LEGALLY married overseas Filipino workers (OFW), who declare themselves ‘single’ or ‘separated’ without court decree, can be banned from being employed abroad, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
In Advisory 32, series of 2025, Migrant Worker Secretary Hans J. Cacdac warned those who will make such a declaration without the supporting legal documents can be held accountable for misdeclaration.
‘The DMW urges all OFWs to uphold honesty and integrity in all their dealings to protect their rights and welfare,’ he said.
Cacdac said those who misdeclare their marital status can be held accountable under DMW rules.
‘Submitting, furnishing, or using false information or documents or any form of misrepresentation for the purpose of job application or employment is a serious offense under DMW regulations,’ he said.
‘A violation of this [rule] may lead to the initiation of an administrative case before the DMW that may result in suspension from participation in the overseas employment program,’ he added.
Under the law, an individual’s marital status can only be considered ‘legally separated’ if he or she obtains the a court-issued decree.
The decree allows spouses to live separately, but does not terminate their marriage, which remains valid.
‘Merely living separately or being separated-in-fact does not qualify as being ‘legally separated’ without a judicial decree,’ Cacdac said.