Supreme Court makes it easier to prove a foreign divorce in Philippine courts
The Supreme Court en banc approved amendments to the Rules of Court on October 7 that ease how Filipino spouses prove a foreign divorce. Under the changes, petitioners under Article 26(2) of the Family Code need to show the divorce occurred and not prove the foreign law. A new presumption holds that a divorce lets the foreign spouse remarry unless the decree says otherwise (Daily Tribune). A court petition for recognition is still required. The rules take effect 15 days after posting.
Overseas Filipinos have struggled to obtain and prove foreign law, which delayed recognition.
Filipinos whose spouses are foreign and who divorced abroad should still file for judicial recognition, now with a lighter burden.
It is not divorce for Filipino couples, which remains unavailable domestically. Watch the effective date.
DailyDrop Philippines edition No. 5 · Morning · FRI., OCT. 9, 2026