Supreme Court facade (File photo)
MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to go after those unscrupulous individuals offering "no appearance" marriage and nullity services on social media.
In a letter to NBI Director Medardo de Lemos, SC Court Administrator Raul Villanueva asked the agency to immediately investigate the matter to unmask and prosecute those behind the scheme.
He said the measure seeks to prevent the further proliferation of this unlawful act.
The SC said the ads' claim that there is "no appearance" required in court hearings for these proceedings and that overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may file a petition is "utterly a deception".
The court added that the ads guarantee that even without court appearances, legal documents will be received by parties is grossly misleading and its intention is only to lure victims "into paying unjustified fees for irregular services."
"Truth to tell, this is not the first time that we learned of such unsanctioned activity. We will not be surprised if there are still others using various websites or platforms who are engaged therein that are preying on unsuspecting litigants who wish to have their marriages annulled or declared as a nullity via express proceedings," Villanueva added. (PNA)
