PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:

Name of Petitioner: ALMA JANE C. CATABONA

Birthday: June 21, 1982
Age: 35 years old
Nationality: Filipino
Sex: Female
Social Status: Married
Education: College Graduate
Occupation: Nurse
Date of Evaluation: March 25 and April 1, 2017
Date of Report: June 21, 2017

Name of Respondent: JOVIC M. CATABONA

Birthday: ______
Age: 38 years old
Nationality: Filipino
Sex: Male
Social Status: Married
Education: College Graduate
Occupation: Government Employee
Date of Evaluation: March 26 and April 8
Date of Report: June 21, 2017

II. REFERRAL INFORMATION:

The petitioner, Mrs. Alma Catabona was referred by Atty. Charina Diaz to
determine whether both couple are psychological capable of carrying out the
ordinary and essential obligations of marital state. She is filing an action for
declaration of nullity of marriage against her estranged husband Mr. Jovic
Catabona. The couple was married on April 14, 2003 at Sto. Niño Parish Church
and had two children namely Ali C. Catabona, 7 years old and Pia C. Catabona,
6 years old. A letter was sent to Mr. Jovic informing him of the petition filed by his
wife and the need for him to undergo psychological evaluation. The respondent
acceded to the invitation and went to the clinic on the above mentioned dates.

III. EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

Clinical Interview and Case History

Behavioral Observations
Collateral Interviews with the following:

1. Mrs. Vicky M. Catabona - mother of Jovic

2. Mrs. Eleanor P. Cortez - mother of Alma
3. Leonard P. Cortez- brother of Alma
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Psychological Tests Administered:

Revised Beta Examination II
Machover Figure Drawing Test
Sach’s Sentence Completion Test
Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test
Bar-on Emotional Quotient Inventory
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II

IV. CASE BACKGROUND:

ALMA JANE

Petitioner, Alma is the third child in the brood of two sisters and three brothers
from the couple, Mr. Antonio C. Cortez, 62 years old, a farmer and Mrs. Eleanor P.
Cortez, 62 years old and a farmer con housewife. She was born in Cabanatuan City and
raised in Kapitan Pepe Subd. Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. She came from a low
income family, but their greatest wealth was each other. Jovic and his mother were
envy of their family ties. They may be poor, they have just enough of things and
sometimes none at all as compared to their playmates’ family but they are happy.

Growing up, Alma shared that it was fun despite of tough life where she had to
help her parents when she was with them at the farm. Petitioner shared that she was
too “makulit” and stubborn when she was young. Her parents could not stand it, Alma
ended up beaten by them. She hated her experience of helping in the farm or do errand
works at home. For her, having good grades and excelling in her studies should be
enough to be coined as good daughter. Another significant memory of her childhood
was the extremely opposite character of her parents. Mr. Antonio, was a serious man,
he seldom talks, reasons why he was not close to his family member. His father, has his
good side as well like being humble, kind and too indulgent. Mrs. Eleanor, was the
dominant figure at their home, who was described by the petitioner as thoughtful, loving
and caring. Since she was the matriarch, she was easily frustrated, short tempered
leading her to become nagger while she was too sensitive at the same time.

Petitioner and her siblings were brought up in Kapitan Pepe Subd. Cabanatuan
City, Nueva Ecija. She was “makulit”, talkative and funny though at times she was
punished for her traits. She grew up with her grandmother selling at the market place
and play with the children near the squatters’ area near them. She added that such
experience made her mature for her age and she had strong personality. Alma was
also raised together with her other siblings to be God fearing with right discipline, docile,
with high value for education and good upbringing. She was enrolled in Lazaro
Francisco Elementary School and then she had her high school diploma at Nueva Ecija
High School. She graduated as consistent honor since elementary, and graduated with
good scholastic standing in one of the prestigious school in the country, Central Luzon
State University. She shared that she was always at the top of their class, because she
equated being a good daughter to having good grades. She studied hard for the perks it
may entail like respect and appreciation from her family and friends.

Her holistic development is very important for Alma, she was quite clingy of the
people who become close to her and she always wanted to have someone to support
her despite of the façade that she create that she was mature and independent for her
age. Her brother, Leonard Cortez shared that Alma is the “drama queen” and “star for
all season” among Cortez siblings. She was always in touch and vocal about her
emotions and was proud of it. She had her serious crush at the age of seventeen. She
was so stubborn as she always being called by their parents because they were told
 PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

that she was influenced by her friends in drinking alcoholic beverages. She was so lively
and just wanted to enjoy life and be free spirited even if it may illicit bad consequences
on her part and her family. She had a high need for leisure and more bouts of freedom
and fun, her being adventuresome made her achieve her desires and professional
success. After graduation she strived harder for the kind of life she desired for herself
and her family thus, she accepted her work in a convenience store where she met her
husband Jovic. When she had difficulties posed by married life, she worked abroad,
windows of opportunities opened to her, she had a chance to study nursing and now
working as a nurse at Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center through the help and guidance
of her boyfriend. She shared to the clinician that life is better at Israel, she adapted to
the life-style there and wished to stay there. When she was asked if she’ll bring her
children in Israel, she answered that it will be too difficult for them all.

JOVIC

The respondent was commonly called Jovic, he is a government employee and

of legal age. He is the eldest son from the brood of four of Mr. Ciriaco M. Catabona, Jr.,
65 years old and Mrs. Vicky M. Catabona, 63 years old. When Mr. Ciriaco was still alive,
he spent most of his life abroad. Before the latter left for another family, there was no
peace at their house. He was a good friend than a family man. He used to spend most
of his time with friends, merrymaking and having drinking spree. He was described by
both the petitioner and his mother as boastful, he used to brag about his material
possessions that he got from his work abroad but in reality, there was none. In terms of
his relationship with his children, Mr. Ciriaco, was not close to anyone of his four
children because he was too punitive, though he seek explanation before he punished
anyone. Both Jovic and his mother Vicky had no good word for Ciriaco

His mother Vicky on the other hand was a strong, supportive and generous
woman. Since she raised her children singlehandedly, she was very close to them most
especially to Jovic, her eldest. She feed and send her children to school on her own.
She was too obtrusive of her children’s life, thus, even after marriage, she wanted to be
informed and involved. Alma found the relationship of Jovic, and his mother as too close
and she called her spouse as “Mama’s Boy”. They never talked nor been close because
they compete for Jovic’s attention. Mrs Vicky used to depend to her eldest son in their
business and his having a family at the time of her high reliance and she was not
prepared that he would marry abruptly to a woman whose family was beyond her
expectations. They were poor and she thought then that Alma would make her son hard
because she cannot share to his responsibilities of providing for the family.

Jovic came from financially well off clan and single handedly raised by his mother
and her relatives. He grew up in the compound surrounded by his grandmother, mother
and aunt. He was used to matriarchal set-up, where women were powerful and in
control. Growing up, he was enrolled in quality private school from elementary to
college. Since elementary grade, his mother ensured that he’ll grew up God fearing with
good upbringing and right discipline, thus, he was pushed by her to become a member
of the knights of altar. His significant experiences during high school stage were his
services during masses. He had several crush at sixteen years old but he only-had his
first romantic relationship when he was twenty one years old.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

In college, he was recommended to become a priest or missionary. All his life, he

wanted to be the best example for his siblings and he avoid being his mother’s problem.
He never wanted to add to her mother’s agony anymore because he witnessed how he
suffered while married to his father. He had his fraternity in college and this was new to
him. He was full of curiosity when he was in college, thus, he tried weed-maryjane
during reunion in college. He tried alcoholic beverages at eighteen when he was
college. He graduated on time, helped in the family business until he met his ex-wife
whom he believed used him to have a better life and cope up with her heartaches from
a failed relationship. Jovic had three girlfriends before he married his wife.

MARITAL HISTORY

The couple met in 2002 at the grocery store where she used to work as
saleslady. It was the time that she was down and depressed because her boyfriend
then left her for greener pasture and she chose good life in USA over her. They were
supposed to marry but never came back. Alma felt so desperate when she met Jovic
courted her and they started dating assiduously. She got pregnant after few months of
dating which hastened their wedding that transpired on September 16, 2003.

She never felt that she was in-love with Jovic but still she decided to marry him
because of her pregnancy. While she was pregnant, June or July of that year she found
out that Jovic was cheating on her and showed more affection to the woman than the
petitioner. They lived under one roof with his family from his grandmother, mother, aunt,
brother and sister. Though they lived in overextended family, Jovic’s family treated Alma
as a stranger. She never felt the sense of belongingness which gave her a feeling of
humiliation making her develop an intense feeling of moving out and be independent.
Jovic was spending most of his time with his friends, his fraternity brothers
because he lead in reviving their fraternity. His too much pre-occupation with his friends
and fraternity brothers took all his time and he never spent time with the petitioner as
well as with their children anymore. In 2004, their daughter Ali became very sick. Alma
brought their daughter to the hospital but Jovic never showed up in the duration of her
hospitalization but instead spent his time with his friends. In 2005, their financial
situation was very bad. Jovic was working on occasional job and never made an effort
to improve their financial situation while she was obliged by her spouse to stay at home
and take care of their children. She came to the point that she was very eager to work,
she felt that she was the one who could provide better life for their children and that
motivated her for working abroad.

When Alma was abroad, her husband did not took care of their children as he
promised which frustrated her so much because he was irresponsible. His being a
leader to his fraternity (AKRO) was his main concern. He never have time for their
children anymore and he neglected his responsibilities to them. He relied to Alma in all
the financial responsibilities as she became the sole provider for the family and for their
children. Her parents and later on her sister took custody of her children because they
don’t deserve being neglected and maltreated by her mother in law. There were
instances that her children had to sleep at their nanny’s home because no member of
Jovic’s family was left at home. Jovic never showed up, nor spend quality time with
them for two years.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

During her first visit to the Philippines in 2010, Alma discovered that Jovic took
the insurance money of their children to pay for his mother’s debts. Alma was the one
who paid the said insurance. For the nth time, he proved that he was not worthy of all
her trust and his being selfish was so high that he never thought of her and their
children’s welfare. She cannot trust him anymore.

By 2013, Alma’s last visit to the Philippines before her appointment with the
lawyer and clinician. She never see any improvement in the attitude of her husband
towards their children and her family. He never spent time with them when she decided
on not to send money anymore even though she asked him to facilitate their annulment
procedures because she never trusted him anymore especially in money matters. She
felt that she can’t rely on him anymore and she knew that she doesn’t love him anymore
and they don’t have anything in common.

In an interview with the respondent, he told the clinician that it was the time when
he never showed up to the clinician anymore because she backed out from their
agreement that he will process their annulment. It was the time that she found a
benefactor who supported her studies in Israel. He also added that it was Alma’s nature
to be opportunist and ambitious. He was not surprised when she told him in that
vacation that she never loved him. She also added that she already adapted to the life
in Israel and she’ll stay there for good. She never planned nor thought of bringing their
children there, she just wanted to legally end their relationships so that she could marry
her boyfriend whom she was living with in Israel for the moment.

Jovic never denied the fact that his too attachment and dependency to his
mother was one of the reasons why they always bicker when they were still living
together. His being highly emotional and his shallow personality became apparent when
he shared stories that would demoralized his wife like she was living with another man.
He also justified his series of womanizing and now that he is living with a paramour with
her three year old son. He claimed that since he doesn’t have a wife since the time that
Alma was away, he needs companion and emotional support that his mother cannot
suffice. It was very devastating and sad for their children because he had time with his
paramour and her son but he never pay their children visits. In some instances, that her
sister would bring her children to him so that they’ll have quality time, his paramour was
very jealous and insecure of her children. They would tryingly call her and share their
horrifying experience and they would share that his paramour hated Jovic’s children so
much and she treated them so hardly. Jovic didn’t do anything about the situation and
he was not capable of protecting their children against his paramour. What he did was
he visited their children in their place for few minutes on rare occasions.

V. MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION

Petitioner, Alma came to the office for assessment twice. She was well groomed
and neatly dressed and appropriately garbed during her session with the clinician. She
had average height and weight with brown complexion. She was straight-forward and
spontaneous during the interview. The petitioner was able to draw the requested figures
in a span of 20 minutes. She has a rapid performance rate. She was also extremely at
ease and she made a good social contact. She was very enthusiastic in answering the
questions and has an excellent expressive ability. Eye contact was adequate, with affect
 PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

congruent to her moods and she has a clear perception of reality and properly oriented
with respect to time, place and person.

Mr. Jovic came for the assessment on the above mentioned dates, and 26, 2017.
He was appropriately garbed for the occasions. He appeared truthful in describing
himself, worked persistently and was cooperative and had no interfering conditions such
as anxiety or depression during the testing and interview. He was straightforward and
spontaneous during the interview. He was also extremely at ease and he made a good
social contact. He was cooperative in answering the questions and has an excellent
expressive ability. Eye contact was adequate, with affect congruent to his moods and he
has a clear perception of reality and properly oriented with respect to time, place and
person.

All witnesses, Mrs. Eleanor P. Cortez (mother of Alma), Mrs. Vicky M. Catabona
(mother of Jovic) and Mr. Leonard Cortez (brother of Alma) were all very candid and
cooperative during the interview and appeared confident and truthful in their responses.

Their mental status examination reveals the following:

Maintain good eye contact.
Logical ability, recent and past memories are intact.
Oriented to time, place and person.
Negative of hallucinations and delusions.
Negative flight of ideas.

VI. CLINICAL RESULTS AND EVALUATION:

ALMA JANE

Axis I (Clinical Syndrome) None

Axis II (Personality Disorder) None
Axis III (General Medical Conditions) None
Axis IV (Psychosocial and Marital Problems) Husband with Narcissistic and Antisocial
Personality Disorder
Axis V (Global Functioning) Fair

Cognitive efficiency of Alma belongs to average level with numerical value of 103
as measured by Beta Examination II. She is therefore equipped with inherent resources
and potentials that would enable her to respond with ease and spontaneity to the
demands of her work and social environment. Foresight, abstract reasoning, social
alertness and reflective thinking are likewise at par with her age group and abilities thus,
enabling her to practice introspection with her decisions, particularly those that would
affect her relationship with her loved ones. On the contrary, exposure to repeated and
excessive amount of distress can momentarily disrupt her routine resulting to anxiety
and confusion that she also needs the support and guidance of her family and
significant other.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

The results of her Draw-A-Person test indicate a tendency toward an average

conscientiousness and organized thinking. Alma has the habit of being nurturing, caring
and loving which made her vulnerable to her husband’s abuses. The test results also
suggests that petitioner developed a high level of aspiration, striving hard towards the
achievement even of her difficult goals, with sense of optimism and greater than
average use of fantasy. Her drawing also indicates insecurities and self-doubts
proceeding from having an infidel and untruthful husband. She is not outgoing and has
no problem with her interpersonal relationship towards colleagues and workmates.

The Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory showed that Alma’s emotional and
social functioning is effective. A high score in intrapersonal relationship means that she
has adequate self-confidence and is effectively in tough with her feelings and emotions.
She has reasonably good ability to express her opinions and beliefs and very much
capable of standing up for her rights and acting independently with less supervision.

She also has average ability to handle stressful situations and capable of coping
with moderate level of adversity. She shows an average degree of optimism, which
suggest that she looks at the brighter side of things and maintain a reasonably positive
attitude towards work. She is pleasant, resourceful and has a generally positive
disposition.

JOVIC

Axis I (Clinical Syndrome) None

Axis II (Personality Disorder) NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY
DISORDER with ANTISOCIAL
TRAITS
Axis III (General Medical Conditions) None
Axis IV (Psychosocial and Environmental Problems) Marital Problems
Axis V (Global Functioning) Fair

The Sach’s Sentence Completion Test shows that Jovic’s principal conflict may
appear within the family specifically towards his father and also guilt and fear. There is a
regret and avoidance in his thoughts about his father. Interrelated attitudes incorporate
feelings of being disappointed by the adults around him. He avoids the reality of his
father and any reminder thereof. He selectively attempts to exclude the realty of his
painful experience and yet finds that the reality intrudes on his nature consistently.
Conflicts are expressed through aggression and impulsiveness.

Cognitively, respondent is functioning well and his level of intellectual functioning

is estimated to be at average range with numerical value of 98. He has the ability to
engage in purposive, directed and logical thinking. His ideation is normal as indicated by
his accurate thought processes, efficient reality testing, and good judgment.

His Draw A Person test shows his aggressiveness as counteracted by a feeling

of insecurity which is a compensatory device. It also indicates sexual anxiety, and
desire for intimacy, virility and resulted into sexual conflict. Attempts are made to gain
virility or masculinity. Hollow eyes imply strong withdrawal and narcissistic tendencies. It
 PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

also connotes insecurity and sadistic attitudes. The line for the mouth indicate
domineering and aggressiveness manifestations of antisocial personality disorders.
Overall, it shows inadequacy feelings, sexual insecurity, aggressiveness, virility, and
over striving.

In the House-Tree-Person test, the house was drawn normally, it has at least one
door, one window, one wall and a roof. Though some parts of the drawing indicates
hostility and oppositional tendencies and possible oral eroticism. The drawing of the tree
shows superiority but with inadequacy feelings and also withdrawal tendencies.

Test results portray that Jovic, have an average cognitive level as correlated with
that of the general norm. His faculties in projecting perceptual constancy, reasoning
ability, imagination and planning skills area gauged to be satisfactory, while logical
thinking remains intact. He was assessed to have the readiness to respond or come to
grips with the environment in a characteristic fashion. He also represents a keen and
varied interest in sensitivity to interaction with other people.

Projective data shows that he is involved in constructive accomplishment

although from society’s point of view, that achievement may seem modest or routine.
He developed a consistent means of accomplishing his ends by somewhat diverting
interpersonal relations of affect in order to concentrate on control. Moreover, he can
also engage in pleasurable relationships and hence can get along well with others.

Furthermore, it reveals that he desire psychologically to relax and watch the

world go by, though he also exerts willingness of oneself in order to obtain important
goals along with subjective feelings of desire that accompanies such aspirations. He
wants to better himself and to accomplish something, In addition, he may sometimes
succumb to hopelessness when faced with intense anxiety and frustration and combat
the said feeling by looking for attention, affection, sweetness and care for other women
resulting into his infidelity and extra marital affairs.

In this case, the respondent can be blame for the collapse of their marriage. Due
to the perplexities he had to contend with, he was not able to remain committed to his
marital vows, and was not able to carry on his responsibilities as a husband and as a
father to his children. He developed a NRCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER WITH
ANTISOCIAL TRAITS as manifested by his apparent lack of effort in working out their
marital relationship. There was no love to begin with because the premarital relationship
started when he took advantage of her willingness to be with him and that he only used
for sexual reasons. Her pregnancy for two consecutive years were his ways of
punishing and possessing her while he was very jealous with her ex-boyfriend. He knew
how she values her looks and her body but she was not left with any choice but to take
care of their children. He was very emotional about her constant communication with
her ex-boyfriend resulting into self-inflicted harm. He also used the situation to justify his
extra-marital affairs and constant drinking spree with his friend and fraternity brothers
ignoring the sacrifices of his wife who may have been suffering from post partum
disorder and mores when she worked abroad. He was self-absorbed, he always
prioritized himself over others and he was also selfish about what he felt.

The respondent never tried to settle their marital difference; instead, he

abandoned his family and live life as an unmarried man. There was competition of egos
between him and the petitioner that they live apart from each other. His too attachment
 PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

to his mother and family by birth over his own family strongly proves his egoistic
personality as well as his Narcissism. He doesn’t care if others were being dragged by
his actions and decisions as long as he satisfies his selfish motives. He lacks empathy
and insight that he fails to recognize the real needs of his family because his needs for
recognition and moral boosting were more validated and satisfied in his activities with
his family and fraternity brothers and his friends than in his own family with Alma. He
lacks the ability to discern right from wrong, that he is easily swayed into mischief and
wrongdoings. In the absence of his wife, he engaged in an illicit affairs. He stands
remorseless of his actions and still continues with his extramarital affair who receives
his affection and support more than his family with Alma.

Jovic’s disorder is grave, severe, long lasting and incurable basically because of
its developmental nature and its origin could be traced to his formative years. He grew
up in a loving environment and was given a special kind of treatment by his parents that
he became so attached to his mother and matriarchal set-up, particularly his mother. He
always tried to please his parents to get favorable treatment until he was able to slip
away from his misdeeds because his mother tolerated him that he developed a
grandiose sense of self-importance, although he has imbibed the carefree behavior of
his father who is an OFW until he abandoned them for his another family. His parents
have failed to detect his deviant behavior that he grew up thing that his actions are
alright and accepted, until he became self-obsessed and impatient with things that
hinder his happiness and the satisfaction of his selfish motives.

CONCLUSION

The psychological incapacity of Jovic is characterized by juridical antecedence

as it already existed even before the time of marriage as he has consistently shown
attitude, conduct and behavior manifesting his psychological disorder. The failed marital
union is already beyond repair as it had long ceased to function the way it supposed to
be because of the inability of Jovic to give love, respect, care, concern, support and
fidelity towards his wife. After he chose to be with other women over his wife,
abandoned his responsibilities to them and to his children and since then lead a
carefree, irresponsible lifestyle like a bachelor. He has since then been transferring from
one relationship to another and refused to communicate with his wife. His Narcissistic
and Antisocial Personality Disorder has already been ingrained in his system, was not
treated on time and has been proven to be incorrigible. The idea of reconciliation as well
as the hope of a normal and functional union is deemed to be already impossible.

The disorders are already serious that the root cause can be traced back in his
developmental years. His personality structures were deeply rooted in his childhood and
that while it manifested consistently during his adulthood, it became grave and serious
after he was confronted by the demands and pressures of married life. The disorder of
Jovic is an emotionally based issue, that has something to do with his practically and
mental capabilities or social attributes. Psychotropic medications are generally
ineffective for long-term change.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Thus, it is recommended that the marriage of Alma and Jovic, be declared null
and void from the beginning because of the psychological disorder of Jovic to comply
with his essential obligations as a married man.
PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

DR. ALDEN V. DE GUZMAN, RGC, RP.

Clinical Psychologist
License No. 000235