Woman sets wedding, finds out she's married

MANILA, Philippines - An accountant who set her wedding for December encountered a hitch in her plans when National Statistics Office (NSO) records showed she married a Japanese national eight years ago.

Melody Valenzuela, 30, claimed the NSO marriage certificate accurately reflected her parents’ names, her birthdate and other details, except that her signature was forged.

An angry Valenzuela sought the help of the Eastern Police District (EPD) to correct the error.

Police Officer 3 Larry Palattao said he will summon the witnesses at Valenzuela’s supposed wedding with the Japanese national. “We will file charges if warranted,” he said.

Valenzuela, a resident of Mandaluyong City, applied for a marriage license at the Pasig City Hall. However, an employee told her to first secure a certificate of pending marriage with the NSO, a pre-requisite to getting a marriage license.

Valenzuela was shocked when NSO records showed her already married to Yoshitaka Sahaki, 49, last March 26, 2001. She and Sahaki were reportedly married by Rev. Magtanggol Ileto, a parish priest of a church located in Barangay San Joaquin, Pasig City.

When she scrutinized the data found in the marriage certificate, Valenzuela was surprised to find all entry with regards to her background were genuine.

“The only problem was my signature. All the other details were correct,” Valenzuela said.

Palattao said those who witnessed the wedding were Charmaine Suarez, and Toshiyaki Ito, of 31 San Guillermo Avenue in Barangay Buting, would be summoned for investigation.

But Michael Landicho, a secretary of Barangay Buting, issued a certification that no Melody Valenzuela ever resided in the barangay, as stated in the marriage certificate.

“Maybe somebody wanted to play a joke on her and that’s what were trying to unmask,” Palattao told The STAR.