Question

In a tightly-knit community in the Philippines, Maria, a 25-year-old school teacher, entered into a marriage with Juan, a 50-year-old widower who had three children from his previous marriage. However, after a few months of living together, Maria discovered that Juan was already legally married to another woman and that his previous marriage was still subsisting at the time of their marriage. Maria was devastated and sought legal advice.

Identify the following:

1. The nature of Maria and Juan's marriage;
2. The effects of the marriage being void ab initio;
3. The remedies available to Maria in this situation.

Support your answers with relevant provisions of the Family Code of the Philippines, specifically Articles 35-44 and 50-54.