Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManilaSECOND DIVISIONREPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES,Petitioner,- versus -JENNIFER B. CAGANDAHAN,Respondent!R No "###$#Present%&uisu'bin(, ), Chairperson,Carpio Morales,*in(a,VE+,SCO, )R, and-RION, ))Pro'ul(ated%Septe'ber "., .//01- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1DECISIONQUISUMBING, J.:This is a petiti! "# #e$ie% &!'e# R&(e )* " the R&(es " Ct #aisi!+ pe(, -&esti!s " (a%a!'see.i!+a#e$e#sa( "theDe/isi!012 'ate'Ja!&a#,13, 344*"theRe+i!a( T#ia( Ct5RTC6,B#a!/h 77"Si!i(a!,La+&!a,%hi/h+#a!te'thePetiti!"# C##e/ti!"E!t#ies i!Bi#th Ce#ti"i/ate "i(e' 8, Je!!i"e# B. Ca+a!'aha! a!' #'e#e' the "((%i!+ /ha!+es " e!t#ies i!Ca+a!'aha!9s 8i#th /e#ti"i/ate: 516 the !a:e ;Je!!i"e# Ca+a!'aha!; /ha!+e' t ;Je""Ca+a!'aha!; a!' 536 +e!'e# "#: ;"e:a(e; t ;:a(e.;The "a/ts a#e as "((%s.O! De/e:8e# 11, 3447, #esp!'e!t Je!!i"e# Ca+a!'aha! "i(e' a Petiti! "# C##e/ti! " E!t#iesi! Bi#th Ce#ti"i/ate3 8e"#e the RTC, B#a!/h 77 " Si!i(a!, La+&!a.I!he#petiti!, shea((e+e'that she%as8#!!Ja!&a#,17, 1#+e!'e#i!the8i#th/e#ti"i/atea!'#esp!'e!t9s/(ai:e':e'i/a( /!'iti!.!%!asCAH'es!t :a.ehe#a:a(e.JO! the the# ha!', #esp!'e!t /&!te#s that a(th&+h the L/a( Ci$i( Re+ist#a# " Pa.i(, La+&!a%as !t "#:a((, !a:e' a pa#t, i! the Petiti! "# C##e/ti! " Bi#th Ce#ti"i/ate, !!ethe(ess theL/a( Ci$i( Re+ist#a# %as "!ishe' a /p, " the Petiti!, the O#'e# t p&8(ish ! De/e:8e# 1I,3447 a!' a((p(ea'i!+s,#'e#s# p#/essesi! the /se " the p#/ee'i!+s,= #esp!'e!t isa/t&a((,a:a(epe#s!a!'he!/ehis8i#th/e#ti"i/atehast8e/##e/te't#e"(e/thist#&ese>K+e!'e#,< /ha!+e " se> # +e!'e# is a((%e' &!'e# R&(e 14=,14 a!' #esp!'e!t s&8sta!tia((,/:p(ie' %ith the #e-&i#e:e!ts " R&(es 147 a!' 14= " the R&(es " Ct.11R&(es 147 a!' 14= " the R&(es " Ct p#$i'e:R&(e 147CHANGE OF NAMESe/ti!1. Ee!&e. AApe#s!'esi#i!+t/ha!+ehis!a:esha(( p#ese!t thepetiti!ttheRe+i!a( T#ia( Ct " the p#$i!/e i! %hi/h he #esi'es, 0#, i! the Cit, " Ma!i(a, t the J&$e!i(ea!' D:esti/ Re(ati!s Ct2.Se/. 3. C!te!ts " petiti!. A A petiti! "# /ha!+e " !a:e sha(( 8e si+!e' a!' $e#i"ie' 8, thepe#s! 'esi#i!+ his !a:e /ha!+e', # s:e the# pe#s! ! his 8eha(", a!' sha(( set "#th:5a6 That the petiti!e# has 8ee! a bona fide #esi'e!t " the p#$i!/e %he#e the petiti! is "i(e' "#at (east th#ee 576 ,ea#s p#i# t the 'ate " s&/h "i(i!+D586 The /a&se "# %hi/h the /ha!+e " the petiti!e#Ls !a:e is s&+htD5/6 The !a:e as.e' "#.Se/. 7. O#'e# "# hea#i!+. A I" the petiti! "i(e' is s&""i/ie!t i! "#: a!' s&8sta!/e, the /t, 8,a! #'e# #e/iti!+ the ppse " the petiti!, sha(( "i> a 'ate a!' p(a/e "# the hea#i!+ the#e",a!' sha(( 'i#e/t that a /p, " the #'e# 8e p&8(ishe' 8e"#e the hea#i!+ at (east !/e a %ee. "#th#ee 576 s&//essi$e %ee.s i! s:e !e%spape# " +e!e#a( /i#/&(ati! p&8(ishe' i! the p#$i!/e,as the /t sha(( 'ee: 8est. The 'ate set "# the hea#i!+ sha(( !t 8e %ithi! thi#t, 5746 'a,s p#i#t a! e(e/ti! !# %ithi! " 5)6 :!ths a"te# the (ast p&8(i/ati! " the !ti/e.Se/. ). Hea#i!+. A A!, i!te#este' pe#s! :a, appea# at the hea#i!+ a!' ppse the petiti!. TheS(i/it# Ge!e#a( # the p#pe# p#$i!/ia( # /it, "is/a( sha(( appea# ! 8eha(" " the G$e#!:e!t" the Rep&8(i/.Se/. *. J&'+:e!t. A Up! satis"a/t#, p#" i! pe! /t ! the 'ate "i>e' i! the #'e# thats&/h #'e# has 8ee! p&8(ishe' as 'i#e/te' a!' that the a((e+ati!s " the petiti! a#e t#&e, the/tsha((, i"p#pe#a!'#eas!a8(e /a&se appea#s "#/ha!+i!+the !a:e" thepetiti!e#,a'B&'+e that s&/h !a:e 8e /ha!+e' i! a//#'a!/e %ith the p#a,e# " the petiti!.Se/. I. Se#$i/e " B&'+:e!t. A J&'+:e!ts # #'e#s #e!'e#e' i! /!!e/ti! %ith this #&(e sha((8e "!ishe' the /i$i( #e+ist#a# " the :&!i/ipa(it, # /it, %he#e the /t iss&i!+ the sa:e issit&ate', %h sha(( "#th%ith e!te# the sa:e i! the /i$i( #e+iste#.R&(e 14=CANCELLATION OR CORRECTION OF ENTRIESIN THE CIEIL REGISTRFSe/ti!1. Ch:a,"i(epetiti!. A A!,pe#s!i!te#este'i!a!,a/t, e$e!t, #'e##'e/#ee/!/e#!i!+ the /i$i( stat&s " pe#s!s %hi/h has 8ee! #e/#'e' i! the /i$i( #e+iste#, :a, "i(e a$e#i"ie' petiti! "# the /a!/e((ati! # /##e/ti! " a!, e!t#, #e(ati!+ the#et, %ith the Re+i!a(T#ia( Ct " the p#$i!/e %he#e the /##esp!'i!+ /i$i( #e+ist#, is (/ate'.Se/. 3. E!t#iess&8Be/t t/a!/e((ati!# /##e/ti!. AUp!+'a!'$a(i'+#&!'s, the"((%i!+ e!t#ies i! the /i$i( #e+iste# :a, 8e /a!/e((e' # /##e/te': 5a6 8i#thsD 586 :a##ia+esD 5/6'eathsD 5'6 (e+a( sepa#ati!sD 5e6 B&'+:e!ts " a!!&(:e!ts " :a##ia+eD 5"6 B&'+:e!ts 'e/(a#i!+:a##ia+es$i'"#:the8e+i!!i!+D 5+6 (e+iti:ati!sD 5h6 a'pti!sD 5i6 a/.!%(e'+:e!ts"!ata( /hi('#e!D 5B6 !ata(i?ati!D 5.6 e(e/ti!, (ss # #e/$e#, " /iti?e!shipD 5(6 /i$i(i!te#'i/ti!D 5:6 B&'i/ia( 'ete#:i!ati! " "i(iati!D 5!6 $(&!ta#, e:a!/ipati! " a :i!#D a!' 56/ha!+es " !a:e.Se/. 7. Pa#ties. A Che! /a!/e((ati! # /##e/ti! " a! e!t#, i! the /i$i( #e+iste# is s&+ht, the/i$i( #e+ist#a# a!' a(( pe#s!s %h ha$e # /(ai: a!, i!te#est %hi/h %&(' 8e a""e/te' the#e8,sha(( 8e :a'e pa#ties t the p#/ee'i!+.Se/. ). Nti/e a!' p&8(i/ati!. A Up! the "i(i!+ " the petiti!, the /t sha((, 8, a! #'e#, "i>the ti:e a!' p(a/e "# the hea#i!+ " the sa:e, a!' /a&se #eas!a8(e !ti/e the#e" t 8e +i$e!t the pe#s!s !a:e' i! the petiti!. The /t sha(( a(s /a&se the #'e# t 8e p&8(ishe' !/e a%ee. "# th#ee 576 /!se/&ti$e %ee.s i! a !e%spape# " +e!e#a( /i#/&(ati! i! the p#$i!/e.Se/. *. Oppsiti!. A The /i$i( #e+ist#a# a!' a!, pe#s! ha$i!+ # /(ai:i!+ a!, i!te#est &!'e# thee!t#, %hse /a!/e((ati! # /##e/ti! is s&+ht :a,, %ithi! "i"tee! 51*6 'a,s "#: !ti/e " thepetiti!, # "#: the (ast 'ate " p&8(i/ati! " s&/h !ti/e, "i(e his ppsiti! the#et.Se/. I. E>pe'iti!+p#/ee'i!+s. AThe/t i!%hi/hthep#/ee'i!+sis8#&+ht :a,:a.e#'e#s e>pe'iti!+ the p#/ee'i!+s, a!' :a, a(s +#a!t p#e(i:i!a#, i!B&!/ti! "# thep#ese#$ati! " the #i+hts " the pa#ties pe!'i!+ s&/h p#/ee'i!+s.Se/. J. O#'e#. AA"te# hea#i!+, the/t :a,eithe# 'is:issthepetiti!# iss&ea!#'e#+#a!ti!+ the /a!/e((ati! # /##e/ti! p#a,e' "#. I! eithe# /ase, a /e#ti"ie' /p, " the B&'+:e!tsha(( 8e se#$e' &p! the /i$i( #e+ist#a# /!/e#!e' %h sha(( a!!tate the sa:e i! his #e/#'.The OSG a#+&es that the petiti! 8e(% is "ata((, 'e"e/ti$e "# !!@/:p(ia!/e %ith R&(es 147a!'14=" theR&(es" Ct 8e/a&se#esp!'e!t9spetiti!'i'!t i:p(ea'the(/a( /i$i(#e+ist#a#. Se/ti! 7, R&(e 14= p#$i'es that the /i$i( #e+ist#a# a!' a(( pe#s!s %h ha$e # /(ai:a!, i!te#est %hi/h %&(' 8e a""e/te' the#e8, sha(( 8e :a'e pa#ties t the p#/ee'i!+s. Li.e%ise,the (/a( /i$i( #e+ist#a# is #e-&i#e' t 8e :a'e a pa#t, i! a p#/ee'i!+ "# the /##e/ti! " !a:ei! the /i$i( #e+ist#,. He is a! i!'ispe!sa8(e pa#t, %ith&t %h: ! "i!a( 'ete#:i!ati! " the /ase/a! 8e ha'.0132 U!(ess a(( pssi8(e i!'ispe!sa8(e pa#ties %e#e '&(, !ti"ie' " the p#/ee'i!+s,the sa:e sha(( 8e /!si'e#e' as "a((i!+ :&/h t sh#t " the #e-&i#e:e!ts " the #&(es.17 The/##esp!'i!+petiti!sh&('a(si:p(ea'as#esp!'e!tsthe/i$i( #e+ist#a# a!'a(( the#pe#s!s %h :a, ha$e # :a, /(ai: t ha$e a!, i!te#est that %&(' 8e a""e/te'the#e8,.1) Resp!'e!t, h%e$e#, i!$.es Se/ti! I,01*2 R&(e 1 " the R&(es " Ct %hi/h statesthat /tssha(( /!st#&etheR&(es(i8e#a((,tp#:tethei#8Be/ti$es" se/i!+tthepa#ties a B&st, spee', a!' i!e>pe!si$e 'ispsiti! " the :atte#s 8#&+ht 8e"#e it. Ce a+#ee thatthe#e is s&8sta!tia( /:p(ia!/e %ith R&(e 14= %he! #esp!'e!t "!ishe' a /p, " the petiti!t the (/a( /i$i( #e+ist#a#.The 'ete#:i!ati! " a pe#s!9s se> appea#i!+ i! his 8i#th /e#ti"i/ate is a (e+a( iss&e a!' the/t :&st (. t the stat&tes. I! this /!!e/ti!, A#ti/(e )13 " the Ci$i( C'e p#$i'es:ART. )13. N e!t#, i! a /i$i( #e+iste# sha(( 8e /ha!+e' # /##e/te' %ith&t a B&'i/ia( #'e#.T+ethe# %ith A#ti/(e 7JI01I2 " the Ci$i( C'e, this p#$isi! %as a:e!'e' 8, Rep&8(i/ A/t N. is !t a:e#e /(e#i/a( # t,p+#aphi/a( e###. It is a s&8sta!tia( /ha!+e "# %hi/h the app(i/a8(e p#/e'eis R&(e 14= " the R&(es " Ct.1pep(e%itha:8i+&&se>te#!a( +e!ita(ia ha$e ha' thei# +e!ita(ia s+i/a((, :'i"ie' t #ese:8(e eithe# :a(e # "e:a(e+e!ita(s.03)2 M#e /::!(,, a! i!te#se> i!'i$i'&a( is /!si'e#e' as s&""e#i!+ "#: a ;'is#'e#;%hi/h is a(:st a(%a,s #e/::e!'e' t 8e t#eate', %hethe# 8, s+e#, a!'K# 8, ta.i!+ (i"eti:e:e'i/ati! i! #'e# t :(' the i!'i$i'&a( as !eat(, as pssi8(e i!t the /ate+#, " eithe# :a(e# "e:a(e.I!'e/i'i!+this/ase, %e/!si'e# the/:passi!ate/a((s"# #e/+!iti!" the$a#i&s'e+#ees " i!te#se> as $a#iati!s %hi/h sh&(' !t 8e s&8Be/t t &t#i+ht 'e!ia(. ;It has 8ee!s&++este'that the#eiss:e:i''(e+#&!'8et%ee!these>es, aM!@:a!9s(a!'9 "#thsei!'i$i'&a(s%h a#e !eithe#t#&(,M:a(e9 !# t#&(,M"e:a(e9.;03*2 The/#e!tstate" Phi(ippi!estat&tes appa#e!t(, /:pe(s that a pe#s! 8e /(assi"ie' eithe# as a :a(e # as a "e:a(e, 8&t thisCt is!t /!t#((e'8,:e#eappea#a!/es%he!!ateitse(" "&!'a:e!ta((,!e+atess&/h#i+i' /(assi"i/ati!.I!thei!sta!t /ase, i" %e'ete#:i!e#esp!'e!t t8ea"e:a(e, the!the#eis!8asis"#a/ha!+e i! the 8i#th /e#ti"i/ate e!t#, "# +e!'e#. B&t i" %e 'ete#:i!e, 8ase' ! :e'i/a( testi:!,a!' s/ie!ti"i/ 'e$e(p:e!t sh%i!+ the #esp!'e!t t 8e the# tha! "e:a(e, the! a /ha!+e i!thes&8Be/t9s 8i#th /e#ti"i/ate e!t#, is i! #'e#.Bi(+i/a((,,!atee!'%e'#esp!'e!t%itha:i>e'5!eithe#/!siste!t(,a!'/ate+#i/a((,"e:a(e !# /!siste!t(, a!'/ate+#i/a((, :a(e6 /:psiti!. Resp!'e!t has "e:a(e 5GG6/h#:s:es. H%e$e#, #esp!'e!t9s8',s,ste:!ata((,p#'&/eshi+h(e$e(s" :a(eh#:!es5a!'#+e!6. Asa#es&(t, #esp!'e!t hasa:8i+&&s+e!ita(iaa!'thephe!t,pi/"eates " a :a(e.U(ti:ate(,,%ea#e" the$ie%that %he#ethepe#s!is8i(+i/a((,#!ata((,i!te#se>the'ete#:i!i!+"a/t# i! his+e!'e#/(assi"i/ati!%&('8e %hat the i!'i$i'&a(, (i.e #esp!'e!t,ha$i!+ #ea/he' the a+e " :aB#it,, %ith +' #eas! thi!.s " hisKhe# se>. Resp!'e!t he#ethi!.s " hi:se(" as a:a(e a!'/!si'e#i!+that his 8',p#'&/es hi+h(e$e(s " :a(eh#:!es5a!'#+e!6 the#eisp#ep!'e#a!t 8i(+i/a( s&pp#t "#/!si'e#i!+hi:as8ei!+:a(e. Se>&a( 'e$e(p:e!t i! /ases " i!te#se> pe#s!s :a.es the +e!'e# /(assi"i/ati! at 8i#thi!/!/(&si$e. It is at :atit, that the +e!'e# " s&/h pe#s!s, (i.e #esp!'e!t, is "i>e'.Resp!'e!t he#e hassi:p(, (et!ateta.eits /sea!'has!t ta.e!&!!ata( steps ta##est # i!te#"e#e %ith %hat he %as 8#! %ith. A!' a//#'i!+(,, he has a(#ea', #'e#e' his (i"e tthat " a :a(e. Resp!'e!t /&(' ha$e &!'e#+!e t#eat:e!t a!' ta.e! steps, (i.e ta.i!+ (i"e(!+:e'i/ati!,03I2 t "#/e his 8', i!t the /ate+#i/a( :(' " a "e:a(e 8&t he 'i' !t. He /hse!t t ' s. Nate has i!stea' ta.e! its '&e /se i! #esp!'e!t9s 'e$e(p:e!t t #e$ea(:#e "&((, his :a(e /ha#a/te#isti/s.I! the a8se!/e " a (a% ! the :atte#, the Ct %i(( !t 'i/tate ! #esp!'e!t /!/e#!i!+ a:atte# s i!!ate(, p#i$ate as !e9s se>&a(it, a!' (i"est,(e p#e"e#e!/es, :&/h (ess ! %hethe# #!t t &!'e#+ :e'i/a( t#eat:e!t t #e$e#se the :a(e te!'e!/, '&e t CAH. The Ct %i(( !t/!si'e# #esp!'e!t as ha$i!+ e##e' i! !t /hsi!+ t &!'e#+ t#eat:e!t i! #'e# t 8e/:e# #e:ai! as a "e:a(e. Neithe# %i(( the Ct "#/e #esp!'e!t t &!'e#+ t#eat:e!t a!' t ta.e:e'i/ati! i! #'e# t "it the :(' " a "e:a(e, as s/iet, /::!(, /#e!t(, .!%s this +e!'e#" the h&:a! spe/ies. Resp!'e!t is the !e %h has t (i$e %ith his i!te#se> a!at:,. T hi:8e(!+s the h&:a! #i+ht t the ps&it " happi!ess a!' " hea(th. Th&s, t hi: sh&(' 8e(!+the p#i:#'ia( /hi/e " %hat /ses " a/ti! t ta.e a(!+ the path " his se>&a( 'e$e(p:e!ta!' :atati!. I! the a8se!/e " e$i'e!/e that #esp!'e!t is a! ;i!/:pete!t;03J2 a!' i! thea8se!/e " e$i'e!/e t sh% that /(assi",i!+ #esp!'e!t as a :a(e %i(( ha#: the# :e:8e#s "s/iet,%ha#ee-&a((,e!tit(e'tp#te/ti!&!'e#the(a%,theCt a""i#:sas$a(i'a!'B&sti"ie' the #esp!'e!t9s psiti! a!' his pe#s!a( B&'+:e!t " 8ei!+ a :a(e.I!s#&(i!+%e'!:#etha!+i$e#espe/t t516 the'i$e#sit,"!ateD a!'536 h%a!i!'i$i'&a( 'ea(s%ith%hat !atehasha!'e'&t. I!the#%#'s, %e#espe/t #esp!'e!t9s/!+e!ita( /!'iti!a!'his:ate'e/isi!t8ea:a(e. Li"eisa(#ea','i""i/&(t "# the#'i!a#,pe#s!. Ce/a!!t 8&t #espe/t h%#esp!'e!t 'ea(s%ithhis &!#'i!a#, statea!'th&s he(p :a.e his (i"e easie#, /!si'e#i!+ the &!i-&e /i#/&:sta!/es i! this /ase.As "# #esp!'e!t9s /ha!+e " !a:e &!'e# R&(e 147, this Ct has he(' that a /ha!+e " !a:eis!ta:atte#"#i+ht8&t"B&'i/ia( 'is/#eti!, t8ee>e#/ise'i!the(i+ht"the#eas!sa''&/e'a!'the/!se-&e!/esthat %i(( "((%.03=2 Thet#ia( /t9s+#a!t " #esp!'e!t9s/ha!+e " !a:e "#: Je!!i"e# t Je"" i:p(ies a /ha!+e " a "e:i!i!e !a:e t a :as/&(i!e !a:e.C!si'e#i!+ the /!se-&e!/e that #esp!'e!t9s /ha!+e " !a:e :e#e(, #e/+!i?es hisp#e"e##e' +e!'e#, %e "i!' :e#it i! #esp!'e!t9s /ha!+e " !a:e. S&/h a /ha!+e %i(( /!"#:%ith the /ha!+e " the e!t#, i! his 8i#th /e#ti"i/ate "#: "e:a(e t :a(e.CHEREFORE,theRep&8(i/9spetiti!is DENIED. TheDe/isi!'ate'Ja!&a#,13, 344*"theRe+i!a( T#ia( Ct, B#a!/h77" Si!i(a!, La+&!a, is AFFIRMED. Np#!&!/e:e!t ast/sts.SO ORDERED.Republic of the PhilippinesS2PREME CO2R*ManilaSECOND DIVISIONREP2-+IC O3 *4E P4I+IPPINES,Petitioner,- versus -)ENNI3ER - C,!,ND,4,N,Respondent!R No "###$#Present%&uisu'bin(, ), Chairperson,Carpio Morales,*in(a,VE+,SCO, )R, and-RION, ))Pro'ul(ated%Septe'ber "., .//01- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1DECISION&2IS2M-IN!, )%*his is a petition for revie5 under Rule 67 of the Rules of Court raisin( purel8 9uestions of la5 andsee:in( a reversal of the Decision;"< dated )anuar8 "., .//7 of the Re(ional *rial Court =R*C>, -ranch?? of Siniloan, +a(una, 5hich (ranted the Petition for Correction of Entries in -irth Certificate filed b8)ennifer - Ca(andahan and ordered the follo5in( chan(es of entries in Ca(andahan@s birth certificate%="> the na'e A)ennifer Ca(andahanA chan(ed to A)eff Ca(andahanA and =.> (ender fro' Afe'aleA toA'aleA*he facts are as follo5sOn Dece'ber "", .//?, respondent )ennifer Ca(andahan filed a Petition for Correction of Entries in-irth Certificate. before the R*C, -ranch ?? of Siniloan, +a(unaIn her petition, she alle(ed that she 5as born on )anuar8 "?, "B0" and 5as re(istered as a fe'ale inthe Certificate of +ive -irth but 5hile (ro5in( up, she developed secondar8 'ale characteristics and5as dia(nosed to have Con(enital ,drenal 48perplasia =C,4> 5hich is a condition 5here persons thusafflicted possess both 'ale and fe'ale characteristics She further alle(ed that she 5as dia(nosed tohaveclitoral h8perthrop8inher earl88earsandat a(esi1, under5ent anultrasound5hereit 5asdiscovered that she has s'all ovaries ,t a(e thirteen, tests revealed that her ovarian structures had'ini'iCed, shehasstopped(ro5in(andshehasnobreast or 'enstrual develop'ent Shethenalle(ed that for all interests and appearances as 5ell as in 'ind and e'otion, she has beco'e a 'aleperson *hus, she pra8ed that her birth certificate be corrected such that her (ender be chan(ed fro'fe'ale to 'ale and her first na'e be chan(ed fro' )ennifer to )eff*he petition 5as published in a ne5spaper of (eneral circulation for three =?> consecutive 5ee:s and5as postedinconspicuous places b8thesheriff of thecourt *heSolicitor !eneral enteredhisappearance and authoriCed the ,ssistant Provincial Prosecutor to appear in his behalf*o prove her clai', respondent testifiedandpresented thetesti'on8 of Dr MichaelSionConof theDepart'ent of Ps8chiatr8, 2niversit8 of the Philippines-Philippine !eneral 4ospital Dr SionCon issued a'edical certificate statin( that respondent@s condition is :no5n as C,4 4e e1plained that (eneticall8respondent is fe'ale but because her bod8 secretes 'ale hor'ones, her fe'ale or(ans did not developnor'all8 and she has t5o se1 or(ans D fe'ale and 'ale 4e testified that this condition is ver8 rare, thatrespondent@s uterus is not full8 developed because of lac: of fe'ale hor'ones, and that she has no'onthl8period 4efurther testifiedthat respondent@sconditionisper'anent andreco''endedthechan(e of (ender because respondent has 'ade up her 'ind, adEusted to her chosen role as 'ale, andthe (ender chan(e 5ould be advanta(eous to her*he R*C (ranted respondent@s petition in a Decision dated )anuar8 "., .//7 5hich reads%*he Court is convinced that petitioner has satisfactoril8 sho5n that he is entitled to the reliefs pra8ed;for< Petitioner has ade9uatel8 presented to the Court ver8 clear and convincin( proofs for the (rantin(of his petition It 5as 'edicall8 proven that petitioner@s bod8 produces 'ale hor'ones, and first his bod8as 5ell as his action and feelin(s are that of a 'ale 4e has chosen to be 'ale 4e is a nor'al personand 5ants to be ac:no5led(ed and identified as a 'aleF4ERE3ORE, pre'ises considered, the Civil Re(ister of Pa:il, +a(una is hereb8 ordered to 'a:e thefollo5in( corrections in the birth ;c see:in( a reversal of theabove'entioned rulin(*he issues raised b8 petitioner are%*4E *RI,+ CO2R* ERRED IN !R,N*IN! *4E PE*I*ION CONSIDERIN! *4,*%I*4ERE&2IREMEN*SO3R2+ES"/? ,ND"/0O3*4ER2+ESO3CO2R*4,VENO*-EENCOMP+IED FI*4G ,ND,IICORREC*ION O3 EN*RH2NDER R2+E "/0 DOES NO* ,++OFC4,N!E O3 ASEIA ORA!ENDERA IN*4E-IR*4CER*I3IC,*E, F4I+ERESPONDEN*@SMEDIC,+CONDI*ION, ie,CON!ENI*,+ ,DREN,+ 4HPERP+,SI, DOES NO* M,JE 4ER , AM,+EA6Si'pl8 stated, the issue is 5hether the trial court erred in orderin( the correction of entries in the birthcertificate of respondent to chan(e her se1 or (ender, fro' fe'ale to 'ale, on the (round of her 'edicalcondition :no5n as C,4, and her na'e fro' A)enniferA to A)eff,A under Rules "/? and "/0 of the Rulesof Court*he OS! contends that the petition belo5 is fatall8 defective for non-co'pliance 5ith Rules "/? and"/0 of the Rules of Court because 5hile the local civil re(istrar is an indispensable part8 in a petition forcancellationor correctionof entriesunder Section?, Rule"/0of theRulesof Court, respondent@spetitionbeforethecourt a9uo didnot i'pleadthelocal civil re(istrar7 *heOS!further contendsrespondent@s petition is fatall8 defective since it failed to state that respondent is a bona fide resident ofthe province 5here the petition 5as filed for at least three =?> 8ears prior to the date of such filin( as'andated under Section .=b>, Rule "/? of the Rules of Court# *he OS! ar(ues that Rule "/0 does notallo5 chan(e of se1 or (ender in the birth certificate and respondent@s clai'ed 'edical condition :no5nas C,4 does not 'a:e her a 'ale$On the other hand, respondent counters that althou(h the +ocal Civil Re(istrar of Pa:il, +a(una 5as notfor'all8 na'ed a part8 in the Petitionfor Correction of-irth Certificate,nonetheless the+ocalCivilRe(istrar5as furnished a cop8ofthePetition,theOrdertopublish onDece'ber "#,.//? andallpleadin(s, orders or processes in the course of the proceedin(s,0 respondent is actuall8 a 'ale personandhencehis birthcertificatehastobecorrectedtoreflect histrue se1K(ender,B chan(eofse1or(ender is allo5ed under Rule "/0,"/ and respondent substantiall8 co'plied 5ith the re9uire'ents ofRules "/? and "/0 of the Rules of Court""Rules "/? and "/0 of the Rules of Court provide%Rule "/?C4,N!E O3 N,MESection " Venue D , person desirin( to chan(e his na'e shall present the petition to the Re(ional *rialCourt of theprovincein5hichheresides, ;or,intheCit8of Manila, tothe)uvenileandDo'esticRelations Court *he na'e as:ed forSec ? Order for hearin( D If the petition filed is sufficient in for' and substance, the court, b8 an orderrecitin( the purpose of the petition, shall fi1 a date and place for the hearin( thereof, and shall direct thata cop8 of the order be published before the hearin( at least once a 5ee: for three =?> successive 5ee:sin so'e ne5spaper of (eneral circulation published in the province, as the court shall dee' best *hedate set for the hearin( shall not be 5ithin thirt8 =?/> da8s prior to an election nor 5ithin four =6> 'onthsafter the last publication of the noticeSec 6 4earin( D ,n8interestedperson'a8appear at thehearin(andopposethepetition *heSolicitor !eneral or the proper provincial or cit8 fiscal shall appear on behalf of the !overn'ent of theRepublicSec 7 )ud('ent D 2pon satisfactor8 proof in open court on the date fi1ed in the order that such orderhas been published as directed and that the alle(ations of the petition are true, the court shall, if properand reasonable cause appears for chan(in( the na'e of the petitioner, adEud(e that such na'e bechan(ed in accordance 5ith the pra8er of the petitionSec # Serviceof Eud('ent D)ud('entsor ordersrenderedinconnection5iththisruleshall befurnished the civil re(istrar of the 'unicipalit8 or cit8 5here the court issuin( the sa'e is situated, 5hoshall forth5ith enter the sa'e in the civil re(isterRule "/0C,NCE++,*ION OR CORREC*ION O3 EN*RIESIN *4E CIVI+ RE!IS*RHSection " Fho 'a8 file petition D ,n8 person interested in an8 act, event, order or decree concernin(the civil status of persons 5hich has been recorded in the civil re(ister, 'a8 file a verified petition for thecancellation or correction ofan8 entr8 relatin( thereto,5ith the Re(ional*rialCourt of the province5here the correspondin( civil re(istr8 is locatedSec . EntriessubEect tocancellationor correction D2pon(oodandvalid(rounds, thefollo5in(entries in the civil re(ister 'a8 be cancelled or corrected% =a> birthsG =b> 'arria(esG =c> deathsG =d> le(alseparationsG =e> Eud('ents of annul'ents of 'arria(eG =f> Eud('ents declarin( 'arria(es void fro' thebe(innin(G =(> le(iti'ationsG =h> adoptionsG =i> ac:no5led('ents of natural childrenG =E> naturaliCationG =:>election,lossorrecover8 ofcitiCenshipG =l>civilinterdictionG='> Eudicial deter'ination of filiationG=n>voluntar8 e'ancipation of a 'inorG and =o> chan(es of na'eSec ? Parties D Fhen cancellation or correction of an entr8 in the civilre(ister is sou(ht, the civilre(istrar and all persons 5ho have or clai' an8 interest 5hich 5ould be affected thereb8 shall be 'adeparties to the proceedin(Sec 6 Notice and publication D 2pon the filin( of the petition, the court shall, b8 an order, fi1 the ti'eand place for the hearin( of the sa'e, and cause reasonable notice thereof to be (iven to the personsna'ed in the petition *he court shall also cause the order to be published once a 5ee: for three =?>consecutive 5ee:s in a ne5spaper of (eneral circulation in the provinceSec 7 Opposition D *he civil re(istrar and an8 person havin( or clai'in( an8 interest under the entr85hose cancellation or correction is sou(ht 'a8, 5ithin fifteen ="7> da8s fro' notice of the petition, orfro' the last date of publication of such notice, file his opposition theretoSec # E1peditin(proceedin(s D *hecourt in5hichtheproceedin(sisbrou(ht 'a8'a:eorderse1peditin( the proceedin(s, and 'a8 also (rant preli'inar8 inEunction for the preservation of the ri(htsof the parties pendin( such proceedin(sSec $ Order D ,fter hearin(, the court 'a8 either dis'iss the petition or issue an order (rantin( thecancellation or correction pra8ed for In either case, a certified cop8 of the Eud('ent shall be servedupon the civil re(istrar concerned 5ho shall annotate the sa'e in his record*he OS! ar(ues that the petition belo5 is fatall8 defective for non-co'pliance 5ith Rules "/? and "/0of the Rules of Court because respondent@s petition did not i'plead the local civil re(istrar Section ?,Rule "/0 provides that the civil re(istrar and all persons 5ho have or clai' an8 interest 5hich 5ould beaffected thereb8 shall be 'ade parties to the proceedin(s +i:e5ise, the local civil re(istrar is re9uired tobe 'ade a part8 in a proceedin( for the correction of na'e in the civil re(istr8 4e is an indispensablepart8 5ithout 5ho' no final deter'ination of the case can be had;".< 2nless all possible indispensableparties 5ere dul8 notified of the proceedin(s, the sa'e shall be considered as fallin( 'uch too short ofthe re9uire'ents of the rules"? *he correspondin( petition should also i'plead as respondents the civilre(istrar and all other persons 5ho 'a8 have or 'a8 clai' to have an8 interest that 5ould be affectedthereb8"6 Respondent, ho5ever, invo:es Section #,;"7< Rule " of the Rules of Court 5hich states thatcourts shallconstrue the Rules liberall8 to pro'ote their obEectives of securin( to the parties a Eust,speed8 and ine1pensive disposition of the 'atters brou(ht before it Fe a(ree that there is substantialco'pliance 5ith Rule "/0 5hen respondent furnished a cop8 of the petition to the local civil re(istrar*he deter'ination of a person@s se1 appearin( in his birth certificate is a le(al issue and the court 'ustloo: to the statutes In this connection, ,rticle 6". of the Civil Code provides%,R* 6". No entr8 in a civil re(ister shall be chan(ed or corrected 5ithout a Eudicial order*o(ether 5ith,rticle?$#;"#< of theCivil Code, thisprovision5as a'endedb8Republic,ct NoB/60;"$< insofaras clerical or t8po(raphical errorsareinvolved *hecorrectionor chan(eof such'atters can no5 be 'ade throu(h ad'inistrative proceedin(s and 5ithout the need for a Eudicial orderIn effect, Rep ,ct No B/60 re'oved fro' the a'bit of Rule "/0 of the Rules of Court the correction ofsuch errors Rule "/0 no5 applies onl8 to substantialchan(es and corrections in entries in the civilre(ister"02nder Rep ,ct No B/60, a correction in the civil re(istr8 involvin( the chan(e of se1 is not a 'ereclerical or t8po(raphical error It is a substantial chan(e for 5hich the applicable procedure is Rule "/0of the Rules of Court"B*he entries envisa(ed in ,rticle 6". of the Civil Code and correctable under Rule "/0 of the Rules ofCourt are those provided in ,rticles 6/$ and 6/0 of the Civil Code%,R* 6/$ ,cts, events and Eudicial decrees concernin( the civil status of persons shall be recorded inthe civil re(ister,R* 6/0 *he follo5in( shall be entered in the civil re(ister%="> -irthsG =.> 'arria(esG =?> deathsG =6> le(al separationsG =7> annul'ents of 'arria(eG =#> Eud('entsdeclarin( 'arria(es void fro' the be(innin(G =$> le(iti'ationsG =0> adoptionsG =B> ac:no5led('ents ofnatural childrenG ="/> naturaliCationG =""> loss, or =".> recover8 of citiCenshipG ="?> civil interdictionG ="6>Eudicial deter'ination of filiationG ="7> voluntar8 e'ancipation of a 'inorG and ="#> chan(es of na'e*he acts, events or factual errors conte'plated under ,rticle 6/$ of the Civil Code include even thosethat occur after birth./Respondent undisputedl8 has C,4 *his condition causes the earl8 or AinappropriateA appearance of'ale characteristics , person, li:e respondent, 5ith this condition produces too 'uch andro(en, a 'alehor'one , ne5born 5ho has II chro'oso'es coupled 5ith C,4 usuall8 has a ="> s5ollen clitoris 5iththe urethral openin( at the base, an a'bi(uous (enitalia often appearin( 'ore 'ale than fe'aleG =.>nor'al internal structuresof thefe'alereproductivetractsuchastheovaries, uterusandfallopiantubesG as the child (ro5s older, so'e features start to appear 'ale, such as deepenin( of the voice,facial hair, and failure to 'enstruate at pubert8 ,bout " in "/,/// to "0,/// children are born 5ith C,4C,4 is one of 'an8 conditions;."< that involve interse1 anato'8 Durin( the t5entieth centur8, 'edicineadopted the ter' Ainterse1ualit8A to appl8 to hu'an bein(s 5ho cannot be classified as either 'ale orfe'ale;..< *he ter' is no5 of 5idespread use ,ccordin( to Fi:ipedia, interse1ualit8 Ais the state of alivin(thin(of a(onochoristic species 5hosese1chro'oso'es, (enitalia, andKor secondar8se1characteristics are deter'ined to be neither e1clusivel8 'ale nor fe'ale ,n or(anis' 5ith interse1 'a8have biolo(ical characteristics of both 'ale and fe'ale se1esAInterse1 individuals aretreatedindifferent 5a8s b8different cultures In'ost societies, interse1individuals have been e1pected to confor' to either a 'ale or fe'ale (ender role ;.?< Since the rise of'odern 'edical science in Festern societies, so'e interse1 people 5ith a'bi(uous e1ternal (enitaliahavehad their (enitaliasur(icall8 'odified torese'ble either 'ale or fe'ale (enitals;.6< Moreco''onl8, an interse1 individualis considered as sufferin( fro' a AdisorderA 5hich is al'ost al5a8sreco''ended to be treated, 5hether b8 sur(er8 andKor b8 ta:in( lifeti'e 'edication in order to 'oldthe individual as neatl8 as possible into the cate(or8 of either 'ale or fe'aleIn decidin( this case, 5e consider the co'passionate calls for reco(nition of the various de(rees ofinterse1 as variations 5hich should not be subEect to outri(ht denial AIt has been su((ested that there isso'e 'iddle (round bet5een the se1es, a Mno-'an@s land@ for those individuals 5ho are neither trul8M'ale@ nor trul8 Mfe'ale@A;.7< *he current state of Philippine statutes apparentl8 co'pels that a personbe classified either as a 'ale or as a fe'ale, but this Court is not controlled b8 'ere appearances 5hennature itself funda'entall8 ne(ates such ri(id classificationIn the instant case, if 5e deter'ine respondent to be a fe'ale, then there is no basis for a chan(e in thebirthcertificateentr8for (ender -ut if 5edeter'ine, basedon'edical testi'on8andscientificdevelop'ent sho5in( the respondent to be other than fe'ale, then a chan(e in thesubEect@s birth certificate entr8 is in order-iolo(icall8, nature endo5ed respondent 5ith a 'i1ed =neither consistentl8 and cate(oricall8 fe'ale norconsistentl8 and cate(oricall8 'ale> co'position Respondent has fe'ale =II> chro'oso'es 4o5ever,respondent@s bod8 s8ste' naturall8 produces hi(h levels of 'ale hor'ones =andro(en> ,s a result,respondent has a'bi(uous (enitalia and the phenot8pic features of a 'ale2lti'atel8, 5e are of the vie5 that 5here the person is biolo(icall8 or naturall8 interse1 the deter'inin(factor in his (ender classification 5ould be 5hat the individual, li:e respondent, havin( reached the a(eof 'aEorit8, 5ith (ood reason thin:s of hisKher se1 Respondent here thin:s of hi'self as a 'ale andconsiderin(that hisbod8produceshi(hlevelsof 'alehor'ones=andro(en>thereispreponderantbiolo(ical support for considerin( hi' as bein( 'ale Se1ual develop'ent in cases of interse1 persons'a:es the (ender classification at birth inconclusive It is at 'aturit8 that the (ender of such persons,li:e respondent, is fi1edRespondent here has si'pl8 let nature ta:e its course and has not ta:en unnatural steps to arrest orinterfere 5ith 5hat he 5as born 5ith ,nd accordin(l8, he has alread8 ordered his life to that of a 'aleRespondent couldhaveunder(onetreat'ent andta:ensteps, li:eta:in(lifelon('edication,;.#< toforce his bod8 into the cate(orical 'old of a fe'ale but he did not 4e chose not to do so Nature hasinstead ta:en its due course in respondent@s develop'ent to reveal 'ore full8 his 'ale characteristicsIn the absence of a la5 on the 'atter, the Court 5ill not dictate on respondent concernin( a 'atter soinnatel8 private as one@s se1ualit8 and lifest8le preferences, 'uch less on 5hether or not to under(o'edical treat'ent to reverse the 'ale tendenc8 due to C,4 *he Court 5ill not consider respondent ashavin( erred in not choosin( to under(o treat'ent in order to beco'e or re'ain as a fe'ale Neither5ill the Court force respondent to under(o treat'ent and to ta:e 'edication in order to fit the 'old of afe'ale, as societ8 co''onl8 currentl8 :no5s this (ender of the hu'an species Respondent is the one5ho has to live 5ith his interse1 anato'8 *o hi' belon(s the hu'an ri(ht to the pursuit of happinessand of health *hus, to hi' should belon( the pri'ordial choice of 5hat courses of action to ta:e alon(the path of his se1ual develop'ent and 'aturation In the absence of evidence that respondent is anAinco'petentA;.$< and in the absence of evidence to sho5 that classif8in( respondent as a 'ale 5illhar' other 'e'bers of societ8 5ho are e9uall8 entitled to protection under the la5, the Court affir's asvalid and Eustified the respondent@s position and his personal Eud('ent of bein( a 'aleIn so rulin( 5e do no 'ore than (ive respect to ="> the diversit8 of natureG and =.> ho5 an individualdeals 5ith 5hat nature has handed out In other 5ords, 5e respect respondent@s con(enital conditionand his 'ature decision to be a 'ale +ife is alread8 difficult for the ordinar8 person Fe cannot butrespect ho5 respondent deals 5ith his unordinar8 state and thus help 'a:e his life easier, considerin(the uni9ue circu'stances in this case,s for respondent@s chan(e of na'e under Rule "/?, this Court has held that a chan(e of na'e is not a'atter of ri(ht but of Eudicialdiscretion, to be e1ercised in the li(ht of the reasons adduced and theconse9uences that 5ill follo5;.0< *he trial court@s (rant of respondent@s chan(e of na'e fro' )enniferto )eff i'plies a chan(e of a fe'inine na'e to a 'asculine na'e Considerin( the conse9uence thatrespondent@s chan(e of na'e 'erel8 reco(niCes his preferred (ender, 5e find 'erit in respondent@schan(e of na'e Such a chan(e 5ill confor' 5ith the chan(e of the entr8 in his birth certificate fro'fe'ale to 'aleF4ERE3ORE, the Republic@s petition is DENIED *he Decision dated )anuar8 "., .//7 of the Re(ional*rial Court, -ranch ?? of Siniloan, +a(una, is ,33IRMED No pronounce'ent as to costsSO ORDERED