PINOY music icon Freddie Aguilar has converted to Islam and married his 16-year-old non-showbiz girlfriend on Friday, news websites reported.
Tempo and Balita reported that the 60-year-old singer and his underage fiancé will exchange wedding vows under Muslim rites to be officiated by Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu.
The Muslim Family Code of Philippines states, "Any Muslim male at least 15 years of age and any Muslim female of the age of puberty or upwards and not suffering from any impediment under the provisions of this Code may contract marriage. A female is presumed to have attained puberty upon reaching the age of fifteen."
Mangudadatu was also quoted in the report as saying that he has known Aguilar since 2011 when the latter articulated his desire to convert to Islam, even before he met and dated the young girl.
"It will be his accountability to God," was the governor's reply when asked if Aguilar only converted to Islam "for personal convenience".
Both websites reported that the couple will don traditional Muslim dresses during the ceremony.
Aguilar, who was criticized in the past weeks on social media for dating a much younger girl, has been consistent in reiterating his plans to marry his girlfriend.
Aguilar and his girlfriend are dating since April and the latter will turn 17 on the 29th of this month. (Sunnex)