ConflictsofLaw

1.Constitution
ArticleIVCITIZENSHIP

SECTION1.ThefollowingarecitizensofthePhilippines:
(1)ThosewhoarecitizensofthePhilippinesatthetimeoftheadoptionofthisConstitution;
(2)ThosewhosefathersormothersarecitizensofthePhilippines;
(3) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
reachingtheageofmajority;and
(4)Thosewhoarenaturalizedinaccordancewithlaw
SECTION2.NaturalborncitizensarethosewhoarecitizensofthePhilippinesfrombirthwithouthaving
toperformanyacttoacquireorperfecttheirPhilippinecitizenship.ThosewhoelectPhilippinecitizenshipin
accordancewithparagraph(3),Section1hereofshallbedeemednaturalborncitizens.
SECTION3.Philippinecitizenshipmaybelostorreacquiredinthemannerprovidedbylaw.
SECTION4.CitizensofthePhilippineswhomarryaliensshallretaintheircitizenship,unlessbytheiract
oromissiontheyaredeemed,underthelaw,tohaverenouncedit.
SECTION5.Dualallegianceofcitizensisinimicaltothenationalinterestandshallbedealtwithbylaw.

2.CivilCode
Article14.Penallawsandthoseofpublicsecurityandsafetyshallbeobligatoryuponallwholiveor
sojourninthePhilippineterritory,subjecttotheprinciplesofpublicinternationallawandtotreaty
stipulations.
Article15.Lawsrelatingtofamilyrightsandduties,ortothestatus,conditionandlegalcapacityof
personsarebindinguponcitizensofthePhilippines,eventhoughlivingabroad.
Article16.Realpropertyaswellaspersonalpropertyissubjecttothelawofthecountrywhereitis
stipulated.
However,intestateandtestamentarysuccessions,bothwithrespecttotheorderofsuccessionandtothe
amountofsuccessionalrightsandtotheintrinsicvalidityoftestamentaryprovisions,shallberegulatedby
thenationallawofthepersonwhosesuccessionisunderconsideration,whatevermaybethenatureofthe
propertyandregardlessofthecountrywhereinsaidpropertymaybefound.
Article17.Theformsandsolemnitiesofcontracts,wills,andotherpublicinstrumentsshallbegovernedby
thelawsofthecountryinwhichtheyareexecuted.

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WhentheactsreferredtoareexecutedbeforethediplomaticorconsularofficialsoftheRepublicofthe
Philippinesinaforeigncountry,thesolemnitiesestablishedbyPhilippinelawsshallbeobservedintheir
execution.
Prohibitivelawsconcerningpersons,theiractsorproperty,andthosewhichhavefortheirobjectpublic
order,publicpolicyandgoodcustomsshallnotberenderedineffectivebylawsorjudgmentspromulgated,
orbydeterminationsorconventionsagreeduponinaforeigncountry.
Article815.WhenaFilipinoisinaforeigncountry,heisauthorizedtomakeawillinanyoftheforms
establishedbythelawofthecountryinwhichhemaybe.SuchwillmaybeprobatedinthePhilippines.
Article816.ThewillofanalienwhoisabroadproduceseffectinthePhilippinesifmadewiththe
formalitiesprescribedbythelawoftheplaceinwhichheresides,oraccordingtotheformalitiesobservedin
hiscountry,orinconformitywiththosewhichthisCodeprescribes.
Article818.Twoormorepersonscannotmakeawilljointly,orinthesameinstrument,eitherfortheir
reciprocalbenefitorforthebenefitofathirdperson.
Article819.Wills,prohibitedbytheprecedingarticle,executedbyFilipinosinaforeigncountryshallnotbe
validinthePhilippines,eventhoughauthorizedbythelawsofthecountrywheretheymayhavebeen
executed.
Article829.ArevocationdoneoutsidethePhilippines,byapersonwhodoesnothavehisdomicileinthis
country,isvalidwhenitisdoneaccordingtothelawoftheplacewherethewillwasmade,oraccordingto
thelawoftheplaceinwhichthetestatorhadhisdomicileatthetime;andiftherevocationtakesplaceinthis
country,whenitisinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisCode.
Article1039.Capacitytosucceedisgovernedbythelawofthenationofthedecedent.
Article1319.Consentismanifestedbythemeetingoftheofferandtheacceptanceuponthethingandthe
causewhicharetoconstitutethecontract.Theoffermustbecertainandtheacceptanceabsolute.Aqualified
acceptanceconstitutesacounteroffer.
Acceptancemadebyletterortelegramdoesnotbindtheoffererexceptfromthetimeitcametohis
knowledge.Thecontract,insuchacase,ispresumedtohavebeenenteredintointheplacewheretheoffer
wasmade.
Article1753.Thelawofthecountrytowhichthegoodsaretobetransportedshallgoverntheliabilityofthe
commoncarrierfortheirloss,destructionordeterioration.

3.CorporationCode
Sec. 123. Definition and rights of foreign corporations. For the purposes of this Code, a foreign
corporationisoneformed,organizedorexistingunder anylaws otherthanthoseofthePhilippinesand
whoselawsallowFilipinocitizensandcorporationstodobusinessinitsowncountryorstate.Itshallhave
therighttotransactbusinessinthePhilippinesafteritshallhaveobtainedalicensetotransactbusinessin
thiscountryinaccordancewiththisCodeandacertificateofauthorityfromtheappropriategovernment
agency.(n)
Sec.129. Lawapplicable. AnyforeigncorporationlawfullydoingbusinessinthePhilippinesshallbe
boundbyalllaws,rulesandregulationsapplicabletodomesticcorporationsofthesameclass,exceptsuch
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onlyasprovideforthecreation,formation,organizationordissolutionofcorporationsorthosewhichfixthe
relations,liabilities,responsibilities,ordutiesofstockholders,members,orofficersofcorporationstoeach
otherortothecorporation.(73a)
Sec. 133. Doing business without a license. No foreign corporation transacting business in the
Philippineswithoutalicense,oritssuccessorsorassigns,shallbepermittedtomaintainorinterveneinany
action,suitorproceeding inanycourtoradministrativeagencyofthePhilippines;butsuchcorporation
maybesuedorproceededagainstbeforePhilippinecourtsoradministrativetribunalsonanyvalidcauseof
actionrecognizedunderPhilippinelaws.(69a)

4.FamilyCode
Art.10.MarriagesbetweenFilipinocitizensabroadmaybesolemnizedbyaconsulgeneral,consulor
viceconsul oftheRepublicofthePhilippines.Theissuanceofthemarriagelicenseandthedutiesofthe
local civil registrar and of the solemnizing officer with regard to the celebration of marriage shall be
performedbysaidconsularofficial.
Art. 21. When either or both of the contracting parties are citizens of a foreign country, it shall be
necessaryforthembeforeamarriagelicensecanbeobtained,tosubmita certificateoflegalcapacityto
contractmarriage,issuedbytheirrespectivediplomaticorconsularofficials.
Statelesspersons or refugees fromothercountriesshall,inlieuofthecertificateoflegalcapacityherein
required,submitanaffidavitstatingthecircumstancesshowingsuchcapacitytocontractmarriage.

Art.26. Allmarriages solemnized outside the Philippines, inaccordancewiththelawsinforce inthe

countrywheretheyweresolemnized,andvalidthereassuch,shallalsobevalidinthiscountry,exceptthose
prohibitedunderArticles35(1),(4),(5)and(6),36,37and38.(17a)
Where a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner is validly celebrated and a divorce is
thereaftervalidlyobtained abroadbythealienspouse capacitatinghimorhertoremarry,theFilipino
spouseshallhavecapacitytoremarryunderPhilippinelaw.

*Art.35(1)Thosecontractedbyanypartybeloweighteenyearsofageevenwiththeconsentofparentsor
guardians
(4)ThosebigamousorpolygamousmarriagesnotfailingunderArticle41;
(5)Thosecontractedthroughmistakeofonecontractingpartyastotheidentityoftheother;
(6)ThosesubsequentmarriagesthatarevoidunderArticle53.
Art.36psychologicalincapacity
Art.37incestuousmarriages
Art.38voidmarriagesbyreasonofpublicpolicy
Art.36.Amarriagecontractedbyanypartywho,atthetimeofthecelebration,waspsychologically
incapacitatedtocomplywiththeessentialmaritalobligationsofmarriage,shalllikewisebevoidevenifsuch
incapacitybecomesmanifestonlyafteritssolemnization.(AsamendedbyExecutiveOrder227)
Art.37.Marriagesbetweenthefollowingareincestuousandvoidfromthebeginning,whetherrelationship
betweenthepartiesbelegitimateorillegitimate:
(1) Betweenascendantsanddescendantsofanydegree;and
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(2) Betweenbrothersandsisters,whetherofthefullorhalfblood.
Art.38.Thefollowingmarriagesshallbevoidfromthebeginningforreasonsofpublicpolicy:
(1)Betweencollateralbloodrelativeswhetherlegitimateorillegitimate,uptothefourthcivildegree;(2)
Betweenstepparentsandstepchildren;
(3)Betweenparentsinlawandchildreninlaw;(4)Betweentheadoptingparentandtheadoptedchild;
(5)Betweenthesurvivingspouseoftheadoptingparentandtheadoptedchild;
(6)Betweenthesurvivingspouseoftheadoptedchildandtheadopter;
(7)Betweenanadoptedchildandalegitimatechildoftheadopter;
(8)Betweenadoptedchildrenofthesameadopter;and
(9)Betweenpartieswhereone,withtheintentiontomarrytheother,killedthatotherperson'sspouse,orhis
orherownspouse.
Art.80. Intheabsenceofacontrarystipulationinamarriagesettlement,the propertyrelations ofthe
spousesshallbegovernedbyPhilippinelaws,regardlessoftheplaceofthecelebrationofthemarriageand
theirresidence.
Thisruleshallnotapply:
(1)Wherebothspousesarealiens;
(2) With respect to the extrinsic validity of contracts affecting property not situated in the
Philippines and executed in the country where the property is located; and
(3)WithrespecttotheextrinsicvalidityofcontractsenteredintointhePhilippines butaffecting
propertysituatedina foreigncountrywhoselawsrequiredifferentformalitiesforitsextrinsic
validity.

5.RevisedPenalCode
Art.2.Applicationofitsprovisions.Exceptasprovidedinthetreatiesandlawsofpreferential
application,theprovisionsofthisCodeshallbeenforcednotonlywithinthePhilippineArchipelago,
includingitsatmosphere,itsinteriorwatersandmaritimezone,butalsooutsideofitsjurisdiction,against
thosewho:
1.ShouldcommitanoffensewhileonaPhilippineshiporairship
2.ShouldforgeorcounterfeitanycoinorcurrencynoteofthePhilippineIslandsorobligations
andsecuritiesissuedbytheGovernmentofthePhilippineIslands;
3.Shouldbeliableforactsconnectedwiththeintroductionintotheseislandsoftheobligationsand
securitiesmentionedinthepresidingnumber;
4.Whilebeingpublicofficersoremployees,shouldcommitanoffenseintheexerciseoftheir
functions;or
5.Shouldcommitanyofthecrimesagainstnationalsecurityandthelawofnations,definedin
TitleOneofBookTwoofthisCode.

6.RulesofCourt
Rule4.VenueofActions
Sec.2.Venueofpersonalactions.
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Allotheractionsmaybecommencedandtriedwherethe plaintiff oranyoftheprincipalplaintiffs

resides,orwherethe defendant oranyoftheprincipaldefendants resides, orinthecaseofa non
residentdefendantwherehemaybefound,attheelectionoftheplaintiff.

RULE8.
MANNEROFMAKINGALLEGATIONSINPLEADINGS

Sec.6.Judgment.
Inpleadingajudgmentordecisionofadomesticorforeigncourt,judicialorquasijudicialtribunal,orof
aboardorofficer,itissufficienttoaverthejudgmentordecisionwithoutsettingforthmattershowing
jurisdictiontorenderit.
RULE11.WHENTOFILERESPONSIVEPLEADINGS
Sec.2.Answerofadefendantforeignprivatejuridicalentity.
Where the defendant is a foreign private juridical entity and service of summons is made on the
governmentofficialdesignatedbylawtoreceivethesame,theanswershallbefiledwithinthirty(30)
daysafterreceiptofsummonsbysuchentity.
Rule14.Summons
Sec.12.Serviceuponforeignprivatejuridicalentity.
WhenthedefendantisaforeignprivatejuridicalentitywhichhastransactedbusinessinthePhilippines,
servicemaybemadeonitsresidentagentdesignatedinaccordancewithlawforthatpurpose,or,ifthere
benosuchagent,onthegovernmentofficialdesignatedbylawtothateffect,oronanyofitsofficersor
agentswithinthePhilippines.
IftheforeignprivatejuridicalentityisnotregisteredinthePhilippinesorhasnoresidentagent,service
may,withleaveofcourt,beeffectedoutofthePhilippinesthroughanyofthefollowingmeans:
a)Bypersonalservicecoursedthroughtheappropriatecourtintheforeigncountrywiththeassistance
oftheDepartmentofForeignAffairs;
b)Bypublicationonceinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountrywherethedefendantmaybe
foundandbyservingacopyofthesummonsandthecourtorderbyregisteredmailatthelastknownaddress
ofthedefendant;
c)Byfacsimileoranyrecognizedelectronicmeansthatcouldgenerateproofofservice;or
d)Bysuchothermeansasthecourtmayinitsdiscretiondirect.(AsAmendedbyA.M.No.1136
SC,March15,2011)
Sec.14.Serviceupondefendantwhoseidentityorwhereaboutsareunknown.
Inanyactionwherethedefendantisdesignatedasanunknownowner,orthelike,orwheneverhis
whereaboutsareunknownandcannotbeascertainedbydiligentinquiry,servicemay,byleaveofcourt,
beeffecteduponhimbypublicationinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationandinsuchplacesandfor
suchtimeasthecourtmayorder.
Sec.15.Extraterritorialservice.
Whenthedefendant does not reside andis not foundinthe Philippines, and the actionaffects the
personalstatusoftheplaintifforrelatesto,orthesubjectofwhichis,propertywithinthePhilippines,in
whichthedefendanthasorclaimsalienorinterest,actualorcontingent,orinwhichthereliefdemanded
consists,whollyorinpart,inexcludingthedefendantfromanyinteresttherein,orthepropertyofthe
defendanthasbeenattachedwithinthePhilippines,servicemay,byleaveofcourt,beeffectedoutofthe
Philippines by personal service as under section 6; or by publication in a newspaper of general
circulationinsuchplacesandforsuchtimeasthecourtmayorder,inwhichcaseacopyofthesummons
andorderofthecourtshallbesentbyregisteredmailtothelastknownaddressofthedefendant,orin
any other manner the court may deem sufficient. Any order granting such leave shall specify a
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reasonabletime,whichshallnotbelessthansixty(60)daysafternotice,withinwhichthedefendant
mustanswer.
Sec.16.ResidentstemporarilyoutofthePhilippines.
WhenanyactioniscommencedagainstadefendantwhoordinarilyresideswithinthePhilippines,but
whoistemporarilyoutofit,servicemay,byleaveofcourt,bealsoeffectedoutofthePhilippines,as
undertheprecedingsection.
Rule23.Depositionspendingactions
Sec.11.Personsbeforewhomdepositionsmaybetakeninforeigncountries.
Inaforeignstateorcountry,depositionsmaybetaken(a)onnoticebeforeasecretaryofembassyor
legation,consulgeneral,consul,viceconsul,orconsularagentoftheRepublicofthePhilippines;
(b)beforesuchpersonorofficerasmaybeappointedbycommissionorunderlettersrogatory;or(c)
thepersonreferredtoinsection14hereof.
Sec.12.Commissionorlettersrogatory.
Acommissionorlettersrogatoryshallbeissuedonlywhennecessaryorconvenient,onapplication
andnotice,andonsuchtermsandwithsuchdirectionasarejustandappropriate.Officersmaybe
designatedinnoticesorcommissionseitherbynameordescriptivetitleandlettersrogatorymaybe
addressedtotheappropriatejudicialauthorityintheforeigncountry.
Rule39EXECUTION,SATISFACTIONANDEFFECTOFJUDGMENTS
Sec.48.Effectofforeignjudgmentsorfinalorders.
Theeffectofajudgmentorfinalorderofatribunalofaforeigncountry,havingjurisdictionto
renderthejudgmentorfinalorderisasfollows:(a)Incaseofajudgmentorfinalorderupona
specificthing,thejudgmentorfinalorderisconclusiveuponthetitletothething;and(b)Incaseof
ajudgmentorfinalorderagainstaperson,thejudgmentorfinalorderispresumptiveevidenceofa
rightasbetweenthepartiesandtheirsuccessorsininterestbyasubsequenttitle.
Ineithercase,thejudgmentorfinalordermayberepelledbyevidenceofawantofjurisdiction,
wantofnoticetotheparty,collusion,fraud,orclearmistakeoflaworfact.
SpecialProceedings
SettlementOfEstateOfDeceasedPersons
Rule73VenueandProcess
Section1.Whereestateofdeceasedpersonssettled.IfthedecedentsisaninhabitantofthePhilippinesat
thetimeofhisdeath,whetheracitizenoranalien,hiswillshallbeproved,orlettersofadministration
granted,andhisestatesettled,intheCourtofFirstInstanceintheprovinceinwhichheresidesatthetimeof
hisdeath,andifheisaninhabitantofaforeigncountry,theCourtofFirstInstanceofanyprovinceinwhich
hehadestate.Thecourtfirsttakingcognizanceofthesettlementoftheestateofadecedent,shallexercise
jurisdictiontotheexclusionofallothercourts.Thejurisdictionassumedbyacourt,sofarasitdependson
theplaceofresidenceofthedecedent,orofthelocationofhisestate,shallnotbecontestedinasuitor
proceeding,exceptinanappealfromthatcourt,intheoriginalcase,orwhenthewantofjurisdictionappears
ontherecord.
RULE77.AllowanceofWillProvedOutsideofPhilippinesandAdministrationofEstateThereunder

Section1.WillprovedoutsidePhilippinesmaybeallowedhere.Willsprovedandallowedinaforeign
country,accordingtothelawsofsuchcountry,maybeallowed,filed,andrecordedbytheproperCourtof
FirstInstanceinthePhilippines.
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GeneralGuardiansandGuardianship
RULE92.Venue

Section1.Wheretoinstituteproceedings.Guardianshipofapersonorestateofaminororincompetent
maybeinstitutedintheCourtofFirstInstanceoftheprovince,orinthejusticeofthepeacecourtofthe
municipality,orinthemunicipalcourtcharteredcitywheretheminororincompetentpersonsresides,andif
heresidesinaforeigncountry,intheCourtofFirstInstanceoftheprovincewhereinhispropertyorthe
party thereof is situated; provided, however, that where the value of the property of such minor or
incompetentexceedsthatjurisdictionofthejusticeofthepeaceormunicipalcourt,theproceedingsshallbe
institutedintheCourtofFirstInstance.
IntheCityofManilatheproceedingsshallbeinstitutedintheJuvenileandDomesticRelationsCourt.
RulesofEvidence
RULE131.BurdenofProofandPresumptions

Section3.Disputablepresumptions.Thefollowingpresumptionsaresatisfactoryifuncontradicted,but
maybecontradictedandovercomebyotherevidence:
(n)Thatacourt,orjudgeactingassuch,whetherinthePhilippinesorelsewhere,wasactinginthelawful
exerciseofjurisdiction;
Rule132.PresentationofEvidence
Section19.ClassesofDocuments.Forthepurposeoftheirpresentationevidence,documentsareeither
publicorprivate.
Publicdocumentsare:
(a)Thewrittenofficialacts,orrecordsoftheofficialactsofthesovereignauthority,officialbodiesand
tribunals,andpublicofficers,whetherofthePhilippines,orofaforeigncountry;
Section24. Proofofofficialrecord. Therecordofpublicdocumentsreferredtoinparagraph(a)of
Section19,whenadmissibleforanypurpose,maybeevidencedbyanofficialpublicationthereoforbya
copyattestedbytheofficerhavingthelegalcustodyoftherecord,orbyhisdeputy,andaccompanied,ifthe
recordisnotkeptinthePhilippines,withacertificatethatsuchofficerhasthecustody.Iftheofficeinwhich
therecordiskeptisinforeigncountry,thecertificatemaybemadebyasecretaryoftheembassyorlegation,
consul general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent or by any officer in the foreign service of the
Philippinesstationedintheforeigncountryinwhichtherecordiskept,andauthenticatedbythesealofhis
office.

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