When is infidelity considered a crime under Philippine law?

When is infidelity considered a crime under Philippine law?

In an interview with "Unang Hirit," resident lawyer Atty. Gaby Concepcion said only married individuals have legal obligation to remain faithful to their partners.

"Kung mag-boyfriend-girlfriend pa lamang, engaged, o mag-live in partner, unfortunately walang legal obligation sa batas ang maging tapat sa isa't isa o magkaroon ng mutual fidelity habang nagsasama. Of course, 'yung usapang moral o ethical ay hiwalay sa usapan na ito," she said.

Married individuals are legally obligated to be faithful to their spouses throughout the course of their marriage, for as long as it is valid.

"Ang obligasyon na to na maging tapat at faithful, hindi napuputol ito kahit matagal nang hiwalay o walang komunikasyon ang mag-asawa," Concepcion said.

Concepcion said that sexual intercourse is the reference for the crime of adultery in women and concubinage for men.

She added that Philippine law treats infidelity of women and men differently, placing a heavier burden on women.

"Sa ilalim ng 333 ng Revised Penal code, 'yung adultery o pagtatalik ng babae sa lalaking hindi niya asawa, 'yun palang guilty na siya ng krimen. Pero 'pag lalaki, dapat ay concubinage ang krimen. Mas mahirap parusahan ang lalaking nangangaliwa dahil ang concubinage, hindi porket nakipagtalik sa iba ang asawa niyang lalaki ay may krimen na. Kailangan para maging concubinage... kailangan ibinabahay ang kanilang mistress sa kanilang conjugal home," she said.

"Pangalawa, merong pagtatalik under scandalous circumstances. Dapat nakikita ng kapitbahay, mga gayan," she added. "Pangatlo, pagsasama bilang mag-asawa in any other place, ibig sabihin out in the public, o tinatago mo ang mistress mo sa isang condo at walang may alam at sa kagabi ka lang naninirahan, walang concubinage 'yun."

Furthermore, exchanging sweet messages or flirting cannot be considered a crime, as there is no attempted adultery or concubinage.

"Of course, malaking issue ang deniability. 'Hindi ako nakikipag-flirt, ikaw lang ang nag-iisip noon,'" Concepcion said.

If proven, adultery or concubinage are grounds for legal separation. However, Concepcion said that legal separation would still mean a couple is married.

For extreme cases, this can be an indication of psychological incapacity, which is grounds for annulment.

It may also be a case of violence against women, under Republic Act 9262.

"Nagkaroon na ng kaso na cinonvict ng Supreme Court for violence against women 'yung pagkakaroon ng isang lalaki ng isang mistress at nagkaroon ng anak, dahil sa emotional and psychological suffering na dinanas ng asawa niya dahil sa unfaithfulness na ito," Concepcion said.

"Pero again, hindi natin cinocondone ang infidelity na 'yan. There's nothing better than to be faithful and to be true to your word," she added. —JCB, GMA News