The woman who sought a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) but was issued a Certificate of Marriage instead because of her alleged previous wedding to an Indian national has sought the help of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Negros Occidental.

Evelyn Ruelan, who was accompanied by her domestic partner, appeared at PSA Negros Occidental to start what she believes as a tedious process of correcting the error.

According to her PSA record, she is married to an Indian national in 2023 in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila.

Evelyn presented documents to prove that she did not leave Negros Occidental in November 2023.

PSA Negros Occidental has also prepared a report to be sent to the PSA Central Office. However, the agency confirmed that the nullification of the alleged marriage would take a lengthy process.

“Kun may nullity, i-request pa ang cancellation sa court tulad sa desisyon sa Congress ni (former mayor) Gou. Hindi ko pa masabi kasi first time naming naka-encounter [nito] dito,” John Campomanes, PSA Negros Occidental chief statistical specialist, said.

The couple said that the hindrance disheartens them because they have set their plans on a December 2024 wedding prior to the delivery of their baby. But the couple vowed to be cooperative fully to the agency.

“Kung hindi man kami makasal, mahalagang makamit ang hustisya. Kapag natapos na ang lahat ng problema, iyon na ang pagpapakasal namin upang hindi mahirapan ang mga anak namin balang araw,” Evelyn said.

As for Evelyn’s partner, Reylan, he promised that the disruption of the wedding plans does not affect their situation as common-law partners.

“Tiniyak naman nila na ipupursigi na matapos ito at makamit ang hustisya. Ang masasabi ko lang sa aking asawa, makakasal man o hindi, nandyan ako sa tabi niya at ibibigay sa kanya ang aking lifetime,” Reylan said.

PSA is set to look into the possibility that a scammer stole Evelyn’s personal information in marrying a foreign national as part of illegal schemes. Or that a person who knows Evelyn closely could probably be the culprit.

“Most probably hindi natin alam kung sino ang gumawa. Ang detalye ng kanyang pagkatao hindi naman maibigay kung hindi siya kilala. Most probably ang nakakilala sa kanya ang gumamit ng kanyang credentials,” Campomanes emphasized.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas sought a statement from the National Bureau of Investigation in Bacolod City on the concern, but is yet to receive a reply as of this writing.