MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE 2) A lower court decision to annul the marriage between actors? Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa has been upheld by the Court of Appeals.
?We cannot but sustain the court a quo in declaring as void ab initio the marriage between the petitioner and respondent which was purportedly solemnized on Sept. 21, 2004 at Jaen, Nueva Ecija,? the appellate court?s second division said Tuesday.
?It is a hornbook doctrine that findings of fact of trial courts are entitled to great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed except for strong and valid reasons,? it added.
The decision was rendered on Jan. 30, 2009 by the division chaired by Justice Portia Hormachuelos with justices Sesinando Villon and Noel Tijam. Villon penned the decision.
Meanwhile, lawyer Joji Alonso of Star Magic, the ABS-CBN talent management arm handling both Ocampo and Hermosa, said they haven?t been furnished a copy of the decision and will only make a statement only after they have received the CA ruling.
?I have to check the veracity of the report,? Alonso said in a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. ?We will make a statement in due time.?
