Barbie Forteza, napatawa sa dream wedding pero 'binasag' ng isang abogado

• Barbie Forteza jokingly said she wanted to get married in Las Vegas "para may divorce" during the media conference for Saving Cherry
• Lawyer and talent manager Atty. Joji Alonso responded by explaining why a foreign divorce is generally not recognized if both spouses are Filipino citizens
• Alonso cited the Philippines' nationality principle and clarified the exception involving a foreign spouse
• The exchange sparked mixed reactions online, while Barbie has yet to publicly respond

Barbie Forteza's lighthearted comment about wanting to get married in Las Vegas unexpectedly sparked a legal discussion after lawyer and talent manager Atty. Joji Alonso explained how Philippine law applies to divorces obtained abroad.

During the grand media conference for Regal Entertainment's upcoming film Saving Cherry, Barbie was asked about her dream wedding. The Kapuso actress answered with a joke that immediately drew laughter from those in attendance.

"Dream wedding ko? I wanna get married in Vegas. In Vera Wang. Para may divorce."

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Although the audience took the remark humorously, Alonso later addressed the topic in an Instagram post, explaining that getting married abroad does not automatically make a foreign divorce valid in the Philippines if both spouses are Filipino citizens throughout the marriage.

"Sadly @barbaraforteza, IF you marry (even in Vegas) a fellow Filipino citizen who remains Filipino all throughout your marriage, any divorce you obtain won’t be recognized under Philippine law."

The lawyer, who also produced the film Unmarry starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo, explained that the Philippines follows the nationality principle. Under this legal concept, Philippine laws governing marriage continue to apply to Filipino citizens regardless of where they marry or reside.

"Your marriage continues to subsist due to what is known as the 'nationality' principle. Your nationality follows you wherever you are. And since divorce is not recognized under Philippine law, you remain married to him."

Alonso also pointed out that there is an exception under Philippine law. If a Filipino marries a foreign national and the foreign spouse later obtains a divorce, that divorce may be recognized in the Philippines under certain circumstances.

"It would be different IF you married a foreign national and your husband divorced you. That divorce may be recognized under Philippine law. It would be sheer absurdity for you to continue being married to a foreigner who is no longer married to you."

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The lawyer's explanation generated mixed reactions from netizens. Some agreed with the clarification, while others raised hypothetical scenarios about marriages celebrated abroad and whether they would be reported in the Philippines. Others questioned why someone would think about divorce even before getting married.

As of writing, Barbie has not issued any response regarding Alonso's legal clarification. The actress previously ended her seven-year relationship with fellow Kapuso star Jak Roberto.

Barbara "Barbie" Ambas Forteza (born July 31, 1997) is an award-winning Filipina actress and television host widely recognized as GMA Network's "Kapuso Primetime Princess". She rose to prominence in hit television series like The Half Sisters and Maria Clara at Ibarra, while also earning critical acclaim for her film roles, including a Best Actress award at the 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival.

In another report, Barbie Forteza reiterated that she is not rushing into a new relationship because she wants to prioritize self-love and personal growth. The actress shared that she only enters relationships with marriage as the ultimate goal and has no interest in casual dating. While promoting Saving Cherry, Barbie also opened up about her dream wedding and made it clear that she would never give a cheater a second chance. Her candid remarks during the media interview quickly drew attention from fans online.

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Meanwhile, Barbie Forteza explained that she is intentionally keeping romance on hold because she wants to focus on herself before committing to another relationship. The Kapuso actress said she believes dating should always lead toward marriage, which is why casual relationships do not appeal to her. Aside from discussing her views on love, Barbie also talked about taking on a more mature image through her upcoming film Saving Cherry, which showcases a different side of her as an actress.

Source: KAMI.com.gh