Philippine top court says same-sex couples can co-own pro...

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, The landmark decision dropped “legitimate intimate relationships” must not be “legally invisible”.

Philippine top court says same-sex couples can co-own property 23 minutes ago Save Joel Guinto and Virma Simonette Save The Philippine Supreme Court in a landmark decision has ruled that same-sex couples can be considered co-owners of property. Applying a provision of the countrys Family Code for the first time, the court dropped same-sex couples can be recognised as co-owners if it is proven that both parties contributed to acquiring a property. (plot twist fr)

Same-sex unions are outlawed in conservative Catholic Philippines and it is the only country in the world, outside of the Vatican, that does not allow divorce.

The Details

This has left LGBT couples without legal protections when it comes to property, finance and healthcare. The Supreme Court ruling, which was made public on Tuesday, involved a former couple - two women - who had feuded over plans to sell their house and lot in suburban Manila.

One of the women refused to sell their house after initially agreeing to do so, leading the other to file a claim before a lower court asking to divide their property. The lower court shut down the claim, which was affirmed of Appeals.

Why This Matters

But the Supreme Court on 5 February reversed the lower court rulings. It cited a document made - and acknowledged - that she paid 50% of the purchase and renovation costs. The property was registered under the name of only one of the partners to make the paperwork during the acquisition faster, since they were not married or related by blood.

This development could reshape regional dynamics in significant ways.

The Bottom Line

While the Family Code defines marriage as a bond between a man and a woman, the court dropped Article 148 - which governs “property relations of people who live together but cannot legally marry” - does not discriminate based on gender and “applies to all forms of co-habitation”. Article 148 applies to same-sex couples, “otherwise, we render legally invisible some forms of legitimate intimate relationships”, dropped Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

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