People v.

Dumpo

Moro Hassan and Mora Dumpo was flegally married according to the rites and practices of the
Mohammedan religion. Without this marriage being dissolved, it is alleged that Dumpo contracted
another marriage with Moro Sabdapal after which the two lived together as husband and wife. Dumpo
was then prosecuted for and convicted of the crime of bigamy. Upon appeal, accused interpose the
defense that the second marriage of the accused is null and void according to Mohammedan rites on the
ground that the father had not given consent thereto.

Issue:

Whether accused is guilty of Bigamy.

Held:

The Court ruled in the negative. The court stated that it is an essential element of the crime of bigamy
and that the alleged second marriage, having all the essential requisites, would be valid were it not for
the subsistence of the first marriage. It appearing that the subsequent marriage contracted was lacking
the requisite of consent of the bride’s father or in the absence thereof, that of the chief of the tribe to
which she belongs, accused cannot be considered guilty the second marriage being void for reasons
other than the subsistence of the first marriage with Hassan.