8/23/2020
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After ten (10) years of living in Houston[,] Texas, USA, they decided to
relocate their business to Korea. For a couple of years, they lived with
[Linda's] parents. When their business failed, they decided to return to the
Philippines.
During their marriage, they always fought about not having enough money.
The constant fighting and nagging caused [Anacleto] humiliation[;] [h]e lost
self-esteem and suffered an erectile disorder. [Linda] even ridiculed
[Anacleto's] inability to have an erection. She even accused him of having
an extra-marital relationship.
In May 2005, after living together for almost [21] years, [Linda] left
[Anacleto] to live in Korea. Later on, she lived in the USA with their
daughter x x x. [Linda] informed [Anacleto] that she [would] x x x come
back [only] if he [could] give her a better life financially.[5]
On September 8, 2006, Anacleto filed a Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage
(RTC Petition) before the RTC.[6]
Linda failed to file her responsive pleading Respite service of summons through
publication. Thus, the RTC referred the case to the Office of the City Prosecutor to
determine whether there was collusion between the parties.[7] Finding that no such
collusion exists, the Assistant City Prosecutor issued a Report recommending that the
case proceed to trial.[8]
Trial on the merits ensued.[9]
Anacleto presented the testimony of Dr. Arnulfo V. Lopez (Dr. Lopez), a clinical
psychiatrist. Based on interviews conducted with Anacleto, his office secretary Marife
Davi (Marife) and the parties' family driver Ronilo Reol (Ronilo), Dr. Lopez concluded
that Linda suffers from narcissistic personality disorder with borderline personality
disorder features that render her incapable of fulfilling the essential marital obligations.
[10]
The RTC summarized Dr. Lopez's findings as follows:
Dr. Lopez testified that the root cause of [Linda's] personality
disorder can be traced back to her dysfunctional familial pattern and
psychological development. She was [7] years old when her parents
separated and she was raised by her mother who was controlling, strict and
disciplined. When [Linda] misbehaved, her mother abused her verbally and
spanked her using her hand, a belt, or a golf iron rod. In fact, because of
her meddling in the private lives of her daughters, [Linda's] sister also
separated from her husband. Dr. Lopez alleges that [Linda's] stepfather also
[abused] her physically. There were instances [when] [Linda's] stepfather
dank her head in the water because she was naughty. Because of the way
[Linda] was treated by her parents, she became a rebel teenager and
developed hatred towards her stepfather. In order to succeed in life,
[Linda's] parents sacrifice[d] a lot[;] they [saw] money as the key to have a
successful life. With this mindset, [Linda] grew up whose (sic) main concern
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