The Supreme Court of the Philippines has issued a landmark ruling affecting same-sex couples. In a decision put into effect and penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez, the Court said partners who live together may be recognized as co-owners of property if there is clear proof of actual contribution. Because same-sex marriage is not legally recognized, the Court said such disputes fall under Article 148 of the Family Code, which requires evidence of contribution. The ruling stemmed from a property dispute in Quezon City between two women who bought the property during their relationship and registered it under one partner’s name. The Court awarded the petitioner a 50% share and the right to demand partition.
