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By Alric Lindsay
In the Grand Court today, May 15, 2026, Alieti Casero-Quijano pleaded guilty to the charge of bigamy. She now awaits sentencing.
Ms. Quijano is accused of marrying Sandra Constante on November 23, 2023, at Simply Weddings in George Town, while still legally married to her husband, Yaznil Rodriguez Palma. She entered a guilty plea to the charge under Section 150 of the Penal Code 2024 Revision.
The court has ordered a social inquiry report while she awaits her sentencing on July 10, 2026. She could face up to five years in prison.
Note to readers
The following is a summary of the offence of Bigamy under the Penal Code
Bigamy
150. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who, having a husband, wife or civil partner living, goes through a ceremony of marriage or civil partnership whether within the Islands or elsewhere, which is void by reason of its taking place during the life of such husband, wife or civil partner commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for five years.
(2) This section does not extend to any person — (a) whose marriage or civil partnership has been declared void by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(b) who contracts a marriage or civil partnership during the life of a former husband, wife or civil partner if such husband, wife or civil partner, at the time of the subsequent marriage or civil partnership — (i) has been continually absent from such person for the period of time as is specified in the Presumption of Death (Anna Evans) Act, 2020 [Law 23 of 2020]; and (ii) has not been heard of by such person as being alive within that time.
Fraudulent marriage or civil partnership ceremony
151. A person who dishonestly or with fraudulent intent goes through the ceremony of marriage or civil partnership, knowing that that person is not thereby lawfully married commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for five years.
