Abbas v. Abbas (G.R. No. 183896, Jan.

30, 2013)
Facts :
The case stems from a supposed marriage ceremony between
Pakistani SyedAzhar Abbas
and Filipina Gloria Goo on January 9, 1993. The marriage contract
stated that the couple was
issued a marriage license from Carmona, Cavite on January 8, 1993. The copy
of marriage license
was apparently presented to the solemnizing officer during the marriage
ceremony.
In July 2003, Syed went to the Office of the Civil Registrar
to secure a copy of the
marriage license in relation to a bigamy case filed by Gloria. However,
the Municipal Civil
Registrar issued a certification declaring that the office has not issued a
marriage license to Syed
and Gloria. It further verified that the marriage license indicated in Syed
and Glorias marriage
contract was issued to a different couple.
Syed filed a petition for declaration of nullity of his marriage to
Gloria. He argued that
there was no actual marriage license issued to them prior to the
supposed marriage in January
1993. Gloria maintained, on the other hand, that a valid marriage license
existed. She presented
their marriage contract, photographs and testimonies of people present
during the marriage
ceremony to negate the certification from the municipal civil registrar.
She countered that a
certain Qualin secured the marriage license for her and Syed. But she
was not able to present a
copy of the actual marriage license.
RTC ruled that there was no valid marriage license
issued by the Municipal Civil
Registrar of Carmona. CA ruled that there was a valid marriage license
because the certification of

the Municipal Civil Registrar failed to categorically state that a diligent

search for the marriage
license of Gloria and Syed was conducted, and thus held that said
certification could not be
accorded probative value
Issue: WON a valid marriage license was issued to Syed and Gloria