Maggie Wilson: 'Welcome To The PH, Where The Alleged Mistress Has More Rights Than The Wife'

Maggie Wilson aired her frustration and disappointment with the existing laws in the Philippines regarding infidelity.

On September 6, the 34-year-old former beauty queen and model took to Instagram to share a comparison of the penalties for adultery and concubinage according to Philippine laws, ultimately concluding, "Hindi talaga patas ang batas."

Adultery and concubinage penalties in the Philippines

Adultery is defined under Article 333 of the Revised Penal Code as follows: “Adultery is committed by any married woman who shall have sexual intercourse with a man not her husband and by the man, who has carnal knowledge of her knowing her to be married, even if the marriage be subsequently declared void.”

In this case, both the woman and the alleged paramour (or lover) can face imprisonment which ranges between 2 years, 4 months and 1 day to 6 years.

Concubinage, meanwhile, is described in Article 334, which states that "Any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or shall have sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place."

The penalty for concubinage applies only to the husband, with imprisonment between 6 months and 1 day, to 4 years and 2 months. 

The alleged mistress or concubine is subject to the penalty of destierro, which involves being banished to a designated place not less than 25 kilometers away from their current location.

READ ALSO: According to the Law: Difference Between Adultery and Concubinage

Both adultery and concubinage are bailable. The bail amount is Php 36,000 for adultery, and Php 30,000 for concubinage. Establishing probable cause is often more challenging in concubinage cases compared to adultery. 

Maggie concluded her post, saying, "Welcome to the Philippines, where the alleged mistress/concubine has more rights than the wife." She added that such laws should not even exist in 2023.

Additionally, Maggie reposted a statement from Tim Connor. It reads, "A hold departure order has been issued to Maggie... by Rachel Carrasco. "To ensure she faces Justice." As they say... Only in the Philippines."

Maggie's estranged husband Victor Consunji shared a photo of Rachel and a baby on Instagram in April.

Several discussions and efforts have been made to reform the law surrounding adultery and concubinage. In 2016, a proposed amendment seeks to eliminate the gender bias and to ensure the fundamental equality of men and women before the law. 

Recently, Maggie also expressed her thoughts on the lack of child protection laws on parental abduction in the country. She said she has been blocked from seeing her son, Connor, for over a year.

READ ALSO: According to the Law: Custody of Minor when Mom Commits Adultery