Please enlighten me if we can convert to Islam so that we could safely contract marriage without fear of being indicted for bigamy. Acts done prior to the effectivity of the Muslim Code remain governed by the Civil Code, the then pre-existing law of general application. Similarly, any protection which the Muslim Code may afford petitioner Francis when converted to Islam-which is when the Muslim Code became applicable to him-must also be prospectively applied. Whether petitioner Francis converted to Islam before or after his marriage with petitioner Jacqueline, the subsequent marriage consummated the crime of bigamy. You cannot invoke the exculpatory provision of Article 180 of the Muslim Code because your previous marriage is governed by the Family Code, and not by the Muslim Code.

Source: Manila Times April 13, 2022 01:22 UTC