Long Absence of a Spouse Considered Psychological Incapacity According to the Supreme Court
Long Absence of a Spouse Considered Psychological Incapacity According to the Supreme Court A prolonged absence of a spouse from their home can be considered evidence of psychological incapacity, which can serve as grounds for declaring a marriage invalid. In a decision written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the Supreme Court annulled the marriage between Leonora and Alfredo after it was proven that Alfredo refused to provide financial support to his family and eventually abandoned Leonora and their children starting in 1994. It was also proven that Alfredo had relationships with other women. According to the Supreme Court, Article 68 of the Family Code states that spouses are obligated to live together, show love, respect, and fidelity to each other, and provide assistance and support. Alfredo's infidelity, his long absence from home, and his failure to provide support to his wife and children demonstrate that he does not understand his obligations as a husband...