Criminal Law II, Prof.
IRJimenez
TITLE XII Crimes Against the Civil Status of Persons
Civil status and rights by birth or marriage
Filiation Parental authority Marital status Conjugal rights Hereditary rights
ART. 347
1. Simulate births 2. Substitute one child for another 3. Conceal or abandon a legitimate child
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Simulation of birth & Substitution of child
Mens rea Intent to create a false civil status by introducing a strange child Not mere pretense of pregnancy, e.g. to claim maternity benefits or dispel rumors she is sterile Benefit of child not a defense
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To be used only as reference for an accompanying lecture
Criminal Law II, Prof. IRJimenez
Concealment or abandonment of a legitimate child
Mens rea to cause loss of civil status as legitimate child Actus reus abandon or conceal, not merely selling (US v. Capillo & Paduga) c.f. Art. 276 (Abandonment of Child) must be by person entrusted with custody c.f. Attempted Infanticide with intent to kill
Persons liable
All persons who participated liable as principals biological mother, supposed mother, physician, nurse, mid-wife, public officer (civil registrar)
Doctor & public officer temp. special disqualification
ART. 348 Usurpation of civil status
Usurp civil status of another Mens rea Intent to enjoy rights arising from civil status of another person, including filiation, parental or conjugal rights Otherwise, possible Use of Fictitious Name (Art 178), Estafa (Art 315(2)(a)), and/or Falsification (Art. 171) Penalty higher if to defraud victim or his heirs
To be used only as reference for an accompanying lecture
Criminal Law II, Prof. IRJimenez
Illegal Marriages
ART. 349 - Bigamy
Contract 2nd or subsequent marriage Before Former marriage legally dissolved Absent spouse declared dead by court
Bigamy
Void first marriage no longer a defense (Wiegel v. Sempio-Diy) BUT second or subsequent marriage must be valid were it not for the bigamy Not a private crime Separate liability for concubinage Prescription constructive notice of marriage registry NOT APPLICABLE (Sermonia v. CA)
To be used only as reference for an accompanying lecture
Criminal Law II, Prof. IRJimenez
ART. 350 Other illegal marriages
Two kinds:
1. Do not comply with legal requirements 2. Disregard legal impediment
Higher penalty if consent obtained thru violence, intimidation or fraud
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ART. 351 Premature marriages
Widow Marries w/in 301 days from
Death of husband Annulment of marriage
Marries before having delivered, if she was pregnant at the time of death or annulment Purpose to prevent doubts in filiation
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ART. 352 Performance of illegal marriage ceremony
Solemnizing officer performs/authorizes illegal marriage ceremony, with knowledge of the illegality or impediment Penalty = 1 month 2 years or P200 P2000 fine (Act No. 3613, Marriage Law) If not authorized, possibly Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions (Art. 177) or Estafa (Art. 315)
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To be used only as reference for an accompanying lecture
Criminal Law II, Prof. IRJimenez
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To be used only as reference for an accompanying lecture