Decriminalization of premature marriages under Article 351 of the revised penal code for being discriminatory against women and violative of the equal protection clause provided in the constitution

Date of Publication

2012

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Legal Management

Subject Categories

Commercial Law

College

Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business

Department/Unit

Commercial Law

Thesis Adviser

James Keith C. Heffron

Defense Panel Member

Reynaldo Ros
Julie Ann Domino

Abstract/Summary

The paper would discuss the law on Premature Marriage provided under Article 351 of the Revised Penal Code. It penalizes women, particularly widows and women whose marriages has been dissolved, who shall contract a subsequent marriage within 301 days from the death of her husband. This is to prevent doubtful paternity and filiation from arising.

The Equal Protection Clause under the Constitution guarantees the equal rights and responsibilities of people belonging to the same class. Furthermore, special laws including the Magna Carta of Women and international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women promotes gender equality in of rights as to marriage. Article 351 violates the provisions of these pertinent laws.

Also, advent of modern medical technology through DNA analysis gives way to resolve issues on paternity and filiation. Aside from that, the Civil Code provides for a presumption as to a child's paternity in case of doubt.

In light of these, there is a need to decriminalize Article 351 of the Revised Penal Code. First, it violates several important laws including the Philippine Constitution which is the highest law of the land. Second, there are now means that could resolve issues on paternity and filiation. Thus ruling out the need for the existence of the law.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Print

Accession Number

TU19594

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

60, [42 unnumbered] leaves : illustrations

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