This Article argues that pursuant to the lex loci celebrationis rule under Article 26(1) of the Family Code, same-sex marriages between Filipinos validly celebrated outside the Philippines can and should be recognized in the Philippines without further legislation. It reflects on Republic v. Manalo, and characterizes the decision as an exhibition of the Court’s ambivalence towards judicial positivism and pragmatism as distinguished by Richard Posner. From this, this Article makes the case for local recognition of same-sex marriages celebrated abroad for both a judicial positivist and a judicial pragmatist. For the positivist, the Article considers precedent, the text, the intent, its relationship with Articles 15 and 17(3) of the Civil Code and the Constitution. For the pragmatist, the Article argues that the socially optimal decision is to recognize same-sex marriages. Finally, the Article reflects on the role to be played by advocates.