Del Socorro v. Van Wilsen, G.R. No.

193707, December 10, 2014

FACTS:

Petitioner Norma A. Del Socorro and respondent Ernst Johan Brinkman Van Wilsem contracted
marriage in Holland on September 25, 1990. On January 19, 1994, they were blessed with a son
named Roderigo Norjo Van Wilsem. Unfortunately, their marriage bond ended on July 19, 1995
by virtue of a Divorce Decree issued by the appropriate Court of Holland.4 At that time, their son
was only eighteen (18) months old.5 Thereafter, petitioner and her son came home to the
Philippines. According to petitioner, respondent made a promise to provide monthly support to
their son in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty (250) Guildene (which is equivalent to
Php17,500.00 more or less).7 However, since the arrival of petitioner and her son in the
Philippines, respondent never gave support to the son, Roderigo. Petitions filed in two separate
occasions, dated February 19, 2010 and September 1, 2010, for violation of RA 9262 otherwise
known as Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, but were all dismissed
due to respondent being a Holland national and technically, only Philippine citizens are
answerable to the laws of the Philippines. Petitioner Del Socorro pleaded for reverse of the court
decisions.

ISSUE:

1. WON a foreign national has an obligation to support his minor child under Philippine law;

2. WON a foreign national can be held criminally liable under R.A. No. 9262 for his unjustified
failure to support his minor child.

HELD:

This case fall under the Conflicts Rule. Respondent Van Wilsem at this point has not been able
to prove the laws of his country with regard to child support. The court then presumes that in the
absence of foreign laws to prove otherwise, it will be presumed that their laws are the same as
ours. Also, under Art. 14 of the civil code, any offence committed within our territory offends
the state. This case, under RA 9262, is an offense that has been continuously going on since
1995. Considering that the respondent is residing in the Philippines, he may be criminally liable
under RA No. 9262.

The court hereby grants petition and the orders dated February 19, 2010 and September 1, 2010
were reversed. The case is remanded to the same court for further proceedings based on the
merits of the case.

Side Note: Convention on the rights of children