Here is a comprehensive overview of Property Relations between Spouses under Philippine Civil Law, with specific emphasis on the relevant provisions in the Family Code of the Philippines:

I. Introduction

In the Philippines, property relations between spouses is governed primarily by the Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209, as amended). This Code delineates the types of property regimes applicable to marriages, rights and obligations related to property ownership, and rules for management and division.

The applicable property regime depends on whether the spouses had entered into a marriage settlement (commonly a prenuptial agreement) before the marriage. In the absence of a marriage settlement, the default property regime is absolute community of property (ACP), unless otherwise provided by law or the agreement.

II. Types of Property Regimes Between Spouses

Absolute Community of Property (ACP)
- Scope: Under the Family Code, absolute community of property applies to marriages contracted after August 3, 1988, unless the spouses agree otherwise in a marriage settlement. This regime means that, upon marriage, almost all properties owned by either spouse at the time of marriage and acquired thereafter become part of a single community property.
- Inclusions: The absolute community property comprises all properties owned by the spouses prior to marriage, and those acquired during the marriage, with some exceptions.
- Exceptions: Properties acquired through gratuitous title (inheritance or donation, unless expressly given to both spouses) and properties for personal use (like clothing or tools of trade) are excluded.
- Management and Administration: Both spouses are joint administrators, and both must consent to major decisions involving the community property.
- Termination: The community property regime ends upon the death of a spouse, annulment, legal separation, or declaration of nullity of marriage. After dissolution, the community assets are divided equally between the spouses.
Conjugal Partnership of Gains (CPG)
- Scope: This regime applies to marriages celebrated before the Family Code (i.e., before August 3, 1988) unless the spouses agreed to a different arrangement. For marriages after the Family Code, CPG applies only if chosen explicitly in a marriage settlement.
- Inclusions: Conjugal property includes properties acquired during the marriage through the work or industry of either spouse and all income derived from common or separate properties.
- Exclusions: Properties brought into the marriage by each spouse and those acquired gratuitously during the marriage remain separate.
- Management and Administration: Similar to ACP, both spouses jointly administer the conjugal properties, requiring mutual consent for major transactions.
- Termination and Dissolution: Upon the dissolution of marriage, the net gains (after settling all debts and obligations) are divided equally.
Complete Separation of Property
- Scope: This regime applies if the spouses explicitly choose it in their marriage settlement. It is also decreed by a competent court, especially when necessary for the protection of creditors.
- Effect on Property Ownership: Each spouse retains ownership, control, and administration of their properties, whether acquired before or during the marriage. Each spouse is also responsible for their own debts and obligations.
- Termination and Dissolution: Upon dissolution of the marriage, each spouse takes their respective properties, with no sharing or division of assets acquired by the other spouse.
Property Regime by Marriage Settlement
- Customizable Regime: Spouses may enter into a marriage settlement before the marriage to stipulate other arrangements, such as relative community or complete exclusion of certain properties from the conjugal or community assets.
- Formalities: A marriage settlement must be executed before the marriage and in writing, and notarized for validity.

III. Rules Governing the Different Property Regimes

1. Administration and Enjoyment of Property

Absolute Community Property and Conjugal Partnership of Gains: Both spouses jointly administer the property and require mutual consent for significant actions (e.g., selling or encumbering real property).
Separation of Property: Each spouse freely administers their separate property without needing the consent of the other.

2. Liabilities and Obligations of the Property Regime

Absolute Community Property: Debts and obligations incurred by either spouse during the marriage are generally chargeable against the community property.
Conjugal Partnership of Gains: Only obligations directly benefiting the family or improving conjugal property are chargeable.
Separation of Property: Each spouse is responsible for their debts, except those incurred jointly.

3. Property Acquired by Gratuitous Title

Under both ACP and CPG, properties acquired through inheritance or donation remain the exclusive property of the spouse who received them unless expressly provided otherwise in the donation.

IV. Termination and Dissolution of Property Relations

Causes of Termination:

Death of a spouse
Annulment or declaration of nullity of marriage: The community or conjugal property regime is dissolved upon the annulment of the marriage. Any agreement to this effect made in the marriage settlement is enforced.
Judicial separation of property: This is often sought when the community property or conjugal property has been abused or mismanaged, or when creditors’ interests are jeopardized.

V. Settlement of Property Upon Termination

Upon dissolution, the following general rules apply:

Liquidation of the Absolute Community or Conjugal Partnership:
- Debts and obligations are settled first.
- Remaining property is then divided equally.
Effect of Legal Separation:
- The guilty spouse forfeits his/her share in the net profits of the community or conjugal property in favor of the innocent spouse and/or children.
Effect of Judicial Separation of Property:
- Property division is implemented as per the court's decision, taking into account debts and obligations of each spouse, with any remaining property distributed per the terms in the marriage settlement or, if none, equally.

VI. Rights and Remedies

Right to Information: Each spouse has the right to obtain information about the properties and obligations, ensuring transparency in managing assets.
Remedy for Mismanagement: If one spouse mismanages the property to the detriment of the family, the other spouse can seek judicial separation of property.
Protection of Third-Party Creditors: In certain cases, creditors may petition for separation of property to protect their interests if either spouse’s management jeopardizes creditor rights.

VII. Important Judicial Interpretations

The Supreme Court has consistently ruled on various issues relating to property relations between spouses, clarifying that:

Forfeiture of Shares: Only applies in cases of legal separation.
Joint Administration Requirement: The lack of consent in significant transactions invalidates these transactions unless subsequently ratified.

This overview covers the essential aspects of property relations between spouses as regulated by the Family Code of the Philippines. It is crucial for spouses to consider a marriage settlement when opting for alternative arrangements to prevent future disputes.