Eigenmannn v. Guerra, 5 C.A. Rep.

836 (1964) May 11, 1964Eduardo Eigenmann,

plaintiff and appellant Maryden Guerra and Froilan Guerra, defendants and
appelleesFacts: 1957 Eigenmann (actor singer) met Maryden(dancer in the theatre) in
Clover Theatre Manila; afterwards the two fell in love and decided to get married.
October 25, 1957 They filed applications for a marriage license where Eigenmann
stated that he was 25 years old and was born on February 17, 1932. November 3, 1957
- Eigenmanns parents and Marydens parents discussed the marriage November 5, 1959
Eigenmann and Maryden were married by Judge Prudencio Encomienda of the Municipal
Court of Quezon City They lived in the house of Marydens parents for a year and
transferred to the house of Eigenmanns mother and stayed there for 3 or 4
monthsAugust 29, 1959 Eigenmann filed a case for the annulment of his marriage to
Guerra on the following grounds:He was more than 16 but less than 20 years old upon
the execution of the marriage and was not given the consent of his mother to enter
such contract. Eigenmanns consent was obtained through threats made by Froilan
Gueera, Marydens father. Applications for marriage license were sworn before an
officer not legally authorized to administer oaths Defendants denied the
allegations: Eigenmann presented himself to be over 25 years old Eigenmanns mother
was present during the ceremony Eigenmann should not now be permitted to excuse
himself from his marital obligation to preserve the institution of marriageCourt of
First Instance dismissed the caseIssues:WON Eigenmann and Guerras marriage could be
annulled based on the fact that Eigenmann was at the time of execution of marriage
was more than 16 years old and less than 20 years old.WON Guerras fathers action
towards Eigenmann is tantamount to forcing him to marry his daughter hence consent
was not freely given. WON a marriage licence wrongfully obtained could invalidate a
marriage.WON Eigenmann was provided with parental consent to enter such
contract.Ratio: No. During the application for a marriage license, Eigenmann
presented himself to be over 25 years old; thus, under the doctrine of estoppel, he
coulndt assert otherwise. No. The remark made by Froilan Guerra against Eigenmann
could not be considered as a threat because it was only an admonition thus there
was no reasonable fear that would force Eigenmann to marry Maryden.No. The marriage
license is valid even if the applications were sworn before an unauthorized officer
because the law states that marriages solemnized without a marriage license are the
ones declared to be void.No. The remark made by Froilan Guerra against Eigenmann
could not be considered as a threat because it was only an admonition thus there
was no reasonable fear that would force Eigenmann to marry Maryden.Yes. The mere
presence of Eigenmanns mother during the celebration implies that consent was given
by a parental authority.Decision of the lower court is affirmed. Cha Latorre