UNIVERSITY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

SCHOOL OF LAW AND GOVERNANCE

COURSE SYLLABUS
PERSONS AND FAMILY RELATIONS LAW (4 units)
First Semester 2014-2015
JUDGE ROWENA NIEVES A. TAN
Instructor
Schedule: Tuesday, 7:30-8:30pm; Wednesday, 5:30-7:30pm; Thursday,
7:30-8:30pm
Room: Case Room 2, Ground Floor, Main Building, UA&P
I.COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The course is a study of the laws on Persons and Family Relations as
contained in the Preliminary and Human Relations chapters of the New
Civil Code of the Philippines; the entire coverage of the Family Code of
the Philippines and the chapters of the New Civil Code of the
Philippines on Funerals, Care and Education of Children, Use of
Surnames, Absence and Civil Registry. Special laws relevant to the
family are also included such as Domestic Adoption Act, the law on
Inter-Country Adoption, special laws for the Protection of Children (Rep.
Act No. 7610), the Anti-violence Against Women and their Children law
(Rep. Act No. 9262) and the Solo Parents Welfare Act (Rep. Act No.
8972). There will also be a free and open discussion of Letter to
Families by Pope Francis and St. John Paul II as well as the papal
encyclicals Mulieris Dignitatem and Familiaris Consortio, among others,
as they impact on contemporary issues affecting women, children and
the family.
Course Objectives
Students are expected to gain knowledge and understanding of the
laws, both general and special, governing family relations. Upon
completion of the course, students will be able to critically analyze
problems in family relations and correctly apply the laws to given
problems and situations. It is also desired that they will advocate for
the promotion of the dignity of women, the protection of children and
the preservation of the family.
Methodology
The course employs recitation as the primary method of instruction, to
develop the students power of analysis, reasoning and facility of

expression. The students will answer questions, based on assigned

legal provisions, court decisions and other readings, to stimulate
critical thinking and enhance their communication, argumentation and
advocacy skills.
Course Requirements and Grading System
Class Recitation/Quizzes/Class Discussions/Reports
Midterms (written exam)
Final Exams (written)
II.

30%
30%
40%

COURSE OUTLINE

Week I
Week II

Week III
Week IV
Week V
Week VI

Week
VII

Week
VIII

TOPIC
I. CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES PRELIMINARY TITLE
A. Effect and Application of Laws (Civil Code /CC, Arts. 1-18).
B. Human Relations (CC, Arts. 19-29).
Human Relations contd. (CC, Arts 30-36).
II. PERSONS CIVIL PERSONALITY
A. General provisions (CC, Arts. 37-39).
B. Natural Persons (CC, Arts. 40-43).
C. Juridical Persons (CC, Arts. 44-47)
III. CITIZENSHIP AND DOMICILE (CC, Arts. 43-51)
IV. THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES MARRIAGE
A. Requisites of Marriage (Family Code/FC, Arts. 1-25)
Requisites of Marriage contd. (FC, Art. 26)
B. Marriages Exempt from License Requirement (FC, Arts. 27-34)
C. Void and Voidable Marriages (FC, Arts. 35-36)
Void and Voidable Marriages contd (FC, Arts. 37-46)
Void and Voidable Marriages contd (FC, Arts. 47-54)
- Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and
Annulment of Voidable Marriages (Supreme Court En Banc Resolution
A.M. 02-11-10-SC, Secs. 1-23)
- Rule on Provisional Orders (Supreme Court En Banc Resolution A.M.
02-11-12-SC, Secs. 1-9,).
D. Legal Separation (FC, Arts. 55-63)
Legal Separation contd (FC, Arts. 64-67)
Rule on Legal Separation, Supreme Court En Banc Resolution A.M.
No. 02-11-11-SC, Secs. 1-25)
V. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE (FC, Arts. 68-73)
VI. PROPERTY RELATIONS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE
A. General Provision (FC, Arts. 74-81)
B. Donations by Reason of Marriage (FC, Arts. 82-87)
C. System of Absolute Community
1. General Provisions (FC, Arts. 88-90)
2. What Constitutes Community Property (FC, Arts. 91- 93).
3. Charges upon and obligations of the Absolute Community (FC,
Arts. 94-95).
4. Ownership, Administration, Enjoyment and Disposition of the

Week IX

Week X

Week XI

Community Property (FC, Arts. 96-98).

5. Dissolution of Absolute Community Regime (FC, Arts 99-104).
D. Conjugal Partnership of Gains
1. General Provisions (FC, Arts. 105-107)
2. Exclusive Property of Each Spouse (FC, Arts.109- 115)
3. Conjugal Partnership Property (FC, Arts. 116-120).
4. Charges upon and Obligations of the Conjugal Partnership (FC,
Arts.121-123).
5. Administration of the Conjugal Partnership Property (FC, Arts. 124125).
6. Dissolution of Conjugal Partnership Regime (FC, Arts. 126-128).
7. Liquidation of the Conjugal Partnership Assets and Liabilties (FC,
Arts. 129-133).
E. Separation of Property of the spouse and administration of common
property by one spouse during the marriage (FC, Arts. 134-142)
F. Regime of Separation of property (FC, Arts. 144-146).
G. Property Regime of Unions without Marriage (FC, Arts. 147-148).
VII. THE FAMILY
A. The Family as an Institution (FC, Arts. 149-151).
B. The Family Home (FC, Arts. 152-162).
VIII.
PATERNITY AND FILIATION
A. Legitimate Children (FC, Arts. 163-171).
B. Proof of Filiation (FC, Arts. 172-174).
C. Illegitimate Children (FC, Arts. 175-176).
D. Legitimated Children (FC, Arts. 177-182)
IX. SUPPORT (FC, Arts. 194-208).
X. PARENTAL AUTHORITY
A. General Provisions (FC, Arts. 209-215)
B. Substitute and Special Parental Authority (FC, Arts. 216-219).
C. Effects of Parental Authority upon the Persons of the Children (FC, Arts.
220-222)

(excluding Adoption and Guardianship chapters)

Week
XII

D. Effect of Parental Authority upon the Property of the Children (FC, Arts.
225-227).
E. Suspension or Termination of Parental Authority (FC, Arts. 228-233)
XI. EMANCIPATION AND AGE OF MAJORITY (FC, Arts. 234-237)
XII. SUMMARY JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE FAMILY LAW
A. Scope and Application (FC, Art. 238)
B. Separation in Fact Between Husband and Wife (FC, Arts. 239-248)
C. Incidents involving Parental Authority (FC, Arts. 249-252)
D. Other Matters Subject to Summary Proceedings (FC, Art. 253)
XIII. FINAL PROVISIONS OF FAMILY CODE (FC, Arts. 254-257)
A. Retroactive Effect and Vested Rights(FC, Art 256)
XIV. FUNERALS (Civil Code, Arts. 305-310)
XV. CARE AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN (CC, Arts. 356-363)
XVI. USE OF SURNAMES (CC, Arts. 364-380)
XVII.
ABSENCE
A. Provisional Measures in case of Absence (CC, Arts. 381-383).

B.
C.
D.
E.

Declaration of Absence (CC, Arts. 384-386)

Administration of the Property of the Absentee (CC, Arts. 387-389)
Presumption of Death (CC, Arts. 390-392)
Effect of Absence upon the Contingent Rights of the Absentee (CC, Arts.
393-406)
XVIII. CIVIL REGISTRY (CC, Arts. 407-413).

Week
XIII

Reports:
XIX. DOMESTIC ADOPTION (R.A. 8552, Domestic Adoption Act of 1998;
Procedural Rule on Adoption, A.M. No. 02-6-02-SC)
XX. INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION (R.A. 8043, Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995;
Procedural Rule on Adoption, A.M. No. 02-6-02-SC)
XXI. R.A. 7610, SPECIAL PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT

Week
XIV

Class Discussion

XXII. LETTER TO FAMILIES of Pope Francis and St. John Paul II

XXIII. FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO
XXIV. MULIERIS DIGNITATEM

III. COURSE MATERIALS

Textbook: Sta. Maria, Melencio, Persons and Family Relations
Nota Bene: Read the assigned cases in their original, including those
cited in the textbook.
Week/Ses
sion
Week III

Topical
Reference
IV.A

Week IV

IV.A

IV.C
IV.C

Additional Readings/Assignments
Art. 4, 35(3)
- Abbas v. Abbas (G.R. No. 183896, January 30, 2013)
- Go-Bangayan v. Bangayan (G.R. No. 201061, Jul. 3, 2013)
Art. 26
- Corpuz v. Tirol Sto. Tomas And The Solicitor General (G.R. No. 186571,
11 August 2010)
- Vda. De Catalan v. Catalan-lee G. R. No. 183622, February 08, 2012
Art. 35
- Capili v. People (G.R. No. 189805, Jul. 3, 2013)
- Montanez v. Cipriano (G.R. No. 181089, Oct. 22, 2012)
Art. 36
- Silvino A. Ligeralde v. May Ascension A. Patalinghug and the Republic of
the Philippines (G.R. No. 168796, April 15, 2010)
- Camacho- Reyes V. Reyes, (G.R. No. 185286, August 18, 2010)
- Baccay v. Baccay (G.R. No. 173138, December 1, 2010)
Marable v. Marable (G.R. No. 178741, January 17, 2011)
- Aurelio v. Aurelio (G.R. No. 175367, June 06, 2011)
Republic V. Galang (G.R. No. 168335, June 6, 2011)
- Pimentel v. Pimentel (G.R. No. 172060, September 13, 2010)

Week V

Week VIII

IV. C

VI.C.2
VI.C.4
VI.D.3

Week IX

VI.D.3
VI.D.4

VI.D.5

VI.D.7

VI.G
Week X

VII.B

VIII.B
Week XI

VIII.C

- Republic v. Encelan (G.R. No. 170022, Jan. 9, 2013)

Art. 39
- Isidro Ablaza v. Republic (G.R. No. 158298, August 11,
2010)
Art. 40
Yu v. Judge Reyes-Carpio and Yu (G.R. No. 189207, June 15,
2011)
- Antone v. Beronilla (G.R. No. 183824, December 8, 2010)
- Teves v. People (G.R. No. 188775, August 24, 2011)
Art. 42
- Republic v. Granada, (G.R. No. 187512, June 13, 2012)
- Republic v. Narceda (G.R. No. 182760, April 10, 2013)
Art. 92
- Munoz v. Ramirez G.R. No. 156125, August 25, 2010
Art. 96
- Fuentes vs. Roca G.R. No. 178902, April 21, 2010
Art. 116
- Dela Pena v. Avila G.R. No. 187490, February 08, 2012
Art. 117
- Beumer v. Amores (G.R. No. 195670, Dec. 3, 2012)
Art. 121
- Aguete v. Philippine National Bank (G.R. No. 170166, April
6, 2011
Art. 122
- Pana v Heirs of Juanito, Sr. (G.R. No. 164201, Dec. 10,
2012)
Art. 124
- Spouses Aggabao v. Parulan, Jr. And Parulan (G.R. No.
165803, September 1, 2010)
- Flores v. Lindo (G.R. No. 183984, April 13, 2011)
Art. 129
- Quiao v. Quiao (G.R. No 176556, July 04, 2012)
Art. 130
- Heirs of Protacio Go, Sr. Et. Al. v. Servacio and Go (G.R. No.
157537, September 7, 2011)
Art. 147
- Dio v. Dio (G.R. No. 178044, January 19, 2011)
Art. 152
- Sps. Fortaleza v. Sps. Lapitan (G.R. No. 178288 Aug. 15,
2012)
Art. 153
- Ramos V. Pangilinan et. al., (G.R. No. 185920, July 20,
2010)
Art. 155
- De Mesa v. Acero (G.R. No. 185064, January 16, 2012)
Art. 172
- Perla v Baring (G.R. No. 172471, Nov. 12, 2012)
Art. 175

IX

X.A

Dolina v. Vallecera (GR No. 182367- December 15, 2010)

Jesse U. Lucas V. Jesus S. Lucas (G.R. No. 190710, June 6,
2011)
Art. 194
- Lim Lua v. Lua (G.R. No. 175279-80, Jun. 5, 2013)
Art. 198
- Calderon, Ma Carminia vs. Roxas, Jose Antonio and CA
(G.R. No. 185595, Jan 9, 2013)
Art. 203
- Gotardo v. Buling (G.R. No. 165166, Aug. 15, 2012)
Art. 213
- Beckett v. Sarmiento (A.M. No. RTJ-12-2326, Jan. 30, 2013)

Art. 155
- De Mesa v. Acero (G.R. No. 185064, January 16, 2012)

Week XI

VIII.B

Art. 172
- Perla v Baring (G.R. No. 172471, Nov. 12, 2012)

VIII.C

Art. 175
- Dolina v. Vallecera (GR No. 182367- December 15, 2010)
Jesse U. Lucas V. Jesus S. Lucas (G.R. No. 190710, June 6,
2011)
Art. 194
- Lim Lua v. Lua (G.R. No. 175279-80, Jun. 5, 2013)
Art. 198
- Calderon, Ma Carminia vs. Roxas, Jose Antonio and CA (G.R.
No. 185595, Jan 9, 2013)
Art. 203
- Gotardo v. Buling (G.R. No. 165166, Aug. 15, 2012)
Art. 213
- Beckett v. Sarmiento (A.M. No. RTJ-12-2326, Jan. 30, 2013)

IX

X.A

IV. COURSE POLICIES

The following policies will be observed during class:

Closed books and notes while reciting.

No coaching. The one who is coaching and the one who is being
coached will both get a 60% recitation grade.
Turn off cellphones or put them in a silent mode.
Stand when reciting or asking questions.
A student who is called when absent gets a 60% grade, unless the
absence is excused by the Dean.
Three lates will be counted as one cut.

For other policies, please see the Rules and Regulations of UA&P on
attendance, dress code, discipline, J.D. scholastic responsibility and
plagiarism.
V.CONTACT INFORMATION
Judge Rowena Nieves A. Tan
RTC Branch 118 Pasay City
Office landline: 8317352
Email address: rowena.tan@post.harvard.edu, wengtan@yahoo.com

CASES TO BE READ IN THEIR ORIGINAL Week 1

Art. 2, CC: Effectivity of Laws

Tanada vs. Tuvera, 146 SCRA 446
De Roy vs. CA, 157 SCRA 757
Art. 4, CC; Waiver
Consunji vs. CA, G.R. No. 137873, 20 April 2001
Art. 12, CC; Customs
In the Matter of the Petition for Authority to

Continue
Use of Firm Name Ozaeta, Romulo, etc., 92 SCRA
1
Art. 15,CC; Nationality Rule
Tenchavez vs. Escano, 15 SCRA 35
Van Dorn vs. Romillo, Jr., et al., 139 SCRA 139
Art. 16, CC; Laws Governing Real Properties
Bellis vs. Bellis, 20 SCRA 358
Aznar vs. Garcia, 7 SCRA 95
Arts. 19-21, CC; Abuse of Rights
Albenson Enterprises Corp. vs. CA, 217 SCRA 16
Development Bank of the Philippines vs. CA, 445
SCRA 500
Uypitching vs. Quiamco, 510 SCRA 172
Art. 26, CC; Respect of Others Privacy, Personality, etc.
Van Dorn vs. Romillo, 139 SCRA 139