Question

1. Anne and Ben are a married couple with two children. They have been living in Metro Manila for the past 10 years. Anne recently got a job offer in Cebu, and the whole family decided to move there. They rented a house in Cebu City and enrolled their children in a local school. Anne and Ben are both employed in Cebu and have established their social and economic ties in the city. However, they still maintain ownership of their property in Metro Manila where they occasionally visit for vacations. Are Anne and Ben considered to have acquired a new domicile in Cebu? Discuss the relevant provisions of the Civil Code on domicile.

2. Sofia is a Filipino citizen who became an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia. She has been working there for five years and considers it her temporary work residence. Sofia owns two houses in Manila, where her parents and siblings live. Sofia visits her family in Manila every year during her vacation leave, usually for one to two months. She keeps her personal belongings and important documents in one of her houses in Manila. Is Sofia considered to have retained her domicile in Manila despite her overseas employment? Discuss the concept of residence and its application in the determination of domicile under the Civil Code.

3. Carlos, a 70-year-old retired lawyer, decided to spend his retirement years in his hometown in Ilocos Sur. He sold his property and apartment in Manila and purchased a house in Ilocos Sur, where he now permanently resides. Carlos participates in local community activities, is registered to vote in Ilocos Sur, and has transferred all his bank accounts and other important records to the province. However, he still maintains a condominium unit in Quezon City, which he occasionally visits for medical check-ups and family gatherings. Is Carlos considered to have acquired a new domicile in Ilocos Sur? Analyze the requirements and effects of acquiring a new domicile under the Civil Code.