Conflict of Laws DIY Book

Conflict of Laws Comprehensive reviewer of Sempio-Diy book
Chapter 1  Writings and treaties of thinkers and

famous writers
In General
Chapter 2
Conflict of Laws
That part of the municipal law of a state which directs its Jurisdiction and choice of law
courts and administrative agencies, when confronted with a
legal problem involving a foreign element, whether or not How one deals with a problem in Conflict of Laws
they should apply a foreign law or foreign laws 1. First, determine whether the court has jurisdiction
over the case.
Conflict of laws case  If it has no jurisdiction, the case should be
Any case which involves facts occurring in more than one dismissed
state or nation, so that in deciding the case, it is necessary  If it has jurisdiction, the court will
to make a choice between the laws of different states or determine whether it should assume
countries jurisdiction over the case or dismiss it on
the ground of forum non conveniens
Note: Conflict of laws is NOT part of international law.  It is the law of the forum that determines
Although it is sometimes thought of as part of international whether the court has jurisdiction over the
law because of the presence of a foreign element in a given case
problem, it is not international law in character but is part of 2. It will next determine whether to apply the internal
the municipal law of each state. By municipal law in Conflict law of the forum or the proper foreign law
of Laws is meant the internal or local law of each state.
Three kinds of jurisdiction
Conflict of laws vs. public international law 1. Jurisdiction over the subject matter
Public Conflict of laws 2. Jurisdiction over the person
International 3. Jurisdiction over the res
Law
As to persons Governs Governs private Jurisdiction over the subject matter
involved sovereign states individuals or  Conferred by law
and entities that corporations  Defined as the power to hear and determine cases
are internationally of the general class to which the proceedings in
recognized or question belong
possessed of  Cannot be conferred by consent of the parties or
international by their voluntary submission
personality  Must be invoked by filing the proper complaint or
As to nature International in Municipal in petition with the court.
character character
As to Applies only to Deals with Note: In the realm of Conflict of Laws, however, there
transactions transactions in transactions is another element which the court must consider in
involved which only strictly private in determining the matter of jurisdiction  the possible
sovereign states nature in which enforceability of its decision in foreign states, subject to
or entities with the country as the rights of said states.
international such has
personality are generally no Jurisdiction over the person
concerned and interest  The competence or power of a court to render a
which generally judgment that will bind the parties involved
affect public  Jurisdiction over the plaintiff: Acquired the
interest moment he invokes the power of the court by
As to remedies The concerned Recourse is had to instituting the action by the proper pleading
applied states may first judicial or  Jurisdiction over the defendant: Acquired when
resort to peaceful administrative he enters his appearance or by the coercive power
remedies. If these tribunals in of legal process exerted by the court over him 
remedies fail, the accordance with personal or substituted service of summons
states concerned the rules of o EX: If appearance is for the sole purpose
may resort to procedure of the of questioning the jurisdiction of the court.
forcible remedies country where
they sit Note: Question of erroneous service of summons must
be raised before judgment is rendered, or this would be
Sources of Conflict of Laws a case of waiver. Defective service may be cured by
1. Direct sources actual receipt of summons or if in any other manner,
 Treaties knowledge of the existence of the case
 International conventions
 Constitutions Jurisdiction over the Res
 Codifications and statutes  Jurisdiction over the particular subject matter in
 Judicial decisions controversy, regardless of the persons who may be
 International customs interested therein
2. Indirect sources  The basis of the exercise of this jurisdiction is the
 Natural moral law presence of the property within the territorial
Lesley Claudio (A 2012) Page 1 of 22

jurisdiction of the forum even though the court 3. In any other manner that the court may deem
may not have personal jurisdiction over the sufficient, e.g., by registered mail
persons whose interests in the property are
affected
 The purpose of the suit is not to impose a persona Instances when court may refuse to exercise
liability on anyone but it is to affect the interests of jurisdiction over a case on the basis of forum non
all persons in a thing. conveniens
1. The evidence and the witnesses may not be readily
Jurisdiction in personam Jurisdiction over the res available in the forum
Binds only the parties and Binds the whole world 2. The court dockets of the forum may already be
their successors in interest clogged so that to permit additional cases would
hamper the speedy administration of justice
Actions quasi in rem 3. The belief that the matter can be better tried and
 The purpose is neither to impose a personal decided in another jurisdiction, either because the
liability in a thing nor to affect the interests of all main aspects of the case transpired there or the
persons in a thing, but to affect the interests of material witnesses have their residence there
particular persons in a thing. 4. To curb the evils of “forum shopping”  the non-
 An action affecting the personal status of the resident plaintiff might have filed the case in the
plaintiff is also classified as an action quasi in rem forum merely to secure procedural advantages or
to annoy or harass the defendant
Service of summons, how effected 5. The forum has no particular interest in the case 
1. In actions in personam the parties not being citizens of the forum or are
(1) Personal service residents elsewhere, or the subject matter of the
(2) Substituted service case evolved somewhere else
6. Other courts are open and the case may be better
Note: Service by publication would NOT be tried in said courts
sufficient 7. The inadequacy of the local judicial machinery for
effectuating the right sought to be enforced by the
2. Service by publication plaintiff
(1) Action in rem 8. The difficulty of ascertaining the foreign law
(2) Action quasi in rem applicable
(3) Action involves the personal status of
plaintiff Note: The doctrine should generally apply only if the
defendant is a corporation. For if the defendant is an
3. Extraterritorial service of summons individual, the proper forum may not be able to acquire
(1) When the defendant does not reside and jurisdiction over him, thus leaving the plaintiff without
is not found in the Philippines, and the any remedy.
action affects the personal status of the
plaintiff Three instances when the forum has to apply the
(2) When the defendant does not reside and internal or domestic law (lex fori) in deciding a case
is not found in the Philippines, and the in conflicts of law
action relates to or the subject of which is, 1. When the law of the forum expressly so provides in
property within the Philippines (real or its conflicts rules
personal), in which the defendant has a 2. When the proper foreign law has not been properly
claim, a lien or interest, actual or pleaded and proved
contingent 3. When the case involves any of the exceptions to
(3) When the defendant is a non-resident but the application of the proper foreign law (i.e.
the subject of the action is property exceptions to comity)
located in the Philippines in which the
relief demanded consists in excluding the Why foreign law cannot be applied if it has not been
defendant from any interest therein pleaded and proved
(4) When the property of a non-resident Our courts cannot take judicial notice of foreign laws
defendant has been attached in the
Philippines How a foreign law is proved under our Rules of Court
 While a writ of attachment may 1. Written law
be issued by the court, said (1) An official publication thereof
writ cannot be implemented (2) A copy of the law attested by the officer
until the court has acquired having legal custody of the record or by
jurisdiction over the non- his deputy, accompanied by a certificate
resident defendant of any Philippine embassy, consular, or
foreign service officer in the foreign
Extraterritorial service, how effected country where the record is kept, and
By leave of court: authenticated by the seal of his office
1. By personal service 2. Unwritten law
2. By publication, but copy of the summons and the (1) The oral testimony of expert witnesses
order of the court must be sent by registered mail (2) By printed and published books of reports
to the defendant’s last known address of decisions of the country involved if
proved to be commonly admitted in its
courts

 Rights once acquired should be enforced regardless

Processual presumption of law of where the suit for its enforcement was filed.
This rule means that when the proper foreign law has not
been properly proved, the court of the forum may presume
that said foreign law is the same as its local or domestic
law, which it can now apply Theory of local law
Under this theory, we apply a foreign law not because it is
Exceptions to the applications of a foreign law foreign, but because our own law by applying a similar rule
1. When the application of the foreign law would run requires us to do so, hence it is as if the foreign law has
counter to a sound and established public policy of become part of our own internal or domestic law.
the forum
2. When the foreign law is contrary to the almost Theory of harmony of laws
universally conceded principles of morality (contra Under this theory, identical or similar problems should be
bonos mores) given identical or similar solutions thus resulting in harmony
3. When the foreign law involves procedural matters of laws
 EX: When the law is both procedural and
substantive Theory of justice
4. When the foreign law is penal in character Since the purpose of all laws, including Conflict of Laws, is
 EX: A penal clause in a contract may the dispensation of justice, the proper foreign law should be
however be enforced here because such applied in order to attain this objective
clause is not criminal in nature but  The defect of this theory, however, is that different
provides only for liquidated damages persons may have different ideas of what is just
5. When the law is purely fiscal (i.e., revenue
producing) or administrative in nature Note: No single theory contains the whole truth; no one
6. When the foreign law might work undeniable approach is completely valid. All of the theories have
injustice to the citizens or residents of the forum validity. This suggests that they are not entirely exclusive.
7. When the application of the foreign law would
endanger the vital interests of the State Chapter 4
8. When the case involves real or personal property
Nature and composition of conflicts rules
located in our country
Purely internal provision of law vs. conflicts rule

Chapter 3
Purely internal provision Conflicts rule/ A
Theories that justify the application of the foreign law of law provision in conflict of
laws
Theories that justify the application of the foreign law Governs a domestic A provision found in our own
instead of domestic or internal law problem, i.e., one without a law which governs a factual
1. Theory of comity foreign element situation possessed of a
2. Vested right theory foreign element
3. Theory of local law Example: Art. 796  All Example: Art. 16  Real
4. Theory of harmony of laws persons who are not property as well as personal
5. Theory of justice expressly prohibited by law property is subject to the
may make a will law of the country where it
Theory of comity is situated
According to this theory, no foreign law would be allowed to
operate in another state except by the comity of nations Two kinds of conflicts rules
1. One-sided rule
Comity  Indicates when Philippine law will apply
The recognition which one state allows within its  Example: Article 15 of the CC  Laws
territory, to the legislative, executive, or judicial acts of relating to family rights and duties, or to
another nation the status, condition, and legal capacity of
persons, are binding upon citizens of the
Two principles upon which the theory of comity Philippines even though living abroad
rests 2. All-sided or multilateral rule
1. The comity based on reciprocity  Indicates whether to apply the local law or
2. The comity based on the persuasiveness of a the proper foreign law
foreign judgment  Example: Art. 16  Real property as well
 Our Civil Procedure still follows the as personal property is subject to the law
principle of reciprocity because in of the country where it is situated
Sec. 48, Rule 39, a foreign final
judgment or order “is presumptive Parts of every conflicts rule
evidence of a right as between the 1. The factual situation – the set of facts or
parties and their successors in situation presenting a conflicts problem because
interest there is a foreign element involved
2. The point of contact or connecting factor –
The vested-rights theory The law of the country with which the factual
Under this theory, our courts enforce not the foreign law or situation is most intimately connected
foreign judgment but the right or rights that have been
vested under such law or judgment.

Note: The first part raises while the second part 4. It is generally supposed to have a universal
answers a legal question character
Chapter 5 Different theories on how the personal law of an

individual is determined
Characterization of conflict rules
1. The nationality theory
 Personal theory
Characterization  The status and capacity of a person are
Otherwise known as “classification” or “qualification” is the determined by the law of his nationality or
process of assigning a certain set of facts or factual his national law
situation to its proper or correct legal category. By 2. The domiciliary theory
characterizing the legal problem, the court of the parties  By virtue of which the status and capacity
involved reach the proper solution whether to apply the of a person is determined by the law of his
local law or the proper foreign law domicile
 Most writers hold that on the grounds of practical  Territorial theory
necessity and convenience, it is the forum or the 3. The situs or eclectic theory
lex fori that should determine the problem’s  Views the law of a particular place or situs
characterization unless the result would be a clear of an event or transaction as generally the
injustice controlling law
Note: Modern trend is to consider prescriptive periods Note: The Philippines follows the nationality
or Statute of Frauds that the parties had in mind at the theory.
time the transaction took place
Nationality v. citizenship
Nationality Citizenship
Chapter 6 Refers to membership in a A citizen is one who owes
Persona law – Theories in determining one’s personal political community, one allegiance to and is entitled
law that is personal and more or to the protection of the
less permanent, not State
temporary.
Personal law.
That which attaches to him wherever he may go. The law In the field of Conflict of Laws, nationality and citizenship
that generally governs his status, capacity, condition, family are the same
relations, and the consequences of his actuations. It may
be:
1. National law Chapter 7
2. Law of his domicile The Nationality Theory
3. Law of the situs
Different kinds of citizenship in the Philippines
Status vs. capacity
1. Natural born citizens
Status Capacity  Those who are citizens from birth without
Place of an individual in Only part of one’s status and having to perform any act to acquire or
society and consists of may be defined as the sum perfect their Philippine citizenship
personal qualities and total of his rights and
relationships more or less obligations Native-born Filipinos
permanent, with which the Those born in the Philippines. Natural-born
state and the community are citizens may not be native-born if they were
concerned born abroad
Two kinds of capacity 2. Citizens by naturalization

1. Juridical capacity  Those who were formerly aliens but by
 Passive capacity judicial, legislative, or administrative
 The fitness to be the subject of legal process, have become Filipino citizens
relations
2. Capacity to act Jus soli v. jus sanguinis
 Active capacity Jus soli Jus sanguinis
 The power to do acts with legal effects A person is a citizen of the It is citizenship by blood
country where he was born
Characteristics of status or of the country of his birth  This is the rule that we
1. It is conferred principally by the State, not by the follow in the Philippines
individual
2. It is a matter of public interest or social interest
Note: Each country or state has the sole power and
3. Being a concept of social order, it cannot easily be
authority to determine under its internal or municipal law
terminated at the mere will or desire of the parties
who are its citizens or nationals
concerned

or naturalized, becomes ipso facto a Filipino, provided she is

Dual allegiance under Sec. 5, Article IV of the not disqualified to be a citizen of the Philippines under Sec.
Constitution 4 of the same law.
The provision in the Constitution (dual allegiance of citizens  It is enough that an alien wife proves that she is
is inimical to national interest and shall be dealt with by not disqualified to be a Filipino citizen not
law) is concerned not with dual citizenship per se but with necessarily in court but even before an agency like
naturalized citizens of the Philippines who still maintain their the Immigration Commission
allegiance to the countries of their origin.
Effective nationality theory Note: An alien woman married to an alien husband
Within a third state, a person having more than one who (the husband) is subsequently naturalized also
nationality shall be treated as if he had only one. Without follows the Philippine citizenship of her husband,
prejudice to the application of its law in personal matters provided she does not suffer from any of the
and of any conventions in force, a third state shall apply the disqualifications under Sec. 4 of the same Revised
nationalities which any such person possesses, recognize Naturalization Law. This is a case of derivative
exclusively in its territory either the nationality of the naturalization (similar to the minor children of a
country in which he is habitually and principally a resident, naturalized Filipino citizen)
or the nationality of the country with which in the
circumstances he appears to be in fact mostly connected Naturalization
 The law of the country of which the deceased was The process of conferring on an alien the citizenship of
both a citizen and a domiciliary at the time of her another country by any of the means provided by law.
death is considered more effectively connected to
her than her other national law. Modes of acquiring Philippine citizenship by
naturalization
Citizens of the Philippines under the 1987 1. Judicial process
Constitution  Com. Act No. 475 as amended by RA 530
1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the 2. Legislative process
time of the adoption of this Constitution  When Philippine citizenship is conferred by
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the a special act of Congress on deserving
Philippines aliens
3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino 3. Administrative process
mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon  RA 9139 or the Administrative
reaching the age of majority and Naturalization Law of 2000
4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law  Under this law, a Special Committee on
Naturalization is created, with the power
Citizenship of a Filipino woman who marries a to approve, deny, or reject applications for
foreigner naturalization filed with said Committee
Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens shall retain their
citizenship unless by their act or omission they are deemed, Derivative naturalization
under the law, to have renounced their Philippine citizenship Philippine citizenship conferred on:
(Article 4, Sec. 4, 1987 Constitution) 1. The wife of a naturalized husband
2. The minor children of a naturalized father
Citizenship of an alien woman who marries a Filipino 3. The alien wife of a natural born or naturalized
husband citizen, in the latter case, the marriage having
Under Sec. 15 of the Revised Naturalization Law (Com. Act taken place after the husband’s naturalization
No. 475), an alien woman marrying a Filipino, native-born

Naturalization
Judicial naturalization under Com. Act. 475, Administrative naturalization under RA 9139 or
as amended the Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000
Qualifications 1. The petitioner must not e less than 21 years 1. The applicant must be born in the Philippines
of age on the date of the hearing of the and residing therein since birth
petition 2. The applicant must not be less than 18 years of
2. He must have, as a rule, resided in the age, at the time of filing of his/her petition
Philippines for a continuous period of not less 3. The applicant must be of good moral character
than 10 years and believes in the underlying principles of the
3. He must be of good moral character, and Constitution and must have conducted
believe in the principles underlying the himself/herself in a proper and irreproachable
Philippine Constitution, and must have manner during his/her entire period of
conducted himself in a proper and residence in the Philippines in relation with the
irreproachable manner during the entire duly constituted government as well as with the
period of his residence in the Philippines in community in which he/she is living
his relation with the constituted government 4. The applicant must have received his/her
as well as with the community in which he is primary and secondary education in any public
living school or private education institution duly
4. He must own real estate in the Philippines recognized by the DECS, where Philippine
worth not less than 5,000, Philippine history, government, and civics are taught and
currency, or must have some lucrative trade, prescribed as part of the school curriculum and
profession, or occupation where enrollment is not limited to any race or
5. He must be able to speak and write English or nationality: Provided, that should he/she have
Spanish and any one of the principal minor children of school age, he/she must have
languages and enrolled them in similar schools.
6. He must have enrolled his minor children of 5. The applicant must have a known trade,
school in any of the public or private schools business, profession, or lawful occupation, from
recognized by the Bureau of Private Schools which he/she derives income sufficient for
where Philippine history, government, and his/her support and if he/she is married and/or
civics are taught or prescribed as part of the has dependents, also that of his/her family:
school curriculum during the entire period of Provided, however, that this shall not apply to
the residence required of him, prior to the applicants who are college degree holders but
hearing of his petition for naturalization as are unable to practice their profession because
citizen they are disqualified to do so by reason of their
citizenship
6. The applicant must be able to read, write, and
speak Filipino or any of the dialects of the
Philippines, and
7. The applicant must have mingled with the
Filipinos and evinced a sincere desire to learn
and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideals
of the Filipino people
Disqualifications 1. Those opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association of group of person who
uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments
2. Those defending or teaching the necessity of or propriety of violence, personal assault or
assassination for the success or predominance of their ideas
3. Polygamists or believers in the practice of polygamy
4. Those convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude
5. Those suffering from mental alienation or incurable contagious disease
6. Those who, during the period of their residence in the Philippines, have not mingled socially with
Filipinos, or who have not evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions, and
ideals of the Filipinos
7. Citizens or subjects of nations with whom the Philippines is at war
8. Citizens or subjects of a foreign country whose laws do not grant Filipinos the right to be naturalized
citizens or subjects thereof

Loss of citizenship Domicile v. residence

Under Com. Act 63, as amended, a Filipino citizen may lose Domicile Residence
his citizenship in any of the following ways: Denotes a fixed, permanent Used to indicate a place of
1. By naturalization in a foreign country residence to which, when abode, whether permanent
2. By express renunciation of citizenship absent, one has the or temporary
3. By subscribing an oath of allegiance to support the intention of returning
constitution or laws of a foreign country upon Residence is not domicile, but domicile is residence coupled
attaining twenty-one years of age or more with intention to remain for an unlimited time
4. By accepting commission in the military, naval, or
air service of a foreign country Domicile v. citizenship
5. By cancellation of the certificate of naturalization Domicile Citizenship
6. By having been declared by competent authority, a Speaks of one’s permanent Indicates ties of allegiance
deserter of the Philippine armed forces in time of place of abode and loyalty
war, unless subsequently a plenary pardon or A person may be a citizen or national of one sate and a
amnesty has been granted; and domiciliary of another
7. In case of a woman, upon her marriage to a
foreigner, if, by virtue of the laws in force in her Note: The forum applies its own concept of domicile in
husband’s country, she acquires his nationality determining the domicile of a litigant before its courts (law
 Under the 1987 Constitution, however, of the forum/lex fori, NOT national law, is the law that
the woman retains her Philippine determines one’s domicile)
citizenship unless by her act or omission
she is deemed under the law to have Different kinds of domicile
renounced her Philippine citizenship 1. Domicile of origin: The domicile assigned by law
to a person at the moment of his birth
Philippine citizenship, how reacquired 2. Constructive domicile or domicile by
Under C.A. 63, as amended, Philippine citizenship may be operation of law: The domicile assigned by law to
reacquired as follows: a person after birth on account of a legal disability,
1. By naturalization, provided the applicant possesses like minority, insanity, imprisonment, etc.
none of the disqualifications 3. Domicile of choice: The domicile of a person sui
2. By repatriation of deserters of the Army, Navy, or juris because he has his home there and to which,
Air Corps, Provided, that a woman who lost her whenever absent, he intends to return
citizenship by reason of her marriage to an alien
may be repatriated in accordance with the Principles regarding one’s domicile of choice
provisions of this Act after the termination of the 1. No person can ever be without a domicile or every
marital status natural person must have a domicile
3. By direct act of Congress 2. A person cannot have two simultaneous domiciles
3. A natural person, free (not a prisoner) and sui juris
RA 9225 – Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition (one of age and under no disability), can change
Act of 2003 his domicile at pleasure
Under this law, natural born Filipino citizens who had been 4. A domicile, once acquired, is retained until a new
naturalized in foreign countries are deemed to have one is gained
reacquired Philippine citizenship by taking an oath of 5. The presumption being in favor of the continuance
allegiance to the Philippine Constitution and laws. Those of an existing domicile, the burden of proof is on
who become naturalized in foreign countries after the the one who alleges that a change of domicile has
effectivity of the Act retain their Philippine citizenship upon taken place
taking the same oath 6. To acquire a new domicile of choice, the following
must concur:
Chapter 8 (1) Residence or bodily presence in the new
Domiciliary Theory locality
(2) An intention to remain there (animus
Domiciliary theory manendi) and
It is the theory whereby the status, condition, family rights (3) An intention not to return to the former
and obligations, and capacity of a person are governed by abode (animus non revertendi)
the law of his domicile or the lex domicilii
Rules determining one’s domicile of origin
Domicile If the child is legitimate His domicile of origin is that
It is the place where a person has his true, fixed, of his parents at the time of
permanent home, and principal establishment, and to his birth
which, whenever he is absent, he has the intention of
returning. If parents are separated, the
 Art. 50 of the CC: For the exercise of civil rights domicile of the custodial
and fulfillment of civil obligations, the domicile of parent
natural persons is the place of their habitual If the child is illegitimate His domicile of origin is that
residence of the mother at the time of
his birth
If the child is legitimated The domicile of his father at
the time of his birth controls
If the child is adopted The domicile of origin is the

domicile of his real parents

at the time of his birth, NOT
the domicile of the adopters Chapter 9
If a foundling The domicile of origin is the The situs or eclectic theory
country where it was found
Situs or eclectic theory
Rules determining one’s constructive domicile The capacity, status, and family relations of a person are
MINORS governed not necessarily by the law of his nationality or the
1. If legitimate, the domicile of both parents law of his domicile but by the law of the place (situs) where
 In case of disagreement, that of the an important element of the problem occurs or is situated
father, unless there is a judicial order to
the contrary Two kinds of participation of an individual under the
2. If illegitimate, the domicile of the mother situs or eclectic theory
3. In case of absence or death of either parent, the 1. If participation is active – When he does an act
domicile of the present parent. voluntarily, the governing law is the law of the
 Even in case of remarriage of the actual situs of the transaction or event
surviving parent, still his/her domicile 2. If the participation is passive – When the
determines the constructive domicile of effects of the act are set forth or determined by
the minor child law, the governing law is the law of the legal
4. If the child is adopted, the domicile of choice of the situs, i.e., the domicile of the individual concerned
adopter is the child’s constructive domicile
INSANES, IDIOTS, IMBECILES
Chapter 10
The law assigns their domicile to them: The problem of the “renvoi”
1. If they are below the age of majority, the rules on
minors apply to them
2. If they are of age and have guardians, they follow Renvoi
the domicile of choice of their guardians  A French word which means “refer back” or
3. If they are of age and have no guardians, their “return”
constructive domicile is their domicile of choice  In Anglo-American countries, the term used is
before they became insane “remission,” which means to refer a matter for
MARRIED WOMEN consideration or judgment
1. The constructive
When does the problem of renvoi arise?
domicile of the wife is
The problem of renvoi arises when there is doubt as to
the domicile of both
whether the reference by the lex fori (the law of the country
spouses, unless the law
where the problem arises) to the foreign law involves:
allows the wife to have a
1. A reference to the internal law of the foreign law or
separate domicile for
2. A reference to the entirety of the foreign law
valid and compelling
including its conflicts rules
If the marriage is valid reasons
 In such case, if the first state follows the
2. If there is legal
nationality theory, and the second state
separation between the
follows the domiciliary theory, the
spouses, the wife can
problem of renvoi will most probably arise
have her own domicile
of choice
Four solutions the court can adopt when confronted
3. If there is a separation
with a renvoi problem
de facto, the wife can
1. Reject the renvoi
also have a separate
 This means that the court does not want
domicile
the problem to be sent back to us.
Apply the same rules when
 As in the case of the testate or intestate
If the marriage is the marriage is valid.
succession of a foreigner but domiciled in
voidable However, after annulment,
our country, we would simply apply his
the wife can freely select her
national law or the internal law of his
own domicile of choice
country
If the marriage is void The wife can have a domicile
2. Accept the renvoi
separate from the husband
 Accept the referral or transmission of the
OTHER PERSONS case back to us, so that instead of
Convict or prisoner His domicile is the one he applying the foreign internal law,
had possessed prior to his Philippine law is applied
incarceration  Single renvoi or single transmission
Soldiers Their domicile is their 3. Follow the theory of desistment or the mutual
domicile before their disclaimer of jurisdiction theory
enlistment  Refrain from applying the national law of
Public officials or Their domicile is the one the deceased foreigner, although our law
employees abroad they had before they were tells us to do so.
(diplomats, etc) assigned elsewhere, unless  If said law follows the domiciliary theory
they voluntarily adopt their and directs that we apply the law of the
place of employment as domicile of the deceased, so in the end,
their permanent residence we still apply Philippine law

 A declaration of death in accordance with one’s

4. Apply the foreign court theory personal law (whether his national law or the law
 We would simply do what the foreign of his domicile) by a court of competent jurisdiction
court would do if confronted with the is considered valid for all purposes
same case
 Advantage of this theory is that regardless Absence, defined
of the forum, the applicable law will be the A special legal status pertaining to a person who has
same disappeared from his domicile, his whereabouts being
 Can also result in international ping pong unknown, without leaving an agent to administer his
property or even if he had left an agent, the power
Double renvoi conferred by the absentee on the agent has expired
This occurs when the local court, in adopting the foreign  One status of being absent is determined in
court theory, discovers that the foreign court accepts the accordance with his personal law
“renvoi.” But since the foreign law remits the case to  Our own courts also have jurisdiction to declare an
Philippine law, being the law of the deceased’s domicile, the alien domiciliary in the Philippines as absent
foreign court may discover that Philippine law does not
accept the remission (as it applies the national law of the Judicial declaration of absence under Philippine law
deceased) so the foreign court, sitting as a Philippine court, After the lapse of two years without any news about the
would still apply its own internal law. This is then what our absentee or since the receipt of the last news, and five
court will apply. years if the absentee has left an administrator of his
property, his absence may be declared
Theory of transmission v. renvoi
Theory of transmission Renvoi Instances when an absentee may be presumed dead
Transmission is the process Renvoi means to refer a and for what purposes
of applying the law of a matter for consideration or 1. For purposes of remarriage – the absentee may
foreign state thru the law of judgment be presumed dead after four years of absence,
a second foreign state the present spouses having a well-founded belief
Transmission involves three Renvoi involves two laws that the absentee is already dead
laws  However, in case of disappearance where
there is danger of death, an absence of 2
years is enough
Chapter 11
2. For all other purposes EXCEPT succession – an
Conflict rules on status and capacity
absence of seven years, it being unknown whether
or not the absentee still lives
When human personality begins under our law 3. For the purpose of succession – an absence of
 Art. 40, NCC: Birth determines personality, but 10 years is required, except if the absentee
the conceived child shall be considered born for all disappeared after the age of 75 years, in which
purposes that are favorable to it, provided it be case an absence of 5 years is enough to open his
born later with the conditions specified in the succession
following article
 Art. 41, NCC: For civil purposes, the fetus is What determines the age of majority in Conflict of
considered born if it is alive at the time it is Laws?
completely delivered from the mother’s womb. It is the personal law of the person that determines whether
However, if the fetus had an intra-uterine life of he has reached the age of majority or not.
less than 7 months, it is not deemed born if it dies
within 24 hours after its complete delivery from the Our conflicts rules on capacity to contract
maternal womb A person’s capacity to contract is governed by his personal
law, whether it is the lex nationalii or the lex domicilii
Personality really begins at conception, subject to the  EX: Contracts involving real or personal property in
following conditions: which cases the lex situs or lex rei sitae applies
1. The purpose is favorable to the fetus including the capacity of the contracting parties
2. If it is born alive under Art. 41 of the NCC
Note: It is suggested that Article 15 of the CC applying the
Two kinds of children nationality theory be limited to strictly family and domestic
1. Ordinary – With an intra uterine life of at least 7 transactions, while the law governing the contract should
months govern ordinary day-to-day business contracts.
2. Extraordinary – With an intra-uterine life of less
than 7 months, in which case it must live for at Change of names and surnames
least 24 hours after complete delivery from the A change of name is a special proceeding to establish the
mother’s womb status of a person involving his relation with others. Aliens
can ask for change of name in the Philippines, provided they
Note: In Conflict of Laws, personal law determines the are domiciled here.
beginning of one’s personality.  But an alien whose citizenship is either
controverted or doubtful cannot ask for a change of
Civil personality, when extinguished name
Art. 42 of the NCC: Civil personality is extinguished by
death Legislative jurisdiction vs. judicial jurisdiction over
 Refers to physical death not civil death one’s status

Legislative jurisdiction Judicial jurisdiction prohibited under Articles 35(1), (4), (5), and (6), 36, 37,
Legislative jurisdiction over Judicial jurisdiction over and 38.
one’s status is the power of one’s status is the power of  In other words, we follow the rule of lex loci
his personal law to govern the courts to decide celebrationis
his status wherever he goes questions or controversies EX: A foreign marriage of Filipinos in a foreign country will
concerning one’s status still be void in the Philippines if:
1. Either or both parties did not have legal capacity to
Note: Thus, our courts can decide cases involving the get married (Art. 35 (1))
status and capacity of foreigners brought before them, but 2. The marriage is immoral for being bigamous or
in doing so, our courts will apply the personal law of the polygamous (Art. 35 (4))
foreigner, whether it be his national law or the law of his 3. Consent of one party is lacking, because of mistake
domicile, depending on what theory the country of his as to the identity of the other (Art. 35 (5))
citizenship follows. 4. One of the parties was psychologically
 Example: Even if the personal law of the foreigner incapacitated at the time of the marriage to comply
allows divorce, he cannot apply for divorce from his with the essential marital obligations (Art. 36)
spouse before a Philippine court because we do not 5. The marriage is incestuous (Art. 37)
recognize divorce and our courts have no 6. The marriage is void by reason of public policy
jurisdiction to grant divorces. However, a foreigner (Art. 38)
who applies for legal separation in our country on a
ground available under his national law but not Note: Consular marriages of Filipinos abroad are valid (Art.
under our law, may obtain a favorable judgment 10, Family Code)
from our courts, because it is his national law on
legal separation that our courts will apply, but Conflicts rules on marriages between foreigners
subject to our procedural law. solemnized abroad
1. We still apply the rule of lex loci celebrationis, but
not the exceptions in the first par. of Art. 26 of the
Chapter 12
Family Code which apply only to Filipinos
Conflicts rules on marriage
 But universally considered incestuous
marriages and marriages that are highly
Philippine internal law on the formal validity of immoral are excepted
marriages or the validity of marriage as a contract 2. Proxy marriages – Not allowed under Philippine
1. Essential requisites internal law
(1) Legal capacity of the contracting parties  Rule in the US – if permitted by the law of
who must be male and female the place where the proxy participates in
(2) Consent freely given in the presence of a the marriage ceremony, proxy marriages
solemnizing officer are entitled to recognition insofar as the
2. Formal requisites formal validity of the marriage is
(1) Authority of the solemnizing officer concerned
(2) A valid marriage license 3. Marriages on board a vessel on the high seas –
(3) A marriage ceremony takes place with the Since the country whose flag the ship is flying has
appearance of the contracting parties jurisdiction over the ship, the rule is that
before the solemnizing officer and their compliance with the law of the said country is
personal declaration that they take each required for the marriage to be valid
other as husband and wife in the presence 4. If the parties or at least the husband is a Muslim –
of not less than two witnesses of legal age it is believed that we would recognize up to four
marriages of the same husband (Philippine Muslim
Note: The above formal requisites apply to foreigners who Code on Personal Laws)
get married in the Philippines. If one or both of the parties
are foreigners, the foreigner must submit a certificate of Mixed Marriages
legal capacity to contract marriage issued by the diplomatic Marriage between a If the marriage is valid
or consular officials of his/her country in the Philippines Filipino and foreigner under the law of one of the
before he/she can be issued a marriage license. Stateless ABROAD spouses while void under
persons or refugees need only to submit an affidavit stating the law of the other, we
the circumstances showing such capacity to contract should uphold the validity of
marriage the marriage, unless the
marriage is universally
Common law marriages of foreigners incestuous or highly immoral
As to common law marriages of foreigners who come to the (the same rule as to
Philippines as husband and wife, it would seem that we foreigners who get married
should consider the marriage valid if valid under their abroad)
national law or the law of the place where the relationship
Marriage between a The national law of the
began. But the marriage must not be contra bonos mores or
Filipino and a foreigner in Filipino – Philippine law
universally considered incestuous
the PHILIPPINES should be followed –
otherwise our public policy
Foreign marriages of Filipinos
would be violated
GR: Under Art. 26 of the Family Code, all marriages outside
the Philippines in accordance with the laws in force in the
country where they were solemnized and valid there as
such, shall also be valid in this country, except those

Two aspects of marriage as a status  RE: 3 Better solution: apply the national
1. Aspect of personal rights and obligations of the law of the husband at the time of the
spouses marriage
 Purely personal and are not ordinarily EXCEPTIONS
interfered with by the courts 1. If the national law of the husband violates public
policy of the forum
2. The national law of the wife happens to be the law
2. Aspect of their property relations of the forum
 The law lays down rules and judicial
sanctions as they may affect public
interest Conflicts rules on the property relations of husband
and wife
Law governing personal relations of spouses in GR: Property relations of the spouses are governed by
Conflict of Laws Philippine law, regardless of the place of the celebration of
1. Countries that follow the nationality theory (e.g. marriage and their residence (nationality theory)
Philippines) – apply the spouses’ national law in  If one spouse is a Filipino (wife or husband) and
determining their personal relations with each the other is an alien, Philippine law would still
other govern
2. Countries that follow the domiciliary theory – the
personal relations of the spouses are governed by EX:
the law of their domicile 1. If both spouses are aliens – general rule in Conflict
of Laws will apply
Spouses of different nationalities: law governing their 2. With respect to extrinsic validity of contracts
personal relations affecting real property – the lex situs will govern
GR: The personal relations of the spouses are governed by the formalities to be observed for the contract’s
the national law of the husband validity
Alien woman who Ipso facto becomes a Filipino Doctrine of immutability of matrimonial (property)
marries a Filipino citizen if she does not suffer regime of the spouses
husband under any disqualification Regardless of the change of nationality by the husband or
for naturalization as a the wife or both, the original property regime that prevailed
Filipino citizen at the start of their marriage prevails
Personal relations: Immutability of the property regime v. immutability

national law of the husband of the law governing the property regime
shall govern (GR) Immutability of the Immutability of the law
A Filipina who marries an Constitution provides that property regime governing the property
alien husband she “shall retain her regime
Philippine citizenship, unless A subsequent change of The law that creates and
by her act or omission, she nationality by the husband governs the property regime
is deemed, under our law, to or wife or both does NOT may change
have renounced her change the original property
citizenship” regime
Personal relations: Art. 80 Annulment v. Declaration of nullity of marriage

of the Family Code provides Annulment Declaration of nullity
that the national law of the Remedy if the marriage is Remedy if the marriage is
wife or Philippine law would voidable or annullable (valid void ab initio
govern the spouses’ until annulled)
personal relations (rule was
intended to protect the Voidable v. void marriage – legal effects
Filipino wife) Voidable marriage Void marriage
It can be convalidated either It cannot be convalidated
Conflict rules on the law governing personal relations by free cohabitation or
of spouses who change nationalities prescription
General Rules The same property regime The only property
1. If the spouses have the same nationality but they as in a valid marriage is relationship between the
acquire a new nationality by their common act – established between the parties is a co-ownership
their new national law will govern their personal spouses
relations The children are legitimate if The children are illegitimate,
2. If the husband alone changes his nationality after conceived before the decree except children of void
the marriage – the law of the last common of annulment marriages under Art. 36 and
nationality of the spouses would govern 53 of FC
3. If the spouses retain their different nationalities
after the marriage – National law of both spouses Art. 36 – children born
should govern under marriage that is void
on the ground of psy.
Incapacity

cases since that is the place which has the greatest

Art. 53 – children born of interest in the domestic relations of the spouses
the first marriage of parties
before said first marriage Rules on the validity of foreign divorces by foreigners
had been annulled or abroad
declared void, and those 1. Hague Convention states that a foreign divorce will
who marry a second time be recognized in the contracting states if, at the
without delivering the date of the filing of the proceedings:
presumptive legitime of the (1) The petitioner or respondent had his or
children of their first her habitual residence in the state where
marriage the divorce was obtained
The marriage cannot be The marriage may be (2) If both spouses were nationals of said
attacked collaterally attacked directly or state
collaterally (3) Although the petitioner was a national of
The marriage can no longer The marriage can still be another country, he or she had his or her
be impugned after the death impugned even after the residence in the place where the divorce
of the spouses death of the spouses was obtained
2. In the US, a state has a duty to recognize a divorce
Conflicts rules on annulment and declaration of nullity obtained in a sister state if the spouses were
of marriage domiciled in the latter state
1. In Conflict of Laws, the grounds for annulment of 3. A divorce obtained in a foreign country would be
marriage and for declaration of nullity of marriage recognized under the same circumstances that a
are the grounds provided for by the law alleged to divorce obtained from a sister state is given
have been violated  lex loci celebrationis or the recognition
law of the place where the marriage was 4. in the Philippines, if both spouses are aliens, we
celebrated recognize a decree of divorce obtained by them
 Reason: Considering that it is the lex loci abroad if valid under their national law
celebrationis that is usually applied to 5. If one of the spouses is a Filipino and the other an
determine whether a marriage is valid or alien, we also recognize the divorce obtained by
not, it is the same law that also the alien spouse abroad
determines whether a marriage is
voidable or void Legal separation v. divorce
2. As for declaration of nullity of marriage between Legal separation Divorce
two Filipinos abroad, the grounds are the Relative divorce, only a Absolute divorce, dissolves
exceptions to the lex loci celebrationis in Article 26 separation from bed and the marriage and the parties
of the Family Code: board but the parties remain can marry again
(1) Either or both parties did not have legal married
capacity to get married (Art. 35 (1))
(2) The marriage is immoral for being Legal separation v. annulment of marriage
bigamous or polygamous (Art. 35 (4)) Legal separation Annulment
(3) Consent of one party is lacking, because Marriage is not defective Marriage is defective
of mistake as to the identity of the other Grounds arise after the Grounds must exist at the
(Art. 35 (5)) marriage time of or before the
(4) One of the parties was psychologically celebration of the marriage
incapacitated at the time of the marriage Parties are still married to Marriage is set aside
to comply with the essential marital each other
obligations (Art. 36) Grounds are those given by Grounds are those given by
(5) The marriage is incestuous (Art. 37) the national law or the the lex loci celebrationis
(6) The marriage is void by reason of public domiciliary law – question is subject to certain exceptions
policy (Art. 38) one of status – questions the very
3. As to foreigners who get married abroad – the existence of status
exceptions to the lex loci celebrationis would be the
same as those in marriages as a contract: Conflict rules on legal separation
(1) Marriages that are highly immoral 1. If the parties are of the same nationality – grounds
(2) Universally incestuous marriages for legal separation are those given by their
4. Consular marriages – either the national law or the personal law (national law or domiciliary law)
law of the domicile of the parties applies 2. If the parties are of different nationalities –
grounds for legal separation are those under both
Courts that have jurisdiction over cases for the personal law of the husband and wife
annulment or declaration of nullity of marriage
1. In the Philippines – since we follow the nationality Courts that may grant legal separation
theory, our courts have jurisdiction 1. Jurisdiction in the case of aliens is not assumed by
 Citizens and domiciliaries can file in the the forum unless the national law of the parties is
Philippines, even if the defendant is a willing to recognize its jurisdiction
non-resident 2. In the Philippines, foreigners may ask for legal
2. In other countries – it is usually the courts of the separation here, even if they did not get married in
parties’ domicile who have jurisdiction over such this country. What is important is that the court
has jurisdiction over both parties

3. Most countries assume jurisdiction over case for 2. Illegitimate children – children conceived and born
legal separation on the basis of the domicile of one outside a valid marriage
of the parties or the matrimonial domicile  EX: Children born of void marriages under
Article 36 (psychological incapacity) and
Note: It is NOT necessary that the cause for legal Article 53 (those born of the first marriage
separation take place in the country for our courts to of parties before said first marriage had
have jurisdiction over the case. been annulled or declared void, and who
marry a second time without delivering
Grounds for legal separation under Philippine internal the presumptive legitime of the children of
law (Article 55, FC) their first marriage are considered
1. Repeated physical violence or grossly abusive LEGITIMATE CHILDREN
conduct against the petitioner, a common child, or
a child of the petitioner
2. Physical violence or moral pressure to compel the
petitioner to change religious or political affiliation
3. Attempt to corrupt or induce the petitioner, a Law governing the rights and duties between parent
common child, or a child of the petitioner, to and child
engage in prostitution, or connivance in such 1. If the child is legitimate – either the common
corruption or inducement personal law of the parents or the personal law of
4. Final judgment sentencing the respondent to the father if the parents are of different
imprisonment of more than 6 years, even if nationalities governs
pardoned 2. If the child is illegitimate – The personal law of the
5. Drug addiction or habitual alcoholism of the mother is decisive, UNLESS the child is
respondent subsequently recognized by the father, in which
6. Contracting by the respondent of a subsequent case the rules on legitimate children will be applied
bigamous marriage, whether in the Philippines or
abroad Doctrine of immutability of status
7. Lesbianism or homosexuality of the respondent The status of a child (whether legitimate or illegitimate) is
8. Sexual infidelity or perversion not affected by a subsequent change of nationality of the
9. Attempt by the respondent against the life of the parents
petitioner  But the rights an duties of parent and child would
10. Abandonment of petitioner by respondent without after the parents’ change of nationality, be
justifiable cause for more than one year governed by the new national law of the parents
Defenses to legal separation under Philippine internal Legitimation, defined

law (Article 56, FC) A process whereby children who in fact were not born in
1. Condonation of the offense or the act complained lawful wedlock and should therefore be ordinarily considered
of illegitimate children are by fiction of law and upon
2. Consent of the aggrieved party to the commission compliance with certain legal requirements, regarded by law
of the act or offense complained of as “legitimate,” it being supposed that they were born after
3. Connivance between the parties in the commission their parents had already been validly married.
of the offense or act constituting the ground for
legal separation Conflicts rules on legitimation of children
4. Where both parties have given ground for legal 1. The requisites of legitimation are generally
separation considered those prescribed by the national law of
5. Collusion between the parties to obtain legal the parents, and if the latter have different national
separation laws, the national law of the father
6. Prescription 2. In countries following the domiciliary theory, law of
the domicile of the parents, or in proper cases, the
Note: The prescriptive period for filing of an action for legal law of the domicile of the father should govern
separation in the Philippines is 5 years from the time of the
occurrence of the case (Art. 57, FC) Philippine internal law on legitimation of children
(Articles 177-182, FC)
Chapter 13 Requisites for legitimated children
Status of Children 1. The child was conceived AND born outside lawful
wedlock
2. The parents at the time of the child’s conception,
Conflict rules in determining legitimacy of children
were not disqualified by any impediment to marry
1. If the parents are of the same nationality – their
each other
common personal law (national law or law of
domicile) will be applied
Note: Legitimation creates a permanent (immutable) status
2. If the parents are of different nationalities –
of the child
personal law of the father governs
Adoption
Legitimate and illegitimate children under Philippine
An act, which establishes a relationship of paternity and
internal law
filiation and in so doing, endows the child with legitimate
1. Legitimate children – children conceived or born
status
during the marriage of the parents

Law which determines whether the relationship of 4. The capacity and right of the adopter to file a
adoption has been created or not petition for adoption are governed by the law in
1. The child’s personal law force at the time the petition is filed, and cannot be
2. If the child does not reside in the country of his impaired by a new law disqualifying him or her for
citizenship – the personal law of the adopter will adoption
govern, or the personal law of the adopter and that
of the child will be applied concurrently Recognition of a foreign decree of adoption
While there is no provision of law nor jurisprudence
Law which determines the legal effects of adoption expressly requiring the Philippines to recognize a foreign
The legal effects of adoption are determined by the same decree of adoption, it is believed that under Sec. 48 of Rule
law that created the relationship of adoption 39 of the Rules on Civil Procedure, we can recognize such
foreign decree of adoption provided the foreign court had
jurisdiction to render said decree, and that there is no want
of notice, collusion, extrinsic fraud, or clear mistake of law
or fact leading to the foreign decree of adoption
Adoption by aliens in the Philippines Does adoption confer on the adopted child the
Under RA 8552 or the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998, aliens citizenship of the adopter?
(who are not even former Filipino citizens) can adopt in our No. Adoption does not confer on the adopted child the
country, provided: citizenship of the adopter. Adoption is a matter political and
1. The have the same qualifications as those required not civil in nature, and the ways in which it should be
of Filipino citizens conferred are outside the ambit of the Civil Code.
2. Their countries have diplomatic relations with our
country Chapter 14
3. They have been living in the Philippines for at least Wills, succession, and administration of the estate of
3 years prior to the filing of the petition for deceased persons
adoption, and maintain such residence until the
adoption decree is entered
Two theories or systems in determining the proper
4. The have been certified by their diplomatic or
law for the transmissions of successional rights
consular offices or by any appropriate government
1. Unitary or single system – only one law
agency that they have the legal capacity to adopt
determines transmission of real as well as personal
in their own countries and
properties
5. Their government allows the adopted child to enter
2. Split or scission system – Succession to real
their own country as their adopted child
property is governed by the lex situs, while
succession to movable or personal property is
Special aliens who can adopt under RA 8552
governed by the law of the domicile of the
1. A former Filipino citizen who seeks to adopt a
deceased at the time of his death
relative within the 4th degree of consanguinity or
affinity
Note: In the Philippines, we follow the unitary or single
2. One who seeks to adopt the legitimate son or
system, in that Article 16 of the NCC applies the
daughter of his or her Filipino spouse
national law of the deceased, whatever may be the
3. One who is married to a Filipino citizen and seeks
nature of the property and regardless of the country
to adopt jointly with his or her spouse a relative
where the property is found
within the 4th degree of consanguinity or affinity of
the Filipino spouse
Extrinsic v. intrinsic validity of wills
 These aliens need not comply with the residency in the
Extrinsic validity Intrinsic validity
Philippines and they also need not submit a certification that
they have the capacity to adopt from the diplomatic or Forms and solemnities of Substance of wills
consular office of their country in the Philippines or any wills
other government agency Deals with the forms and Concerns itself with:
solemnities in the making of 1. Order of succession
Note: RA 8552 still requires that the (alien) husband and wills which include: 2. Amount of
wife must jointly adopt. However in cases where the 1. Age and successional rights,
spouses are legally separated, the husband or the wife can testamentary and other matters
adopt alone, and the consent of the other spouse to an capacity of the of substance
adoption filed by one spouse is not necessary testator
2. Form of the will
Nature of adoption in Philippine law (notarial or
1. Adoption proceedings are always judicial an din holographic) etc
rem, i.e., publication is required
2. A mere agreement of adoption between the Conflicts rules in the Philippines on extrinsic validity
adopters and the parents of the child is not a valid of wills
adoption, nor the fact that the child had been 1. If a Filipino makes a will abroad - he may comply
adopted de facto (ampon) by the alleged adopting with the formalities of Philippine law (lex nationalii)
parents or the lex loci celebrationis (the law of the place
3. Neither is mere registration of the child in the civil where he was at the time of the execution of the
registry as the child of the adopter a valid will) – Art. 815, NCC
adoption. This even amounts to the crime of 2. If an alien makes a will abroad - he may comply
simulation of birth with the formalities of his lex nationalii (law of the

country of which he is a citizen, the lex domicilii actus of the revocation (the place where the
(law of his domicile0, or the lex loci celebrationis revocation was made)
3. If an alien makes a will in the Philippines – he may
comply with the formalities of his own country (lex Probate, defined
nationalii) or of Philippine law (lex loci Probate is the process of proving before a competent court
celebrationis) the due execution of a will, that the testator was possessed
4. Holographic wills – must be entirely written, dated, of testamentary capacity, and the approval by said court of
and signed by the hand of the testator. It is the will
subject to no other form and may be made in or
out of the Philippines and need not be witnessed Conflict rules on probate of wills
(Art. 810, NCC) 1. The allowance of disallowance of a will is
essentially procedural, so that the law of the forum
Conflicts rules on joint wills applies to all procedural matters
1. Filipinos cannot make joint wills whether he or 2. Art. 838, 1st par: “now will shall pass either real
abroad or personal property unless it is proved and
2. Joint wills made by aliens shall be considered valid allowed in accordance with the Rules of Court”
in the Philippines if valid according to their lex 3. There is no period of prescription for the probate of
nationalii or lex domicilii or if valid under lex loci a will
celebrationis 4. Wills proved and allowed in a foreign country
3. Joint wills made by aliens in the Philippines are according to the laws of each country may be
void even if valid under their lex nationalii or lex allowed, filed, and recorded by the proper court in
domicilii in order that our public policy on joint wills the Philippines
may not be militated against 5. Although a foreign will had already been probated
4. A joint will executed by an alien and a Filipino in a foreign country, it still has to be reprobated in
citizen abroad will be valid even as to the alien (if the Philippines in accordance with our procedural
his national law or law of his domicile or lex loci law  it is sufficient to ask for the enforcement of
celebrationis allows it) but void as to the Filipino the foreign judgment of the probate abroad
6. The evidence necessary for the probate or
Conflicts rules on intrinsic validity of wills allowance of wills which have been probated
1. lex nationalii – in countries that follow the outside the Philippines are:
nationality theory (1) The due execution of the will in
2. lex domicilii – in countries that follow the accordance with the foreign law because
domiciliary theory we cannot take judicial notice of foreign
laws
What governs the intrinsic validity of wills in the (2) The testator had his domicile in the
Philippines foreign country where the will was
The NCC applies the lex nationalii of the decedent probated
 Note: in case of conflict between the nationality (3) The will had been admitted to probate in
theory and the domiciliary theory, we can treat the said country
case as one of “renvoi” so that we can still apply (4) The foreign tribunal is a probate court
Philippine law even if the deceased was a citizen of (5) The laws of the foreign country on
another country procedure and allowance of wills were
followed
Conflicts rules if a person dies intestate Administration of estate of deceased persons

1. In civil law countries – the national law of the Administration is the process of determining and realizing
decased applies the assets of a deceased person, the payment of the debts
2. In common law countries – the lex domicilii of the of the estate, and the actual distribution of the residue to
deceased at the time of death applies with respect the heirs
to personalty, while the lex situs applies with
respect to real property Conflicts rules on administration of estate of
deceased by persons
Conflicts rules on revocation of wills 1. Administration is procedural in nature. It is the lex
1. Under Art. 829 of the NCC, a revocation done fori that governs not the law that determines how
outside the Philippines by a person who does not the estate of the deceased is to be distributed
have his domicile here is valid if done according to: 2. In charge of the administration is the executor or
(1) The law of the place where the will was an administrator with a will annexed or an
made (lex loci celecbrationis) or administrator
(2) The law of his domicile at the time of
revocation (lex domicilii) Executor Administrator Administrator
Note: ignores the law of the place of with a will
revocation annexed
2. If the revocation is done in the Philippines, it is Appointed by Appointed by Appointed by
valid if made in accordance with the provisions of testator in the court if the court if
our CC his will there is a will there is no will
3. If the revocation is done outside the Philippines by but no executed
a person who is domiciled here, it is valid if made is designated
in accordance with our law (lex domicilii) or lex loci therein

4. Interpretation of documents
3. The executor is qualified, and the administrator of 5. Effects of ownership
the estate is appointed, by the court of the country 6. Co-ownership
where the deceased was domiciled at the time of 7. Accession
his death, or if he was a non-domiciliary, the 8. Usufruct
country where his properties are found 9. Lease
4. The rights, powers, and duties of the executor or 10. Easement
administrator are coextensive with the territorial 11. Quieting of title
jurisdiction of the court that qualified or appointed 12. Registration
him 13. Prescription
5. Principal domiciliary administration v. ancillary 14. Police power
administration 15. Eminent domain
16. Taxation
Principal domiciliary Ancillary
administration administration Exceptions to the rule on lex situs with respect to real
Administration granted Administration in other properties
in the country of the countries where the 1. Succession  governed by national law (in
deceased’s last domicile deceased also left Philippines) not lex situs
properties 2. Contracts involving real property but do not deal
with title or real rights over the property, the issue
6. The domiciliary administrator of the estate of a being the contractual rights and liabilities of parties
deceased American citizen in the US has no power  governed by the proper law of the contract (lex
over and is not entitled to the possession of the loci voluntatis or lex loci intentionis)
stock certificates of shares of stock by the 3. In contracts where real property is given as
deceased in a Philippine corporation, which security by way of mortgage to secure a principle
certificates must be delivered to the ancillary contract (i.e. loan)  loan is governed by the
administrator proper law of the contract which the mortgage is
governed by the lex situs
Caduciary rights of state in Conflict of Laws 4. While the validity of the transfer of land must be
There are two theories adopted by different states so that determined by the lex situs, the validity of the
they may claim the properties left by a deceased who left contract to transfer is determined by the proper
no heirs and no will: law of the contract
1. Some countries adopt the theory that such
properties have become ownerless (bona vacantia) Rules in giving constructive situs to choses in
hence they should revert to the State where they possession that are usually in motion
are situated by escheat VESSELS
 properties pass to the State as an incident of Public vessel Law of the flag
sovereignty, not as an heir Private or commercial Law of the country or
2. In the Philippines and some civil law countries – vessel place of registry
the theory adopted is that the State is the last heir If vessel is docked at a Said port is deemed as its
of a deceased person. Hence, the State succeeds foreign port temporary situs
to the properties left by said deceased as an heir. GOODS IN TRANSIT
As to liability for loss, Law of destination (Art.
destruction, or 1734, CC)
Chapter 15 deterioration of goods
PROPERTY in transit
The validity and effect Law of the place where
Conflict rules on real property and personal property of seizure of goods in the goods were seized
GR: lex situs/ lex re sitae  law of the place where the transit (temporary situs)
property is located Disposition or Proper law of the contract
alienation of goods in (lex loci voluntatis or lex
Old rule on law on personal property/movables - transit loci intentionis)
Mobilia sequuntur personam
Personal effects or belongings of owner carried with Rules in giving constructive situs to intangible
him wherever he went. personal properties or choses in action
 Given artificial status since did not have fixed status CREDITS OR DEBTS
– personal law of the owner Involuntary transfer of The situs of the place
assignment of a debt where the debtor may be
Philippine rule on personal properties (garnishment) served (usually his
Art. 15 of the CC  real property as well as personal domicile)
property is subject to the law of the country where it is The proper law of the
situated contract (the proper law
of the original transaction
Matters governed by lex situs with respect to real out of which the chose in
property action or credit arose)
1. Extrinsic validity
2. Intrinsic validity Other theories:
3. Capacity of contracting parties 1. The law of the

Voluntary assignment place where the recognized them

or transfer of credit assignment is
executed Art. 520, NCC: a trade
2. The law of the mark or a trade name
place where duly registered in the
performance or proper government
payment is bureau or office is owned
normally by and pertains to the
expected person, corporation, or
3. The national law firm registering the same,
of the parties subject to the provisions
Situs of a debt for Domicile of creditor of special laws
taxation purposes
Administering debts Situs is the place where Intellectual property
the assets of the debtor Code: Any foreign
are situated corporation being a
NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS national or domiciliary o a
The law that Law governing rights country which is a party to
determines whether embodied in the a convention, treaty, or
the instrument is instrument agreement related to
negotiable or not intellectual property rights
Note: American to which the Philippines is
Restatement claims that also a party or which
the situs is the place extends reciprocal rights
where the instrument was to our nationals by law,
executed “shall be entitled to the
The law that The law of the situs of the benefits to the extent
determines the validity instrument at the time of necessary to give effect to
of the transfer, transfer, delivery, or any provision of such
delivery, or negotiation negotiation convention.”
of the negotiable
instrument - Foreign corporation even
SHARES OF STOCKS OF CORPORATIONS if not engaged in business
Sale of shares of stocks Law of the place of in the Philippines may
incorporation since nevertheless bring a civil
transfer is recorded in the or administrative action,
books of the corporation for opposition,
cancellation, infringement,
Sale of corporate Governed by the proper
or unfair competition.
shares as between the law of the contract (lex
parties loci voluntatis or lex loci
intentionis)
Taxation on dividends Law of the place of Chapter 16
received by corporate incorporation CONTRACTS
shares
FRANCHISES Contract, defined
Franchises Law of the state that Art. 1305, NCC: Meeting of minds between two persons
- special privileges granted them whereby one binds himself, with respect to the other, to
conferred by the give something or to render some service.
government on an  The specific subject of contract in Conflict of Laws
individual or corporation is limited to purely civil or commercial transactions.
Goodwill of a business
Goodwill of business Good will of business and Conflicts rules in determining extrinsic validity of
taxation thereon are contracts
-Art. 521, NCC: property governed by the law of GR: the extrinsic validity of contracts is governed by the lex
and may be transferred the place where the loci celebrationis/ lex loci contractus
together with the right to business is carried on
use the name under which Variations to the rule of lex loci intentions in
the business is conducted determining extrinsic validity of contracts
1. A contract entered into by parties in two different
“Goodwill” countries by cablegram, telex, or fax
-The patronage of any  Art. 1319 par. 2: Acceptance made by
established trade or letter or telegram does not bind the
business offeror except from the time it came to his
Patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, knowledge. The contract in such a case is
and service marks presumed to have been entered in the
Patents, copyrights, GR: in the absence of a place where the offer was made
trade marks, trade treaty, protected only by
names the state that granted or

 American law: contract is deemed 5. Questions of substantial and essential validity

entered into in the place where the (void, valid, voidable) of the contracts should be
acceptance of the offer is posted or mailed governed by the proper law of the contracts
2. Place of execution was merely casual or accidental  Minor details: time of payment, etc.
 The law which has the most significant should be governed by the law of
relationship to the transaction should be performance
applied 6. Parties cannot stipulate on the jurisdiction of the
3. (EX) When the lex loci contractus/lex loci courts our oust or court’s jurisdiction
celebrationis contravenes an established and 7. The parties cannot contract away applicable
important policy of the forum, or to apply it would provisions of law
work gross injustice to the people of the forum, or 8. American law recognizes cognovit clauses if the
if the transaction is contra bonos mores parties were of equal bargaining power and debtor
and the debtor voluntarily agreed to said clause
Conflict rules in determining capacity of parties to a  Cognovit clauses: specify which courts
contract would have jurisdiction in case of breach
GR: Capacity to enter into contracts is generally governed or default in payment, or it may waive
by the personal law of the parties debtor’s right to notice (confession of
 In Phil., Art. 15 NCC: Capacity of a Filipino is judgment)
governed by Philippine law (nationality theory)
EX: Contracts involving alienation or encumbrance of

property both real and personal  capacity is governed by Extrinsic Capacity Intrinsic
the lex situs validity of validity
parties
Conflict rules in determining intrinsic validity of Barter, sale, Lex situs Lex situs Lex situs
contracts donation
1. GR: Intrinsic Validity of contracts is governed by Lease of Lex situs Lex situs Lex situs
the proper law of the contract – lex loci voluntatis property:
or lex loci intentionis creates real
2. American Law (Second Restatement): rights
(1) law to be applied should be the law Lease of Lex loci Personal Lex
chosen by the parties property: celebrationis law of voluntatis
(2) If none, the law of the state which has the does not the or lex loci
most significant relationship to the parties create real parties intentionis
or to the transaction rights
3. Prof. Raleigh Minor – advocates application of Pledge, Lex situs Lex situs Lex situs
different laws: chattel
(1) As to the perfection of contract: lex loci mortgage,
celebrationis real estate
(2) As to the validity of the consideration – mortgage,
lex loci considerationis antichresis
(3) As to questions of performance – lex loci Contract of Lex loci Personal Lex loci
solutionis loan: mutuum celebrationis law of voluntatis
the or lex loci
Philippine conflict rules on intrinsic validity of parties intentionis
contracts Contract of Lex situs Lex stius Lex situs
1. We have no specific provision of law applicable to loan:
conflict rules on the intrinsic validity of contracts commodatum
 However the policy of our law is to give Lease of Lex loci Personal Lex loci
effect to the intention of the parties service, celebrationis law of volntatis
2. We should apply the proper law of the contract (lex agency, parties or lex loci
loci voluntatis (express) or lex loci intentionis guaranty, intentionis
(implied) suretyship
Limitations to the court’s choice of law in determining Note: Agency
the intrinsic validity of contracts to alienate or
1. Generally, the parties cannot select a law that has encumber real
no connection at all with the transaction property is
2. If the law selected should change, it is the new law governed by lex
that should be applied situs
 EX: Change of new law is so revolutionary
Lex loci Personal Lex loci
that it could never have been
celebrationis law of voluntatis
contemplated by parties
parties
3. Several laws may be selected, each of which will
govern the different elements of the transaction
4. If under the selected law, the contract is legal but
in the place of performance, it is illegal, the
selected law should prevail (valid contract)

Liability for loss, destruction, 3. Theory of Dr. Rabel – The locus delicti is the
deterioration of goods in transit: law place which has the most substantial connection
of destination of goods (Art. 1753, with the wrongful act
NCC)
Modern theories in determining liability for torts
If COGSA applies, limiation on 1. State of the most significant relationship – the
liability applies, unless the shipper rights and obligations of parties in a case of tort is
declares value of goods and inserts determined by the local law of the state which,
such declaration in the bill of lading with respect to the particular issue, has the most
Contract of significant relationship to the occurrence and the
transportatio Contract for air transportation parties
n or carriage (Warsaw Convention)
(render 1. The liability of the airline in case 2. The interest-analysis approach – This approach
services) of death, injury to passengers, considers the relevant concerns that two or more
or loss or damage to cargo is states may have in the case and their respective
governed by Warsaw interests in applying their laws to it
Convention  If however, the case poses a real conflict
2. If there was malice, gross between two or more States, if the
negligence, or bad faith, or interested forum finds that he other State
improper discrimination, carrier has a greater claim in the application of its
is liable for damages beyond law to a given case, the forum should
those limited by Warsaw yield and apply the law of the other state.
Convention  If the forum is disinterested in the case, it
can dismiss the same on the ground of
Note: if contracts involve encumbrances of property, forum non conveniens
real or personal, apply lex situs. If personal contracts,  In short, the state which has the more
law on contracts will apply relevant and weighty interests in the case
should be considered the locus delicti
Chapter 17
TORTS 3. Qavers principle of preference – Under this
theory, a higher standard of conduct and financial
protection given to the injured party by one state is
Tort, defined applied by the State where the injury happened, if
Legal wrong committed upon person or property the latter state adopts a lower standard of conduct
independent of contract and financial protection to the injured
 Spanish law: quasi delict/culpa aquiliana  fault or
negligence Conflict rules on maritime torts
 American law: broader  fault or negligence and 1. If the tort is committed abroad a public vessel,
also those committed with malice or willful intent whether on the high seas or in foreign territorial
waters, the law of the flag is the lex loci delicti
Concept of tort in the Philippines commissii
Blending of both Spanish and American laws 2. If the tort is committed aboard a private or
 Art. 20 NCC: Every person who, contrary to law, merchant vessel on the high seas, the law of the
willfully or negligently causes damage to another, registry is the lex loci delicti commissii
shall indemnify the latter for the same. 3. If two vessels collide and are from the same state,
 Art. 2176 NCC: Whoever by act or omission the law of registry is the lex loci delicti commissii
causes damage to another, there being fault or 4. If the vessels come from different states with
negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done. identical laws, apply said identical laws
Such fault or negligence, if there is no pre-existing 5. If the vessels come from different states with
contractual relation between the parties, is called a different laws, the lex loci delicti commissii is the
quasi-delict and is governed by the provisions of general maritime law as understood and applied by
this Chapter. the forum where the cas eis filed
Law governing liability for torts in Conflict of Laws Foreign tort to be actionable/subject of an action for
Liability for torts in general is governed by the lex loci delicti damages in the Philippines – Requisites/Conditions
commissi (law of the place where the delict or wrong was 1. Must acquire jurisdiction over the defendant (action
committed) for damages is action in personam)
 State where the social disturbance occurred has 2. Foreign tort must not be penal in character
the primary duty to redress the wrong and 3. The enforcement of the tortuous liability should not
determine the effects of the injury; and contravene our public policy
 To compensate victim for the damage or injury 4. Our judicial machinery must be adequate for such
suffered enforcement
 Note: all procedural matters are governed
Three theories in determining locus delicti by the lex fori Phil law).
1. Civil law theory – The locus delicti is the place  Substantive matters are governed by the
where the act began lex loci delicti commissii, thus:
2. Common law theory – The locus delicti is the (1) Period of prescription of the
place where the wrongful act became effective action is governed by lex loci
delecti commissii because in

Philippine law, prescription is subject has jurisdiction to

substantive not procedural Nationality or personal try him for crimes allegedly
(2) Proper parties, measure of theory committed by him, whether
damages, and the question inside or outside its
whether the acts complained of territory, provided it is a
is considered the proximate crime under said country’s
cause of the injury are penal law
governed by the lex loci delicti Protective theory Any state whose national
commissii interests may be
(3) The burden of proof and jeopardized has jurisdiction
defenses that may be over criminal offenses, even
interposed by defendant are if it is committed outside its
also governed by lex loci delicti territory and even if
commissii committed by an alien
Real or eclectic theory Any state whose penal code
has been transgressed upon
Chapter 18 has jurisdiction, whether the
CRIMES crime was committed inside
or outside its own territory
Tort v. Crime Cosmopolitan or Any state where the criminal
Tort Crime universality theory is found or which has
obtained custody over him
Both are wrongs
can try him, unless
Violates private rights Committed against state
extradition applies
Instituted by injured person Prosecuted in the name of
The state of which the victim
against wrongdoer in civil the State against the
Passive personality or is a victim or subject has
case, the purpose of which offender in criminal actions
passive nationality theory jurisdiction to prosecute the
is indemnification for for the purpose which are
offense
damages suffered protection and vindication of
interests of the public as a
Note: In the Philippines, we follow as a GENERAL RULE the
whole, punishment of the
territorial theory, and by way of EXCEPTION, the protective
offender, the reformation of
theory
offender, or to deter others
from committing the same
Cases where we follow the protective theory
act
Art. 2, RPC: Except as provided in the treaties and laws of
Transitory in character – Local in character and can
preferential application, the provisions of this Code shall be
tortfeasor can be made be prosecuted only in the
enforced not only within the Philippine Archipelago,
liable for his wrongful act in place or states where the
including its atmosphere, its interior waters and maritime
any jurisdiction where he crimes are committed
zone, but also outside of its jurisdiction, against those who:
may be found
1. Should commit an offense while on a Philippine
ship or airship;
Note: The determination of whether a wrongful act is a tort
2. Should forge or counterfeit any coin or currency
or crime depends on the characterization of the act in the
note of the Philippine Islands or obligations and
state where said act is committed
securities issued by the Government of the
Philippine Islands;
Different theories that determine whether a state or a
3. Should be liable for acts connected with the
legal system has jurisdiction to take cognizance of
introduction into these islands of the obligations
criminal cases
and securities mentioned in the preceding number;
Under this theory, the state
4. While being public officers or employees, should
where the crime was
commit an offense in the exercise of their
Territorial theory committed has jurisdiction
functions; or
to try the case, and its penal
5. Should commit any of the crimes against national
code and the penalties
security and the law of nations
described therein will apply
Jurisdiction over crimes committed on board a foreign
Subjective territorial
vessel if said vessel is within territorial waters
principle
English Rule French Rule
The state where the crime
Emphasizes territorial Emphasizes nationality
was begun may prosecute
principle theory
the same, even if it was
The territory where the The State whose flag is
completed in another state
crime was committed will flown by the vessel has
have jurisdiction EXCEPT: jurisdiction EXCEPT
Objective territorial
1. In matters relating  if the crime affects the
principle
to internal order peace, order, security, and
The state can prosecute
and disciple of the safety of the territory
crimes began abroad but
vessel and
completed within its territory
2. Those which affect
The country of which the
solely the ship and
criminal is a citizen or

its occupants such 1. Requisites for the formation of the corporation

as minor or petty 2. Required number of incorporators and the
criminal offenses members of the board of directors
committed 3. The kinds of shares of stock allowed
4. The transfer of stocks
Note: Under Art. 27 of UNCLOS, Philippine courts do not 5. The issuance, amount, and legality of dividends
acquire jurisdiction over crimes committed on board a 6. The powers and duties of the officers, stockholders,
vessel even if it is within our territorial waters as long as the and members
effect of such crime does not disturb our peace and order.
This is similar to the French rule. Law that determines the validity of corporate acts and
contracts
Determined by the place of incorporation AND by the law of
Chapter 19 the place of performance
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS
May a foreign corporation sue and be sued in the
Philippines?
Corporation, defined Yes, if it has the necessary license to do business in the
Sec. 2 of Corporation Code: An artificial being created by Philippines. The license is required not to forbid the foreign
operation of law, having the right of succession and the corporation from performing single acts but to prevent it
powers, attributes, and properties expressly authorized by from acquiring a domicile for purposes of business without
law or incident to its existence taking the steps necessary to render it amenable to suit in
the local courts
Foreign corporation, defined
Sec. 123 of Corporation Code: One formed, organized, or Jurisdiction over foreign corporations doing business
existing under any laws other than those of the Philippines in the Philippines, how acquired
and whose laws allow Filipino citizens and corporations to By service of summons on:
do business in its own country or state 1. Its resident agent
2. If no such agent, on the government official
designated by law to that effect; or
3. On any of its officers or agents within the
Theories in determining the personal law or Philippines (Rules of Court)
governing law of a corporation
1. The theory that the personal law is the law of the Status of a contract of a foreign corporation who
place of incorporation transacts business here without the necessary license
2. The theory of the place or center of management Unenforceable, but the person who contracted with the
3. The theory of the place of exploitation corporation may be in estoppel if he had received benefits
from contract
Note: In the Philippines, we follow the theory of the place of
incorporation Instances when a foreign corporation not doing
business in the Philippines can sue in Philippine
Domicile of a corporation courts
Art. 51 of NCC: When the law creating or recognizing them, 1. Isolated transactions
or any other provision does not fix the domicile of judicial 2. To protect its reputation, corporate name, and
persons, the same shall be understood to be the place goodwill
where their legal representation is established or where 3. For infringement of trademark or trade name
they exercise their legal functions
 Under Corporation Code, the place of incorporation Law that applies to multinational or transnational
of a Philippine corporation is also its domicile corporations
 As for a foreign corporation that has been granted These are actual branches of big mother corporations. The
a license to operate or to do business in the branches having incorporated in the states where they are
Philippines, it acquires domicile in this country by established are governed by the internal law of said states,
virtue of said license and their personal laws are the local laws of host states
Exceptions to the theory that the personal law or the
nationality of a corporation follows the place of its Partnership
incorporation A partnership exists when two or more persons bind
1. For constitutional purposes – even if a corporation themselves to contribute to money, property, or industry to
was incorporated in the Philippines, it cannot a common fund, with the intention of dividing the profits
exploit or develop our natural resources nor among themselves (Art. 1767, NCC)
operate public utilities unless 60% of the capital is  A partnership, like a corporation, has a juridical
Filipino owned (Constitution) personality separate and distinct from that of each
2. For wartime purposes – We adopt the control test of the partners
 we pierce the veil of corporate identity and go
into the nationality of the controlling stockholders Personal or governing law of a partnership
to determine whether a corporation is an enemy Law of the country where it is created
corporation
Domicile of a partnership
Matters that are governed by the personal law of the Art. 51 of NCC: The place where their legal representation is
corporation established or where they exercise their principal functions

The effect of foreign judgment or final order of a foreign

country, having jurisdiction to render the judgment or final
Chapter 20 order is as follows:
RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN (a) In case of a judgment or final
JUDGMENTS order upon a specific thing, the judgment or final
order is conclusive upon the title to the thing and
(b) In case of a judgment or final
Enforcement v. recognition
order against a person, the judgment or final
Enforcement of foreign Recognition of foreign
order is presumptive evidence of a right as
judgment judgment
between the parties and their successors in
Means that the plaintiff or Means that eh defendant or interest by a subsequent title
petitioner wants the court to respondent is presenting the In either case, the judgment or final order may be repelled
positively carry out and foreign judgment on the by evidence of a want of jurisdiction, want of notice to the
make effective the foreign basis of res judicata party, collusion, fraud, or clear mistake of law or fact.
judgment
Implies an act of Involves merely a sense of
sovereignty justice
Requires separate action or Being a matter of defense,
proceeding brought precisely recognition needs no action
to make foreign judgment or proceeding but implies
effective that an action or proceeding
has already been filed
against the defendant who is
invoking the foreign
judgment
Enforcement cannot exist Recognition does not need
without recognition or does not require
enforcement
Reasons why a local court in the Philippines may

refuse to recognize or enforce a foreign judgment
1. The requisite proof of the foreign judgment may
not have been presented
 The manner of proving a foreign judgment
is the same as proving a foreign law
2. The foreign judgment may contravene a recognized
and established policy in our country
3. The administration of justice in the country where
the judgment came from may be shockingly
corrupt or not beyond reproach
Conditions or requirements before a local court in the

Philippines can enforce or recognize a foreign
judgment
1. There must be adequate proof of the foreign
judgment
2. The judgment must be on a civil or commercial
matter, not on a criminal, revenue, or
administrative matter
3. There must be NO:
(1) Lack of jurisdiction
(2) Want of notice
(3) Collusion
(4) Clear mistake of law or fact
4. The foreign judgment must not contravene a sound
and established public policy of the forum
5. The judgment must be res judicata:
(1) The judgment must be final
(2) Foreign court must have jurisdiction over
subject matter and parties
(3) The judgment must be on the merits; and
(4) There was identity of parties, subject
matter, and cause of action
Effects of foreign judgments in the Philippines under

Rules of Court
Sec. 48, Rule 39, 1997 Rules on Civil Procedure provides:

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Conflict of Laws Comprehensive reviewer of Sempio-Diy book

Chapter 1  Writings and treaties of thinkers and

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 Rights once acquired should be enforced regardless

Purely internal provision of law vs. conflicts rule

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Chapter 5 Different theories on how the personal law of an

Two kinds of capacity 2. Citizens by naturalization

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or naturalized, becomes ipso facto a Filipino, provided she is

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Loss of citizenship Domicile v. residence

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domicile of his real parents

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 A declaration of death in accordance with one’s

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Personal relations: Immutability of the property regime v. immutability

Personal relations: Art. 80 Annulment v. Declaration of nullity of marriage

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cases since that is the place which has the greatest

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Defenses to legal separation under Philippine internal Legitimation, defined

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Conflicts rules if a person dies intestate Administration of estate of deceased persons

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Voluntary assignment place where the recognized them

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 American law: contract is deemed 5. Questions of substantial and essential validity

EX: Contracts involving alienation or encumbrance of

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Philippine law, prescription is subject has jurisdiction to

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its occupants such 1. Requisites for the formation of the corporation

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The effect of foreign judgment or final order of a foreign

Reasons why a local court in the Philippines may

Conditions or requirements before a local court in the

Effects of foreign judgments in the Philippines under

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