; thus,
Court of Quezon City
under the doctrine of estoppel, he coulnd’t assert otherwise.

• They lived in the house of Maryden’s parents for a year and transferred to the house of Eigenmann’s mother and
• No. The remark made by Froilan Guerra against Eigenmann could not be considered as a threat because it was
stayed there for 3 or 4 months
only an admonition thus there was no reasonable fear that would force Eigenmann to marry Maryden.

•August 29, 1959 – Eigenmann filed a case for the annulment of his marriage to Guerra on the following grounds:
•No. The marriage license is valid even if the applications were sworn before an unauthorized officer because the

law states that marriages solemnized without a marriage license are the ones declared to be void.
•He was more than 16 but less than 20 years old upon the execution of the marriage and was not given the consent

of his mother to enter such contract.

•No. The remark made by Froilan Guerra against Eigenmann could not be considered as a threat because it was

only an admonition thus there was no reasonable fear that would force Eigenmann to marry Maryden.
• Eigenmann’s consent was obtained through threats made by Froilan Gueera, Maryden’s father.

•Yes. The mere presence of Eigenmann’s mother during the celebration implies that consent was given by a
• Applications for marriage license were sworn before an officer not legally authorized to administer oaths
parental authority.

• Defendants denied the allegations:

Decision of the lower court is affirmed.

• Eigenmann presented himself to be over 25 years old

– Cha Latorre

• Eigenmann’s mother was present during the ceremony

• Eigenmann should not now be permitted to excuse himself from his marital obligation to preserve

the institution of marriage

•Court of First Instance dismissed the case