The bigamy case filed against actor Gabby Concepcion formally started earlier today, May 29, at the Manila Regional Court.
Immediately the prosecution presented Gabby's 1984 marriage contract with actress-singer Sharon Cuneta. The couple, as indicated in the contract, tied the knot on July 23, 1984. The popular pair also had a church wedding on September 23, 1984 with no less than then-president Ferdinand Marcos as one of the primary ninongs.
Contesting the validity of the union, the prosecution argued that prior to the marriage, the former matinee idol was already married to a certain Jennifer Martin, resulting in the bigamy complaint filed by Mamerto dela Cruz of E. Rodriguez, Quezon City.
Gabby posted a P24,000 bail last April 21 to escape detention. He also entered a not-guilty plea.
Manila Civil Registrar Maria Josefa Encarnacion reportedly presented a copy of Gabby and Sharon's marriage contract.
After the court hearing, Gabby told the press: “Kaya nandidito tayo ngayon dahil ito yung mga sinabi ko noong unang dating ako, na meron akong aayusin, so ‘eto na yun. Lahat naman ng bagay ay naaayos at nagkakaroon ng konklusyon."
The next hearing is set on June 19.
Last May 22, during a pretrial procedure, the prosecution team uncovered vital documents meant for marking. One of those documents presented was the official copy of Gabby and Jennifer's marriage certificate bearing the date June 19, 1984.
According to GMA News, Assistant City Prosecutor Manuel B. Sta. Cruz Jr. stated "that on July 23, 1984, Concepcion being then legally married to Jennifer Martin, and without such marriage, having been legally dissolved, did then and there willfully unlawfully and feloniously contract a second or subsequent marriage with one Sharon Cuneta."
FALSIFICATION. Aside from the bigamy complaint, Gabby is also facing a falsification of public documents case filed with the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court. For this complaint, Gabby posted a P6,000 bail on March 31, after he arrived in the country.
Gabby's lawyer, Atty. Ed Flaminiano, explained that the case was filed against the actor because of an "antedate" entry in the application form he filled up to obtain a marriage license.
An "antedate" is defined as a "date assigned to an event or document earlier than the actual date of the event or document."