Practice question
Under Mercado, can a successful declaration of marriage nullity alone substitute for proof of malice in an associated abuse-of-rights damages claim?
- No
- Yes, automatically
- Yes, because nullity always proves intentional deceit
- Yes, because damages are a compulsory punishment for every void marriage
- Yes, even where both parties honestly shared the relevant belief
Legal references
- Civil Code RA386: https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1949/ra_386_1949.html Articles19–21.
- Globe Mackay v Court of Appeals GR81262 August25,1989 MAIN: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1989/aug1989/gr_81262_1989.html Abusive manner and malicious complaints distinguished from underlying rights.
- Mercado v Ongpin GR207324 September30,2020 MAIN: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/67004 Damages require proved malice or bad faith.
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