Princess Jenniel Galarpe-Marcial has filed complaints of violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act as well as concubinage against her husband, Olympian boxer Eumir Marcial, at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Pasay on Friday, January 10.
Accompanied by her lawyer, Princess detailed a significant change in the Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist's behavior after his campaign in the Olympic Games Paris 2024. She accused him of physical abuse as well as having an affair with another woman.
“Nakakaramdam ako nung parang may iba, may something iba,” Galarpe-Marcial told One Sports and News5 after filing her complaints. “Dumating sa point sa hindi na natutulog ‘yung asawa ko kasama ako. Gusto na niya ng privacy.”
“Nag-aaway na kami lagi kasi gusto niya na laging umalis, mag-bar, uminom, mag-barkada. ‘Yun lagi niyang gustong gawin,” she added.
Galarpe-Marcial bared that she eventually discovered her husband’s involvement with another woman--an issue she confronted him about.
"I caught Eumir having an affair in October last year," Princess declared in a Faceook post. "I, along with my sister, have personally caught them inside an Airbnb condominium in Pasay where we had them both arrested at a police station."
She said Eumir and the girl were temporarily detained for five days.
Marcial apparently tried to make amends. Princess said the boxer signed an affidavit of desistance for his release, while the girl signed a compromise agreement.
"Dahil humingi ng sorry 'yung asawa ko, na puwede ayusin namin. Dami niya pong sinabi. Ang totoong nasa isip ko nun, na maging asawa pa rin sa kanya---na kahit sobrang sakit nung nakita ko, patawarin ko pa rin kasi nasa isip ko baka nagkamali lang asawa ko, tutulungan ko bumangon," Princess recounted to One Sports after filing.
Princess Galarpe-Marcial could not contain her tears as she spoke about her marriage. | Photo © RM Chua/One Sports
Galarpe-Marcial, however, claimed that her husband continued to be with the alleged mistress and used their savings to build a house for them.
"Demonyo ka! Pati savings natin, kinuha mo lahat at ginamit sa kabit mo! Sinagad niyo ako!" Princess wrote in a public Facebook post on Thursday, tagging Eumir.
This was eventually removed.
Princess later confirmed in her latest post on Friday that the boxer and the mistress "have decided to live together", based on accounts from their mutual friends in Zamboanga City.
“Nalaman ko na nagkikita sila nung babae,” said Galarpe-Marcial. “Na-confirm ko na nagsasama na sila and kinuha niya rin po lahat nung savings namin and nalaman ko na nagpapatayo siya ng bahay para sa babae."
“‘Yun talaga ‘yung naging isa sa mga rason na sobra na 'yung pambabastos na ginawa, hindi man lang ako iniwanan ng kaunting respeto,” she added.
Concubinage, under Article 334 of the Revised Penal Code or RPC, is defined as “committed by any husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or, shall have sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with a woman who is not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place.”
Concubinage carries a penalty of imprisonment ranging from 6 months and 1 day to 4 years and 2 months. Meanwhile, the mistress faces the penalty of destierro, which is similar to a restraining order, prohibiting her from entering certain areas within a legally specified radius.
Princess also alleged that she suffered physical abuse. She recalled one incident when they were arguing inside the car.
"Nahablot ko siya, [tapos] ginanun niya 'yung kamay niya," Princess said, re-enacting how Marcial's arm allegedly swung towards her left eyebrow. "Dito po tumama."
This was not an isolated incident, Princess claimed.
"Nung may pinapagawa kaming private resort sa Tagaytay and nagkakaroon kami ng diskusyon sa pera. Hindi ko po alam kung nabigla siya or kung anuman, pero sinakal niya po ako dun. And kahit before pa po nangyari itong mga incident, may mga pananakit na po talaga na nangyari. Alam ni Eumir ito," she said.
VAWC, under Republic Act 9262 is met with severe penalties. Offenders may face imprisonment ranging from one month and one day to up to 20 years, depending on the severity of the offense. Additionally, they are required to pay damages amounting to P100,000 to P300,000.
To address the psychological impact of their actions, offenders must also undergo mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment and provide the court with proof of compliance.
Together for over 14 years, the couple got married on October 28, 2021, shortly after Eumir’s bronze medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics, with Princess also serving as his manager.
She then revealed that Marcial gave her this threat: "He will ensure that I can no longer step in America nor get anything from our separation."
When asked for her message to Eumir, Princess asked for one thing: respect.
“Sana nag-iwan ka [ng] konting respeto kasi ‘yun lang hingi ko sa 'yo. Una pa lang na respeto kasi hindi ka magiging sino ka ngayon kung hindi ko sinakripisyo ‘yung career ko, hindi ko sinakripsyo ‘yung buhay ko, ‘yung pangarap ko. Kasi nung pinagarap ko ‘yung pangarap mo na maging Eumir Marcial ngayon. Makamit ‘yung Olympics, alam mo sa sarili mo na hindi lang ikaw ‘yun,” said Galarpe-Marcial, who was an amateur boxer.
Undefeated in his professional boxing career with a 5-0 record, Marcial is currently active in the pro ranks.
Princess’s camp likewise called on the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to review the incident, highlighting the importance of maintaining discipline and morality among professional athletes.
Princess Galarpe-Marcial speaks to her lawyer, Atty. Alel Auxillos-Cayanan. | Photo © RM Chua/One Sports
“It's just a call to action. There is an intent to implement discipline and morality and upholding rules, and upholding the law, amongst the professionals in the sports industry,” said Atty. Alel Auxillos-Cayanan. They will await whether the prosecutor will find sufficient cause for the complaint.
“To prove whether or not will remain with the proper forum, the presentation of evidence, the exercise of due process.”
Princess explained that she went public with the matter for her safety and for the safety of her family.
"It is not a secret that Eumir, being a well-recognized athlete, has also gained support and protection from his connections who are very much capable of influencing the outcome of this case," she wrote. "They may also try to fabricate lies to fit their narrative and potentially discredit my experience, but I urge you to focus on the facts and base your judgement on the evidence we have at hand."
She said she wanted to speak up for other women dealing with a similar situation.
"I don't think I can ever survive the pain, but my hope is that by speaking up, and in a way help other women who may have been suffering in silence, would give me strength to continue in fighting for what is right in front of God who stood as a witness to our marriage."
Asked for a statement, Eumir Marcial's counsel advised the 29-year-old southpaw to address the issues in the proper forum once they recieve a copy of the complaint.
"Rest assured that as soon as we receive the complaint-affidavit, Mr. Marcial shall answer all the allegations against him head on," Marcial's counsel, Atty. Marlon Morada, said in a statement sent to the media.
"Mr. Marcial pleads with the media to refrain from spreading misinformation to mitigate any unfortunate and unfair conclusions about him and/or his family. Mr. Marcial remains focused in his career and will continuously bring honor and pride to our country and our kababayans. Mr. Marcial hopes that he will be vindicated as he undergoes our due process."