In a precedent-setting decision, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled on February 5, 2026, that same-sex couples can be recognized as co-owners of property acquired during their relationship. This landmark victory, reported by LGBTQ Nation, offers a crucial legal foundation in a country where same-sex marriage remains outlawed and legislative progress has largely stalled.
The ruling originated from a dispute between a lesbian couple in Quezon City who had jointly purchased a house but registered it in only one partner’s name. When the relationship ended, the official owner reneged on a deal to split the proceeds. Because the Family Code restricts marriage to heterosexual unions, the court applied Article 148, which governs property relations for those legally barred from marriage. Utilizing a signed “acknowledgment” of the other partner’s 50% contribution, the court upheld her right to a fair share. Significantly, the justices used the case to challenge the legislative status quo. Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier decried the “unjustified difference” in the treatment of homosexual couples, while the majority called on Congress to formally address LGBTQ+ rights. Advocates hope this recognition of shared economic life marks a major step toward broader civil unions or marriage equality.
