9/23/2016

G.R.No.191425

TodayisFriday,September23,2016

RepublicofthePhilippines
SUPREMECOURT
Manila
SECONDDIVISION
G.R.No.191425September7,2011
ATILANOO.NOLLORA,JR.,Petitioner,
vs.
PEOPLEOFTHEPHILIPPINES,Respondent.
DECISION
CARPIO,J.:
TheCase
G.R.No.191425isapetitionforreview1assailingtheDecision2promulgatedon30September2009aswellas
theResolution3promulgatedon23February2010bytheCourtofAppeals(appellatecourt)inCAG.R.CRNo.
31538.Theappellatecourtaffirmedthe19November2007Decision4ofBranch215oftheRegionalTrialCourt
ofQuezonCity(trialcourt)inCriminalCaseNo.Q04129031.
The trial court found accused Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. (Nollora) guilty of bigamy under Article 349 of the Revised
PenalCodeandsentencedhimtosufferimprisonment.CoaccusedRowenaGeraldino(Geraldino)wasacquitted
fortheprosecutionsfailuretoproveherguiltbeyondreasonabledoubt.
TheFacts
Theappellatecourtrecitedthefactsasfollows:
On August 24, 2004, Assistant City Prosecutor Raymond Jonathan B. Lledo filed an Information
against Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. ("Nollora") and Rowena P. Geraldino ("Geraldino") for the crime of
Bigamy.TheaccusatoryportionoftheInformationreads:
"That on or about the 8th day of December 2001 in Quezon City, Philippines, the abovenamed
accusedATILANOO.NOLLORA,JR.,beingthenlegallymarriedtooneJESUSAPINATNOLLORA,
andassaidmarriagehasnotbeenlegallydissolvedandstillsubsisting,didthenandtherewillfully,
unlawfully and feloniously contract a subsequent or second marriage with her [sic] coaccused
ROWENA P. GERALDINO, who knowingly consented and agreed to be married to her coaccused
ATILANOO.NOLLORA,JR.knowinghimtobeamarriedman,tothedamageandprejudiceofthe
saidoffendedpartyJESUSAPINATNOLLORA."
Upon his arraignment on April 18, 2005, accused Nollora assisted by counsel, refused to enter his
plea.Hence,apleaofnotguiltywasenteredbytheCourtforhim.AccusedGeraldino,ontheother
hand, entered a plea of not guilty when arraigned on June 14, 2005. On even date, pretrial
conferencewasheldandboththeprosecutionanddefenseenteredthefollowingstipulationoffacts:
"1. the validity of the first marriage between Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. and Jesusa Pinat Nollora
solemnizedonApril6,1999atSapangPalay,SanJosedelMonte
2. that Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. contracted the second marriage with Rowena P. Geraldino on
December8,2001inQuezonCity
3. that in the CounterAffidavit of Atilano O. Nollora, Jr., he admitted that he contracted the
secondmarriagetoRowenaP.Geraldino
4.thatRowenaP.GeraldinoattachedtoherCounterAffidavittheCertificateofMarriagewith
AtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.datedDecember8,2001
5.thefactofmarriageofRowenaP.GeraldinowithAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.asadmittedinher
CounterAffidavit."
The only issue thus proffered by the prosecution for the RTCs resolution is whether or not the
secondmarriageisbigamous.Afterwards,pretrialconferencewasterminatedandthecasewasset
forinitialhearing.Thereafter,trialensued.
EvidencefortheProsecution
AsculledfromthehereinassailedDecision,therespectivetestimoniesofprosecutionwitnesseswere
asfollows:
"xxx(W)itnessJesusaPinatNolloraxxxtestifiedthatsheandaccusedAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.metin
Saudi Arabia while she was working there as a Staff Midwife in King Abdulah Naval Base Hospital.
Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. courted her and on April 6, 1999, they got married at the [IE]MELIF Chruch
[sic]inSapangPalay,SanJosedelMonte,Bulacan(ExhibitA).Whileworkinginsaidhospital,she
heardrumorsthatherhusbandhasanotherwifeandbecauseofanxietyandemotionalstress,she
leftSaudiArabiaandreturnedtothePhilippines(TSN,October4,2005,page10).Uponarrivalinthe
Philippines,theprivatecomplainantlearnedthatindeed,AtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.contractedasecond
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marriagewithcoaccusedRowenaP.GeraldinoonDecember8,2001(ExhibitB)whenshesecured
a certification as to the civil status of Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. (Exhibit C) from the National Statistics
Office(NSO)sometimeinNovember2003.
Upon learning this information, the private complainant confronted Rowena P. Geraldino at the
latters workplace in CBW, FTI, Taguig and asked her if she knew of the first marriage between
complainantandAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.towhichRowenaP.Geraldinoallegedlyaffirmedanddespite
thisknowledge,sheallegedlystillmarriedAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.becausesheloveshimsomuchand
becausetheywereneighborsandchildhoodfriends.PrivatecomplainantalsoknewthatRowenaP.
GeraldinoknewofhermarriagewithAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.,becausewhenshe(privatecomplainant)
wasbroughtbyAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.atthelattersresidenceinTaguig,MetroManilaandintroduced
hertoAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.sparents,RowenaP.Geraldinowasthereinthehousetogetherwitha
friendandsheheardeverythingthattheyweretalkingabout.
Becauseofthiscase,privatecomplainantwasnotabletoreturntoSaudiArabiatoworkasaStaff
MidwifetherebylosingincomeopportunityintheamountofP34,000.00amonth,moreorless.When
asked about the moral damages she suffered, she declared that what happened to her was a
tragedyandshehadentertained[thoughts]ofcommittingsuicide.Sheaddedthatbecauseofwhat
happened to her, her mother died and she almost got raped when Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. left her
alone in their residence in Saudi Arabia. However, she declared that money is not enough to
assuage her sufferings. Instead, she just asked for the return of her money in the amount of
P50,000.00(TSN,July26,2005,pages414).
Prosecution witness Ruth Santos testified that she knew of the marriage between the private
complainant and Atilano O. Nollora, Jr., because she was one of the sponsors in said wedding.
SometimeinNovember2003,shewasaskedbytheprivatecomplainanttoaccompanythelatterto
the workplace of Rowena P. Geraldino in FTI, Taguig, Metro Manila. She declared that the private
complainantandRowenaP.GeraldinohadaconfrontationandsheheardthatRowenaP.Geraldino
admitted that she (Rowena) knew of the first marriage of Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. and the private
complainantbutshestillwentontomarryAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.becausesheloveshimverymuch
(TSN,October24,2005,pages35).
EvidencefortheDefense
Thedefensesversionoffacts,assummarizedinthehereinassailedDecision,isasfollows:
"Accused Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. admitted having contracted two (2) marriages, the first with private
complainantJesusaPinatandthesecondwithRowenaP.Geraldino.He,however,claimedthathe
wasaMuslimconvertwaybackonJanuary10,1992,evenbeforehecontractedthefirstmarriage
withtheprivatecomplainant.Asa[M]uslimconvert,heisallegedlyentitledtomarryfour(4)wivesas
allowedundertheMuslimorIslambelief.
ToprovethatheisaMuslimconvertevenpriortohismarriagetotheprivatecomplainant,AtilanoO.
Nollora, Jr. presented a Certificate of Conversion dated August 2, 2004 issued by one Hadji Abdul
Kajar Madueo and approved by one Khad Ibrahim A. Alyamin wherein it is stated that Atilano O.
Nollora, Jr. allegedly converted as a Muslim since January 19, 1992 (Exhibit 2, 3 and 4). Aside
from said certificate, he also presented a Pledge of Conversion dated January 10, 1992 issued by
thesameHadjiAbdulKajarMadueoandapprovedbyoneKhadIbrahimA.Alyamin(Exhibit7).
He claimed that the private complaint knew that he was a Muslim convert prior to their marriage
because she [sic] told this fact when he was courting her in Saudi Arabia and the reason why said
privatecomplainantfiledtheinstantcasewasduetohatredhavinglearnedofhissecondmarriage
withRowenaP.Geraldino.She[sic]furthertestifiedthatRowenaP.Geraldinowasnotawareofhis
first marriage with the private complainant and he did not tell her this fact because Rowena P.
GeraldinoisaCatholicandhedoesnotwanttoloseherifshelearnsofhisfirstmarriage.
He explained that in his Marriage Contract with Jesusa Pinat, it is indicated that he was a Catholic
Pentecostalbutthathewasnotawarewhyitwasplacedassuchonsaidcontract.InhisMarriage
Contract with Rowena P. Geraldino, the religion Catholic was also indicated because he was
keepingasasecrethisbeingaMuslimsincethesocietydoesnotapproveofmarryingaMuslim.He
alsoindicatedthathewassingledespitehisfirstmarriagetokeepsaidfirstmarriageasecret(TSN,
January30,2006,pages213).
Defense witness Hadji Abdul Qasar Madueo testified that he is the founder and president of Balik
IslamTableeghFoundationofthePhilippinesandassuchpresident,hehasthepowerandauthority
toconvertanyapplicanttotheMuslimreligion.Heallegedthatsometimein1992,hemetaccused
AtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.inMabini(Manila)whowasthengoingabroad.AtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.appliedto
become a Muslim (Exhibit 14) and after receiving the application, said accused was indoctrinated
regarding his obligations as a Muslim. On January 10, 1992, Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. embraced the
Muslimfaith.HewasthendirectedtoreporteverySundaytomonitorhisdevelopment.
Intheyear2004,AtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.visitedhimandaskedforacertificationbecauseofthefiling
of the instant case. On October 2, 2004, he issued a Certificate of Conversion wherein it is stated
that Atilano O. Nollora, Jr. is a Muslim convert since January 10, 1992. Apart from the above
mentioneddocument,theirImamalsoissuedaPledgeofConversion(Exhibit7).Hedeclaredthat
aMuslimconvertcouldmarrymorethanoneaccordingtotheHolyKoran.However,beforemarrying
hissecond,thirdandfourthwives,itisrequiredthattheconsentofthefirstMuslimwifebesecured.
Thus,ifthefirstwifeisnotaMuslim,thereisnonecessitytosecureherconsent(TSN,October9,
2006,pages212).
Duringhiscrossexaminations,hedeclaredthatifaMuslimconvertgetsmarriednotinaccordance
with the Muslim faith, the same is contrary to the teachings of the Muslim faith. A Muslim also can
marryuptofourtimesbutheshouldbeabletotreatthemequally.Heclaimedthathewasnotaware
of the first marriage but was aware of the second. Since his second marriage with Rowena P.
GeraldinowasnotinaccordancewiththeMuslimfaith,headvisedAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.toremarry
Rowena P. Geraldino in accordance with Muslim marriage celebration, otherwise, he will not be
consideredasatrueMuslim(TSN,June25,2007,pages37).
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Accused Rowena P. Geraldino alleged that she was only a victim in this incident of bigamous
marriage.SheclaimedthatshedoesnotknowtheprivatecomplainantJesusaPinatNolloraandonly
cametoknowherwhenthiscasewasfiled.SheinsiststhatsheistheonelawfullymarriedtoAtilano
O.Nollora,Jr.,havingbeenmarriedtothelattersinceDecember8,2001.UponlearningthatAtilano
O. Nollora, Jr. contracted a first marriage with the private complainant, she confronted the former
whoadmittedthesaidmarriage.Priortotheirmarriage,sheaskedAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.ifhewas
singleandthelatterrespondedthathewassingle.ShealsoknewthatherhusbandwasaCatholic
priortotheirmarriagebutaftershelearnedofthefirstmarriageofherhusband,shelearnedthathe
isaMuslimconvert.ShealsoclaimedthatafterlearningthatherhusbandwasaMuslimconvert,she
andAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.,alsogotmarriedinaccordancewiththeMuslimrites.Shealsobeliedthe
allegationsoftheprivatecomplainantthatshewassoughtbytheprivatecomplainantandthatthey
hadaconfrontationwheresheadmittedthatsheknewthatAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.wasmarriedtothe
private complainant and despite this knowledge, she went on to marry him because she loved him
very much. She insisted that she only came to know the private complainant when she (private
complainant)filedthiscase(TSN,August14,2007,pages28)."5
TheTrialCourtsRuling
InitsDecision6dated19November2007,thetrialcourtconvictedNolloraandacquittedGeraldino.
Thetrialcourtstatedthatthereareonlytwoexceptionstoprosecutionforbigamy:Article417oftheFamilyCode,
or Executive Order No. 209, and Article 1808 of the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines, or
Presidential Decree No. 1083. The trial court also cited Article 27 of the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the
Philippines,whichprovidesthequalificationsforallowingMuslimmentohavemorethanonewife:"[N]oMuslim
malecanhavemorethanonewifeunlesshecandealwiththeminequalcompanionshipandjusttreatmentas
enjoinedbyIslamicLawandonlyinexceptionalcases."
InconvictingNollora,thetrialcourtsDecisionfurtherstatedthus:
The principle in Islam is that monogamy is the general rule and polygamy is allowed only to meet
urgentneeds.OnlywiththepermissionofthecourtcanaMuslimbepermittedtohaveasecondwife
subject to certain requirements. This is because having plurality of wives is merely tolerated, not
encouraged,undercertaincircumstances(MuslimLawonPersonalStatusinthePhilippinesbyAmer
M.BaraacalandAbdulmajidJ.Astir,1998FirstEdition,Pages6465).Arbitrationisnecessary.Any
Muslimhusbanddesiringtocontractsubsequentmarriages,beforesodoing,shallnotifytheSharia
CircuitCourtoftheplacewherehisfamilyresides.Theclerkofcourtshallserveacopythereoftothe
wifeorwives.Shouldanyofthemobjects[sic]anAgamaArbitrationCouncilshallbeconstituted.If
said council fails to secure the wifes consent to the proposed marriage, the Court shall, subject to
Article27,decidewhetheron[sic]nottosustainherobjection(Art.162,MuslimPersonalLawsofthe
Philippines).
AccusedAtilanoNollora,Jr.,inmarryinghissecondwife,coaccusedRowenaP.Geraldino,didnot
complywiththeabovementionedprovisionofthelaw.Infact,hedidnotevendeclarethathewasa
Muslimconvertinbothmarriages,indicatinghiscriminalintent.InhisconvertingtotheMuslimfaith,
saidaccusedentertainedthemistakenbeliefthathecanjustmarryanybodyagainaftermarryingthe
privatecomplainant.Whatisclear,therefore,is[that]aMuslimisnotgivenanunbridledrighttojust
marryanybodythesecond,thirdorfourthtime.TherearerequirementsthattheSharialawimposes,
thatis,heshouldhavenotifiedtheShariaCourtwherehisfamilyresidessothatcopyofsaidnotice
shouldbefurnishedtothefirstwife.Theargumentthatnoticetothefirstwifeisnotrequiredsince
she is not a Muslim is of no moment. This obligation to notify the said court rests upon accused
Atilano Nollora, Jr. It is not for him to interpret the Sharia law. It is the Sharia Court that has this
authority.
In an apparent attempt to escape criminal liability, the accused recelebrated their marriage in
accordance with the Muslim rites. However, this can no longer cure the criminal liability that has
alreadybeenviolated.
TheCourt,however,findscriminalliabilityonthepersonofaccusedAtilanoNollora,Jr.,only.Thereis
no sufficient evidence that would pin accused Rowena P. Geraldino down. The evidence presented
bytheprosecutionagainstheristheallegationthatsheknewofthefirstmarriagebetweenprivate
complainant and Atilano Nollora, Jr., is insufficient[,] being open to several interpretations. Private
complainantallegedthatwhenshewasbroughtbyAtilanoNollora,Jr.,tothelattershouseinTaguig,
MetroManila,RowenaP.Geraldinowastherestandingnearthedoorandheardtheirconversation.
Fromthisincident,privatecomplainantconcludedthatsaidRowenaP.Geraldinowasawarethatshe
and Atilano Nollora, Jr., were married. This conclusion is obviously misplaced since it could not be
reasonably presumed that Rowena P. Geraldino understands what was going on between her and
AtilanoNollora,Jr.Itisaxiomaticthat"(E)very circumstance favoring accuseds innocence must be
taken into account, proof against him must survive the test of reason and the strongest suspicion
mustnotbepermittedtoswayjudgment"(Peoplevs.Austria,195SCRA700).ThisCourt,therefore,
hastoacquitRowenaP.Geraldinoforfailureoftheprosecutiontoproveherguiltbeyondreasonable
doubt.
WHEREFORE,premisesconsidered,judgmentisherebyrendered,asfollows:
a)FindingaccusedATILANOO.NOLLORA,JR.guiltybeyondreasonabledoubtofthecrime
ofBigamypunishableunderArticle349oftheRevisedPenalCode.Thiscourtherebyrenders
judgmentimposinguponhimaprisontermoftwo(2)years,four(4)monthsandone(1)day
ofprisioncorreccional,asminimumofhisindeterminatesentence,toeight(8)yearsandone
(1)dayofprisionmayor,asmaximum,plusaccessorypenaltiesprovidedbylaw.
b) Acquitting accused ROWENA P. GERALDINO of the crime of Bigamy for failure of the
prosecutiontoproveherguiltbeyondreasonabledoubt.
CostsagainstaccusedAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.
SOORDERED.9
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Nollora filed a notice of appeal and moved for the allowance of his temporary liberty under the same bail bond
pendingappeal.ThetrialcourtgrantedNollorasmotion.
Nollorafiledabriefwiththeappellatecourtandassignedonlyoneerrorofthetrialcourt:
Thetrialcourtgravelyerredinfindingtheaccusedappellantguiltyofthecrimechargeddespitethe
prosecutionsfailuretoestablishhisguiltbeyondreasonabledoubt.10
TheAppellateCourtsRuling
On30September2009,theappellatecourtdismissedNollorasappealandaffirmedthetrialcourtsdecision.11
TheappellatecourtrejectedNollorasdefensethathissecondmarriagetoGeraldinowasinlawfulexerciseofhis
Islamic religion and was allowed by the Quran. The appellate court denied Nolloras invocation of his religious
beliefs and practices to the prejudice of the nonMuslim women who married him pursuant to Philippine civil
laws. NollorastwomarriageswerenotconductedinaccordancewiththeCodeofMuslimPersonalLaws,hence
theFamilyCodeofthePhilippinesshouldapply.NollorasclaimofreligiousfreedomwillnotimmobilizetheState
andrenderitimpotentinprotectingthegeneralwelfare.
1 a v v p h i1

InaResolution12dated23February2010,theappellatecourtdeniedNollorasmotionforreconsideration.The
allegationsinthemotionforreconsiderationwereamererehashofNollorasearlierarguments,andtherewasno
reasonfortheappellatecourttomodifyits30September2009Decision.
NollorafiledthepresentpetitionforreviewbeforethisCourton6April2010.
TheIssue
TheissueinthiscaseiswhetherNolloraisguiltybeyondreasonabledoubtofthecrimeofbigamy.
TheCourtsRuling
Nolloraspetitionhasnomerit.Weaffirmtherulingsoftheappellatecourtandofthetrialcourt.
ElementsofBigamy
Article349oftheRevisedPenalCodeprovides:
Art. 349. Bigamy. The penalty of prision mayor shall be imposed upon any person who shall
contractasecondorsubsequentmarriagebeforetheformermarriagehasbeenlegallydissolved,or
beforetheabsentspousehasbeendeclaredpresumptivelydeadbymeansofajudgmentrendered
intheproperproceedings.
Theelementsofthecrimeofbigamyare:
1.Thattheoffenderhasbeenlegallymarried.
2.Thatthemarriagehasnotbeenlegallydissolvedor,incasehisorherspouseisabsent,the
absentspousecouldnotyetbepresumeddeadaccordingtotheCivilCode.
3.Thathecontractsasecondorsubsequentmarriage.
4.Thatthesecondorsubsequentmarriagehasalltheessentialrequisitesforvalidity.13
Thecircumstancesinthepresentcasesatisfyalltheelementsofbigamy.(1)NolloraislegallymarriedtoPinat14
(2) Nollora and Pinats marriage has not been legally dissolved prior to the date of the second marriage (3)
NolloraadmittedtheexistenceofhissecondmarriagetoGeraldino15and(4)NolloraandGeraldinosmarriage
hasalltheessentialrequisitesforvalidityexceptforthelackofcapacityofNolloraduetohispriormarriage.16
Themarriagecertificate17ofNolloraandPinatsmarriagestatesthatNolloraandPinatweremarriedatSapang
Palay IEMELIF Church, Sapang Palay, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on 6 April 1999. Rev. Jonathan De Mesa,
Minister of the IEMELIF Church officiated the ceremony. The marriage certificate18 of Nollora and Geraldinos
marriage states that Nollora and Geraldino were married at Maxs Restaurant, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City,
MetroManilaon8December2001.Rev.HonoratoD.Santosofficiatedtheceremony.
Acertificationdated4November2003fromtheOfficeoftheCivilRegistrarGeneralreads:
WecertifythatATILANOJRO.NOLLORAwhoisallegedtohavebeenbornonFebruary22,1968
from ATILANO M. NOLLORA SR and FLAVIANA OCLARIT, appears in our National Indices of
MarriageforGroomfortheyears1973to2002withthefollowinginformation:
DateofMarriage
PlaceofMarriage

a)April06,1999
b)SANJOSEDELMONTE,BULACAN
a)December08,2001 b)QUEZONCITY,METROMANILA(2ndDistrict)19
Beforethetrialandappellatecourts,NolloraputuphisMuslimreligionashissoledefense.Heallegedthathis
religionallowshimtomarrymorethanonce.GrantingarguendothatNolloraisindeedofMuslimfaithatthetime
of celebration of both marriages,20 Nollora cannot deny that both marriage ceremonies were not conducted in
accordancewiththeCodeofMuslimPersonalLaws,orPresidentialDecreeNo.1083.TheapplicableArticlesin
theCodeofMuslimPersonalLawsread:
Art.14.Nature.Marriageisnotonlyacivilcontractbutacivilinstitution.Itsnature,consequencesandincidents
aregovernedbythisCodeandtheShariaandnotsubjecttostipulation,exceptthatthemarriagesettlementsto
acertainextentfixthepropertyrelationsofthespouses.

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Art.15.Essential Requisites. No marriage contract shall be perfected unless the following essential requisites
arecompliedwith:
(a)Legalcapacityofthecontractingparties
(b)Mutualconsentofthepartiesfreelygiven
(c)Offer(ijab)andacceptance(qabul)dulywitnessedbyatleasttwocompetentpersonsaftertheproper
guardianinmarriage(wali)hasgivenhisconsentand
(d)Stipulationofthecustomarydower(mahr)dulywitnessedbytwocompetentpersons.
Art.16.Capacitytocontractmarriage.(1)AnyMuslimmaleatleastfifteenyearsofageandanyMuslimfemale
oftheageofpubertyorupwardsandnotsufferingfromanyimpedimentundertheprovisionsofthisCodemay
contractmarriage.Afemaleispresumedtohaveattainedpubertyuponreachingtheageoffifteen.
xxx.
Art.17.MarriageCeremony.Noparticularformofmarriageceremonyisrequiredbuttheijabandtheqabulin
marriage shall be declared publicly in the presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and the two
competent witnesses. The declaration shall be set forth in an instrument in triplicate, signed or marked by the
contractingpartiesandsaidwitnesses,andattestedbythepersonsolemnizingthemarriage.Onecopyshallbe
giventothecontractingpartiesandanothersenttotheCircuitRegistrarbythesolemnizingofficerwhoshallkeep
thethird.
Art.18.Authoritytosolemnizemarriage.Marriagemaybesolemnized:
(a)Bytheproperwalibythewomantobewedded
(b)Upontheauthorityoftheproperwali,byanypersonwhoiscompetentunderMuslimlawtosolemnize
marriageor
(c)BythejudgeoftheShariaDistrictCourtorShariaCircuitCourtoranypersondesignatedbythejudge,
shouldtheproperwalirefusewithoutjustifiablereason,toauthorizethesolemnization.
Art.19.Placeofsolemnization.Marriageshallbesolemnizedpubliclyinanymosque,officeoftheShariajudge,
officeoftheCircuitRegistrar,residenceofthebrideorherwali,oratanyothersuitableplaceagreeduponbythe
parties.
Art.20.Specification of dower. The amount or value of dower may be fixed by the contracting parties (mahr
musamma)before,duringorafterthecelebrationofmarriage.Iftheamountorthevaluethereofhasnotbeenso
fixed,aproperdower(mahrmithl) shall, upon petition of the wife, be determined by the court according to the
socialstandingoftheparties.
Indeed,Article13(2)oftheCodeofMuslimPersonalLawsstatesthat"[i]ncaseofamarriagebetweenaMuslim
andanonMuslim,solemnizednotinaccordancewithMuslimlaworthisCode,the[FamilyCodeofthe
Philippines, or Executive Order No. 209, in lieu of the Civil Code of the Philippines] shall apply." Nolloras
religiousaffiliationisnotanissuehere.NeitheristheclaimthatNollorasmarriagesweresolemnizedaccordingto
Muslimlaw.Thus,regardlessofhisprofessedreligion,Nolloracannotclaimexemptionfromliabilityforthecrime
ofbigamy.21
Nollora asserted in his marriage certificate with Geraldino that his civil status is "single." Moreover, both of
NollorasmarriagecontractsdonotstatethatheisaMuslim.Althoughthetruthorfalsehoodofthedeclarationof
onesreligioninthemarriagecertificateisnotanessentialrequirementformarriage,suchomissionsaresufficient
proofsofNollorasliabilityforbigamy.Nollorasfalsedeclarationabouthiscivilstatusisthusfurthercompounded
bytheseomissions.
[ATTY.CALDINO:]
Q: In your marriage contract, Mr. Witness, with Jesusa Pinat, you indicated here as your religion, Catholic
Pentecostal,andyouweresayingthatsinceJanuary10,1992,youarealreadya[M]uslimconvert...yousaid,
Mr.Witness,thatyouarealreadya[M]uslimconvertsinceJanuary10,1992.However,inyourmarriagecontract
withJesusaPinat,thereisnoindicationherethatyouhaveindicatedyourreligion.Willyoupleasegooveryour
marriagecontract?
[NOLLORA:]
A: When we got married, they just placed there Catholic but I didnt know why they did not place any Catholic
there.
xxx
Q:Now,Mr.Witness,Iwouldliketocallyourattentionwithrespecttoyourmarriagecontractwithyour
coaccused in this case, Rowena Geraldino, x x x will you please tell us, Mr. Witness, considering that
yousaidthatyouarealreadya[M]uslimconvertonJanuary10,1992,whyinthemarriagecontractwith
RowenaGeraldino,youindicatedthereyourreligionasCatholic,Mr.Witness?
A:SinceIwasaformerCatholicandsinceIwasthenkeeping,Iwaskeepingitasasecretmybeingmy
BalikIslam,thatswhyIplacedthereCatholicsinceIknowthatthesocietydoesntapproveaCatholicto
marryanother,thatswhyIplacedthereCatholicasmyreligion,sir.
Q: How about under the column, "civil status," why did you indicate there that youre single, Mr.
Witness?
A:IalsokeptitasasecretthatIwasmarried,earliermarried.22(Emphasissupplied)
xxx
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[PROSECUTORTAYLOR:]
Q:Wouldyoudieforyournewreligion,Mr.Nollora?
A:Yes,maam.
Q:Ifyouwoulddieforyournewreligion,whydidyouallowthatyourfaithbeindicatedasCatholicwheninfact
youwerealreadyasyoualleged[M]uslimtobeputinyourmarriagecontract?
xxx
[A:]Idontthinkthereisanythingwrongwithit,IjustsigneditsowecangetmarriedundertheCatholicrights[sic]
becauseafterthatweevengotmarriedunderthe[M]uslimrights[sic],yourHonor.
xxx
Q: Under your Muslim faith, if you marry a second wife, are you required under your faith to secure the
permissionofyourfirstwifetogetmarried?
A:Yes,maam.
Q:Didyousecurethatpermissionfromyourfirstwife,JesusaNollora?
A:Iwasnotabletoaskanypermissionfromherbecauseshewasverymadatme,atthestart,shewasalways
verymad,maam.23
InhispetitionbeforethisCourt,NolloracastsdoubtonthevalidityofhismarriagetoGeraldino. Nolloramaynot
impugn his marriage to Geraldino in order to extricate himself from criminal liability otherwise, we would be
openingthedoorstoallowingthesolemnizationofmultipleflawedmarriageceremonies.AswestatedinTenebro
v.CourtofAppeals:24
1 a v v p h i1

There is therefore a recognition written into the law itself that such a marriage, although void ab initio, may still
produce legal consequences. Among these legal consequences is incurring criminal liability for bigamy. To hold
otherwise would render the States penal laws on bigamy completely nugatory, and allow individuals to
deliberatelyensurethateachmaritalcontractbeflawedinsomemanner,andtothusescapetheconsequences
of contracting multiple marriages, while beguiling throngs of hapless women with the promise of futurity and
commitment.
WHEREFORE, we DENY the petition. The Decision of the Court of Appeals in CAG.R. CR No. 31538
promulgated on 30 September 2009 and the Resolution promulgated on 23 February 2010 are AFFIRMED.
PetitionerAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.isguiltybeyondreasonabledoubtofBigamyinCriminalCaseNo.Q04129031
and is sentenced to suffer the penalty of imprisonment with a term of two years, four months and one day of
prisioncorreccional as minimum to eight years and one day of prisionmayor as maximum of his indeterminate
sentence,aswellastheaccessorypenaltiesprovidedbylaw.
CostsagainstpetitionerAtilanoO.Nollora,Jr.
SOORDERED.
ANTONIOT.CARPIO
AssociateJustice
WECONCUR:
ARTUROD.BRION
AssociateJustice
DIOSDADOM.PERALTA*
AssociateJustice

JOSEPORTUGALPEREZ
AssociateJustice
JOSEC.MENDOZA**
AssociateJustice
ATTESTATION

I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was
assignedtothewriteroftheopinionoftheCourtsDivision.
ANTONIOT.CARPIO
AssociateJustice
Chairperson
CERTIFICATION
PursuanttoSection13,ArticleVIIIoftheConstitution,andtheDivisionChairpersonsAttestation,Icertifythatthe
conclusionsintheaboveDecisionhadbeenreachedinconsultationbeforethecasewasassignedtothewriterof
theopinionoftheCourtsDivision.
RENATOC.CORONA
ChiefJustice

Footnotes
*DesignatedActingMemberperSpecialOrderNo.1074dated6September2011.

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**DesignatedActingMemberperSpecialOrderNo.1066dated23August2011.
1UnderRule45ofthe1997RulesofCivilProcedure.
2 Rollo, pp. 2137. Penned by Associate Justice Vicente S.E. Veloso, with Associate Justices Andres B.

Reyes,Jr.andMarleneGonzalesSison,concurring.
3Id.at38.PennedbyAssociateJusticeVicenteS.E.Veloso,withAssociateJusticesAndresB.Reyes,Jr.

andMarleneGonzalesSison,concurring.
4CArollo,pp.2633.PennedbyJudgeMa.LuisaC.QuijanoPadilla.
5Rollo,pp.2227.
6CArollo,pp.2633.
7Art.41.Amarriagecontractedbyanypersonduringthesubsistenceofapreviousmarriageshallbenull

andvoid,unlessbeforethecelebrationofthesubsequentmarriage,thepriorspousehadbeenabsentfor
four consecutive years and the spouse present had a wellfounded belief that the absent spouse was
alreadydead.Incaseofdisappearancewherethereisdangerofdeathunderthecircumstancessetforth
intheprovisionsofArticle391oftheCivilCode,anabsenceofonlytwoyearsshallbesufficient.
Forthepurposeofcontractingthesubsequentmarriageundertheprecedingparagraph,thespouse
present must institute a summary proceeding as provided in this Code for the declaration of
presumptive death of the absentee, without prejudice to the effect of reappearance of the absent
spouse.
8 Article 180. Law applicable. The provisions of the Revised Penal Code relative to the crime of bigamy

shallnotapplytoapersonmarriedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisCodeor,beforeitseffectivity,
underMuslimlaw.
9CArollo,pp.3133.
10Id.at52.
11Rollo,pp.2137.
12Id.at38.
13LuisB.Reyes,TheRevisedPenalCode:CriminalLaw907(1998).
14Exhibit"A,"Records,p.117.
15TSN,30January2006,p.4.
16 Exhibit "B," Records, p. 118. Also Article 2 of the Family Code of the Philippines, Executive Order No.

209(1988).
Art.2.Nomarriageshallbevalid,unlesstheseessentialrequisitesarepresent:
(1)Legalcapacityofthecontractingpartieswhomustbeamaleandafemaleand
(2)Consentfreelygiveninthepresenceofthesolemnizingofficer.
17Exhibit"A,"Records,p.117.
18Exhibit"B,"id.at118.
19Exhibit"C,"id.at119.
20Id.at195198,201,206207.NollorapresentedvariousproofsofhisMuslimaffiliation:

Exhibit "1" and submarkings Balik Islam Tableegh Foundation of the Philippines Membership
ApplicationFormaccomplishedinhandwrittenform,dated10January1992
Exhibit "2" and submarkings Certificate of Conversion to Islam dated 2 October 2004 issued by
HadjiAbdulHaiQaharMadueo,PresidentofBalikIslamTableeghFoundationofthePhilippines
Exhibit"3"andsubmarkingsCertificateofConversiontoIslamdated17December2003issuedby
Abdullah M. AlHamid, Director General of the Riyadh branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs,
Endowments,CallandGuidance,KingdomofSaudiArabia
Exhibits"4,""12"and"13"CertificateofConversiontoIslamdated17December2003issuedbythe
CivilRegistryofZamboangaCity,ZamboangadelSurand
Exhibit"7"andsubmarkingsNollorasPledgeofConversiondated10January1992issuedbyHadji
AbdulHaiQaharMadueo,PresidentofBalikIslamTableeghFoundationofthePhilippines.
21Supranote8.
22TSN,30January2006,pp.1112.
23TSN,29May2006,pp.6,910.
24467Phil.723,744(2004).
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