CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

ARTICLE 1. THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES. IT WAS PREPARED BY THE ROXAS CODE COMMISSION HEADED BY DR. JORGE C. BOCOBO THRU EO NO. 48 OF PRESIDENT MANUEL ROXAS ON MARCH 20, 1947. MEMBERS JUDGE GUILLERMO GUEVARA DEAN PEDRO YLAGAN FRANCIS CAPISTRANO ARTURO TOLENTINO HE RESIGNED IN THE
COMMISSION DUE TO HIS ELECTION AS A CONGRESSMAN IN MANILA.

FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ITS PUBLICATION EITHER IN

DR. CARMELINO ALVENDIA WAS APPOINTED AS A REPLACEMENT OF ARTURO TOLENTINO. THEY STARTED DRAFTING FROM MAY 8, 2012 AND ENDED ON DECEMBER 15, 1947. ON JANUARY 26, 1949, THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSED REPUBLIC ACT NO. 386. JULY 19, 1949 PUBLICATION AUGUST 30, 1949 CIRCULATION AUGUST 30, 1950 - EFFECTIVITY SOURCES OF THE NEW CIVIL CODE 1. SPANISH CIVIL CODE OF 1889. 2. FOREIGN LAWS SUCH AS THE CIVIL CODES OF ARGENTINA, ENGLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, MEXICO, SWITZERLAND, UNITED STATES (PARTICULARLY CALIFORNIA AND LOUISIANA). 3. FOREIGN JUDICIAL DECISIONS, COMMENTS AND TREATIES OF FOREIGN JURISTS. 4. DOCTRINAL DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT. 5. PHILIPPINE LAWS SUCH AS MARRIAGE LAW (ACT NO. 3613), DIVORCE LAW (ACT NO. 2710) AND RULES OF COURT. 6. 1935 CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES. 7. REPORT OF THE CODE COMMISSION. 8. FILIPINO CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS. CIVIL CODE HAS BEEN DEFINED AS A COLLECTION OF
LAWS WHICH REGULATE THE PRIVATE RELATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF CIVIL SOCIETY, DETERMINING THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, WITH REFERENCE TO PERSONS, THINGS AND CIVIL ACTS. 2 SHERMAN 9

OFFICIAL GAZETTE OR IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL PHILIPPINES. PUBLICATION AND THE FIFTEEN-DAY PERIOD REQUIREMENTS ARE INTENDED TO ENABLE THE PEOPLE TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE STATUTE. THE CLAUSE UNLESS IT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED THIS CLAUSE SOLELY REFERS TO THE FIFTEEN-DAY PERIOD AND NOT TO THE REQUIREMENT OF PUBLICATION. PUBLICATION IS AN INDISPENSABLE REQUISITE, AND ABSENCE OF WHICH WILL RENDER THE LAW INEFFECTIVE. 1. IF THE LAW PROVIDES FOR A DIFFERENT PERIOD SHORTER O LONGER THAN THE FIFTEEN-DAY PERIOD, THEN SUCH SHORTER O LONGER PERIOD SHALL PREVAIL. 2. IF THE LAW PROVIDES THAT IT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, IT MEANS THAT IT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUBLICATION WITH FIFTEENDAY PERIOD BEING DISPENSED WITH. HOW A NEWSPAPER IS CONSIDERED OF GENERAL CIRCULATION? 1. IF IT IS PUBLISHED AT REGULAR INTERVALS FOR THE
THE CIRCULATION IN THE DISSEMINATION OF LOCAL NEWS AND GENERAL INFORMATION. 2. IT HAS A BONA FIDE SUBSCRIPTION LIST OF PAYING SUBSCRIBERS. 3. IF IT IS NOT DEVOTED TO THE INTEREST OR PUBLISHED FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF A PARTICULAR CLASS, PROFESSION, TRADE, CALLING, RACE, OR RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION. PUBLICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING: 1. PRESIDENTIAL DECREES AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS 2. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND ORDERS 3. BSP CIRCULARS PUBLICATION IS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING: 1. INTERPRETATIVE REGULATIONS AND THOSE INTERNAL IN NATURE, THAT IS, REGULATING ONLY THE PERSONNEL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY AND NOT THE PUBLIC. 2. MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES.

ARTICLE 2. LAWS SHALL TAKE EFFECT AFTER FIFTEEN DAYS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE, UNLESS IT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED. THIS CODE SHALL TAKE EFFECT ONE YEAR AFTER SUCH PUBLICATION. THE 1950 CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES TOOK EFFECT ON AUGUST 30, 1950. EO NO. 200 HAS BEEN EXPRESSLY AMENDED THE ARTICLE 2 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES ON JUNE 18, 1987 BY THE LEGISLATIVE POWER OF PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO. SECTION 1 OF EO NO. 200, LAWS SHALL TAKE EFFECT
AFTER FIFTEEN DAYS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR

ARTICLE 3. IGNORANCE OF THE LAW EXCUSES NO ONE FROM COMPLIANCE THEREWITH. SINCE LAWS ARE REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC, EVERYONE IS CONCLUSIVELY PRESUMED TO KNOW THE LAW. MISTAKE OF FACT. IGNORANCE OF FACT (IGNORANTIA FACTI) MAY EXCUSE A PARTY FROM THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF HIS CONDUCT. 1. IGNORANCE OF FOREIGN LAW IS A MISTAKE OF FACT. 2. IF AN HEIR IS IGNORANT OF THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER, HE IS AN IGNORANT OF A FACT. 3. MISTAKE AS TO DIFFICULT LEGAL QUESTIONS HAS BEEN GIVEN THE SAME EFFECT AS MISTAKE OF FACT. READ ARTICLES 526, 1334, 2154 AND 2155 OF THE CIVIL CODE. ARTICLE 4. LAWS SHALL HAVE NO RETROACTIVE EFFECT, UNLESS THE CONTRARY IS PROVIDED. RETROACTIVE LAW IMPAIRS VESTED RIGHTS ACQUIRED UNDER EXISTING LAWS, IT CREATES NEW OBLIGATIONS,

OFFICIAL GAZETTE OR IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE PHILIPPINES, UNLESS IT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED. EFFECTIVITY OF LAWS - WHEN A STATUTE DOES NOT EXPLICITLY PROVIDE FOR ITS EFFECTIVITY, IT SHALL HAVE EFFECT ONLY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE FIFTEEN-DAY
PUBLICATION EITHER IN THE

IMPOSES A NEW DUTY, OR ATTACHES NEW DISABILITY THAT AFFECTS A TRANSACTION ALREADY PAST.

THE FOLLOWING ARE INSTANCES WHEN A LAW MAY BE

GIVEN RETROACTIVE EFFECT AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONAL THE LAW PROVISIONS, NOR DESTROYS EXPRESSLY PROVIDES FOR VESTED RIGHTS OF A THIRD PERSON:

3. BY PUNISHING IT CRIMINALLY BUT VALIDATING THE ACT, ARTICLE 351 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE PUNISHES WIDOWS FOR PREMATURE MARRIAGES. IF A WIDOW REMARRIES WITHIN THE PERIOD OF 301 DAYS, NEVERTHELESS, THE MARRIAGE REMAINS
VALID BUT WITHOUD PREJUDICE TO HER CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

1. WHEN

RETROACTIVITY.

2. WHEN THE LAW IS CURATIVE IN NATURE THESE ARE LAWS INTENDED TO CORRECT ERRORS
OR IRREGULARITIES INCURRED IN JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT IMPAIR OBLIGATIONS AND CONTRACTS. 3. WHEN THE LAW IS REMEDIAL IN NATURE THERE ARE NO VESTED RIGHTS IN RULES OF PROCEDURE. 4. WHEN THE LAW IS PENAL IN CHARACTER AND FAVORABLE TO THE ACCUSED. ARTICLE 22 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE 5. WHEN LAWS CREATE NEW RIGHTS PROVIDED THAT NO VESTED RIGHTS IMPAIRED

ARTICLE 7, PARAGRAPH 1 OF THE FMILY CODE

AUTHORIZES INCUMBENT JUDGES TO OFFICIATE MARRIAGES JURISDICTION. WITHIN THEIR TERRITORIAL

HOWEVER, IF A JUDGE OFFICIATED A MARRIAGE OUTSIDE HIS JURISDICTION, NEVERTHELESS, THE MARRIAGE REMAINS VALID BUT
WITHOUT THE PREJUDICE TO THE PROSECUTION OF THE JUDGE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OR CRIMINAL LIABILITY. 4. BY INVALIDATING THE ACT BUT RECOGNIZING THE LEGAL EFFECTS AS FLOWING FROM THE INVALID ACT.

UNDER ARTICLE 36 OF THE FAMILY CODE, THE

MARRIAGE OF A PARTY SUFFERING IS VOID. FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL OF THE NULLITY INCAPACITY OF THE

ARTICLE 2253, PARAGRAPH 2 (QUIZANA VS REDUGERIO) 6. EMERGENCY LAWS. AUTHORIZED BY THE POLICE POWER OF THE GOVERNMENT. THE REASON BEHIND THE ARTICLE IS TO PROTECT THE VESTED RIGHTS.

BUT
ARE

CHILDREN BORN BEFORE THE FINAL DECLARATION MARRIAGE CONSIDERED LEGITIMATE

[ARTICLE 54, FAMILY

CODE] ARTICLE 6. RIGHTS MAY BE WAIVED, UNLESS THE WAIVER IS CONTRARY TO LAW, PUBLIC POLICY, MORALS OR GOOD CUSTOMS, OR PREJUDICIAL TO A THIRD PERSON WITH A RIGHT RECOGNIZED BY LAW. RIGHT IS A LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE CLAIM OF ONE PERSON AGAINST ANOTHER, THAT THE OTHER SHALL DO OR NOT DO A GIVEN ACT. RIGHT IS A POWER, PRIVELLAGE OR IMMUNITY GUARANTEED UNDER A CONSTITUTION, STATUES OR DECISIONAL LAWS, OR CLAIMED AS RESULT OF LONG USAGE. - 6TH ED., P. 1324 OF BLACKS LAW DICTIONARY. GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF RIGHTS AS TO CLARITY 1. PERFECT WHEN THE SCOPE IS CLEAR, SETTLED AND DERMINATE. 2. IMPERFECT WHEN THE SCOPE IS VAGUE AND
UNFIXED

ARTICLE 5. ACTS EXECUTED AGAINST THE PROVISIONS OF MANDATORY OR PROHIBITORY LAWS SHALL BE VOID, EXCEPT WHEN THE LAW ITSELF AUTHORIZES THEIR VALIDITY. MANDATORY AND DIRECTORY LAW, CONCEPTS AND DISTINCTIONS 1. MANDATORY LAW OMISSION TO FOLLOW WHICH, RENDERS THE PROCEEDINGS TO WHICH IT RELATES VOID. MANDATORY LAW IS ONE WHICH MUST BE OBSERVED. THE VIOLATION OF MANDATORY LAW RENDERS THE ACT VOID. 2. PROHIBITORY LAW ACTS COMMITTED THAT ARE PROHIBITED BY THE LAW ARE LIKEWISE VOID. 3. DIRECTORY LAW OBSERVANCE OF WHICH IS NOT NECESSARY TO THE VALIDITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS. FOUR WAYS OF VALIDATING AN ACT OR CONTRACT CONTRARY TO A MANDATORY LAW: 1. BY EXPRESSLY VALIDATING THE CONTRACT, UNDER ARTICLE 349 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE PUNISHES BIGAMY, HOWEVER, IF BIGAMY IS
COMMITED PROVIDED IN THE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES

ARTICLE 41 OF THE FAMILY CODE,

BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE IS

SUBSEQUENT

GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF RIGHTS AS TO THE PASSIVE SUBJECT OF THE RIGHT 1. PERSONAM ONE WHICH IMPOSES AN OBLIGATION ON A DEFINITE PERSON. 2. REM ONE WHICH IMPOSSES AN OBLIGATION ON A DEFINITE PERSON OR PERSONS GENERALLY. RIGHTS CLASSIFIED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION 1. NATURAL RIGHTS ARE THOSE THAT GROW OUT OF
NATURE OF MAN AND DEPEND UPON THE

CONSIDERED VAILD. 2. BY MAKING THE INVALIDITY TO DEPEND ON THE WILL OF THE INJURED PARTY, SUCH AS VOIDABLE OR ANNULABLE CONTRACTS, WHEN CONSENT IN MARRIAGE IS VITIATED IN VIOLENCE OR INTIMIDATION, THE MARRIAGE IS VOIDABLE AND ANNULLABLE. THE VICTIM MAY OR MAY NOT HOWEVER OPT TO ANNUL THE MARRIAGE

(ARTICLE 45 OF THE FAMILY CODE). THE

DISCRETION TO ANNUL BELONGS SOLELY TO THE VICTIM OR SIDE OF THE VICTIM.

SUCH ARE THE RIGHTS OF LIFE, LIBERTY, PRIVACY AND GOOD REPUTATION. 2. CIVIL RIGHTS THEY INCLUDE THE RIGHTS OF PROPERTY, MARRIAGE, EQUAL PROTECTION OF LAW, AND FREEDOM OF CONTRACT. 3. POLITICAL RIGHTS THEY INCLUDE RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP, AND SUFFRAGE. ELEMENTS OF RIGHT 1. SUBJECTS ARE THE PERSONS, ARE OF TWO KINDS, ONE IS ACTIVE AND THE SECOND ONE IS PASSIVE.

PERSONALITY.

a. ACTIVE SUBJECT IS THE ONE WHO IS

ENTITLED TO DEMAND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE RIGHT.

2. SELF-CANCELLATION DUE TO THE LAPSE OF

THEIR PERIOD OF EFFECTIVITY

b. PASSIVE SUBJECT IS THE ONE WHO IS DUTY-BOUND TO SUFFER ITS ENFORCEMENTS. 2. OBJECT CONSTITUTES THINGS AND SERVICES
WHICH ARE INTENDED FOR THE SATISFACTION OF HUMAN WANTS EITHER PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL.

3. NULLITY DUE TO UNCONSTITUTIONALITY. REPEAL MAY BE EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. REVIVAL OF A REPEALED LAW 1. IF THE FIRST LAW WAS REPEALED BY IMPLICATION OF THE SECOND LAW, AND THE
SECOND LAW IS ITSELF REPEALED BY THE THIRD LAW, THE FIRST LAW IS REVIVED UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE THIRD LAW. 2. HOWEVER, IF THE FIRST LAW WAS REPEALED EXPRESSLY BY THE SECOND LAW, AND THE SECOND LAW WAS REPEALED BY THIRD LAW, THE FIRST LAW IS NOT REVIVED, UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED. SECTION 14 OF THE REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. SELF-LAPSING LAWS ARE LAWS WHICH PROVIDE FOR THEIR LIMITED APPLICATION. ONCE THE PERIOD FOR THEIR EFFECTIVITY LAPSES, THE SELF-LAPSING LAWS AUTOMATICALLY BECOME INEFFECTIVE WITHOUT ANY NEED OF FURTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

3. EFFICIENT CAUSE IS THE FACT THAT GIVES RISE TO LEGAL RELATION BETWEEN SUBJECT AND OBJECT. WAIVER
RIGHT. IS THE INTENTIONAL OR VOLUNTARY RELINQUISHMENT OF KNOWN RIGHT OR SUCH CONDUCT AS WARRANTS AND INFERENCE OF RELINQUISHMENT OF SUCH

THE WAIVER IS INVALID IF: 1. IF THE WAIVER IS CONTRARY TO PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC POLICY, MORALS OR GOOD CUSTOMS. 2. IF THE WAIVER IS PREJUDICIAL TO A THIRD PERSON WITH A RIGHT RECOGNIZED BY LAW. REQUISITES OF VALID WAIVER 1. THE WAIVING PARTY MUST HAVE ACTUALLY HAVE THE RIGHT HE IS RENOUNCING. THE RIGHT MUST BE IN EXISTENCE AT THE TIME OF THE WAIVER. ONE CANNOT WAIVE WHAT HE DOES NOT HAVE, POSSESSED, OR OWNED AT THE TIME OF THE WAIVER. 2. HE MUST HAVE A FULL CAPACITY TO MAKE THE WAIVER. IF INCAPACITATED, THE WAIVER IS DEFECTIVE FOR LACK OF FREE CONSENT. 3. THE WAIVER MUST BE CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL. AS WAIVER IS DEPRIVATION OF RIGHT, IT MUST NOT BE FAVORED IN CASE OF DOUBT. 4. THE WAIVER MUST NOT BE CONTRARY TO LAW, PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC POLICY, MORALS OR GOOD
CUSTOMS OR PREJUDICIAL TO A THIRD PERSON WITH A RIGHT RECOGNIZED BY LAW.

DISUSE, CUSTOM OR PRACTICE TO THE CONTRARY 1. ALTHOUGH A LAW HAS FALLEN TO DISUSE, OR
THE CUSTOMS OR PRACTICES OF THE CITIZENRY RUN AGAINST A LAW NON-OBSERVANCE REASON THEREOF. EG. JUETENG IS ILLEGAL IS

THE VIOLATION OR
NOT EXCUSED BY

ARTICLE 8. JUDICIAL DECISIONS APPLYING OR INTERPRETING THE LAWS OR THE CONSTITUTION SHALL FORM A PART OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES. JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE NOT LAWS BUT HAVE THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAWS. 1. JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE NOT LAWS. UDER THE SEPARATION OF POWERS, THE CONGRESS MAKES THE LAWS, AND THE JUDICIARY MERELY APPLIES OR INTERPRETS THEM IN GIVEN CASES.
AND THE EXECUTIVE EXECUTES THE LAWS AS INTERPRETED BY THE JUDICIARY. 2. ALTHOUGH NOT LAWS, THE DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT APPLYING OR INTERPRETING THE LAWS OR THE CONSTITUTION BECOMES PART OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF THE COUNTRY. 3. JURISPRUDENCE THESE ARE DOCTRINES FORMULATED BY THE DECISIONS OF THE

THIS IS AN EXPLICIT CONDITION IMPOSED BY ARTICLE 2 WHICH MUST BE COMPLIED WITH. 5. WHEN FORMALITIES ARE REQUIRED AS IN THE CASE
OF AN EXPRESS CONDONATION OF A DEBT

(MANDATING THE FORMALITIES OF DONATION), THE FORMALITIES MUST BE COMPLIED WITH. THE FORMALITIES ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VALIDITY OF THE ACT. ARTICLE 7. LAWS ARE REPEALED ONLY BY SUBSEQUENT ONES, AND THEIR VIOLATION OR NON-OBSERVANCE SHALL NOT BE EXCUSED BY DISUSES, OR CUSTOM OR PRACTICE TO THE CONTRARY. WHEN THE COURTS DECLARE A LAW TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION, THE FORMER SHALL BE VOID AND LATTER SHALL GOVERN. ADMINISTRATIVE OR EXECUTIVE ACTS, ORDERS AND REGULATIONS
SHALL BE VALID ONLY WHEN THEY ARE NOT CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OR THE CONSTITUTION.

SUPREME COURT. THESE DOCTRINES AMPLIFY AND SUPPLEMENT THE WRITTEN LAW. ARTICLE 9. NO JUDGE OR COURT SHALL DECLINE TO RENDER JUDGMENT BY REASON OF THE SILENCE, OBSCURITY OR INSUFICIENCY OF THE LAWS. IF CASES ARE BROUGHT TO COURT AND THERE IS NO LAW EXACTLY APPLICABLE TO THEM. SOMETIMES ALSO, WHILE THERE IS A LAW, IT IS OBSCURE OR VAGUE AND INSUFFICIENT IN ITS GUIDANCE. WHEN THESE DO HAPPEN, THE JUDGE IS, NEVERTHELESS, ENJOINED TO RENDER A DECISION. HE SHALL NOT ABSTAIN OR DECLINE IN ADJUDGING THE CASE. UNDER ARTICLE 9,
THE JUDGE IS SOMEHOW FORCED TO LEGISLATE IN A LOOSE SENSE OR TO FILL THE EXISTING VACCUUM IN OBSCURE OR INSUFFICIENT LAWS.

HOW LAWS LOSE THEIR EFFECTIVITY 1. REPEAL TO REVOKE, SUMMON BACK OR

RECALL

DUTY OF THE JUDGE WHEN THE LAW IS CLEAR THE

JUDGE SHOULD APPLY THE LAW WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR; HE SHOULD FOLLOW THE MANDATE AND NOT TAMPER WITH IT.

ARTICLE 18. IN MATTERS WHICH ARE GOVERNED BY THE CODE OF COMMERCE AND SPECIAL LAWS, THEIR DEFFICIENCY SHALL BE SUPPLIED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CODE.

ARTICLE 9 IS APPLICABLE ONLY IN CIVIL CASES.

ARTICLE 10. IN CASE OF DOUBT IN THE INTERPRETATION OR APPLICATION OF LAWS, IT IS PRESUMED THAT THE LAWMAKING BODY INTENDED RIGHT AND JUSTICE TO PREVAIL. ARTICLE 11. CUSTOMS WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO LAW, PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC POLICY SHALL NOT BE COUNTENANCED. ARTICLE 12. A CUSTOM MUST BE PROVED AS A FACT, ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF EVIDENCE. ARTICLE 13. WHEN THE LAWS SPEAK OF YEARS, MONTHS, DAYS AND NIGHTS, IT SHALL BE UNDERSTOOD THAT YEARS ARE OF THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE DAYS EACH; MONTHS, OF THIRTY DAYS; DAYS, OF TWENTY FOUR HOURS; AND NIGHTS FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. IF MONTHS ARE DESIGNATED BY THEIR NAME, THEY SHALL BE COMPUTED BY THE NUMBER OF DAYSWHICH THEY RESPECTIVELY HAVE. IN COMPUTING A PERIOD, THE FIRST DAY SHALL BE EXCLUDED, LAST DAY INCLUDED. ARTICLE 14. PENAL LAWS AND THOSE OF PUBLIC SECURITY AND
SAFETY SHALL BE OBLIGATORY UPON ALL WHO LIVE OR SOJOURN IN THE

PHILIPPINE TERRITORY, SUBJECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC

INTERNATIONAL LAW AND TO TREATY STIPULATIONS.

ARTICLE 15. LAWS RELATING TO FAMILY RIGHTS AND DUTIES, OR TO THE STATUS, CONDITION AND LEGAL CAPACITY OF PERSONS ARE BINDING UPON CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES. ARTICLE 16. REAL PROPERTY AS WELL AS PERSONAL PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF THE COUNTRY WHERE IT IS SITUATED. HOWEVER, INTESTATE AND TESTAMENTARY SUCCESSIONS, BOTH WITH
RESPECT TO THE ORDER OF SUCCESSION AND TO THE AMOUNT OF SUCCESSIONAL RIGHTS AND TO THE INTRINSIC VALIDITY OF TESTAMENTARY PROVISIONS, SHALL BE REGULATED BY THE NATIONAL LAW OF THE PERSON WHOSE SUCCESSION IS UNDER CONSIDERATION, WHATEVER MAY BE THE NATURE OF THE PROPERTY AND REGARDLESS OF THE COUNTRY WHEREIN SAID PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND.

ARTICLE 17. THE FORMS AND SOLEMNITIES OF CONTRACTS, WILLS,

AND OTHER PUBLIC INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY LAWS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH THEY ARE EXECUTED.

WHEN THE ACTS REFERRED TO ARE EXECUTED BEFORE THE DIPLOMATIC OR CONSULAR OFFICIALS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, THE SOLEMNITIES ESTABLISHED BY PHILIPPINE LAWS SHALL BE OBSERVED IN THEIR EXECUTION. PROHIBITIVE LAWS CONCERNING PERSONS, THEIR ACTS OR PROPERTY, AND THOSE WHICH HAVE FOR THEIR OBJECT PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC
POLICY AND GOOD CUSTOMS SHALL NOT BE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE BY LAWS OR JUDGMENTS PROMULGATED, OR BY DETERMINATIONS OR CONVENTIONS AGREED UPON IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY.