The Philippine Supreme Court has made a historic decision allowing same-sex couples to co-own property. For the first time, it applied Article 148 of the Family Code, which covers property relations for people who live together but cannot legally marry. The court said same-sex couples can be recognized as co-owners if both partners have contributed to the property's purchase or renovation. This ruling came from a dispute between two women who lived together in suburban Manila. They had a fight over selling their house. One partner had agreed to sell but later refused, so the other went to court to divide the property. Lower courts rejected the claim, but the Supreme Court reversed these decisions on February 5. The court noted a document showing one partner paid half of the purchase and renovation costs. The property was in the name of only one partner to speed up paperwork, as they were not married or related. Though the Family Code defines marriage as between a man and a woman, the court explained that Article 148 "does not discriminate based on gender" and "applies to all forms of co-habitation." Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said denying this would make some "legitimate intimate relationships" legally invisible. Associate Justice Amy Lazaro Javier noted that the law should meet modern society's values and treat same-sex couples equally. Camille Ting, a Supreme Court spokesperson, confirmed this is the first time Article 148 has been applied to a same-sex couple's property rights case. The court also urged the government and lawmakers to address same-sex couples' needs. It said, "With the political, moral, and cultural questions that surround the issue concerning the rights of same-sex couples, political departments especially the Congress must be involved to quest for solutions."