1.

ADOPTION

c! "t shall also be a %tate polic$ to6 i! %afe*&a#d the biolo*ical pa#ent s! f#om makin* h&##ied decisions to #elin7&ish his(he# pa#ental a&tho#it$ o'e# his(he# child0 ii! 2#e'ent the child f#om &nnecessa#$ sepa#ation f#om his(he# biolo*ical pa#ent s!0 iii! 2#otect adopti'e pa#ent s! f#om attempts to dist&#b his(he# pa#ental a&tho#it$ and c&stod$ o'e# his(he# adopted child. An$ 'ol&nta#$ o# in'ol&nta#$ te#mination of pa#ental a&tho#it$ shall be administ#ati'el$ o# 8&diciall$ decla#ed so as to establish the stat&s of the child as "le*all$ a'ailable fo# adoption" and his(he# c&stod$ t#ansfe##ed to the Depa#tment of %ocial 3elfa#e and De'elopment o# to an$ d&l$ licensed and acc#edited child9placin* o# child9ca#in* a*enc$) which entit$ shall be a&tho#i:ed to take steps fo# the pe#manent placement of the child0 i'! /ond&ct p&blic info#mation and ed&cational campai*ns to p#omote a positi'e en'i#onment fo# adoption0 '! ;ns&#e that s&fficient capacit$ e-ists within *o'e#nment and p#i'ate secto# a*encies to handle adoption in7&i#ies) p#ocess domestic adoption applications) and offe# adoption9#elated se#'ices incl&din*) b&t not limited to) pa#ent p#epa#ation and post9adoption ed&cation and co&nselin*0 and 'i! ;nco&#a*e domestic adoption so as to p#ese#'e the child,s identit$ and c&lt&#e in his(he# nati'e land) and onl$ when this is not a'ailable shall inte#co&nt#$ adoption be conside#ed as a last #eso#t. Section 3. Definition of Terms. 4o# p&#poses of this Act) the followin* te#ms shall be defined as6 a! "Child" is a pe#son below ei*hteen 18! $ea#s of a*e. b! "A child legally available for adoption" #efe#s to a child who has been 'ol&nta#il$ o# in'ol&nta#il$ committed to the Depa#tment o# to a d&l$ licensed 1

A. Domestic Adoption Act of 1998 R. A. No. 8552 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE RULES AND POLICIES ON THE DOMESTIC ADOPTION OF FILIPINO CHILDREN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: ARTICLE GENERAL PROVISIONS I

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Domestic Adoption Act of 1 !." Section 2. Declaration of Policies. a! "t is he#eb$ decla#ed the polic$ of the %tate to ens&#e that e'e#$ child #emains &nde# the ca#e and c&stod$ of his(he# pa#ent s! and be p#o'ided with lo'e) ca#e) &nde#standin* and sec&#it$ towa#ds the f&ll and ha#monio&s de'elopment of his(he# pe#sonalit$. +nl$ when s&ch effo#ts p#o'e ins&fficient and no app#op#iate placement o# adoption within the child,s e-tended famil$ is a'ailable shall adoption b$ an &n#elated pe#son be conside#ed. b! "n all matte#s #elatin* to the ca#e) c&stod$ and adoption of a child) his(he# inte#est shall be the pa#amo&nt conside#ation in acco#dance with the tenets set fo#th in the .nited Nations .N! /on'ention on the Ri*hts of the /hild0 .N Decla#ation on %ocial and 1e*al 2#inciples Relatin* to the 2#otection and 3elfa#e of /hild#en with %pecial Refe#ence to 4oste# 2lacement and Adoption) Nationall$ and "nte#nationall$0 and the 5a*&e /on'ention on the 2#otection of /hild#en and /oope#ation in Respect of "nte#co&nt#$ Adoption. Towa#d this end) the %tate shall p#o'ide alte#nati'e p#otection and assistance th#o&*h foste# ca#e o# adoption fo# e'e#$ child who is ne*lected) o#phaned) o# abandoned.

and acc#edited child9placin* o# child9ca#in* a*enc$) f#eed of the pa#ental a&tho#it$ of his(he# biolo*ical pa#ent s! o# *&a#dian o# adopte# s! in case of #escission of adoption. c! "#oluntarily committed child" is one whose pa#ent s! knowin*l$ and willin*l$ #elin7&ishes pa#ental a&tho#it$ to the Depa#tment. d! "$nvoluntarily committed child" is one whose pa#ent s!) known o# &nknown) has been pe#manentl$ and 8&diciall$ dep#i'ed of pa#ental a&tho#it$ d&e to abandonment0 s&bstantial) contin&o&s) o# #epeated ne*lect0 ab&se0 o# incompetence to discha#*e pa#ental #esponsibilities. e! "Abandoned child" #efe#s to one who has no p#ope# pa#ental ca#e o# *&a#dianship o# whose pa#ent s! has dese#ted him(he# fo# a pe#iod of at least si- <! contin&o&s months and has been 8&diciall$ decla#ed as s&ch. f! "Supervised trial custody" is a pe#iod of time within which a social wo#ke# o'e#sees the ad8&stment and emotional #eadiness of both adopte# s! and adoptee in stabili:in* thei# filial #elationship. *! "Department" #efe#s to the Depa#tment of %ocial 3elfa#e and De'elopment. h! "Child%placing agency" is a d&l$ licensed and acc#edited a*enc$ b$ the Depa#tment to p#o'ide comp#ehensi'e child welfa#e se#'ices incl&din*) b&t not limited to) #ecei'in* applications fo# adoption) e'al&atin* the p#ospecti'e adopti'e pa#ents) and p#epa#in* the adoption home st&d$. i! "Child%caring agency" is a d&l$ licensed and acc#edited a*enc$ b$ the Depa#tment that p#o'ides twent$ fo&# 2=!9ho&# #esidential ca#e se#'ices fo# abandoned) o#phaned) ne*lected) o# 'ol&nta#il$ committed child#en. 8! "Simulation of birth" is the tampe#in* of the ci'il #e*ist#$ makin* it appea# in the bi#th #eco#ds that a ce#tain child was bo#n to a pe#son who is not his(he# biolo*ical mothe#) ca&sin* s&ch child to lose his(he# t#&e identit$ and stat&s. 2

ARTICLE PRE-ADOPTION SERVICES

II

Section . Counseling Service. The Depa#tment shall p#o'ide the se#'ices of licensed social wo#ke#s to the followin*6 a! Biological Parent&s' /o&nselin* shall be p#o'ided to the pa#ent s! befo#e and afte# the bi#th of his(he# child. No bindin* commitment to an adoption plan shall be pe#mitted befo#e the bi#th of his(he# child. A pe#iod of si- <! months shall be allowed fo# the biolo*ical pa#ent s! to #econside# an$ decision to #elin7&ish his(he# child fo# adoption befo#e the decision becomes i##e'ocable. /o&nselin* and #ehabilitation se#'ices shall also be offe#ed to the biolo*ical pa#ent s! afte# he(she has #elin7&ished his(he# child fo# adoption. %teps shall be taken b$ the Depa#tment to ens&#e that no h&##ied decisions a#e made and all alte#nati'es fo# the child,s f&t&#e and the implications of each alte#nati'e ha'e been p#o'ided. b! Prospective Adoptive Parent&s' /o&nselin* sessions) adoption fo#a and semina#s) amon* othe#s) shall be p#o'ided to p#ospecti'e adopti'e pa#ent s! to #esol'e possible adoption iss&es and to p#epa#e him(he# fo# effecti'e pa#entin*. c! Prospective Adoptee ( /o&nselin* sessions shall be p#o'ided to ens&#e that he(she &nde#stands the nat&#e and effects of adoption and is able to e-p#ess his(he# 'iews on adoption in acco#dance with his(he# a*e and le'el of mat&#it$. Section !. Location of Unknown Parent(s). "t shall be the d&t$ of the Depa#tment o# the child9 placin* o# child9ca#in* a*enc$ which has c&stod$ of the child to e-e#t all effo#ts to locate his(he# &nknown biolo*ical pa#ent s!. "f s&ch effo#ts fail) the child shall be #e*iste#ed as a fo&ndlin* and s&bse7&entl$ be the s&b8ect of le*al p#oceedin*s whe#e he(she shall be decla#ed abandoned. Section ". Support Services. The Depa#tment shall de'elop a p#e9adoption p#o*#am which shall incl&de) amon* othe#s) the abo'e mentioned se#'ices.

ARTICLE ELIGIBILIT#

III

c! The *&a#dian with #espect to the wa#d afte# the te#mination of the *&a#dianship and clea#ance of his(he# financial acco&ntabilities. 5&sband and wife shall 8ointl$ adopt) e-cept in the followin* cases6 i! if one spo&se seeks to adopt the le*itimate son(da&*hte# of the othe#0 o# ii! if one spo&se seeks to adopt his(he# own ille*itimate son(da&*hte#6 2#o'ided) 5owe'e#) that the othe# spo&se has si*nified his(he# consent the#eto0 o# iii! if the spo&ses a#e le*all$ sepa#ated f#om each othe#. "n case h&sband and wife 8ointl$ adopt) o# one spo&se adopts the ille*itimate son(da&*hte# of the othe#) 8oint pa#ental a&tho#it$ shall be e-e#cised b$ the spo&ses. Section %. Who Ma #e !"opte". The followin* ma$ be adopted6 a! An$ pe#son below ei*hteen 18! $ea#s of a*e who has been administ#ati'el$ o# 8&diciall$ decla#ed a'ailable fo# adoption0 b! The le*itimate son(da&*hte# of one spo&se b$ the othe# spo&se0 c! An ille*itimate son(da&*hte# b$ a 7&alified adopte# to imp#o'e his(he# stat&s to that of le*itimac$0 d! A pe#son of le*al a*e if) p#io# to the adoption) said pe#son has been consistentl$ conside#ed and t#eated b$ the adopte# s! as his(he# own child since mino#it$0 e! A child whose adoption has been p#e'io&sl$ #escinded0 o# f! A child whose biolo*ical o# adopti'e pa#ent s! has died6 Provided) That no p#oceedin*s shall be initiated within si- <! months f#om the time of death of said pa#ent s!. >

Section $. Who Ma !"opt. The followin* ma$ adopt6 a! An$ 4ilipino citi:en of le*al a*e) in possession of f&ll ci'il capacit$ and le*al #i*hts) of *ood mo#al cha#acte#) has not been con'icted of an$ c#ime in'ol'in* mo#al t&#pit&de) emotionall$ and ps$cholo*icall$ capable of ca#in* fo# child#en) at least si-teen 1<! $ea#s olde# than the adoptee) and who is in a position to s&ppo#t and ca#e fo# his(he# child#en in keepin* with the means of the famil$. The #e7&i#ement of si-teen 1<! $ea# diffe#ence between the a*e of the adopte# and adoptee ma$ be wai'ed when the adopte# is the biolo*ical pa#ent of the adoptee) o# is the spo&se of the adoptee,s pa#ent0 b! An$ alien possessin* the same 7&alifications as abo'e stated fo# 4ilipino nationals6 Provided) That his(he# co&nt#$ has diplomatic #elations with the Rep&blic of the 2hilippines) that he(she has been li'in* in the 2hilippines fo# at least th#ee >! contin&o&s $ea#s p#io# to the filin* of the application fo# adoption and maintains s&ch #esidence &ntil the adoption dec#ee is ente#ed) that he(she has been ce#tified b$ his(he# diplomatic o# cons&la# office o# an$ app#op#iate *o'e#nment a*enc$ that he(she has the le*al capacit$ to adopt in his(he# co&nt#$) and that his(he# *o'e#nment allows the adoptee to ente# his(he# co&nt#$ as his(he# adopted son(da&*hte#6 Provided) *urther) That the #e7&i#ements on #esidenc$ and ce#tification of the alien,s 7&alification to adopt in his(he# co&nt#$ ma$ be wai'ed fo# the followin*6 i! a fo#me# 4ilipino citi:en who seeks to adopt a #elati'e within the fo&#th =th! de*#ee of consan*&init$ o# affinit$0 o# ii! one who seeks to adopt the le*itimate son(da&*hte# of his(he# 4ilipino spo&se0 o# iii! one who is ma##ied to a 4ilipino citi:en and seeks to adopt 8ointl$ with his(he# spo&se a #elati'e within the fo&#th =th! de*#ee of consan*&init$ o# affinit$ of the 4ilipino spo&se0 o#

Section &. Whose Consent is $ecessar to the !"option. Afte# bein* p#ope#l$ co&nseled and info#med of his(he# #i*ht to *i'e o# withhold his(he# app#o'al of the adoption) the w#itten consent of the followin* to the adoption is he#eb$ #e7&i#ed6 a! The adoptee) if ten 1?! $ea#s of a*e o# o'e#0 b! The biolo*ical pa#ent s! of the child) if known) o# the le*al *&a#dian) o# the p#ope# *o'e#nment inst#&mentalit$ which has le*al c&stod$ of the child0 c! The le*itimate and adopted sons(da&*hte#s) ten 1?! $ea#s of a*e o# o'e#) of the adopte# s! and adoptee) if an$0 d! The ille*itimate sons(da&*hte#s) ten 1?! $ea#s of a*e o# o'e#) of the adopte# if li'in* with said adopte# and the latte#,s spo&se) if an$0 and e! The spo&se) if an$) of the pe#son adoptin* o# to be adopted. ARTICLE PROCEDURE IV

#e*iste#ed name of the adoptee. "f the bi#th of the adoptee was not #e*iste#ed with the /i'il Re*ist#$) it shall be the #esponsibilit$ of the conce#ned social wo#ke# to ens&#e that the adoptee is #e*iste#ed. The case st&d$ on the adoptee shall establish that he(she is le*all$ a'ailable fo# adoption and that the doc&ments to s&ppo#t this fact a#e 'alid and a&thentic. 4&#the#) the case st&d$ of the adopte# s! shall asce#tain his(he# *en&ine intentions and that the adoption is in the best inte#est of the child. The Depa#tment shall inte#'ene on behalf of the adoptee if it finds) afte# the cond&ct of the case st&dies) that the petition sho&ld be denied. The case st&dies and othe# #ele'ant doc&ments and #eco#ds pe#tainin* to the adoptee and the adoption shall be p#ese#'ed b$ the Depa#tment. Section 12. Supervise" Trial Custo" + No petition fo# adoption shall be finall$ *#anted &ntil the adopte# s! has been *i'en b$ the co&#t a s&pe#'ised t#ial c&stod$ pe#iod fo# at least si- <! months within which the pa#ties a#e e-pected to ad8&st ps$cholo*icall$ and emotionall$ to each othe# and establish a bondin* #elationship. D&#in* said pe#iod) tempo#a#$ pa#ental a&tho#it$ shall be 'ested in the adopte# s!. The co&#t ma$ mot& p#op#io o# &pon motion of an$ pa#t$ #ed&ce the t#ial pe#iod if it finds the same to be in the best inte#est of the adoptee) statin* the #easons fo# the #ed&ction of the pe#iod. 5owe'e#) fo# alien adopte# s!) he(she m&st complete the si<!9month t#ial c&stod$ e-cept fo# those en&me#ated in %ec. @ b! i! ii! iii!. "f the child is below se'en @! $ea#s of a*e and is placed with the p#ospecti'e adopte# s! th#o&*h a p#e9adoption placement a&tho#it$ iss&ed b$ the Depa#tment) the p#ospecti'e adopte# s! shall en8o$ all the benefits to which biolo*ical pa#ent s! is entitled f#om the date the adoptee is placed with the p#ospecti'e adopte# s!. Section 13. Decree of !"option+ "f) afte# the p&blication of the o#de# of hea#in* has been complied with) and no opposition has been inte#posed to the petition) and afte# conside#ation of =

Section 1'. %urrie" Decisions. "n all p#oceedin*s fo# adoption) the co&#t shall #e7&i#e p#oof that the biolo*ical pa#ent s! has been p#ope#l$ co&nseled to p#e'ent him(he# f#om makin* h&##ied decisions ca&sed b$ st#ain o# an-iet$ to *i'e &p the child) and to s&stain that all meas&#es to st#en*then the famil$ ha'e been e-ha&sted and that an$ p#olon*ed sta$ of the child in his(he# own home will be inimical to his(he# welfa#e and inte#est. Section 11. Case Stu" . No petition fo# adoption shall be set fo# hea#in* &nless a licensed social wo#ke# of the Depa#tment) the social se#'ice office of the local *o'e#nment &nit) o# an$ child9placin* o# child9ca#in* a*enc$ has made a case st&d$ of the adoptee) his(he# biolo*ical pa#ent s!) as well as the adopte# s!) and has s&bmitted the #epo#t and #ecommendations on the matte# to the co&#t hea#in* s&ch petition. At the time of p#epa#ation of the adoptee,s case st&d$) the conce#ned social wo#ke# shall confi#m with the /i'il Re*ist#$ the #eal identit$ and

the case st&dies) the 7&alifications of the adopte# s!) t#ial c&stod$ #epo#t and the e'idence s&bmitted) the co&#t is con'inced that the petitione#s a#e 7&alified to adopt) and that the adoption wo&ld #edo&nd to the best inte#est of the adoptee) a dec#ee of adoption shall be ente#ed which shall be effecti'e as of the date the o#i*inal petition was filed. This p#o'ision shall also appl$ in case the petitione# s! dies befo#e the iss&ance of the dec#ee of adoption to p#otect the inte#est of the adoptee. The dec#ee shall state the name b$ which the child is to be known. Section 1 . Civil &egistr &ecor". An amended ce#tificate of bi#th shall be iss&ed b$ the /i'il Re*ist#$) as #e7&i#ed b$ the R&les of /o&#t) attestin* to the fact that the adoptee is the child of the adopte# s! b$ bein* #e*iste#ed with his(he# s&#name. The o#i*inal ce#tificate of bi#th shall be stamped "cancelled" with the annotation of the iss&ance of an amended bi#th ce#tificate in its place and shall be sealed in the ci'il #e*ist#$ #eco#ds. The new bi#th ce#tificate to be iss&ed to the adoptee shall not bea# an$ notation that it is an amended iss&e. Section 1!. Confi"ential $ature of Procee"ings an" &ecor"s+ ( All hea#in*s in adoption cases shall be confidential and shall not be open to the p&blic. All #eco#ds) books) and pape#s #elatin* to the adoption cases in the files of the co&#t) the Depa#tment) o# an$ othe# a*enc$ o# instit&tion pa#ticipatin* in the adoption p#oceedin*s shall be kept st#ictl$ confidential. "f the co&#t finds that the disclos&#e of the info#mation to a thi#d pe#son is necessa#$ fo# p&#poses connected with o# a#isin* o&t of the adoption and will be fo# the best inte#est of the adoptee) the co&#t ma$ me#it the necessa#$ info#mation to be #eleased) #est#ictin* the p&#poses fo# which it ma$ be &sed. ARTICLE EFFECTS OF ADOPTION V

pa#ent s! and the adoptee shall be se'e#ed and the same shall then be 'ested on the adopte# s!. Section 1$. Legitimac ' ( The adoptee shall be conside#ed the le*itimate son(da&*hte# of the adopte# s! fo# all intents and p&#poses and as s&ch is entitled to all the #i*hts and obli*ations p#o'ided b$ law to le*itimate sons(da&*hte#s bo#n to them witho&t disc#imination of an$ kind. To this end) the adoptee is entitled to lo'e) *&idance) and s&ppo#t in keepin* with the means of the famil$. Section 1%. Succession. "n le*al and intestate s&ccession) the adopte# s! and the adoptee shall ha'e #ecip#ocal #i*hts of s&ccession witho&t distinction f#om le*itimate filiation. 5owe'e#) if the adoptee and his(he# biolo*ical pa#ent s! had left a will) the law on testamenta#$ s&ccession shall *o'e#n. ARTICLE RESCISSION OF ADOPTION VI

Section 1&. (roun"s for &escission of !"option+ .pon petition of the adoptee) with the assistance of the Depa#tment if a mino# o# if o'e# ei*hteen 18! $ea#s of a*e b&t is incapacitated) as *&a#dian(co&nsel) the adoption ma$ be #escinded on an$ of the followin* *#o&nds committed b$ the adopte# s!6 a! #epeated ph$sical and 'e#bal malt#eatment b$ the adopte# s! despite ha'in* &nde#*one co&nselin*0 b! attempt on the life of the adoptee0 c! se-&al assa&lt o# 'iolence0 o# d! abandonment and fail&#e to compl$ with pa#ental obli*ations. Adoption) bein* in the best inte#est of the child) shall not be s&b8ect to #escission b$ the adopte# s!. 5owe'e#) the adopte# s! ma$ disinhe#it the adoptee fo# ca&ses p#o'ided in A#ticle 919 of the /i'il /ode. Section 2'. )ffects of &escission. "f the petition is *#anted) the pa#ental a&tho#it$ of the adoptee,s biolo*ical pa#ent s!) if known) o# the le*al c&stod$ of the Depa#tment shall be #esto#ed if the adoptee is still a mino# o# incapacitated. The #ecip#ocal #i*hts and obli*ations of the adopte# s! and the adoptee to each othe# shall be e-tin*&ished. 5

Section 1". Parental !uthorit . ;-cept in cases whe#e the biolo*ical pa#ent is the spo&se of the adopte#) all le*al ties between the biolo*ical

The co&#t shall o#de# the /i'il Re*ist#a# to cancel the amended ce#tificate of bi#th of the adoptee and #esto#e his(he# o#i*inal bi#th ce#tificate. %&ccession #i*hts shall #e'e#t to its stat&s p#io# to adoption) b&t onl$ as of the date of 8&d*ment of 8&dicial #escission. Aested #i*hts ac7&i#ed p#io# to 8&dicial #escission shall be #espected. All the fo#e*oin* effects of #escission of adoption shall be witho&t p#e8&dice to the penalties imposable &nde# the 2enal /ode if the c#iminal acts a#e p#ope#l$ p#o'en. ARTICLE VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES VII

An$ pe#son who shall 'iolate established #e*&lations #elatin* to the confidentialit$ and inte*#it$ of #eco#ds) doc&ments) and comm&nications of adoption applications) cases) and p#ocesses shall s&ffe# the penalt$ of imp#isonment #an*in* f#om one 1! $ea# and one 1! da$ to two 2! $ea#s) and(o# a fine of not less than 4i'e tho&sand pesos 25)???.??! b&t not mo#e than Ten tho&sand pesos 21?)???.??!) at the disc#etion of the co&#t. A penalt$ lowe# b$ two 2! de*#ees than that p#esc#ibed fo# the cons&mmated offense &nde# this A#ticle shall be imposed &pon the p#incipals of the attempt to commit an$ of the acts he#ein en&me#ated. Acts p&nishable &nde# this A#ticle) when committed b$ a s$ndicate o# whe#e it in'ol'es two 2! o# mo#e child#en shall be conside#ed as an offense constit&tin* child t#affickin* and shall me#it the penalt$ of reclusion perpetua. Acts p&nishable &nde# this A#ticle a#e deemed committed b$ a s$ndicate if ca##ied o&t b$ a *#o&p of th#ee >! o# mo#e pe#sons conspi#in* and(o# confede#atin* with one anothe# in ca##$in* o&t an$ of the &nlawf&l acts defined &nde# this A#ticle. 2enalties as a#e he#ein p#o'ided) shall be in addition to an$ othe# penalties which ma$ be imposed fo# the same acts p&nishable &nde# othe# laws) o#dinances) e-ec&ti'e o#de#s) and p#oclamations. 3hen the offende# is an alien) he(she shall be depo#ted immediatel$ afte# se#'ice of sentence and pe#pet&all$ e-cl&ded f#om ent#$ to the co&nt#$. An$ *o'e#nment official) emplo$ee o# f&nctiona#$ who shall be fo&nd *&ilt$ of 'iolatin* an$ of the p#o'isions of this Act) o# who shall conspi#e with p#i'ate indi'id&als shall) in addition to the abo'e9 p#esc#ibed penalties) be penali:ed in acco#dance with e-istin* ci'il se#'ice laws) #&les and #e*&lations6 Provided) That &pon the filin* of a case) eithe# administ#ati'e o# c#iminal) said *o'e#nment official) emplo$ee) o# f&nctiona#$ conce#ned shall a&tomaticall$ s&ffe# s&spension &ntil the #esol&tion of the case. Section 22. &ectification of Simulate" #irths. A pe#son who has) p#io# to the effecti'it$ of this Act) <

Section 21. *iolations an" Penalties' ( a! The penalt$ of imp#isonment #an*in* f#om si- <! $ea#s and one 1! da$ to twel'e 12! $ea#s and(o# a fine not less than 4ift$ tho&sand pesos 25?)???.??!) b&t not mo#e than Two h&nd#ed tho&sand pesos 22??)???.??! at the disc#etion of the co&#t shall be imposed on an$ pe#son who shall commit an$ of the followin* acts6 i! obtainin* consent fo# an adoption th#o&*h coe#cion) &nd&e infl&ence) f#a&d) imp#ope# mate#ial ind&cement) o# othe# simila# acts0 ii! non9compliance with the p#oced&#es and safe*&a#ds p#o'ided b$ the law fo# adoption0 o# iii! s&b8ectin* o# e-posin* the child to be adopted to dan*e#) ab&se) o# e-ploitation. b! An$ pe#son who shall ca&se the fictitio&s #e*ist#ation of the bi#th of a child &nde# the name s! of a pe#son s! who is not his(he# biolo*ical pa#ent s! shall be *&ilt$ of sim&lation of bi#th) and shall be p&nished b$ p#ision ma$o# in its medi&m pe#iod and a fine not e-ceedin* 4ift$ tho&sand pesos 25?)???.??!. An$ ph$sician o# n&#se o# hospital pe#sonnel who) in 'iolation of his(he# oath of office) shall coope#ate in the e-ec&tion of the abo'ementioned c#ime shall s&ffe# the penalties he#ein p#esc#ibed and also the penalt$ of pe#manent dis7&alification.

sim&lated the bi#th of a child shall not be p&nished fo# s&ch act6 Provided) That the sim&lation of bi#th was made fo# the best inte#est of the child and that he(she has been consistentl$ conside#ed and t#eated b$ that pe#son as his(he# own son(da&*hte#6 Provided) further) That the application fo# co##ection of the bi#th #e*ist#ation and petition fo# adoption shall be filed within fi'e 5! $ea#s f#om the effecti'it$ of this Act and completed the#eafte#6 Provided) finally) That s&ch pe#son complies with the p#oced&#e as specified in A#ticle "A of this Act and othe# #e7&i#ements as dete#mined b$ the Depa#tment. ARTICLE FINAL PROVISIONS VIII

Section 2 . ,mplementing &ules an" &egulations. 3ithin si- <! months f#om the p#om&l*ation of this Act) the Depa#tment) with the /o&ncil fo# the 3elfa#e of /hild#en) the +ffice of /i'il Re*ist#$ Cene#al) the Depa#tment of D&stice) +ffice of the %olicito# Cene#al) and two 2! p#i'ate indi'id&als #ep#esentin* child9placin* and child9 ca#in* a*encies shall fo#m&late the necessa#$ *&idelines to make the p#o'isions of this Act ope#ati'e. Section 2!. !ppropriations. %&ch s&m as ma$ be necessa#$ fo# the implementation of the p#o'isions of this Act shall be incl&ded in the Cene#al App#op#iations Act of the $ea# followin* its enactment into law and the#eafte#. Section 2". &epealing Clause. An$ law) p#esidential dec#ee o# iss&ance) e-ec&ti'e o#de#) lette# of inst#&ction) administ#ati'e o#de#) #&le) o# #e*&lation cont#a#$ to) o# inconsistent with the p#o'isions of this Act is he#eb$ #epealed) modified) o# amended acco#din*l$. Section 2$. Separa-ilit Clause. "f an$ p#o'ision of this Act is held in'alid o# &nconstit&tional) the othe# p#o'isions not affected the#eb$ shall #emain 'alid and s&bsistin*. Section 2%. )ffectivit Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen 15! da$s followin* its complete p&blication in an$ newspape# of *ene#al ci#c&lation o# in the +fficial Ca:ette. Approved: Fe()*+), 2!- 1&&%

Section 23. !"option &esource an" &eferral +ffice. The#e shall be established an Adoption Reso&#ces and Refe##al +ffice &nde# the Depa#tment with the followin* f&nctions6 a! monito# the e-istence) n&mbe#) and flow of child#en le*all$ a'ailable fo# adoption and p#ospecti'e adopte# s! so as to facilitate thei# matchin*0 b! maintain a nationwide info#mation and ed&cational campai*n on domestic adoption0 c! keep #eco#ds of adoption p#oceedin*s0 d! *ene#ate #eso&#ces to help child9ca#in* and child9placin* a*encies and foste# homes maintain 'iabilit$0 and e! do polic$ #esea#ch in collabo#ation with the "nte#co&nt#$ Adoption Boa#d and othe# conce#ned a*encies. The office shall be manned b$ adoption e-pe#ts f#om the p&blic and p#i'ate secto#s.

B. "nte#9/o&nt#$ Adoption of 1995 R. A. No. 8?=> AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE RULES TO GOVERN INTER-COUNTR# ADOPTION OF FILIPINO CHILDREN- AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS %ection 1. %ho#t Title. E This Act shall be known as the "$nter%Country Adoption Act of 1 ,." @ %ec. 2. Decla#ation of 2olic$. E "t is he#eb$ decla#ed the polic$ of the %tate to p#o'ide e'e#$ ne*lected and abandoned child with a famil$ that will p#o'ide s&ch child with lo'e and ca#e as well as oppo#t&nities fo# *#owth and de'elopment. Towa#ds

this end) effo#ts shall be e-e#ted to place the child with an adopti'e famil$ in the 2hilippines. 5owe'e#) #eco*ni:in* that inte#9 co&nt#$ adoption ma$ be conside#ed as allowin* aliens not p#esentl$ allowed b$ law to adopt 4ilipino child#en if s&ch child#en cannot be adopted b$ 7&alified 4ilipino citi:ens o# aliens) the %tate shall take meas&#es to ens&#e that inte#9co&nt#$ adoptions a#e allowed when the same shall p#o'e beneficial to the child,s best inte#ests) and shall se#'e and p#otect his(he# f&ndamental #i*hts.. %ec. >. Definition of Te#ms. E As &sed in this Act. the te#m6 a! "nte#9co&nt#$ adoption #efe#s to the socio9le*al p#ocess of adoptin* a 4ilipino child b$ a fo#ei*ne# o# a 4ilipino citi:en pe#manentl$ #esidin* ab#oad whe#e the petition is filed) the s&pe#'ised t#ial c&stod$ is &nde#taken) and the dec#ee of adoption is iss&ed o&tside the 2hilippines. + b! /hild means a pe#son below fifteen 15! $ea#s of a*e &nless soone# emancipated b$ law. c! Depa#tment #efe#s to the Depa#tment of %ocial 3elfa#e and De'elopment of the Rep&blic of the 2hilippines. d! %ec#eta#$ #efe#s to the %ec#eta#$ of the Depa#tment of %ocial 3elfa#e and De'elopment. e! A&tho#i:ed and acc#edited a*enc$ #efe#s to the %tate welfa#e a*enc$ o# a licensed adoption a*enc$ in the co&nt#$ of the adoptin* pa#ents which p#o'ide comp#ehensi'e social se#'ices and which is d&l$ #eco*ni:ed b$ the Depa#tment. f! 1e*all$9f#ee child means a child who has been 'ol&nta#il$ o# in'ol&nta#il$ committed to the Depa#tment) in acco#dance with the /hild and Fo&th 3elfa#e /ode. *! Gatchin* #efe#s to the 8&dicio&s pai#in* of the adopti'e child and the applicant to p#omote a m&t&all$ satisf$in* pa#ent9child #elationship. h! Boa#d #efe#s to the "nte#9co&nt#$ Adoption Boa#d. 8

ART"/1; "" T5; "NT;R9/+.NTRF AD+2T"+N B+ARD %ec. =. The "nte#9/o&nt#$ Adoption Boa#d. E The#e is he#eb$ c#eated the "nte#9/o&nt#$ Adoption Boa#d) he#einafte# #efe##ed to as the Boa#d to act as the cent#al a&tho#it$ in matte#s #elatin* to inte#9 co&nt#$ adoption. "t shall act as the polic$9makin* bod$ fo# p&#poses of ca##$in* o&t the p#o'isions of this Act) in cons&ltation and coo#dination with the Depa#tment) the diffe#ent child9ca#e and placement a*encies) adopti'e a*encies) as well as non9 *o'e#nmental o#*ani:ations en*a*ed in child9ca#e and placement acti'ities. As s&ch) it shall6 a! 2#otect the 4ilipino child f#om ab&se) e-ploitation) t#affickin* and(o# sale o# an$ othe# p#actice in connection with adoption which is ha#mf&l) det#imental) o# p#e8&dicial to the child0 + b! /ollect) maintain) and p#ese#'e confidential info#mation abo&t the child and the adopti'e pa#ents0 c! Gonito#) follow &p) and facilitate completion of adoption of the child th#o&*h a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited a*enc$0 d! 2#e'ent imp#ope# financial o# othe# *ain in connection with an adoption and dete# imp#ope# p#actices cont#a#$ to this Act0 e! 2#omote the de'elopment of adoption se#'ices incl&din* post9le*al adoption0 f! 1icense and acc#edit child9ca#in*(placement a*encies and collabo#ate with them in the placement of 4ilipino child#en0 *! Acc#edit and a&tho#i:e fo#ei*n adoption a*enc$ in the placement of 4ilipino child#en in thei# own co&nt#$0 and h! /ancel the license to ope#ate and blacklist the child9ca#in* and placement a*enc$ o# adopti'e a*enc$ in'ol'ed f#om the acc#editation list of the Boa#d &pon a findin* of 'iolation of an$ p#o'ision &nde# this Act.

%ec. 5. /omposition of the Boa#d. E The Boa#d shall be composed of the %ec#eta#$ of the Depa#tment as e- officio /hai#man) and si- <! othe# membe#s to be appointed b$ the 2#esident fo# a non#enewable te#m of si- <! $ea#s6 Provided) That the#e shall be appointed one 1! ps$chiat#ist o# ps$cholo*ist) two 2! law$e#s who shall ha'e at least the 7&alifications of a #e*ional t#ial co&#t 8&d*e) one 1! #e*iste#ed social wo#ke# and two 2! #ep#esentati'es f#om non9*o'e#nmental o#*ani:ations en*a*ed in child9ca#in* and placement acti'ities. The membe#s of the Boa#d shall #ecei'e a pe# diem allowance of +ne tho&sand fi'e h&nd#ed pesos 21)5??! fo# each meetin* attended b$ them6Provided) further) That no compensation shall be paid fo# mo#e than fo&# =! meetin*s a month.. %ec. <. 2owe#s and 4&nctions of the Boa#d. E The Boa#d shall ha'e the followin* powe#s and f&nctions6c a! to p#esc#ibe #&les and #e*&lations as it ma$ deem #easonabl$ necessa#$ to ca##$ o&t the p#o'isions of this Act) afte# cons&ltation and &pon fa'o#able #ecommendation of the diffe#ent a*encies conce#ned with the child9ca#in*) placement) and adoption0 + b! to set the *&idelines fo# the con'enin* of an "nte#9co&nt#$ Adoption 2lacement /ommittee which shall be &nde# the di#ect s&pe#'ision of the Boa#d0 c! to set the *&idelines fo# the manne# b$ which selection(matchin* of p#ospecti'e adopti'e pa#ents and adopti'e child can be made0 d! to dete#mine a #easonable sched&le of fees and cha#*es to be e-acted in connection with the application fo# adoption0 e! to dete#mine the fo#m and contents of the application fo# inte#9co&nt#$ adoption0 *! to instit&te s$stems and p#oced&#es to p#e'ent imp#ope# financial *ain in connection with adoption 9

and dete# imp#ope# p#actices which a#e cont#a#$ to this Act0 h! to p#omote the de'elopment of adoption se#'ices) incl&din* post9le*al adoption se#'ices) i! to acc#edit and a&tho#i:e fo#ei*n p#i'ate adoption a*encies which ha'e demonst#ated p#ofessionalism) competence and ha'e consistentl$ p&#s&ed non9 p#ofit ob8ecti'es to en*a*e in the placement of 4ilipino child#en in thei# own co&nt#$6 Provided) That s&ch fo#ei*n p#i'ate a*encies a#e d&l$ a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited b$ thei# own *o'e#nment to cond&ct inte#9co&nt#$ adoption6Provided) ho-ever) That the total n&mbe# of a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited fo#ei*n p#i'ate adoption a*encies shall not e-ceed one h&nd#ed 1??! a $ea#0 8! to take app#op#iate meas&#es to ens&#e confidentialit$ of the #eco#ds of the child) the nat&#al pa#ents and the adopti'e pa#ents at all times0 k! to p#epa#e) #e'iew o# modif$) and the#eafte#) #ecommend to the Depa#tment of 4o#ei*n Affai#s) Gemo#anda of A*#eement #espectin* inte#9co&nt#$ adoption consistent with the implementation of this Act and its stated *oals) ente#ed into) between and amon* fo#ei*n *o'e#nments) inte#national o#*ani:ations and #eco*ni:ed inte#national non9 *o'e#nmental o#*ani:ations0 l! to assist othe# conce#ned a*encies and the co&#ts in the implementation of this Act) pa#tic&la#l$ as #e*a#ds coo#dination with fo#ei*n pe#sons) a*encies and othe# entities in'ol'ed in the p#ocess of adoption and the ph$sical t#ansfe# of the child0 and m! to pe#fo#m s&ch othe# f&nctions on matte#s #elatin* to inte#9co&nt#$ adoption as ma$ be dete#mined b$ the 2#esident. ART"/1; """ 2R+/;D.R; %ec. @. "nte#9/o&nt#$ Adoption as the 1ast Reso#t. E The Boa#d shall ens&#e that all possibilities fo# adoption of the child &nde# the 4amil$ /ode ha'e been e-ha&sted and that inte#9co&nt#$ adoption is in the best inte#est of the child. Towa#ds this end) the Boa#d shall set &p the *&idelines to ens&#e that steps

will be taken to place the child in the 2hilippines befo#e the child is placed fo# inte#9co&nt#$ adoption6 Provided) ho-ever) That the ma-im&m n&mbe# that ma$ be allowed fo# fo#ei*n adoption shall not e-ceed si- h&nd#ed <??! a $ea# fo# the fi#st fi'e 5! $ea#s.. %ec. 8. 3ho Ga$ be Adopted. E +nl$ a le*all$ f#ee child ma$ be the s&b8ect of inte#9co&nt#$ adoption. "n o#de# that s&ch child ma$ be conside#ed fo# placement) the followin* doc&ments m&st be s&bmitted to the Boa#d6 a!/hild st&d$0 b!Bi#th ce#tificate(fo&ndlin* ce#tificate0 c!Deed of 'ol&nta#$ commitment(dec#ee abandonment(death ce#tificate of pa#ents0 d!Gedical e'al&ation (histo#$0 e!2s$cholo*ical e'al&ation) as necessa#$0 and f!Recent photo of the child. %ec. 9. 3ho Ga$ Adopt. E An alien o# a 4ilipino citi:en pe#manentl$ #esidin* ab#oad ma$ file an application fo# inte#9co&nt#$ adoption of a 4ilipino child if he(she6 a! is at least twent$9se'en 2@! $ea#s of a*e and at least si-teen 1<! $ea#s olde# than the child to be adopted) at the time of application &nless the adopte# is the pa#ent b$ nat&#e of the child to be adopted o# the spo&se of s&ch pa#ent6 b! if ma##ied) his(he# spo&se m&st 8ointl$ file fo# the adoption0 c! has the capacit$ to act and ass&me all #i*hts and #esponsibilities of pa#ental a&tho#it$ &nde# his national laws) and has &nde#*one the app#op#iate co&nselin* f#om an acc#edited co&nselo# in his(he# co&nt#$0 d! has not been con'icted of a c#ime in'ol'in* mo#al t&#pit&de0. e! is eli*ible to adopt &nde# his(he# national law0 of

f! is in a position to p#o'ide the p#ope# ca#e and s&ppo#t and to *i'e the necessa#$ mo#al 'al&es and e-ample to all his child#en) incl&din* the child to be adopted0 *! a*#ees to &phold the basic #i*hts of the child as embodied &nde# 2hilippine laws) the ..N. /on'ention on the Ri*hts of the /hild) and to abide b$ the #&les and #e*&lations iss&ed to implement the p#o'isions of this Act0 h! comes f#om a co&nt#$ with whom the 2hilippines has diplomatic #elations and whose *o'e#nment maintains a simila#l$ a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited a*enc$ and that adoption is allowed &nde# his(he# national laws0 and i! possesses all the 7&alifications and none of the dis7&alifications p#o'ided he#ein and in othe# applicable 2hilippine laws. %ec. 1?. 3he#e to 4ile Application. E An application to adopt a 4ilipino child shall be filed eithe# with the 2hilippine Re*ional T#ial /o&#t ha'in* 8&#isdiction o'e# the child) o# with the Boa#d) th#o&*h an inte#mediate a*enc$) whethe# *o'e#nmental o# an a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited a*enc$) in the co&nt#$ of the p#ospecti'e adopti'e pa#ents) which application shall be in acco#dance with the #e7&i#ements as set fo#th in the implementin* #&les and #e*&lations to be p#om&l*ated b$ the Boa#d. The application shall be s&ppo#ted b$ the followin* doc&ments w#itten and officiall$ t#anslated in ;n*lish. a! Bi#th ce#tificate of applicant s!0 b! Ga##ia*e cont#act) if ma##ied) and di'o#ce dec#ee) if applicable0 c! 3#itten consent of thei# biolo*ical o# adopti'e child#en abo'e ten 1?! $ea#s of a*e) in the fo#m of swo#n statement0 d! 2h$sical) medical and ps$cholo*ical e'al&ation b$ a d&l$ licensed ph$sician and ps$cholo*ist0

1?

e! "ncome ta- #et&#ns o# an$ doc&ment showin* the financial capabilit$ of the applicant s!0 f! 2olice clea#ance of applicant s!0 *! /ha#acte# #efe#ence f#om the local ch&#ch(ministe#) the applicant,s emplo$e# and a membe# of the immediate comm&nit$ who ha'e known the applicant s! fo# at least fi'e 5! $ea#s0 and h! Recent postca#d9si:e pict&#es of the applicant s! and his immediate famil$0 The R&les of /o&#t shall appl$ in case of adoption b$ 8&dicial p#oceedin*s. %ec. 11. 4amil$ %election(Gatchin*. E No child shall be matched to a fo#ei*n adopti'e famil$ &nless it is satisfacto#il$ shown that the child cannot be adopted locall$. The clea#ance) as iss&ed b$ the Boa#d) with the cop$ of the min&tes of the meetin*s) shall fo#m pa#t of the #eco#ds of the child to be adopted. 3hen the Boa#d is #ead$ to t#ansmit the 2lacement A&tho#it$ to the a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited inte#9co&nt#$ adoption a*enc$ and all the t#a'el doc&ments of the child a#e #ead$) the adopti'e pa#ents) o# an$ one of them) shall pe#sonall$ fetch the child in the 2hilippines.. %ec. 12. 2#e9adopti'e 2lacement /osts. E The applicant s! shall bea# the followin* costs incidental to the placement of the child0 a! The cost of b#in*in* the child f#om the 2hilippines to the #esidence of the applicant s! ab#oad) incl&din* all t#a'el e-penses within the 2hilippines and ab#oad0 and + b! The cost of passpo#t) 'isa) medical e-amination and ps$cholo*ical e'al&ation #e7&i#ed) and othe# #elated e-penses. %ec. 1>. 4ees) /ha#*es and Assessments. E 4ees) cha#*es) and assessments collected b$ the Boa#d in the e-e#cise of its f&nctions shall be &sed solel$ to p#ocess applications fo# inte#9co&nt#$ adoption and to s&ppo#t the acti'ities of the Boa#d.+

%ec. 1=. %&pe#'ision of T#ial /&stod$. E The *o'e#nmental a*enc$ o# the a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited a*enc$ in the co&nt#$ of the adopti'e pa#ents which filed the application fo# inte#9co&nt#$ adoption shall be #esponsible fo# the t#ial c&stod$ and the ca#e of the child. "t shall also p#o'ide famil$ co&nselin* and othe# #elated se#'ices. The t#ial c&stod$ shall be fo# a pe#iod of si- <! months f#om the time of placement. +nl$ afte# the lapse of the pe#iod of t#ial c&stod$ shall a dec#ee of adoption be iss&ed in the said co&nt#$ a cop$ of which shall be sent to the Boa#d to fo#m pa#t of the #eco#ds of the child.. D&#in* the t#ial c&stod$) the adoptin* pa#ent s! shall s&bmit to the *o'e#nmental a*enc$ o# the a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited a*enc$) which shall in t&#n t#ansmit a cop$ to the Boa#d) a p#o*#ess #epo#t of the child,s ad8&stment. The p#o*#ess #epo#t shall be taken into conside#ation in decidin* whethe# o# not to iss&e the dec#ee of adoption. The Depa#tment of 4o#ei*n Affai#s shall set &p a s$stem b$ which 4ilipino child#en sent ab#oad fo# t#ial c&stod$ a#e monito#ed and checked as #epo#ted b$ the a&tho#i:ed and acc#edited inte#9co&nt#$ adoption a*enc$ as well as the #epat#iation to the 2hilippines of a 4ilipino child whose adoption has not been app#o'ed. %ec. 15. ;-ec&ti'e A*#eements. E The Depa#tment of 4o#ei*n Affai#s) &pon #ep#esentation of the Boa#d) shall ca&se the p#epa#ation of ;-ec&ti'e A*#eements with co&nt#ies of the fo#ei*n adoption a*encies to ens&#e the le*itimate conc&##ence of said co&nt#ies in &pholdin* the safe*&a#ds p#o'ided b$ this Act. ART"/1; "A 2;NA1T";% %ec. 1<. 2enalties. E a! An$ pe#son who shall knowin*l$ pa#ticipate in the cond&ct o# ca##$in* o&t of an ille*al adoption) in 'iolation of the p#o'isions of this Act) shall be p&nished with a penalt$ of imp#isonment #an*in* f#om si- <! $ea#s and one 1! da$ to twel'e 12! $ea#s and(o# a fine of not less than 4ift$ tho&sand pesos 25?)???!) b&t not mo#e than Two h&nd#ed tho&sand pesos 22??.???!) at 11

the disc#etion of the co&#t. 4o# p&#poses of this Act) an adoption is ille*al if it is effected in an$ manne# cont#a#$ to the p#o'isions of this Act o# established %tate policies) its implementin* #&les and #e*&lations) e-ec&ti'e a*#eements) and othe# laws pe#tainin* to adoption. "lle*alit$ ma$ be p#es&med f#om the followin* acts6 1!consent fo# an adoption was ac7&i#ed th#o&*h) o# attended b$ coe#cion) f#a&d) imp#ope# mate#ial ind&cement0 2!the#e is no a&tho#it$ f#om the Boa#d to effect adoption0 >!the p#oced&#es and safe*&a#ds placed &nde# the law fo# adoption we#e not complied with0 and =!the child to be adopted is s&b8ected to) o# e-posed to dan*e#) ab&se and e-ploitation. b!An$ pe#son who shall 'iolate established #e*&lations #elatin* to the confidentialit$ and inte*#it$ of #eco#ds) doc&ments and comm&nications of adoption applications) cases and p#ocesses shall s&ffe# the penalt$ of imp#isonment #an*in* f#om one 1! $ea# and one 1! da$ to two 2! $ea#s) and(o# a fine of not less than 4i'e tho&sand pesos 25)???!) b&t not mo#e than Ten tho&sand pesos 21?)???!) at the disc#etion of the co&#t.+ A penalt$ lowe# b$ two 2! de*#ees than that p#esc#ibed fo# the cons&mmated felon$ &nde# this A#ticle shall be imposed &pon the p#incipals of the attempt to commit an$ of the acts he#ein en&me#ated. Acts p&nishable &nde# this A#ticle) when committed b$ a s$ndicate o# whe#e it in'ol'es two o# mo#e child#en shall be conside#ed as an offense constit&tin* child t#affickin* and shall me#it the penalt$ of #ecl&sion pe#pet&a. Acts p&nishable &nde# this A#ticle a#e deemed committed b$ a s$ndicate if ca##ied o&t b$ a *#o&p of th#ee >! o# mo#e pe#sons conspi#in* and(o# confede#atin* with one anothe# in ca##$in* o&t an$ of the &nlawf&l acts defined &nde# this A#ticle.2enalties as a#e he#ein p#o'ided shall be in 12

addition to an$ othe# penalties which ma$ be imposed fo# the same acts p&nishable &nde# othe# laws) o#dinances) e-ec&ti'e o#de#s) and p#oclamations.. %ec. 1@. 2&blic +ffice#s as +ffende#s. E An$ *o'e#nment official) emplo$ee o# f&nctiona#$ who shall be fo&nd *&ilt$ of 'iolatin* an$ of the p#o'isions of this Act) o# who shall conspi#e with p#i'ate indi'id&als shall) in addition to the abo'e9 p#esc#ibed penalties) be penali:ed in acco#dance with e-istin* ci'il se#'ice laws) #&les and #e*&lations6 Provided) That &pon the filin* of a case) eithe# administ#ati'e o# c#iminal) said *o'e#nment official) emplo$ee o# f&nctiona#$ conce#ned shall a&tomaticall$ s&ffe# s&spension &ntil the #esol&tion of the case. ART"/1; A 4"NA1 2R+A"%"+N% %ec. 18. "mplementin* R&les and Re*&lations. E The "nte#9co&nt#$ Adoption Boa#d) in coo#dination with the /o&ncil fo# the 3elfa#e of /hild#en) the Depa#tment of 4o#ei*n Affai#s) and the Depa#tment of D&stice) afte# d&e cons&ltation with a*encies in'ol'ed in child9ca#e and placement) shall p#om&l*ate the necessa#$ #&les and #e*&lations to implement the p#o'isions of this Act within si- <! months afte# its effecti'it$. %ec. 19. App#op#iations. E The amo&nt of 4i'e million pesos 25)???)???! is he#eb$ app#op#iated f#om the p#oceeds of the 1otto fo# the initial ope#ations of the Boa#d and s&bse7&entl$ the app#op#iations of the same shall be incl&ded in the Cene#al App#op#iations Act fo# the $ea# followin* its enactment. %ec. 2?. %epa#abilit$ /la&se. E "f an$ p#o'ision) o# pa#t he#eof is held in'alid o# &nconstit&tional) the #emainde# of the law o# the p#o'ision not othe#wise affected) shall #emain 'alid and s&bsistin*. %ec. 21. Repealin* /la&se. E An$ law) dec#ee) e-ec&ti'e o#de#) administ#ati'e o#de# o# #&les and #e*&lations cont#a#$ to) o# inconsistent with the p#o'isions of this Act a#e he#eb$ #epealed) modified o# amended acco#din*l$..

%ec. 22. ;ffecti'it$ /la&se. E This Act shall take effect fifteen 15! da$s afte# its p&blication in two 2! newspape#s of *ene#al ci#c&lation. Approved: D&ne @) 1995

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2. L+.+tin /0. C+12o0 &2 SCRA 2!' %t#ict compliance of stat&to#$ #e7&i#ements! FACTS3 +n Dan&a#$ 1>) 19@=) D#. Ga#iano G. 1a:atin died intestate s&#'i'ed b$ his wife) Ga#*a#ita de Asis) and his adopted twin da&*hte#s) #espondents No#a 1. de 1eon and "#ma 1a:atin. The widow) Ga#*a#ita de Asis) commenced an intestate p#oceedin*. Admitted ille*itimate child#en of Ga#iano) inte#'ened in the said p#oceedin* incl&din* petitione#. Two months afte#) the widow) Ga#*a#ita de Asis) also died) lea'in* a H holo*#aphic will p#o'idin*) amon* othe#s) a le*ac$ of ed&cation to Ramon %ta. /la#a) son of petitione# Renato 1a:atin alias Renato %ta. /la#a. +n D&ne >) 19@=) p#i'ate #espondents filed a petition to p#obate the will of the late Ga#*a#ita de Asis. 2etitione# inte#'ened in the said p#oceedin* as an adopted child) on the basis of an affida'it e-ec&ted b$ Ben8amin 1a:atin) b#othe# of the deceased D#. Ga#iano G. 1a:atin) the petitione# was an "ille*itimate son" of D#. 1a:atin and was late# adopted b$ him. This affida'it was late# modified on A&*&st 19) 19@5 to state that petitione# was adopted b$ both Ga#iano G. 1a:atin and his wife Ga#*a#ita de Asis. ISSUE3 3+N Renato 1a:atin is a le*all$ adopted son of the deceased spo&se Ga#iano 1a:atin and Ga#*a#ita de Asis and co&ld inte#'ene in Ga#*a#itaIs p#obate p#oceedin*J HELD3 2etitione# Renato 1a:atin alias Renato %ta. /la#a cannot p#ope#l$ inte#'ene in the settlement of the estate of Ga#*a#ita de Asis) as an adopted child beca&se of lack of p#oof the#eof. Adoption is a 8&#idical act) a p#oceedin* in #em which c#eates between two pe#sons a #elationship simila# to that which #es&lts f#om le*itimate pate#nit$ and filiation.+nl$ an adoption made th#o&*h the co&#t) o# in p&#s&ance with the p#oced&#e laid down &nde# R&le 99 of the R&les of /o&#t is 'alid in this 8&#isdiction. "t is not of nat&#al law at all) b&t is wholl$ and enti#el$ a#tificial. To establish the #elation) the stat&to#$ #e7&i#ements m&st be st#ictl$ ca##ied o&t) othe#wise) the adoption is an absol&te n&llit$. The fact of adoption is ne'e# p#es&med) b&t m&st be affi#mati'el$ p#o'ed b$ the pe#son claimin* its e-istence. The dest#&ction b$ fi#e of a p&blic b&ildin* in which the adoption pape#s wo&ld ha'e been filed if e-istent does not *i'e #ise to a p#es&mption of adoption no# is the dest#&ction of the #eco#ds of an adoption p#oceedin* to be p#es&med. +n the cont#a#$) the absence of a #eco#d of adoption has been said to e'ol'e a p#es&mption of its non9e-istence. 3he#e) &nde# the p#o'isions of the stat&te) an adoption is

effected b$ a co&#t o#de#) the #eco#ds of s&ch co&#t constit&te the e'idence b$ which s&ch adoption ma$ be established. 3. Re2*(4ic /0. CA 2'! SCRA 3!" 1ibe#al "nte#p#etation! FACTS3 Kenaida /o#te:a Bobiles filed a petition to adopt Dason /ondat) then si- <! $ea#s old and who had been li'in* with he# famil$ since he was fo&# =! months old. %aid petition was *#anted and the child was decla#ed le*all$ adopted b$ spo&ses Bobiles. 2etitione# a#*&ed that petition fo# adoption sho&ld be dismissed *i'en that said petition fo# adoption does not compl$ with the #e7&i#ements p#esc#ibe b$ the 4amil$ /ode. The petition fo# adoption was filed b$ p#i'ate #espondent Kenaida /. Bobiles on 4eb#&a#$ 2) 1988) when the law applicable was 2#esidential Dec#ee No. <?>) the /hild and Fo&th 3elfa#e /ode which allowed a petition fo# adoption to be filed b$ eithe# of the spo&ses o# b$ both of them. 5owe'e#) afte# the t#ial co&#t #ende#ed its decision and while the case was pendin* on appeal in the /o&#t of Appeals) ;-ec&ti'e +#de# No. 2?9) the 4amil$ /ode) took effect on A&*&st >) 1988. .nde# the said new law) 8oint adoption b$ h&sband and wife is mandato#$. ISSUE3 3+N the petition fo# adoption sho&ld be *#antedJ HELD3 Adoption stat&tes) as well as matte#s of p#oced&#e leadin* &p to adoption) sho&ld be libe#all$ const#&ed to ca##$ o&t the beneficent p&#poses of the adoption instit&tion and to p#otect the adopted child in the #i*hts and p#i'ile*es comin* to it as a #es&lt of the adoption. "n dete#minin* whethe# o# not to set aside the dec#ee of adoption the inte#ests and welfa#e of the child a#e of p#ima#$ and pa#amo&nt conside#ation. The welfa#e of a child is of pa#amo&nt conside#ation in p#oceedin*s in'ol'in* its c&stod$ and the p#op#iet$ of its adoption b$ anothe#) and the co&#ts to which the application fo# adoption is made is cha#*ed with the d&t$ of p#otectin* the child and its inte#ests and) to b#in* those inte#ests f&ll$ befo#e it) it has a&tho#it$ to make #&les to accomplish that end.+#dina#il$) the app#o'al of the adoption #ests in the so&nd disc#etion of the co&#t. This disc#etion sho&ld be e-e#cised in acco#dance with the best inte#ests of the child) as lon* as the nat&#al #i*hts of the pa#ents o'e# the child a#e not dis#e*a#ded. "n the absence of a showin* of *#a'e ab&se) the e-e#cise of this disc#etion b$ the app#o'in* official will not be dist&#bed. "n the case at ba#) the #i*hts concomitant to and confe##ed b$ the dec#ee of adoption will be fo# the best inte#ests of the child. 5is adoption is with the consent of his nat&#al pa#ents. The #ep#esentati'e of the Depa#tment of %ocial 3elfa#e and De'elopment &n7&alifiedl$

#ecommended the app#o'al of the petition fo# adoption and the t#ial co&#t dispensed with the t#ial c&stod$ fo# se'e#al commendato#$ #easons) especiall$ since the child had been li'in* with the adoptin* pa#ents since infanc$. 4&#the#) the said petition was with the swo#n w#itten consent of the child#en of the adopte#s. Re2*(4ic /0. Ve)5+)+ 2$' SCRA 2'" 1ibe#al "nte#p#etation! FACTS3 +n D&ne 25) 199?) the spo&ses %am&el R. D$e) D#. and Rosalina D&e D$e filed a petition to adopt Ga#icel R. D&e and Al'in R. D&e) a*es 1> and 12 $ea#s old) $o&n*e# siblin*s of Rosalina. %am&el R. D$e) D#. is an Ame#ican /iti:en and his wife Rosalina is a fo#me# 4ilipino who became a nat&#ali:ed Ame#ican. The$ ha'e two child#en. Both Ga#icel and Al'in D&e) as well as thei# nat&#al pa#ents) *a'e thei# consent to the adoption. The lowe# co&#t *#anted the petition fo# adoption and dis#e*a#ded the si-teen9$ea# a*e *ap #e7&i#ement of the law) the spo&ses bein* onl$ fifteen $ea#s and th#ee months and fifteen $ea#s and nine months olde# than Ga#icel D&e. ISSUE3 3+N spo&ses D$e a#e not 7&alified &nde# the law to adopt Ga#icel and Al'in D&eJ HELD3 %po&ses D$e cannot adopt Ga#icel and Al'in D&e. As a *ene#al #&le) aliens cannot adopt 4ilipino citi:ens as this is p#osc#ibed &nde# A#ticle 18= of the 4amil$ /ode which states6 A#t. 18=. The followin* pe#sons ma$ not adopt6 --- --- -->! An alien) e-cept6 a! A fo#me# 4ilipino citi:en who seeks to adopt a #elati'e b$ consan*&init$0 b! +ne who seeks to adopt the le*itimate child of his o# he# 4ilipino spo&se0 o# c! +ne who is ma##ied to a 4ilipino citi:en and seeks to adopt 8ointl$ with his o# he# spo&se a #elati'e b$ consan*&init$ of the latte#.

Aliens not incl&ded in the fo#e*oin* e-ceptions ma$ adopt 4ilipino child#en in acco#dance with the #&les on inte#9co&nt#$ adoption as ma$ be p#o'ided b$ law. %am&el Robe#t D$e) D#. is not 7&alified to adopt b$ 'i#t&e of his bein* an Ame#ican and he is not ma##ied to a 4ilipino citi:en fo# he# wife is al#ead$ a nat&#ali:ed citi:en d&#in* the petition fo# adoption. +n he# own) Rosalina D$e cannot adopt he# b#othe# and siste# fo# the law mandates 8oint adoption b$ h&sband and wife) s&b8ect to e-ceptions. A#ticle 29 of 2#esidential Dec#ee No. <?> /hild and Fo&th 3elfa#e /ode! #etained the /i'il /ode p#o'ision that h&sband and wife may 8ointl$ adopt. The 4amil$ /ode amended this #&le b$ sc#appin* the optional cha#acte# of 8oint adoption and makin* it now mandato#$. A#ticle 185 of the 4amil$ /ode p#o'ides6 A#t. 185. Husband and -ife must adopt) e-cept in the followin* cases6 1! 3hen one spo&se seeks to adopt his own ille*itimate child0 2! 3hen one spo&se seeks to adopt the le*itimate child of the othe#. None of the abo'e e-ceptions applies to %am&el and Rosalina D$e) fo# the$ did not petition to adopt the latte#,s child b&t he# b#othe# and siste#. . L+n6in5in /0. Re2*(4ic o7 t8e P8i4i22ine0 G. R. No. 1" & %- 9*ne 2$- 2''" :Fin+nci+4 C+2+cit,;

!. In t8e 1+tte) o7 t8e A6o2tion o7 Ste28+nie N+t8, /0. C+tin6i5 G. R. No. 1 %311- M+)c8 31- 2''! .se of Giddle Name!

". Re,e0 /0. M+*)icio "3" SCRA $& Adoption cannot be made s&b8ect to a collate#al attack! FACTS3 2etitione# ;&*enio Re$es and #espondents Ga&#icio we#e in'ol'ed in a land disp&te. The petitione# was the owne# of the land in disp&te. Respondents on the othe# hand a#e the tenants of the petitione#. 2etitione# a#*&es that not tenanc$ #elationship e-isted between him and #espondents. As an incidental iss&e) 1eonida) da&*hte# of the o#i*inal pa#t$ to the petition 1ib#ada) acco#din* to ;&*enio has no le*al standin* as a pa#t$ *i'en that the fo#me# is a me#e wa#d of Codof#edo and 1ib#ada) th&s) not a le*al hei#.

ISSUE3 3+N 1eonidaIs stat&s in the instant petition can be attackedJ HELD3 The le*itimac$ of the child cannot be contested b$ wa$ of defense o# as a collate#al iss&e in anothe# action fo# a diffe#ent p&#pose. The necessit$ of an independent action di#ectl$ imp&*nin* the le*itimac$ is mo#e clea#l$ e-p#essed in the Ge-ican code a#ticle >>5! which p#o'ides6 "The contest of the le*itimac$ of a child b$ the h&sband o# his hei#s m&st be made b$ p#ope# complaint befo#e the competent co&#t0 an$ contest made in an$ othe# wa$ is 'oid." This p#inciple applies &nde# o&# 4amil$ /ode. A#ticles 1@? and 1@1 of the code confi#m this 'iew) beca&se the$ #efe# to "the action to imp&*n the le*itimac$." This action can be b#o&*ht onl$ b$ the h&sband o# his hei#s and within the pe#iods fi-ed in the p#esent a#ticles. "n B#a:a '. /it$ /i'il Re*ist#a# of 5imama$lan /it$) Ne*#os +ccidental) the /o&#t stated that le*itimac$ and filiation can be 7&estioned onl$ in a di#ect action seasonabl$ filed b$ the p#ope# pa#t$) and not th#o&*h collate#al attack. The same #&le is applied to adoption s&ch that it cannot also be made s&b8ect to a collate#al attack. "n Re$es '. %ote#o) this /o&#t #eite#ated that adoption cannot be assailed collate#all$ in a p#oceedin* fo# the settlement of a decedentIs estate. 4&#the#mo#e) in A&st#ia '. Re$es) the /o&#t decla#ed that the le*alit$ of the adoption b$ the testat#i- can be assailed onl$ in a sepa#ate action b#o&*ht fo# that p&#pose and cannot be s&b8ect to collate#al attack. $. Re2*(4ic /0. Mi44e) 3'" SCRA 1%3 An alien 7&alified to adopt &nde# the /hild and Fo&th 3elfa#e /ode co&ld not be dis7&alified &nde# the new law! FACTS3 +n D&l$ 29) 1988) at the time the /hild and 3elfa#e /ode was in fo#ce) the spo&ses /la&de A. Gille# and D&m#&s %. Gille#) Ame#ican citi:ens) filed a 'e#ified petition to adopt the mino# Gichael Ga*no Gada$a*. The t#ial co&#t *#anted the said petition fo# adoption beca&se it was s&fficient in fo#m and s&bstance and in acco#dance with the #e7&isites &nde# the /hild and 3elfa#e /ode. The nat&#al pa#ents of the adopted consented to the adoption and the D%3D ce#tified the fitness of the co&ple fo# the said adoption. The %olicito# Cene#al 7&estioned said *#ant of adoption d&e to the s&bse7&ent enactment of the 4amil$ /ode p#ohibitin* fo#ei*ne#s f#om adoptin* 4ilipino child#en.

ISSUE3 3+N the co&#t ma$ allow aliens to adopt a 4ilipino child despite the p#ohibition &nde# the 4amil$ /ode) effecti'e on A&*&st >) 1988 when the petition fo# adoption was filed on D&l$ 29) 1988) &nde# the p#o'ision of the /hild and Fo&th 3elfa#e /ode which allowed aliens to adoptJ HELD3 An alien 7&alified to adopt &nde# the /hild and Fo&th 3elfa#e /ode) which was in fo#ce at the time of the filin* of the petition) ac7&i#ed a 'ested #i*ht which co&ld not be affected b$ the s&bse7&ent enactment of a new law dis7&alif$in* him. As lon* as the petition fo# adoption was s&fficient in fo#m and s&bstance in acco#dance with the law in *o'e#nance at the time it was filed) the co&#t ac7&i#es 8&#isdiction and #etains it &ntil it f&ll$ disposes of the case. To #epeat) the 8&#isdiction of the co&#t is dete#mined b$ the stat&te in fo#ce at the time of the commencement of the action. %&ch 8&#isdiction of a co&#t) whethe# in c#iminal o# ci'il cases) once it attaches cannot be o&sted b$ a s&bse7&ent happenin*s o# e'ents) altho&*h of a cha#acte# which wo&ld ha'e p#e'ented 8&#isdiction f#om attachin* in the fi#st instance. %. V6+ 6e 9+co( /0. CA 312 SCRA $$2 B&#den of 2#oof claimin* adoption #est on the pe#son claimin* it! FACTS3 D&#in* the p#oceedin* fo# the settlement of the estate of Alf#edo Dacob) his alle*ed adopted son 2ed#o so&*ht to inte#'ene claimin* his sha#e of the deceasedIs estate. 2ed#o 7&estioned the 'alidit$ of the ma##ia*e between petitione# Tomasa and his adopti'e fathe# Alf#edo. Tomasa on the othe# hand 7&estioned the 'alidit$ of the o#de# p#esented b$ 2ed#o to p#o'e that he was indeed a le*all$ adopted child of the deceased. The t#ial co&#t held that the ma##ia*e between the deceased and Tomasa is 'alid as well as the o#de# of adoption of 2ed#o. ISSUE3 3+N the defendant9appellee is the le*all$ adopted son of deceased DacobJ HELD3 RespondentIs adoption has not been s&fficientl$ established. The b&#den of p#oof in establishin* adoption is &pon the pe#son claimin* s&ch #elationship. This Respondent 2ilapil failed to do. Go#eo'e#) the e'idence p#esented b$ petitione# shows that the alle*ed adoption is a sham.

The findin*s of a NB" e-pe#t that the si*nat&#e was not the si*nat&#e of the D&d*e alle*edl$ iss&in* the o#de# of adoption of the defendant was s&ppo#ted b$ the testimon$ of the D&d*e himself that he did not #emembe# iss&in* s&ch o#de# and the si*nat&#e appea#in* on s&ch o#de# was not his. &. C+n5 /0. CA 2&" SCRA 12% Re7&i#ement0 w#itten consent) abandonment) #en&nciation of pa#ental a&tho#it$! FACTS3 2etitione# 5e#be#t /an* and Anna Ga#ie /la'ano who we#e ma##ied) be*ot th#ee child#en. D&#in* the ea#l$ $ea#s of thei# ma##ia*e) the /an* co&ple,s #elationship was &ndist&#bed.Not lon* the#eafte#) howe'e#) Anna Ga#ie lea#ned of he# h&sband,s alle*ed e-t#ama#ital affai#. Anna Ga#ie s&bse7&entl$filed a petition fo# le*al sepa#ation which was *#anted. The$had an a*#eement fo# s&ppo#t of the child#en and that AnnaGa#ie can ente# into a*#eements witho&t the w#itten consent of 5e#be#t. 2etitione# left fo# the .%. Geanwhile) the b#othe# and siste#9in9law of AnnaGa#ie filed fo# the adoption of the > mino# /an* child#en. .pon lea#nin* of the adoption) 5e#be#t went back to the 2hilippinesto contest it) b&t the petition fo# adoption was *#anted b$ the co&#t. I00*e3 /an mino# child#en be le*all$ adopted witho&t the w#itten consent of a nat&#al pa#ent on the *#o&nd that the latte# has abandoned themJ He463 A#ticle 25< of the 4amil$ /ode p#o'ides fo# its #et#oacti'it$ "insofa# as it does not p#e8&dice o# impai# 'ested o# ac7&i#ed #i*hts in acco#dance with the /i'il /ode o# othe# laws." As amended b$ the 4amil$ /ode) the stat&to#$ p#o'ision on consent fo# adoption now #eads6 A#t. 188. The w#itten consent of the followin* to the adoption shall be necessa#$6 2! the pa#ents b$ nat&#e of the child ) the le*al *&a#dian) o# the p#ope# *o'e#nment inst#&mentalit$. Based on the fo#e*oin*) it is th&s e'ident thatnotwithstandin* the amendments to the law) the w#i tten consent of the nat&#al pa#ent to the adoption has #emained a #e7&isite fo# its 'alidit$. As clea#l$ infe##ed f#om the fo#e*oin* p#o'isions of law) the w#itten consent of the nat&#al pa#ent is indispensable fo# the 'alidit$ of the dec#ee of adoption. Ne'e#theless) the #e7&i#ement of w#itten consent can be dispensed with if the pa#ent has abandoned the child o# that s&ch pa#ent is "insane o# hopelessl$ intempe#ate.""n the instant case) #eco#ds disclose that petitione#,scond&ct did not manifest a settled p&#pose to fo#e*o allpa#ental d&ties and #elin7& ish all pa#ental claims o'e# his child#en as to) constit&te abandonment. 2h$sical est#an*ement alone) witho&t financial and mo#al dese#tion) is not tantamo&nt to abandonment. 3hile admittedl$) petitione# was ph$sicall$ absent as he was then in the .nited %tates) he was not #emissin* his nat&#al and le*al obli*ations of lo'e) ca#e and s&ppo#t fo# his child#en.

5e maintained #e*&la# comm&nication with his wife and child#en th#o&*h lette#s and telephone. 5e &sed to send packa*es b$ mail and cate#ed to thei# whims. 1'. Re2*(4ic /0. Ve)5+)+ 2$' SCRA 2'" An alien ma##ied to a fo#me# 4ilipino citi:en cannot adopt his wifeIs #elati'e b$ consan*&init$! FACTS3 +n D&ne 25) 199?) the spo&ses %am&el R. D$e) D#. and Rosalina D&e D$e filed a petition to adopt Ga#icel R. D&e and Al'in R. D&e) a*es 1> and 12 $ea#s old) $o&n*e# siblin*s of Rosalina. %am&el R. D$e) D#. is an Ame#ican /iti:en and his wife Rosalina is a fo#me# 4ilipino who became a nat&#ali:ed Ame#ican. The$ ha'e two child#en. Both Ga#icel and Al'in D&e) as well as thei# nat&#al pa#ents) *a'e thei# consent to the adoption. The lowe# co&#t *#anted the petition fo# adoption and dis#e*a#ded the si-teen9$ea# a*e *ap #e7&i#ement of the law) the spo&ses bein* onl$ fifteen $ea#s and th#ee months and fifteen $ea#s and nine months olde# than Ga#icel D&e. ISSUE3 3+N spo&ses D$e a#e not 7&alified &nde# the law to adopt Ga#icel and Al'in D&eJ HELD3 %po&ses D$e cannot adopt Ga#icel and Al'in D&e. As a *ene#al #&le) aliens cannot adopt 4ilipino citi:ens as this is p#osc#ibed &nde# A#ticle 18= of the 4amil$ /ode which states6 A#t. 18=. The followin* pe#sons ma$ not adopt6 --- --- -->! An alien) e-cept6 a! A fo#me# 4ilipino citi:en who seeks to adopt a #elati'e b$ consan*&init$0 b! +ne who seeks to adopt the le*itimate child of his o# he# 4ilipino spo&se0 o# c! +ne who is ma##ied to a 4ilipino citi:en and seeks to adopt 8ointl$ with his o# he# spo&se a #elati'e b$ consan*&init$ of the latte#.

Aliens not incl&ded in the fo#e*oin* e-ceptions ma$ adopt 4ilipino child#en in acco#dance with the #&les on inte#9co&nt#$ adoption as ma$ be p#o'ided b$ law. %am&el Robe#t D$e) D#. is not 7&alified to adopt b$ 'i#t&e of his bein* an Ame#ican and he is not ma##ied to a 4ilipino citi:en fo# he# wife is al#ead$ a nat&#ali:ed citi:en d&#in* the petition fo# adoption. +n he# own) Rosalina D$e cannot adopt he# b#othe# and siste# fo# the law mandates 8oint adoption b$ h&sband and wife) s&b8ect to e-ceptions. A#ticle 29 of 2#esidential Dec#ee No. <?> /hild and Fo&th 3elfa#e /ode! #etained the /i'il /ode p#o'ision that h&sband and wife may 8ointl$ adopt. The 4amil$ /ode amended this #&le b$ sc#appin* the optional cha#acte# of 8oint adoption and makin* it now mandato#$. A#ticle 185 of the 4amil$ /ode p#o'ides6 A#t. 185. Husband and -ife must adopt) e-cept in the followin* cases6 1! 3hen one spo&se seeks to adopt his own ille*itimate child0 2! 3hen one spo&se seeks to adopt the le*itimate child of the othe#. None of the abo'e e-ceptions applies to %am&el and Rosalina D$e) fo# the$ did not petition to adopt the latte#,s child b&t he# b#othe# and siste#. DISTINGUISH RULE 1'3- RULE 1'% AND RA &' % AS AMENDED B# RA 1'1$2 <REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1'1$2= AN ACT FURTHER AUTHORI>ING THE CIT# OR MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OR THE CONSUL GENERAL TO CORRECT CLERICAL OR T#POGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN THE DA# AND MONTH IN THE DATE OF BIRTH OR SE? OF A PERSON APPEARING IN THE CIVIL REGISTER @ITHOUT NEED OF A 9UDICIAL ORDER- AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINET# FORT#-EIGHT Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: %;/T"+N 1. %ection 1 of Rep&blic Act No. 9?=8) he#einafte# #efe##ed to as the Act) is he#eb$ amended to #ead as follows6 L%;/T"+N 1. Authority to Correct Clerical or .ypographical /rror and Change of *irst 0ame or 0ic1name+ ( No ent#$ in a ci'il #e*iste# shall be chan*ed o# co##ected witho&t a 8&dicial o#de#) e-cept fo# cle#ical o# t$po*#aphical e##o#s and chan*e of fi#st name o# nickname) the da$ and month in the date of bi#th o# se- of a pe#son whe#e it is patentl$ clea# that the#e was a cle#ical o# t$po*#aphical e##o# o# mistake in the ent#$) which can be co##ected o# chan*ed b$ the conce#ned cit$ o# m&nicipal ci'il #e*ist#a# o# cons&l *ene#al in acco#dance with the p#o'isions of this Act and its implementin* #&les and #e*&lations.M

%;/. 2. %ection 2) pa#a*#aph >! of the Act is likewise amended to #ead as follows6 L%;/. 2. Definition of .erms+ As &sed in this Act) the followin* te#ms shall mean6 1! --- --2! --- -->! N/le#ical o# t$po*#aphical e##o#I #efe#s to a mistake committed in the pe#fo#mance of cle#ical wo#k in w#itin*) cop$in*) t#ansc#ibin* o# t$pin* an ent#$ in the ci'il #e*iste# that is ha#mless and innoc&o&s) s&ch as misspelled name o# misspelled place of bi#th) mistake in the ent#$ of da$ and month in the date of bi#th o# the se- of the pe#son o# the like) which is 'isible to the e$es o# ob'io&s to the &nde#standin*) and can be co##ected o# chan*ed onl$ b$ #efe#ence to othe# e-istin* #eco#d o# #eco#ds6 Provided) ho-ever) That no co##ection m&st in'ol'e the chan*e of nationalit$) a*e) o# stat&s of the petitione#.M %;/. >. %ection 5 of the Act is he#eb$ amended to #ead as follows6 L%;/. 5. *orm and Contents of the Petition+ ( The petition fo# co##ection of a cle#ical o# t$po*#aphical e##o#) o# fo# chan*e of fi#st name o# nickname) as the case ma$ be) shall be in the fo#m of an affida'it) s&bsc#ibed and swo#n to befo#e an$ pe#son a&tho#i:ed b$ law to administe# oaths. The affida'it shall set fo#th facts necessa#$ to establish the me#its of the petition and shall show affi#mati'el$ that the petitione# is competent to testif$ to the matte#s stated. The petitione# shall state the pa#tic&la# e##oneo&s ent#$ o# ent#ies) which a#e so&*ht to be co##ected and(o# the chan*e so&*ht to be made. The petition shall be s&ppo#ted with the followin* doc&ments6 1! A ce#tified t#&e machine cop$ of the ce#tificate o# of the pa*e of the #e*ist#$ book containin* the ent#$ o# ent#ies so&*ht to be co##ected o# chan*ed0 2! At least two 2! p&blic o# p#i'ate doc&ments showin* the co##ect ent#$ o# ent#ies &pon which the co##ection o# chan*e shall be based0 and >! +the# doc&ments which the petitione# o# the cit$ o# m&nicipal ci'il #e*ist#a# o# the cons&l *ene#al ma$ conside# #ele'ant and necessa#$ fo# the app#o'al of the petition. No petition fo# co##ection of e##oneo&s ent#$ conce#nin* the date of bi#th o# the se- of a pe#son shall be ente#tained e-cept if the petition is accompanied b$ ea#liest school #eco#d o# ea#liest school doc&ments s&ch as) b&t not limited to) medical #eco#ds) baptismal ce#tificate and othe# doc&ments iss&ed b$ #eli*io&s a&tho#ities0 no# shall an$ ent#$ in'ol'in* chan*e of *ende# co##ected e-cept if the petition is accompanied b$ a ce#tification iss&ed b$ an acc#edited *o'e#nment ph$sician attestin* to the fact that the petitione# has not &nde#*one se- chan*e o# set#ansplant. The petition fo# chan*e of fi#st name o# nickname) o# fo# co##ection of e##oneo&s ent#$ conce#nin* the da$ and month in the date of bi#th o# the se- of a pe#son) as the case ma$

be) shall be p&blished at least once a week fo# two 2! consec&ti'e weeks in a newspape# of *ene#al ci#c&lation. 4&#the#mo#e) the petitione# shall s&bmit a ce#tification f#om the app#op#iate law enfo#cements) a*encies that he has no pendin* case o# no c#iminal #eco#d. The petition and its s&ppo#tin* pape#s shall be filed in th#ee >! copies to be dist#ib&ted as follows6 fi#st cop$ to the conce#ned cit$ o# m&nicipal ci'il #e*ist#a#) o# the cons&l *ene#al0 second cop$ to the +ffice of the /i'il Re*ist#a# Cene#al0 and thi#d cop$ to the petitione#.M %;/. =. %ection 8 of the Act is he#eb$ amended to #ead as follows6 L%;/. 8. Payment of *ees+ ( The cit$ o# m&nicipal ci'il #e*ist#a# o# the cons&l *ene#al shall be a&tho#i:ed to collect #easonable fees as a condition fo# acceptin* the petition. An indi*ent petitione# shall be e-empt f#om the pa$ment of the said fee. The fees collected b$ the cit$ o# m&nicipal ci'il #e*ist#a# o# the cons&l *ene#al p&#s&ant to this Act shall acc#&e to the f&nds of the 1ocal /i'il Re*ist#$ +ffice conce#ned o# the +ffice of the /ons&l Cene#al fo# mode#ni:ation of the office and hi#in* of new pe#sonnel and p#oc&#ement of s&pplies) s&b8ect to *o'e#nment acco&ntin* and a&ditin* #&les.M %;/. 5. Separability Clause+ "f an$ p#o'ision of this Act shall at an$ time be fo&nd to be &nconstit&tional o# in'alid) the #emainde# the#eof not affected b$ s&ch decla#ation shall #emain in f&ll fo#ce and effect. %;/. <. Repealing Clause+ ( An$ laws) dec#ees) #&les o# #e*&lations inconsistent with the p#o'isions of this Act a#e he#eb$ #epealed o# modified acco#din*l$. %;/. @. /ffectivity Clause+ ( This Act shall take effect fifteen 15! da$s afte# its p&blication in the 2fficial 3a4ette o# in at least two 2! newspape#s of *ene#al ci#c&lation.

CASES3 1. RP VS. MERCADERA THROUGH HER ATTORNE#-IN-FACT EVEL#N M. OGA :R*4e 1'% /0. R*4e 1'3 A co))ection o7 1i002e44e6 5i/en n+1e;

FACTS3 +n D&ne <) 2??5) Ge#l$n Ge#cade#a Ge#cade#a!) #ep#esented b$ he# siste# and d&l$ constit&ted Atto#ne$9in94act) ;'el$n G. +*a +*a!) so&*ht the co##ection of he# *i'en name as it appea#ed in he# /e#tificate of 1i'e Bi#th f#om Ga#il$n 1. Ge#cade#a to Ge#l$n 1. Ge#cade#a befo#e the +ffice of the 1ocal /i'il Re*ist#a# of Dipolo* /it$ p&#s&ant to Rep&blic Act No. 9?=8.

.nde# R.A. No. 9?=8) the cit$ o# m&nicipal ci'il #e*ist#a# o# cons&l *ene#al is now a&tho#i:ed to effect the chan*e of fi#st name o# nickname and the co##ection of cle#ical o# t$po*#aphical e##o#s in ci'il #e*ist#$ ent#ies. The +ffice of the 1ocal /i'il Re*ist#a# of Dipolo* /it$) howe'e#) #ef&sed to effect the co##ection &nless a co&#t o#de# was obtained "beca&se the /i'il Re*ist#a# the#ein is not $et e7&ipped with a pe#manent appointment befo#e he can 'alidl$ act on petitions fo# co##ections filed befo#e thei# office as mandated b$ R.A. No. 9?=8." Ge#cade#a then filed a 2etition 4o# /o##ection of %ome ;nt#ies as Appea#in* in the /e#tificate of 1i'e Bi#th &nde# R&le 1?8 befo#e the Re*ional T#ial /o&#t of Dipolo* /it$ RT/!. .pon #eceipt of the petition fo# co##ection of ent#$) the RT/ iss&ed an o#de#) dated D&ne 1?) 2??5) fo# the hea#in* of said petition. The +ffice of the %olicito# Cene#al +%C! dep&ti:ed the +ffice of the /it$ 2#osec&to# to assist in the case. 3itho&t an$ ob8ection f#om the /it$ 2#osec&to#) the testimon$ of +*a and se'e#al photocopies of doc&ments we#e fo#mall$ offe#ed and ma#ked as e'idence to p#o'e that Ge#cade#a ne'e# &sed the name "Ga#il$n" in an$ of he# p&blic o# p#i'ate t#ansactions. "n its %eptembe# 28) 2??5 Decision) the RT/ *#anted the petition and #&led that the doc&menta#$ e'idence p#esented b$ Ge#cade#a s&fficientl$ s&ppo#ted the ci#c&mstances alle*ed in he# petition. /onside#in* that she had &sed "Ge#l$n" as he# *i'en name since childhood &ntil she disco'e#ed the disc#epanc$ in he# /e#tificate of 1i'e Bi#th) the RT/ was con'inced that the co##ection was 8&stified. The +%C timel$ appealed p#a$in* fo# the #e'e#sal and settin* aside of the RT/ decision. 4o# the +%C) the co##ection in the spellin* of Ge#cade#aIs *i'en name "is in t#&th a mate#ial co##ectionas it wo&ld modif$ o# inc#ease s&bstanti'e #i*hts") which wo&ld ha'e been p#ope# had she filed a petition &nde# R&le 1?> and p#o'ed an$ of the *#o&nds the#efo#. The /A was not pe#s&aded. "n its Decembe# 9) 2??8 Decision) the appellate co&#t affi#med the 7&estioned RT/ o#de#. +n Ga#ch <) 2??9) the +%C filed the p#esent petition. +n behalf of Ge#cade#a) the 2&blic Atto#ne$Is +ffice 2A+! filed its /omment on D&l$ >) 2??9. ISSUES3 35;T5;R +R N+T T5; /+.RT +4 A22;A1% ;RR;D +N A O.;%T"+N +4 1A3 "N CRANT"NC T5; /5ANC; "N R;%2+ND;NTI% NAG; .ND;R R.1; 1?>. HELD3 R&le 1?> p#oced&#all$ *o'e#ns 8&dicial petitions fo# chan*e of *i'en name o# s&#name) o# both) p&#s&ant to A#ticle >@< of the /i'il /ode. This #&le p#o'ides the p#oced&#e fo# an independent special p#oceedin* in co&#t to establish the stat&s of a pe#son in'ol'in* his #elations with othe#s) that is) his le*al position in) o# with #e*a#d to) the #est of the comm&nit$. ;ssentiall$) a chan*e of name does not define o# effect a chan*e of oneIs e-istin* famil$ #elations o# in the #i*hts and d&ties flowin* the#ef#om. "t does not alte# oneIs le*al capacit$ o# ci'il stat&s. R&le 1?8) on the othe# hand) implements 8&dicial p#oceedin*s fo# the co##ection o# cancellation of ent#ies in the ci'il #e*ist#$ p&#s&ant to A#ticle =12 of the /i'il /ode. ;nt#ies in the ci'il #e*iste# #efe# to "acts) e'ents and 8&dicial dec#ees conce#nin* the ci'il stat&s of pe#sons)" also as en&me#ated in A#ticle =?8 of the same law.

"n the case at bench) the +%C posits that the con'e#sion f#om "GAR"1FN" to "G;R1FN" is not a co##ection of an innoc&o&s e##o# b&t a mate#ial co##ection tantamo&nt to a chan*e of name which entails a modification o# inc#ease in s&bstanti'e #i*hts. 4o# the +%C) this is a s&bstantial e##o# that #e7&i#es compliance with the p#oced&#e &nde# R&le 1?>) and not R&le 1?8. A chan*e of oneIs name &nde# R&le 1?> can be *#anted) onl$ on *#o&nds p#o'ided b$ law) the#e m&st be a p#ope# and compellin* #eason fo# the chan*e and p#oof that the pe#son #e7&estin* will be p#e8&diced b$ the &se of his official name. "n petitions fo# co##ection) onl$ cle#ical) spellin*) t$po*#aphical and othe# innoc&o&s e##o#s in the ci'il #e*ist#$ ma$ be #aised. /onside#in* that the en&me#ation in %ection 2) R&le 1?8 also incl&des "chan*es of name)" the co##ection of a patentl$ misspelled name is co'e#ed b$ R&le 1?8. %&ffice it to sa$) not all alte#ations allowed in oneIs name a#e confined &nde# R&le 1?>. /o##ections fo# cle#ical e##o#s ma$ be set #i*ht &nde# R&le 1?8. Th&s) the petition filed b$ Ge#cade#a befo#e the RT/ co##ectl$ falls &nde# R&le 1?8 as it simpl$ so&*ht a co##ection of a misspelled *i'en name. To co##ect simpl$ means "to make o# set a#i*ht0 to #emo'e the fa&lts o# e##o# f#om." To chan*e means "to #eplace somethin* with somethin* else of the same kind o# with somethin* that se#'es as a s&bstit&te." 4#om the alle*ations in he# petition) Ge#cade#a clea#l$ p#a$ed fo# the lowe# co&#t "to #emo'e the fa&lts o# e##o#" f#om he# #e*iste#ed *i'en name "GAR"1FN)" and "to make o# set a#i*ht" the same to confo#m to the one she *#ew &p to) "G;R1FN." The /A did not allow Ge#cade#a the chan*e of he# name. 3hat it did allow was the co##ection of he# misspelled *i'en name which she had been &sin* e'e# since she co&ld #emembe#. Ge#cade#a complied with the #e7&i#ement fo# an ad'e#sa#ial p#oceedin* befo#e the lowe# co&#t. The p&blication and postin* of the notice of hea#in* in a newspape# of *ene#al ci#c&lation and the notices sent to the +%C and the 1ocal /i'il Re*ist#$ a#e s&fficient indicia of an ad'e#se p#oceedin*. /onside#in* that the +%C did not oppose the petition and the motion to p#esent its e'idence e- pa#te when it had the oppo#t&nit$ to do so) it cannot now complain that the p#oceedin*s in the lowe# co&#t we#e p#oced&#all$ defecti'e. 3he#efo#e) the Decembe# 9) 2??8 Decision of the /o&#t of Appeals is A44"RG;D.

2. GERBERT R. CORPU> VS. DAIS#L#N TIROL STO. TOMAS AND THE SOLICITOR GENERAL :L+B +224ic+(4e in c+0e o7 )e5i0t)+tion o7 6i/o)ce; FACTS3 This is a petition fo# #e'iew on ce#tio#a#i seekin* a di#ect appeal f#om the decision of the Re*ional T#ial /o&#t of 1aoa* /it$. 2etitione# Ce#be#t R. /o#p&s is a nat&#ali:ed /anadian citi:en who ma##ied #espondent Dais$l$n Ti#ol %to. Tomas b&t s&bse7&entl$ left fo# /anada d&e to wo#k and othe# p#ofessional commitments. 3hen he #et&#ned to the 2hilippines) he disco'e#ed that %to. Tomas was al#ead$ #omanticall$ in'ol'ed with anothe# man. This b#o&*ht abo&t the filin* of a petition fo# di'o#ce b$ /o#p&: in /anada which was e'ent&all$ *#anted b$ the /o&#t D&stice of 3indso#) +nta#io) /anada. A month late#) the di'o#ce dec#ee took effect. Two $ea#s late#) /o#p&: has fallen in lo'e with anothe# 4ilipina and wished to ma##$ he#. 5e went to /i'il

Re*ist#$ +ffice of 2asi* /it$ to #e*iste# the /anadian di'o#ce dec#ee of his ma##ia*e ce#tificate with %to. Tomas. 5owe'e#) despite the #e*ist#ation) an official of National %tatistics +ffice info#med /o#p&: that the fo#me# ma##ia*e still s&bsists &nde# the 2hilippine law &ntil the#e has been a 8&dicial #eco*nition of the /anadian di'o#ce b$ a competent 8&dicial co&#t in 'iew of N%+ /i#c&la# No. =) se#ies of 1982. /onse7&entl$) he filed a petition fo# 8&dicial #eco*nition of fo#ei*n di'o#ce and(o# decla#ation of dissol&tion of ma##ia*e with the RT/. 5owe'e#) the RT/ denied the petition #easonin* o&t that /o#p&: cannot instit&te the action fo# 8&dicial #eco*nition of the fo#ei*n di'o#ce dec#ee beca&se he is a nat&#ali:ed /anadian citi:en. "t was p#o'ided f&#the# that %to. Tomas was the p#ope# pa#t$ who can instit&te an action &nde# the p#inciple of A#ticle 2< of the 4amil$ /ode which capacitates a 4ilipino citi:en to #ema##$ in case the alien spo&se obtains a fo#ei*n di'o#ce dec#ee. ISSUE3 3hethe# o# not the second pa#a*#aph of A#ticle 2< of the 4amil$ /ode *#ants aliens like /o#p&: the #i*ht to instit&te a petition fo# 8&dicial #eco*nition of a fo#ei*n di'o#ce dec#ee. HELD3 2etition CRANT;D. RT/ Decision R;A;R%;D. T8e 7o)ei5n 6i/o)ce 6ec)ee i0 2)e0*12ti/e e/i6ence o7 + )i58t t8+t c4ot8e0 t8e 2+)t, Bit8 4e5+4 inte)e0t to 2etition 7o) it0 )eco5nition in t8i0 C*)i06iction 3e 7&alif$ o&# abo'e concl&sion i.e.) t8+t t8e 0econ6 2+)+5)+28 o7 A)tic4e 2" o7 t8e F+1i4, Co6e (e0toB0 no )i58t0 in 7+/o) o7 +4ien0 A Bit8 t8e co124e1ent+), 0t+te1ent t8+t t8i0 conc4*0ion i0 not 0*77icient (+0i0 to 6i01i00 Ge)(e)tD0 2etition (e7o)e t8e RTC.In ot8e) Bo)60- t8e *n+/+i4+(i4it, o7 t8e 0econ6 2+)+5)+28 o7 A)tic4e 2" o7 t8e F+1i4, Co6e to +4ien0 6oe0 not nece00+)i4, 0t)i2 Ge)(e)t o7 4e5+4 inte)e0t to 2etition t8e RTC 7o) t8e )eco5nition o7 8i0 7o)ei5n 6i/o)ce 6ec)ee. T8e 7o)ei5n 6i/o)ce 6ec)ee it0e47- +7te) it0 +*t8enticit, +n6 con7o)1it, Bit8 t8e +4ienD0 n+tion+4 4+B 8+/e (een 6*4, 2)o/en +cco)6in5 to o*) )*4e0 o7 e/i6ence- 0e)/e0 +0 + 2)e0*12ti/e e/i6ence o7 )i58t in 7+/o) o7 Ge)(e)t- 2*)0*+nt to Section %- R*4e 3& o7 t8e R*4e0 o7 Co*)t B8ic8 2)o/i6e0 7o) t8e e77ect o7 7o)ei5n C*651ent0. A #emand) at the same time) will allow othe# inte#ested pa#ties to oppose the fo#ei*n 8&d*ment and o'e#come a petitione#Is p#es&mpti'e e'idence of a #i*ht b$ p#o'in* want of 8&#isdiction) want of notice to a pa#t$) coll&sion) f#a&d) o# clea# mistake of law o# fact. Needless to state) e'e#$ p#eca&tion m&st be taken to ens&#e confo#mit$ with o&# laws befo#e a #eco*nition is made) as the fo#ei*n 8&d*ment) once #eco*ni:ed) shall ha'e the effect of #es 8&dicata between the pa#ties) as p#o'ided in %ection =8) R&le >9 of the R&les of /o&#t. 3. EMMA E. LEE /0. CA- et. +4. :C+nce44+tion +n6 co))ection o7 ent)ie0 in t8e )eco)6 o7 (i)t8; %po&ses 1ee Tek %hen* 1ee! and Peh %hiok /hen* Peh! ente#ed the 2hilippines in the 19>?s as immi*#ants f#om /hina. The$ had 11 child#en) namel$) Rita P. 1ee) 1eoncio P. 1ee) 1&cia P. 1ee9+n*) D&lian P. 1ee) Ga#tin P. 1ee) Rosa 1ee9Aande#lek) Gelod$ 1ee9/hin) 5en#$ P. 1ee)

Nati'idad 1ee9Gi*&el) Aicto#iano P. 1ee) and Thomas P. 1ee collecti'el$) the 1ee9Peh child#en!. "n 19=8) 1ee b#o&*ht f#om /hina a $o&n* woman named Ti& /h&an Ti&!) s&pposedl$ to se#'e as ho&semaid. The #espondent 1ee9Peh child#en belie'e that Ti& left the 1ee9Peh ho&sehold) mo'ed into anothe# p#ope#t$ of 1ee nea#b$) and had a #elation with him. %ho#tl$ afte# Peh died in 1989) the 1ee9Peh child#en lea#ned that Ti&Is child#en with 1ee collecti'el$) the 1eeIs othe# child#en! claimed that the$) too) we#e child#en of 1ee and Peh. This p#ompted the 1ee9Peh child#en to #e7&est the National B&#ea& of "n'esti*ation NB"! to in'esti*ate the matte#. Afte# cond&ctin* s&ch an in'esti*ation) the NB" concl&ded in its #epo#t6 Q"Rt is 'e#$ ob'io&s that the mothe# of these 8 child#en is ce#tainl$ not P;5 %5"+P /5;NC) b&t a m&ch $o&n*e# woman) most p#obabl$ T". /5.AN. .pon f&#the# e'al&ation and anal$sis b$ these A*ents) 1;; T;P %5;NC is in a 7&anda#$ in fi-in* the a*e of P;5 %5"+P /5;NC possibl$ to confo#m with his *#and desi*n of makin* his 8 child#en as thei# own le*itimate child#en) conse7&entl$ ele'atin* the stat&s of his second famil$ and sec&#e thei# f&t&#e. The docto# lamented that this complaint wo&ld not ha'e been necessa#$ had not the fathe# and his second famil$ kept on insistin* that the 8 child#en a#e the le*itimate child#en of P;5 %5"+P /5;NC.1 The NB" fo&nd) fo# e-ample) that in the hospital #eco#ds) the eldest of the 1eeIs othe# child#en) Ga#celo 1ee who was #eco#ded as the 12th child of 1ee and Peh!) was bo#n of a 1@9$ea#9old mothe#) when Peh was al#ead$ >8 $ea#s old at the time. Anothe# of the 1eeIs othe# child#en) Ga#iano 1ee) was bo#n of a 2>9$ea#9old mothe#) when Peh was then al#ead$ =? $ea#s old) and so fo#th. "n othe# wo#ds) b$ the hospital #eco#ds of the 1eeIs othe# child#en) PehIs declared a*e did not coincide with he# actual a*e when she s&pposedl$ *a'e bi#th to s&ch othe# child#en) n&mbe#in* ei*ht. +n the basis of this #epo#t) the #espondent 1ee9Peh child#en filed two sepa#ate petitions) one of them befo#e the Re*ional T#ial /o&#t RT/! of /aloocan /it$2 in %pecial 2#oceedin* /91<@= fo# the deletion f#om the ce#tificate of li'e bi#th of the petitione# ;mma 1ee) one of 1eeIs othe# child#en) the name Peh and #eplace the same with the name Ti& to indicate he# t#&e mothe#Is name. "n Ap#il 2??5 the 1ee9Peh child#en filed with the RT/ an e5 parte #e7&est fo# the iss&ance of a s&bpoena ad testificandum to compel Ti&) ;mma 1eeIs p#es&med mothe#) to testif$ in the case. The RT/ *#anted the motion b&t Ti& mo'ed to 7&ash the s&bpoena) claimin* that it was opp#essi'e and 'iolated %ection 25) R&le 1>? of the R&les of /o&#t) the #&le on pa#ental p#i'ile*e) she bein* ;mma 1eeIs stepmothe#.> +n A&*&st 5) 2??5 the RT/ 7&ashed the s&bpoena it iss&ed fo# bein* &n#easonable and opp#essi'e conside#in* that Ti& was al#ead$ 'e#$ old and that the ob'io&s ob8ect of the s&bpoena was to bad*e# he# into admittin* that she was ;mma 1eeIs mothe#. Beca&se the RT/ denied the 1ee9Peh child#enIs motion fo# #econside#ation) the$ filed a special ci'il action of ce#tio#a#i befo#e the /o&#t of Appeals /A! in /A9C.R. %2 92555. +n Decembe#

29) 2??< the /A #ende#ed a decision) = settin* aside the RT/Is A&*&st 5) 2??5 +#de#. The /A #&led that onl$ a s&bpoena duces tecum) not a s&bpoena ad testificandum) ma$ be 7&ashed fo# bein* opp#essi'e o# &n#easonable &nde# %ection =) R&le 21 of the R&les of /i'il 2#oced&#e. The /A also held that Ti&Is ad'anced a*e alone does not #ende# he# incapable of testif$in*. The pa#t$ seekin* to 7&ash the s&bpoena fo# that #eason m&st p#o'e that she wo&ld be &nable to withstand the #i*o#s of t#ial) somethin* that petitione# ;mma 1ee failed to do. %ince the /A denied ;mma 1eeIs motion fo# #econside#ation b$ #esol&tion of Ga$ 8) 2??@)5 she filed the p#esent petition with this /o&#t. . T8e F*e0tion P)e0ente6 The onl$ 7&estion p#esented in this case is whethe# o# not the /A e##ed in #&lin* that the t#ial co&#t ma$ compel Ti& to testif$ in the co##ection of ent#$ case that #espondent 1ee9Peh child#en filed fo# the co##ection of the ce#tificate of bi#th of petitione# ;mma 1ee to show that she is not PehIs da&*hte#. !. T8e R*4in5 o7 t8e Co*)t 2etitione# ;mma 1ee claims that the RT/ co##ectl$ 7&ashed the s&bpoena ad testificand&m it iss&ed a*ainst Ti& on the *#o&nd that it was &n#easonable and opp#essi'e) *i'en the likelihood that the latte# wo&ld be bad*e#ed on o#al e-amination conce#nin* the 1ee9Peh child#enIs theo#$ that she had illicit #elation with 1ee and *a'e bi#th to the othe# 1ee child#en. B&t) as the /A co##ectl$ #&led) the *#o&nds citedE&n#easonable and opp#essi'eEa#e p#ope# fo# s&bpoena ad d&ces tec&m o# fo# the p#od&ction of doc&ments and thin*s in the possession of the witness) a command that has a tendenc$ to inf#in*e on the #i*ht a*ainst in'asion of p#i'ac$. %ection =) R&le 21 of the R&les of /i'il 2#oced&#e) th&s p#o'ides6 %;/T"+N =. O&ashin* a s&bpoena. E The co&#t ma$ 7&ash a s&bpoena d&ces tec&m &pon motion p#omptl$ made and) in an$ e'ent) at o# befo#e the time specified the#ein if it is &n#easonable and opp#essi'e) o# the #ele'anc$ of the books) doc&ments o# thin*s does not appea#) o# if the pe#son in whose behalf the s&bpoena is iss&ed fails to ad'ance the #easonable cost of the p#od&ction the#eof. Notabl$) the /o&#t p#e'io&sl$ decided in the #elated case of 6ee v+ Court of Appeals< that the 1ee9Peh child#en ha'e the #i*ht to file the action fo# co##ection of ent#ies in the ce#tificates of bi#th of 1eeIs othe# child#en) ;mma 1ee incl&ded. The /o&#t #eco*ni:ed that the &ltimate ob8ect of the s&it was to establish the fact that 1eeIs othe# child#en we#e not child#en of Peh. Th&s6 "t is p#ecisel$ the p#o'ince of a special p#oceedin* s&ch as the one o&tlined &nde# R&le 1?8 of the Re'ised R&les of /o&#t to establish the stat&s o# #i*ht of a pa#t$) o# a pa#tic&la# fact. T8e 2etition0 7i4e6 (, 2)i/+te )e02on6ent0 7o) t8e co))ection o7 ent)ie0 in t8e 2etitione)0G )eco)60 o7 (i)t8 Be)e inten6e6 to e0t+(4i08 t8+t 7o) 28,0ic+4 +n6Ho) (io4o5ic+4 )e+0on0 it B+0 i12o00i(4e 7o) Ee8 S8ioI C8en5 to 8+/e concei/e6 +n6 5i/en (i)t8 to t8e 2etitione)0 +0 08oBn in t8ei) (i)t8 )eco)60. Cont)+), to 2etitione)0G contention t8+t t8e 2etition0 (e7o)e

t8e 4oBe) co*)t0 Be)e +ct*+44, +ction0 to i12*5n 4e5iti1+c,- t8e 2)+,e) t8e)ein i0 not to 6ec4+)e t8+t 2etitione)0 +)e i44e5iti1+te c8i46)en o7 Ee8 S8ioI C8en5- (*t to e0t+(4i08 t8+t t8e 7o)1e) +)e not t8e 4+tte)G0 c8i46)en. T8e)e i0 not8in5 to i12*5n +0 t8e)e i0 no (4oo6 )e4+tion +t +44 (etBeen Ee8 S8ioI C8en5 +n6 2etitione)0.@ .nde#sco#in* s&pplied! Takin* in mind the &ltimate p&#pose of the 1ee9Peh child#enIs action) ob'io&sl$) the$ wo&ld want Ti& to testif$ o# admit that she is the mothe# of 1eeIs othe# child#en) incl&din* petitione# ;mma 1ee. Peh had died and so co&ld not *i'e testimon$ that 1eeIs othe# child#en we#e not he#s. The 1ee9Peh child#en ha'e) the#efo#e) a le*itimate #eason fo# seekin* Ti&Is testimon$ and) no#mall$) the RT/ cannot dep#i'e them of thei# #i*ht to compel the attendance of s&ch a mate#ial witness. B&t petitione# ;mma 1ee #aises two othe# ob8ections to #e7&i#in* Ti& to come to co&#t and testif$6 a! conside#in* he# ad'ance a*e) testif$in* in co&#t wo&ld s&b8ect he# to ha#sh ph$sical and emotional st#esses0 and b! it wo&ld 'iolate he# pa#ental #i*ht not to be compelled to testif$ a*ainst he# stepda&*hte#. 1. Re*a#din* the ph$sical and emotional p&nishment that wo&ld be inflicted on Ti& if she we#e compelled at he# a*e and condition to come to co&#t to testif$) petitione# ;mma 1ee m&st establish this claim to the satisfaction of the t#ial co&#t. Abo&t fi'e $ea#s ha'e passed f#om the time the 1ee9Peh child#en so&*ht the iss&ance of a s&bpoena fo# Ti& to appea# befo#e the t#ial co&#t. The RT/ wo&ld ha'e to &pdate itself and dete#mine if Ti&Is c&##ent ph$sical condition makes he# fit to &nde#*o the o#deal of comin* to co&#t and bein* 7&estioned. "f she is fit) she m&st obe$ the s&bpoena iss&ed to he#. Ti& has no need to wo##$ that the o#al e-amination mi*ht s&b8ect he# to bad*e#in* b$ ad'e#se co&nsel. The t#ial co&#tIs d&t$ is to p#otect e'e#$ witness a*ainst opp#essi'e beha'io# of an e-amine# and this is especiall$ t#&e whe#e the witness is of ad'anced a*e.8 2. Ti& claimed befo#e the t#ial co&#t the #i*ht not to testif$ a*ainst he# stepda&*hte#) petitione# ;mma 1ee) in'okin* %ection 25) R&le 1>? of the R&les of ;'idence) which #eads6 %;/T"+N 25. 2a#ental and filial p#i'ile*e.9 No pe#son ma$ be compelled to testif$ a*ainst his pa#ents) othe# di#ect ascendants) child#en o# othe# di#ect descendants. The abo'e is an adaptation f#om a simila# p#o'ision in A#ticle >15 of the /i'il /ode that applies onl$ in c#iminal cases. B&t those who #e'ised the R&les of /i'il 2#oced&#e chose to e-tend the p#ohibition to all kinds of actions) whethe# ci'il) c#iminal) o# administ#ati'e) filed a*ainst pa#ents and othe# di#ect ascendants o# descendants. B&t he#e Ti&) who in'okes the filial p#i'ile*e) claims that she is the stepmothe# of petitione# ;mma 1ee. The p#i'ile*e cannot appl$ to them beca&se the #&le applies onl$ to "di#ect" ascendants and descendants) a famil$ tie connected b$ a common ancest#$. 1avvphi1 A stepda&*hte# has no common ancest#$ b$ he# stepmothe#. A#ticle 9<5 th&s p#o'ides6

A#t. 9<5. The di#ect line is eithe# descendin* o# ascendin*. The fo#me# &nites the head of the famil$ with those who descend f#om him. The latte# binds a pe#son with those f#om whom he descends. /onse7&entl$) Ti& can be compelled to testif$ a*ainst petitione# ;mma 1ee. 35;R;4+R;) the /o&#t D;N";% the petition and A44"RG% the decision and #esol&tion of the /o&#t of Appeals in /A9C.R. %2 92555. . REPUBLIC VS. 9ULIA ED@ARD ENERSIO COSETENG :C8+n5e o7 n+1e;

FACTS3 Bo#n in Gakati) D&lian ;dwa#d ;me#son /oseten* Ga*pa$o is the son of 4&l'io G.Ga*pa$o D#. and Anna Domini7&e Ga#7&e:91im /oseten* who) as ;dwa#d,s ce#tificate of li'ebi#th shows) had cont#acted ma##ia*e./laimin*) howe'e#) that his pa#ents we#e ne'e# le*all$ ma##ied) ;dwa#d filed befo#e theRT/ of O&e:on /it$ a 2etition to chan*e his name to D&lian ;dwa#d ;me#son Ga#7&e: 1im/oseten*. "n s&ppo#t of his petition) he s&bmitted a ce#tification f#om the N%+ statin* that hismothe# Anna Domini7&e "does not appea# in National "ndices of Ga##ia*e." ;dwa#d also s&bmitted his academic #eco#ds f#om elementa#$ &p to colle*e showin* that he ca##ied thes&#name "/oseten*)" and the bi#th ce#tificate of his child whe#e "/oseten*" appea#s as hiss&#name. "n the 1998) 2??1 and 2??= ;lections) #espondent #an and was elected as /o&ncilo# of O&e:on /it$,s >#d Dist#ict &sin* the name "D.1"AN G.1. /+%;T;NC."No opposition to the petition ha'in* been filed) an o#de# of *ene#al defa&lt was ente#ed b$ the t#ial co&#t which then allowed #espondent to p#esent e'idence epa#te. The t#ial co&#t *#anted ;dwa#dIs petition and di#ected the /i'il Re*ist#a# of Gakati /it$ to6 a! delete in the/e#tificate of li'e Bi#th the ent#$ Ga#ch 2<) 19@2) fo# date and place of ma##ia*e of pa#ties0 b!co##ect the ent#$ of the s&#name f#om Ga*pa$o to /oseten*0 c! delee the ent#$ /oseten* fo# middle name0 and d! delete the ent#$ of the name of his fathe#. The Rep&blic) th#& the +%C filed a petition fo# #e'iew befo#e the %/ contendin* that the deletion of the ent#$ on the date and place of ma##ia*e of ;dwa#d,s pa#ents f#om his bi#th ce#tificate has the effect of chan*in* his ci'il stat&s f#om le*itimate to ille*itimate) hence) an$ chan*e in ci'il stat&s of a pe#son m&st be effected th#o&*h an app#op#iate ad'e#sa#$ p#oceedin*. The Rep&blic adds that b$ o#de#in* the deletion of ;dwa#dIs pa#ents, date of ma##ia*e and the name of his fathe# f#om the ent#ies in hisbi#th ce#tificate) the t#ial co&#t e-ceeded its 8&#isdiction) s&ch o#de# not bein* in acco#d with ;dwa#dIs p#a$e# to allow him to chan*e his name. ;dwa#d co&nte#s that the p#oceedin* befo#ethe t#ial co&#t was ad'e#sa#ial in nat&#e and that he complied with R&le 1?>."%%.;6 +. 3hethe# o# not the o#de# of the RT/ is co##ect in allowin* ;dwa#d to chan*e hisnameJ (. 3hethe# o# not R&le 1?> in this case is the p#ope# #emed$J c. 3hethe# o# not the RT/Is o#de# to delete the ent#$ of ;dwa#dIs pa#entsI date of

ma##ia*e) as well as the name of his fathe# in his Bi#th /e#tificate is co##ectJR.1"NC6 +. A pe#son can effect a chan*e of name &nde# R&le 1?> /5ANC; +4 NAG;! &sin* 'alidand me#ito#io&s *#o&nds incl&din* a! when the name is #idic&lo&s) dishono#able o# e-t#emel$ diffic&lt to w#ite o# p#ono&nce0 b! when the chan*e #es&lts as a le*alconse7&ence s&ch as le*itimation0 c! when the chan*e will a'oid conf&sion0 d! whenone has contin&o&sl$ &sed and been known since childhood b$ a 4ilipino name) andwas &nawa#e of alien pa#enta*e0 e! a since#e desi#e to adopt a 4ilipino name to e#asesi*ns of fo#me# aliena*e) all in *ood faith and witho&t p#e8&dicin* an$bod$0 and f! whenthe s&#name ca&ses emba##assment and the#e is no showin* that the desi#ed chan*e of name was fo# a f#a&d&lent p&#pose o# that the chan*e of name wo&ld p#e8&dice p&blicinte#est. Respondent,s #eason fo# chan*in* his name cannot be conside#ed as one of) o# analo*o&s to) #eco*ni:ed *#o&nds) howe'e#. R*4e 1'! CASES3 Li5+,+ G+2*0+n-C8*+ /0. CA Doc&ment that ma$ p#o'e #eco*nition of child! U,5*+n5co /0. CA Reco*nition of a le*itimate child of a deceased fathe#! R*4e 1'" CASE3 C+(+n5 /0. B+0+, 5ow famil$ home is constit&ted! R*4e 1'$ Re2*(4ic /0. CA Decla#ation of p#es&mpti'e death! R*4e 1'& CASE3 F*+08+ et. +4. L+B o77ice /0. LCN Con0t)*ction