It bypasses the gridlocked debate on marriage equality and strikes directly at the practicalities of life: security, assets, and home. The court applied Article 147 of the Family Code, ruling that if two partners contribute to the acquisition of property, their union—regardless of gender—entitles them to equal ownership rights. The Precedent: Same-sex partners are now co-owners if they can prove joint contribution to the property's acquisition. Same-sex partners are now co-owners if they can prove joint contribution to the property's acquisition. The Context: The Philippines is the only country outside the Vatican without divorce, making any shift in family law monumental.

Source: Daily Nation February 10, 2026 07:28 UTC