Goitia vs.

Campos Rueda

Facts:

In January 1915, Eloisa Goitia and Jose Campos Rueda were legally married in Manila
and thereafter lived together in Calle San Marcelino for about a month. Petitioner went
back to her parents because of the following reasons:

1) Defendant demanded her to perform unchaste and lascivious acts on her

genitals

2) Defendant made other lewd demands

3) Defendant maltreated petitioner by word and by deed on the ground that the
latter refused to do any of defendant’s demands other than legal and valid cohabitation

Petitioner filed an action against her husband for support outside their conjugal
domicile.

Issue:

WON defendant may be compelled to render support to his wife

Held:

Yes. Campos Rueda was held liable to support his wife.

Ratio Decidendi:

Upon termination of the marriage ceremony, a conjugal partnership is formed between

the spouses. The reciprocal rights arising from this partnership is governed by the law
and controlled by the state or government, upon principles of public policy for the
benefit of society as well as the parties.

Because marriage is a social institution vested with public interest, the contracting
parties may not terminate it at any shorter period by virtue of any contract they make.
Campos Rueda cannot, by his wrongful acts, be relieved of the duty to support Goitia as
imposed by law. Where a husband, through is wrongful, illegal and unbearable conduct
drives his wife away from the domicile fixed by him, he cannot take advantage of her
departure to sever the law concerning marital relations and repudiate his duties
thereunder.