Beware of fake wedding solemnizing officers

By Lito Dar

BAGUIO CITY – Beware if you are planning to get married – you might be being solemnized by a fake.

Before you tie the knot, may it be a church, sects or a civil wedding, you can always check if your marriage solemnizing officer is legally registered to ensure that your marriage will be valid.

National Statistic Office-Cordillera regional director Olivia Gulla, said this is provided for under Executive Order 209 or the Family Code of the Philippines, wherein it stipulated marriage solemnizing officers of churches and sects must be legally registered with the NSO.

According to Gulla, legally registered solemnizing officers are issued a Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM).

She said the public, especially would-be couples, can check the NSO’s Solemnizing Officer Information System through the internet or by logging on to sois.census.gov.ph.

In the Cordillera, as 2011, Gulla said there are 296 registered SOs including those who belong to some cultural groups in the region.

Per province breakdown: Abra, 33; Benguet, 168; Ifugao, 25; Kalinga, 37; Apayao, 13 and Mountain Province, 20.