third page person cases

7/25/2019 Third Page Person Cases

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, petitioner, vs. THE HON. COURTOF APPEALS (Twentieth Division, HON. PRESIDIN! "UD!EFORTUNITO L. #ADRONA, RTC$BR. %& 'n APOLINARIA#ALINAO "O#OC, responents.D E C I S I O N

CARPIO-MORALES, J.:

In In the Matter of Declaration of Presu!ti"e Death of A#senteeS!ouse Cleente P. Jooc, A!olinaria Malinao Jooc, !etitioner, theOroc Cit$, Re%ional &rial Court, 'ranch (), #$ Or*er of Se!te#er +,,/ %rante* the !etition on the #asis of the CoissionersRe!ort+/ an* accor*in%l$ *eclare* the a#sentee s!ouse, 0ho ha* lefthis !etitioner-0ife nine $ears earlier, !resu!ti"el$ *ea*.

In %rantin% the !etition, the trial 1u*%e, Ju*%e 2ortunito L. Ma*rona,cite* Article 3, !ar. + of the 2ail$ Co*e. Sai* article !ro"i*es that for

the !ur!ose of contractin% a "ali* su#se4uent arria%e *urin% thesu#sistence of a !re"ious arria%e 0here the !rior s!ouse ha* #eena#sent for four consecuti"e $ears, the s!ouse !resent ust institutesuar$ !rocee*in%s for the *eclaration of !resu!ti"e *eath of thea#sentee s!ouse, 0ithout !re1u*ice to the e5ect of the rea!!earanceof the a#sent s!ouse.

&he Re!u#lic, throu%h the O6ce of the Solicitor 7eneral, sou%ht toa!!eal the trial courts or*er #$ 8lin% a Notice of A!!eal.(/

'$ Or*er of No"e#er ++, s,3/ the trial court, notin% that no

recor* of a!!eal 0as 8le* an* ser"e* as re4uire* #$ an* !ursuant toSec. +9a, Rule 3 of the ; Rules of Ci"il Proce*ure, the !resentcase #ein% a s!ecial !rocee*in%, *isa!!ro"e* the Notice of A!!eal.

&he Re!u#lics Motion for Reconsi*eration of the trial courts or*er of*isa!!ro"al ha"in% #een *enie* #$ Or*er of Januar$ (, +


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Or*er *ate* Au%ust ), , 0hich *eclare* Cleente Jooc!resu!ti"el$ *ea*, li>e0ise for ha"in% #een issue* 0ith %ra"e a#useof *iscretion aountin% to lac> of 1uris*iction, $et, not e"en a co!$coul* #e foun* in the recor*s. On this score alone, the !etition shoul*ha"e #een *isisse* outri%ht in accor*ance 0ith Sec. (, Rule 3= of the

Rules of Court.

?o0e"er, *es!ite the !roce*ural la!ses, the Court resol"es to *el"e*ee!er into the su#stanti"e issue of the "ali*it$@nullit$ of the assaile*or*er.

&he !rinci!al issue in this case is 0hether a !etition for *eclaration ofthe !resu!ti"e *eath of a !erson is in the nature of a s!ecial!rocee*in%. If it is, the !erio* to a!!eal is (< *a$s an* the !art$a!!ealin% ust, in a**ition to a notice of a!!eal, 8le 0ith the trialcourt a recor* on a!!eal to !erfect its a!!eal. Other0ise, if the !etition

is an or*inar$ action, the !erio* to a!!eal is ) *a$s fro notice or*ecision or 8nal or*er a!!eale* fro an* the a!!eal is !erfecte* #$8lin% a notice of a!!eal 9Section (, Rule 3, Rules of Court.

As *e8ne* in Section (9a, Rule of the Rules of Court, a ci"il action isone #$ 0hich a !art$ sues another for the enforceent or !rotection ofa ri%ht, or the !re"ention of re*ress of a 0ron% 0hile a s!ecial!rocee*in% un*er Section (9c of the sae rule is *e8ne* as a ree*$#$ 0hich a !art$ see>s to esta#lish a status, a ri%ht or a !articular fact9?eirs of a!tincha$, et al. ". Del Rosario, et al., 7.R. No. +3(+s for a *eclaration #$ the trialcourt of the !resu!ti"e *eath of a#sentee s!ouse Cleente Jooc. It*oes not see> the enforceent or !rotection of a ri%ht or the!re"ention or re*ress of a 0ron%. Neither *oes it in"ol"e a *ean* ofri%ht or a cause of action that can #e enforce* a%ainst an$ !erson.

On the #asis of the fore%oin% *iscussion, the su#1ect Or*er *ate*Januar$ (, +


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&he Re!u#lic 9!etitioner insists that the *eclaration of !resu!ti"e*eath un*er Article 3 of the 2ail$ Co*e is not a s!ecial !rocee*in%in"ol"in% ulti!le or se!arate a!!eals 0here a recor* on a!!eal shall#e 8le* an* ser"e* in li>e anner.

Petitioner cites Rule


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Sec. +. A!!lica#ilit$ of rules of ci"il actions. In the a#sence of s!ecial!ro"isions, the rules !ro"i*e* for in or*inar$ actions shall #e, as far as!ractica#le, a!!lica#le in s!ecial !rocee*in%s. 9n*erscorin% su!!lie*

&he !ertinent !ro"ision of the Ci"il Co*e on !resu!tion of *eath

!ro"i*es:

Art. (


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cases, the recor* on a!!eal shall #e 8le* an* ser"e* in li>e anner.9E!hasis an* un*erscorin% su!!lie*

G G G

'$ the trial courts citation of Article 3 of the 2ail$ Co*e, it is%athere* that the !etition of A!olinaria Jooc to ha"e her a#sents!ouse *eclare* !resu!ti"el$ *ea* ha* for its !ur!ose her *esire tocontract a "ali* su#se4uent arria%e. Er%o, the !etition for that!ur!ose is a suar$ !rocee*in%, follo0in% a#o"e-4uote* Art. 3,!ara%ra!h + of the 2ail$ Co*e.

Since &itle HI of the 2ail$ Co*e, entitle* SMMAR JDICIALPROCEEDIN7 IN &?E 2AMIL LA, contains the follo0in% !ro"ision, interalia:

G G G

Art. +(B. nless o*i8e* #$ the Su!ree Court, the !roce*ural rulesin this &itle shall a!!l$ in all cases !ro"i*e* for in this Co*es re4uirin%suar$ court !rocee*in%s. Such cases shall #e *eci*e* in aneG!e*itious anner 0ithout re%ar* to technical rules. 9E!hasis an*un*erscorin% su!!lie*

G G G,

there is no *ou#t that the !etition of A!olinaria Jooc re4uire*, an* is,

therefore, a suar$ !rocee*in% un*er the 2ail$ Co*e, not a s!ecial!rocee*in% un*er the Re"ise* Rules of Court a!!eal for 0hich calls forthe 8lin% of a Recor* on A!!eal. It #ein% a suar$ or*inar$!rocee*in%, the 8lin% of a Notice of A!!eal fro the trial courts or*ersu6ce*.

&hat the 2ail$ Co*e !ro"ision on re!eal, Art. +)3, !ro"i*es as follo0s:

Art. +)3. &itles III, IF, F, FI, FII, FIII, IH, HI an* HF of 'oo> I of Re!u#licAct No. (B=, other0ise >no0n as the Ci"il Co*e of the Phili!!ines, asaen*e*, an* Articles ;, B, , +;, +B, +, (


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2inall$, on the alle%e* !roce*ural a0 in !etitioners !etition #efore thea!!ellate court. Petitioners failure to attach to his !etition #efore thea!!ellate court a co!$ of the trial courts or*er *en$in% its otion forreconsi*eration of the *isa!!ro"al of its Notice of A!!eal is notnecessaril$ fatal, for the rules of !roce*ure are not to #e a!!lie* in a

technical sense. 7i"en the issue raise* #efore it #$ !etitioner, 0hat thea!!ellate court shoul* ha"e *one 0as to *irect !etitioner to co!l$0ith the rule.

As for !etitioners failure to su#it co!$ of the trial courts or*er%rantin% the !etition for *eclaration of !resu!ti"e *eath, contrar$ tothe a!!ellate courts o#ser"ation that !etitioner 0as also assailin% it,!etitioners B-!a%e !etition


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ha* the !ro!ensit$ to %o out 0ith frien*s to the eGtent of #ein% una#leto en%a%e in an$ %ainful 0or>.

'ecause of her hus#an*s "iolent character, 7loria foun* it safer tolea"e hi #ehin* an* *eci*e* to %o #ac> to her !arents to%ether 0ith

her three 9( chil*ren. In or*er to su!!ort the chil*ren, 7loria 0asco!elle* to 0or> a#roa*.

2ro the tie of her !h$sical se!aration fro her hus#an* in ,7loria has not hear* of hi at all. She ha* a#solutel$ nocounications 0ith hi, or 0ith an$ of his relati"es.

On Au%ust 3, +


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SO ORDERED/

&he e"i*ence in su!!ort of the suar$ 1u*icial !rocee*in% are: theor*er of !u#lication *ate* Au%ust +B, +


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SO ORDERED./

ithout 8lin% an$ otion for reconsi*eration, !etitioner Re!u#lic*irectl$ 0ent to this Court "ia the instant recourse un*er Rule 3),

aintainin% that the !etition raises a !ure 4uestion of la0 that *oesnot re4uire !rior 8lin% of a otion for reconsi*eration.

&he fore%oin% factual antece*ents !resent to this Court the follo0in%issues:

?E&?ER OR NO& &?E COR& O2 APPEALS DL ACIREDJRISDIC&ION OFER &?E APPEAL ON A 2INAL AND EHEC&ORJD7MEN& O2 &?E RE7IONAL &RIAL COR& an*

?E&?ER OR NO& &?E 2AC&AL AND LE7AL 'ASES 2OR A JDICIAL

DECLARA&ION O2 PRESMP&IFE DEA&? NDER AR&ICLE 3 O2 &?E2AMIL CODE ERE DL ES&A'LIS?ED IN &?IS CASE.

&he Court rules a%ainst !etitioner Re!u#lic.

Article +(B of the 2ail$ Co*e, un*er &itle HI: SMMAR JDICIALPROCEEDIN7S IN &?E 2AMIL LA, sets the tenor for cases co"ere* #$these rules, to 0it:

Art. +(B. ntil o*i8e* #$ the Su!ree Court, the !roce*ural rules inthis &itle shall a!!l$ in all cases !ro"i*e* for in this Co*e re4uirin%

suar$ court !rocee*in%s. Such cases shall #e *eci*e* in aneG!e*itious anner 0ithout re%ar* to technical rules.

Ju*%e Elia#eth 'al4uin-Re$es of R&C, 'ranch ;), San Mateo, Rial *ul$co!lie* 0ith the a#o"e-cite* !ro"ision #$ eG!e*itiousl$ ren*erin%1u*%ent 0ithin ninet$ 9


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SO ORDERED.


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#i% *i5erence #et0een ha"in% the su!!ose* a!!eal *isisse* for lac>of 1uris*iction #$ "irtue of the fact that the R&C *ecision sou%ht to #ea!!eale* is ie*iatel$ 8nal an* eGecutor$, an* the *enial of thea!!eal for lac> of erit. In the forer, the su!!ose* a!!ellee canie*iatel$ as> for the issuance of an Entr$ of Ju*%ent in the R&C,

0hereas, in the latter, the a!!ellant can still raise the atter to thisCourt on !etition for re"ie0 an* the R&C 1u*%ent cannot #e eGecute*until this Court a>es the 8nal !ronounceent.

&he Court, therefore, 8n*s in this case %ra"e error on the !art of #oththe R&C an* the Court of A!!eals. &o stress, the Court of A!!ealsshoul* ha"e *isisse* the a!!eal on %roun* of lac> of 1uris*iction, an*reiterate* the fact that the R&C *ecision of No"e#er ;, +


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her fail$ 0ill soon #e lea"in% for the nite* States of Aerica 9SA.Maria assure* 2er"entino, ho0e"er, that she 0ill 8le a !etition so hecan li"e 0ith her in the SA. In the e"ent that sai* !etition is *enie*,she !roise* to return to the Phili!!ines to li"e 0ith hi. On March (,B;, Maria an* her fail$ e0 to Seattle, SA.

2er"entino alle%es that Maria >e!t in touch for a $ear #efore shesto!!e* res!on*in% to his letters. Out of resentent, he #urne* all theletters Maria 0rote hi. ?e clais to ha"e for%otten her a**ress since.2er"entino recounts the e5orts he a*e to 8n* Maria. !on in4uir$fro the latters uncle, Antonio Le*esa, in Las Pias, 2er"entinolearne* that e"en Marias relati"es 0ere una0are of her 0herea#outs.?e also solicite* the assistance of a frien* in &eGas, Ca!t. Luis Aris ofthe .S. Air 2orce, #ut to no a"ail. 2inall$, he sou%ht the ai* of his!arents Antonio an* Euse#ia in Los An%eles, an* his aunt Anita Castro-Ma$or in Seattle. Li>e, Le*esa thou%h, their atte!ts to 8n* Maria!ro"e* fruitless. &he neGt 3 $ears 0ent #$ 0ithout an$ ne0s of Maria.

On the #elief that his 0ife ha* *ie*, 2er"entino 8le* a "eri8e*!etition)/ *ate* Octo#er , +


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?ERE2ORE, the a!!eal is here#$ DENIED. Accor*in%l$, the Jul$ +(,+ to 8n*Maria, as hearsa$ #ecause none of the !ersons 0ho !ur!orte*l$ hel!e*

in his search testi8e* in court. Nota#l$, the OS7 o#ser"es that onl$Ca!t. Aris %a"e a *etaile* account of his e5orts to trac> *o0n Maria.Accor*in% to Ca!t. Aris, he 0ent o"er the Seattle !hone *irector$ forMarias nae an* in4uire* a#out her fro the re%istrars o6ce inSeattle, #ut #oth e5orts !ro"e* to #e in "ain.&he OS7 #elittles its failure to o#1ect to the a*issi#ilit$ ofres!on*ents testion$ *urin% trial. Instea*, it in"o>es Constitutional!ro"isions that a*"ocate the state !olic$ of !reser"in% aritalinstitutions.On March =, +


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*eath of Maria *ate* Octo#er , +e0ise%o"ern suar$ !rocee*in%s 8le* un*er Articles 3, ), =, ;(, =,+3 an* +;, insofar as the$ are a!!lica#le. 9E!hasis su!!lie*.In !lain teGt, Article +3; in Cha!ter + of the sae title rea*s:AR& +3;. &he 1u*%ent of the court shall #e ie*iatel$ 8nal an*eGecutor$.'$ eG!ress !ro"ision of la0, the 1u*%ent of the court in a suar$!rocee*in% shall #e ie*iatel$ 8nal an* eGecutor$. As a atter ofcourse, it follo0s that no a!!eal can #e ha* of the trial courts1u*%ent in a suar$ !rocee*in% for the *eclaration of !resu!ti"e

*eath of an a#sent s!ouse un*er Article 3 of the 2ail$ Co*e. It %oes0ithout sa$in%, ho0e"er, that an a%%rie"e* !art$ a$ 8le a !etition forcertiorari to 4uestion a#use of *iscretion aountin% to lac> of1uris*iction. Such !etition shoul* #e 8le* in the Court of A!!eals inaccor*ance 0ith the Doctrine of ?ierarch$ of Courts. &o #e sure, e"en ifthe Courts ori%inal 1uris*iction to issue a 0rit of certiorari is concurrent0ith the R&Cs an* the Court of A!!eals in certain cases, suchconcurrence *oes not sanction an unrestricte* free*o of choice ofcourt foru.(/ 2ro the *ecision of the Court of A!!eals, the losin%!art$ a$ then 8le a !etition for re"ie0 on certiorari un*er Rule 3) ofthe Rules of Court 0ith the Su!ree Court. &his is #ecause the errors

0hich the court a$ coit in the eGercise of 1uris*iction are erel$errors of 1u*%ent 0hich are the !ro!er su#1ect of an a!!eal.3/In the case #efore us, !etitioner coitte* a serious !roce*ural la!se0hen it 8le* a notice of a!!eal in the Court of A!!eals instea* of a!etition for certiorari. &he R&C e4uall$ erre* in %i"in% *ue course tosai* a!!eal an* or*erin% the transittal of the recor*s of the case tothe a!!ellate court. '$ no eans *i* the Court of A!!eals ac4uire


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1uris*iction to re"ie0 the 1u*%ent of the R&C 0hich, #$ eG!ress!ro"ision of la0, 0as ie*iatel$ 8nal an* eGecutor$.A**in% to the confusion, the Court of A!!eals entertaine* the a!!ealan* treate* the sae as an or*inar$ a!!eal un*er Rule 3 of the Rulesof Court. As it 0ere, the Court of A!!eals coitte* %ra"e re"ersi#le

error 0hen it faile* to *isiss the erroneous a!!eal of the Re!u#lic onthe %roun* of lac> of 1uris*iction #ecause, #$ eG!ress !ro"ision of thela0, the 1u*%ent 0as not a!!eala#le.)/'efore us, !etitioner 8le* a !etition for re"ie0 on certiorari un*er Rule3) of the Rules of Court. 'ut, e"en if !etitioner use* the correct o*eof a!!eal at this le"el, the han*s of the Court are tie*. ithout a *ou#t,the *ecision of the trial court ha* lon% #ecoe 8nal.Dee!l$ in%raine* in our 1uris!ru*ence is the !rinci!le that a *ecisionthat has ac4uire* 8nalit$ #ecoes iuta#le an* unaltera#le. Assuch, it a$ no lon%er #e o*i8e* in an$ res!ect e"en if theo*i8cation is eant to correct erroneous conclusions of fact or la0

an* 0hether it 0ill #e a*e #$ the court that ren*ere* it or #$ thehi%hest court of the lan*.=/ In li%ht of the fore%oin%, it 0oul* #eunnecessar$, if not useless, to *iscuss the issues raise* #$ !etitioner.&he *octrine of 8nalit$ of 1u*%ent is %roun*e* on the fun*aental!rinci!le of !u#lic !olic$ an* soun* !ractice that, at the ris> ofoccasional error, the 1u*%ent of courts an* the a0ar* of 4uasi-1u*iciala%encies ust #ecoe 8nal on soe *e8nite *ate 8Ge* #$ la0. &heonl$ eGce!tions to the %eneral rule are the correction of clerical errors,the so-calle* nunc !ro tunc entries 0hich cause no !re1u*ice to an$!art$, "oi* 1u*%ents, an* 0hene"er circustances trans!ire after the8nalit$ of the *ecision 0hich ren*er its eGecution un1ust an*

ine4uita#le.;/ None of the eGce!tions o#tains here to erit there"ie0 sou%ht.?ERE2ORE the instant !etition is DENIED for lac> of erit. No!ronounceent as to costs.SO ORDERED.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, petitioner, vs. COURT OFAPPEALS 'n C0NTHIA +ICENCIO, responents.D E C I S I O NISM'IN7, J.:

&his is an a!!eal inter!ose* #$ the Re!u#lic of the Phili!!ines asre!resente* #$ the O6ce of the Solicitor 7eneral 9OS7, assailin% the*ecision/ of the Court of A!!eals !roul%ate* on A!ril +B, B,0hich a6re* the *ecision+/ of the Re%ional &rial Court of Manila,'ranch )+, *ate*, Au%ust (, B;. &he a!!eale* *ecision %rante*!ri"ate res!on*ent C$nthia Ficencios !etition for chan%e of surnae,fro Ficencio to u.


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!rocee*in%s #$ cross-eGainin% the !ri"ate res!on*ent C$nthiaFicencio, 9!etitioner a 4uo an* her 0itnesses.

Disre%ar*in% the OS7s contention, the trial court rule* that there is no"ali* cause for *en$in% the !etition. 2urther, the trial court state* that

it coul* not co!el !ri"ate res!on*ents ste!-father to a*o!t her, asa*o!tion is a "oluntar$ act #ut failure to resort to a*o!tion shoul* not#e a cause for *isallo0in% !ri"ate res!on*ent to le%all$ chan%e hernae.3/ ?ence, it %rante* the chan%e of surnae of !ri"ateres!on*ent fro Ficencio to u.

&he *ecision of the trial court 0as a6re* #$ the a!!ellate court,0hich hel* that it is for the #est interest of !etitioner that her surnae#e chan%e*. &he a!!ellate court too> into account the testionies of!ri"ate res!on*ent an* her 0itnesses that allo0in% the chan%e ofsurnae 0oul* %i"e her an o!!ortunit$ to i!ro"e her !ersonalit$ an*

0elfare.)/ It li>e0ise note* that the *iscre!anc$ #et0een her ori%inalsurnae, ta>en fro her #iolo%ical father an* the surnae of herste!-father, 0ho has #een sociall$ reco%nie* as her father, cause* here#arrassent an* inferiorit$ co!leG.=/

&he ain issue #efore us is 0hether the a!!ellate court erre* ina6rin% the trial courts *ecision allo0in% the chan%e of !ri"ateres!on*ents surnae to that of her ste!-fathers surnae.

In Re!u#lic "s. ?ernan*e;/, 0e ha"e reco%nie* inter alia, thefollo0in% as su6cient %roun*s to 0arrant a chan%e of nae: 9a 0hen

the nae is ri*iculous, *ishonora#le or eGtreel$ *i6cult to 0rite or!ronounce 9# 0hen the chan%e is a le%al conse4uence of le%itiationor a*o!tion 9c 0hen the chan%e 0ill a"oi* confusion 9* 0hen onehas continuousl$ use* an* #een >no0n since chil*hoo* #$ a 2ili!inonae an* 0as una0are of alien !arenta%e 9e 0hen the chan%e is#ase* on a sincere *esire to a*o!t a 2ili!ino nae to erase si%ns offorer aliena%e, all in %oo* faith an* 0ithout !re1u*ice to an$#o*$an* 9f 0hen the surnae causes e#arrassent an* there is nosho0in% that the *esire* chan%e of nae 0as for a frau*ulent !ur!ose,or that the chan%e of nae 0oul* !re1u*ice !u#lic interest.

Pri"ate res!on*ent asserts that her case falls un*er one of the1usti8a#le %roun*s aforecite*. She sa$s that confusion has arisen as toher !arenta%e #ecause e"er since chil*hoo*, Ernesto u has acte* asher father, assuin% *uties of rearin%, carin% an* su!!ortin% her. Sinceshe is >no0n in societ$ as the *au%hter of Ernesto u, she clais thatshe has #een su#1ecte* to in4uiries re%ar*in% her use of a *i5erentsurnae, causin% her uch huiliation an* e#arrassent. ?o0e"er,it is not *enie* that !ri"ate res!on*ent has use* Ficencio as her


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surnae in her school recor*s an* relate* *ocuents. 'ut she ha*use* the surnae of her ste!-father, u, 0hen she !artici!ate* in!u#lic functions, such as enterin% #eaut$ contests, nael$, 0ith theLions Clu# an* the Manila Re* Cross, an* 0hen she cele#rate* her*e#ut at the Manila ?otel.B/

&he Solicitor 7eneral ho0e"er ar%ues that there is no !ro!er an*reasona#le cause to 0arrant !ri"ate res!on*ents chan%e of surnae.Such chan%e i%ht e"en cause confusion an* %i"e rise to le%alco!lications *ue to the fact that !ri"ate res!on*ents ste!-father hast0o 9+ chil*ren 0ith her other. In the e"ent of her ste!-fathers*eath, it is !ossi#le that !ri"ate res!on*ent a$ e"en claiinheritance ri%hts as a le%itiate *au%hter. In his eoran*u, theSolicitor 7eneral, o!ines that Ernesto u has no intention of a>in%C$nthia as an heir #ecause *es!ite the su%%estion a*e #efore the!etition for chan%e of nae 0as hear* #$ the trial court that the

chan%e of fail$ nae to u coul* "er$ easil$ #e achie"e* #$a*o!tion, he has not o!te* for such a ree*$./

e 8n* erit in the Solicitor 7enerals contention.

&he touchstone for the %rant of a chan%e of nae is that there #e!ro!er an* reasona#le cause for 0hich the chan%e is sou%ht.


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res!on*ent is a le%itiate chil*, in those cases the chil*ren 0ere not ofle%itiate !arenta%e. In Moore "s. Re!u#lic,=/ 0here thecircustances a!!ears to #e siilar to the !resent case #efore us, theCourt u!hel* the Re!u#lics !osition:

e 8n* tena#le this o#ser"ation of %o"ernents counsel. In*ee*, if achil* #orn out of a la0ful 0e*loc> #e allo0e* to #ear the surnae ofthe secon* hus#an* of the other, shoul* the 8rst hus#an* *ie or #ese!arate* #$ a *ecree of *i"orce, there a$ result a confusion as tohis real !aternit$. In the lon% run the chan%e a$ re*oun* to the!re1u*ice of the chil* in the counit$.

hile the !ur!ose 0hich a$ ha"e aniate* !etitioner is !lausi#lean* a$ run alon% the feelin% of cor*ialit$ an* s!iritual relationshi!that !er"a*es aon% the e#ers of the Moore fail$, our han* is*eferre* #$ a le%al #arrier 0hich 0e cannot at !resent o"erloo> or

#rush asi*e.;/

Siilarl$ in Pa*illa "s. Re!u#lic,B/ the Court rule* that:

&o allo0 sai* inors to a*o!t the surnae of their others secon*hus#an*, 0ho is not their father, coul* result in confusion in their!aternit$. It coul* also create the sus!icion that sai* inors, 0ho 0ere#orn *urin% the co"erture of their other 0ith her 8rst hus#an*, 0erein fact sire* #$ E*0ar* Pa*illa, thus #rin%in% their le%itiate status into*iscre*it./

Pri"ate res!on*ent, i%ht sincerel$ 0ish to #e in a !osition siilar tothat of her ste!-fathers le%itiate chil*ren, a !lausi#le reason the!etition for chan%e of nae 0as 8le* in the 8rst !lace. Moreo"er, it islau*a#le that Ernesto u has treate* C$nthia as his "er$ o0n *au%hter,!ro"i*in% for all her nee*s as a father 0oul* his o0n esh an* #loo*.?o0e"er, le%al constraints lea* us to re1ect !ri"ate res!on*ents *esireto use her ste!fathers surnae. 2urther, there is no assurance the en*result 0oul* not #e e"en ore *etriental to her !erson, for instea* of#rin%in% a sto! to 4uestions, the "er$ chan%e of nae, if %rante*,coul* tri%%er uch *ee!er in4uiries re%ar*in% her !arenta%e.

Lastl$, 0hen this case 0as *eci*e* #$ the a!!ellate court, !ri"ateres!on*ent 0as alrea*$ B $ears ol* #ut still consi*ere* a inor#ecause Re!u#lic Act =B


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?ERE2ORE, the a!!eale* *ecision is here#$ REFERSED an* SE&ASIDE an* the instant !etition is here#$ 7RAN&ED.

SO ORDERED.

IN RE1 PETITION FOR CHAN!E OF NA#E AND2ORCORRECTION2CANCELLATION OF ENTR0 IN CI+IL RE!ISTR0 OF"ULIAN LIN CARULASAN 3AN! '4so 5nown 's "ULIAN LIN 3AN!,to 6e '7ene28orre8te 's "ULIAN LIN 3AN!, "ULIAN LIN3AN!, *49 represente 69 his 7other ANNA LISA 3AN!,petitioner, vs. CEBU CIT0 CI+IL RE!ISTRAR, *49 represente69 the Re:istr'r OSCAR B. #OLO, responent.D E C I S I O N&IN7A, J.:

I 0ill not #lot out his nae out of the #oo> of life.

Re"elation (:)

On ++ Se!te#er +


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as>in% 0hether the$ are #rother an* sister since the$ ha"e *i5erentsurnaes. Carulasan soun*s funn$ in Sin%a!ores Man*arin lan%ua%esince the$ *o not ha"e the letter R #ut if there is, the$ !ronounce it asL. It is for these reasons that the nae of Julian Lin Carulasan an% isre4ueste* to #e chan%e* to Julian Lin an%./

On (< A!ril +


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Petitioner also alle%es that it is error for the trial court to ha"e *enie*the !etition for chan%e of nae until he ha* reache* the a%e ofa1orit$ for hi to *eci*e the nae to use, contrar$ to !re"iouscases/ *eci*e* #$ this Court that allo0e* a inor to !etition forchan%e of nae.


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9# 0hen the chan%e results as a le%al conse4uence, as in le%itiation9c 0hen the chan%e 0ill a"oi* confusion 9* 0hen one hascontinuousl$ use* an* #een >no0n since chil*hoo* #$ a 2ili!ino nae,an* 0as una0are of alien !arenta%e 9e a sincere *esire to a*o!t a2ili!ino nae to erase si%ns of forer aliena%e, all in %oo* faith an*

0ithout !re1u*icin% an$#o*$ an* 9f 0hen the surnae causese#arrassent an* there is no sho0in% that the *esire* chan%e ofnae 0as for a frau*ulent !ur!ose or that the chan%e of nae 0oul*!re1u*ice !u#lic interest.=/

In %rantin% or *en$in% !etitions for chan%e of nae, the 4uestion of!ro!er an* reasona#le cause is left to the soun* *iscretion of the court.&he e"i*ence !resente* nee* onl$ #e satisfactor$ to the court an* notall the #est e"i*ence a"aila#le. hat is in"ol"e* is not a ere atterof allo0ance or *isallo0ance of the re4uest, #ut a 1u*icious e"aluationof the su6cienc$ an* !ro!riet$ of the 1usti8cations a*"ance* in

su!!ort thereof, in*ful of the conse4uent results in the e"ent of its%rant an* 0ith the sole !rero%ati"e for a>in% such *eterination#ein% lo*%e* in the courts.;/

&he !etition #efore us is unli>e other !etitions for chan%e of nae, as it*oes not si!l$ see> to chan%e the nae of the inor !etitioner an*a*o!t another, #ut instea* see>s to *ro! the i**le nae alto%ether.Deci*e* cases in this 1uris*iction in"ol"in% !etitions for chan%e ofnae usuall$ *eal 0ith re4uests for chan%e of surnae. &here are onl$a han*ful of cases in"ol"in% re4uests for chan%e of the %i"en naeB/an* none on re4uests for chan%in% or *ro!!in% of the i**le nae.

Does the la0 allo0 one to *ro! the i**le nae fro his re%istere*nae e ha"e to ans0er in the ne%ati"e.

A *iscussion on the le%al si%ni8cance of a !ersons nae is rele"ant atthis !oint. e 4uote, thus:

2or all !ractical an* le%al !ur!oses, a ans nae is the *esi%nation#$ 0hich he is >no0n an* calle* in the counit$ in 0hich he li"esan* is #est >no0n. It is *e8ne* as the 0or* or co#ination of 0or*s #$0hich a !erson is *istin%uishe* fro other in*i"i*uals an*, also, as thela#el or a!!ellation 0hich he #ears for the con"enience of the 0orl* at

lar%e a**ressin% hi, or in s!ea>in% of or *ealin% 0ith hi. Naes areuse* erel$ as one etho* of in*icatin% the i*entit$ of !ersons the$are *escri!ti"e of !ersons for i*enti8cation, since, the i*entit$ is theessential thin% an* it has fre4uentl$ #een hel* that, 0hen i*entit$ iscertain, a "ariance in, or iss!ellin% of, the nae is iaterial.

&he naes of in*i"i*uals usuall$ ha"e t0o !arts: the %i"en nae or!ro!er nae, an* the surnae or fail$ nae. &he %i"en or !ro!er


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nae is that 0hich is %i"en to the in*i"i*ual at #irth or #a!tis, to*istin%uish hi fro other in*i"i*uals. &he nae or fail$ nae is that0hich i*enti8es the fail$ to 0hich he #elon%s an* is continue* fro!arent to chil*. &he %i"en nae a$ #e freel$ selecte* #$ the !arentsfor the chil* #ut the surnae to 0hich the chil* is entitle* is 8Ge* #$

la0.

A nae is sai* to ha"e the follo0in% characteristics: 9 It is a#solute,inten*e* to !rotect the in*i"i*ual fro #ein% confuse* 0ith others. 9+It is o#li%ator$ in certain res!ects, for no#o*$ can #e 0ithout a nae.9( It is 8Ge*, unchan%ea#le, or iuta#le, at least at the start, an*a$ #e chan%e* onl$ for %oo* cause an* #$ 1u*icial !rocee*in%s. 93 Itis outsi*e the coerce of an, an*, therefore, inaliena#le an*intransissi#le #$ act inter "i"os or ortis causa. 9) It isi!rescri!ti#le./

&his citation *oes not a>e an$ reference to i**le naes, #ut this*oes not ean that i**le naes ha"e no !ractical or le%alsi%ni8cance. Mi**le naes ser"e to i*entif$ the aternal linea%e or8liation of a !erson as 0ell as further *istin%uish hi fro others 0hoa$ ha"e the sae %i"en nae an* surnae as he has.

Our la0s on the use of surnaes state that le%itiate an* le%itiate*chil*ren shall !rinci!all$ use the surnae of the father.+no0le*%e* ille%itiate chil*.

Accor*in%l$, the re%istration in the ci"il re%istr$ of the #irth of suchin*i"i*uals re4uires that the i**le nae #e in*icate* in thecerti8cate. &he re%istere* nae of a le%itiate, le%itiate* an*reco%nie* ille%itiate chil* thus contains a %i"en or !ro!er nae, ai**le nae, an* a surnae.


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Petitioner theories that it 0oul* #e for his #est interest to *ro! hisi**le nae as this 0oul* hel! hi to a*1ust ore easil$ to an*inte%rate hiself into Sin%a!orean societ$. In su!!ort, he cites Oshita". Re!u#lic+(/ an* Cal*eron ". Re!u#lic,+3/ 0hich, ho0e"er, are nota!ro!os #oth.

In Oshita, the !etitioner therein, a le%itiate *au%hter of a 2ili!inoother, 'uena 'artoloe, an* a Ja!anese father, Kishiatsu Oshita,sou%ht to chan%e her nae fro Antonina '. Oshita to Antonina'artoloe. &he Court %rante* her !etition #ase* on the follo0in%consi*erations: she ha* electe* Phili!!ine citienshi! u!on reachin%the a%e of a1orit$ her other si#lin%s 0ho ha* also electe* Phili!!inecitienshi! ha"e #een usin% their others surnae she 0ase#arrasse* to #ear a Ja!anese surnae there still #ein% ill feelin%a%ainst the Ja!anese *ue to the last orl* ar an* there 0as nosho0in% that the chan%e of nae 0as oti"ate* #$ a frau*ulent

!ur!ose or that it 0ill !re1u*ice !u#lic interest.

In Cal*eron, the Court allo0e* !etitioner 7ertru*es Jose8na *el Pra*o,an ille%itiate inor chil* actin% throu%h her other 0ho 8le* the!etition in her #ehalf, to chan%e her nae to 7ertu*es Jose8naCal*eron, ta>in% the surnae of her ste!father, Roeo C. Cal*eron,her others hus#an*. &he Court hel* that a !etition for chan%e ofnae of an infant shoul* #e %rante* 0here to *o is clearl$ for the #estinterest of the chil*. &he Court too> into consi*eration the o!!ortunit$!ro"i*e* for the inor !etitioner to eliinate the sti%a of ille%itiac$0hich she 0oul* carr$ if she continue* to use the surnae of her

ille%itiate father. &he Court !ronounce* that 1ustice *ictates thate"er$ !erson #e allo0e* to a"ail of an$ o!!ortunit$ to i!ro"e hissocial stan*in% as lon% as *oin% so he *oes not cause !re1u*ice orin1ur$ to the interests of the State or of other !eo!le.

Petitioner cites Alfon ". Re!u#lic,+)/ in ar%uin% that althou%h Article;3 of the 2ail$ Co*e %i"es the le%itiate chil* the ri%ht to use thesurnaes of the father an* the other, it is not an*ator$ such thatthe chil* coul* use onl$ one fail$ nae, e"en the fail$ nae of theother. In Alfon, the !etitioner therein, the le%itiate *au%hter of2iloeno Duterte an* Estrella Alfon, sou%ht to chan%e her nae fro

Maria Estrella Feronica Priiti"a Duterte 9her nae as re%istere* in theLocal Ci"il Re%istr$ to Estrella S. Alfon 9the nae she ha* #een usin%since chil*hoo*, in her school recor*s an* in her "oters re%istration.&he trial court *enie* her !etition #ut this Court o"erturne* the *enial,rulin% that 0hile Article (=3 of the Ci"il Co*e states that she, as ale%itiate chil*, shoul* !rinci!all$ use the surnae of her father, thereis no le%al o#stacle for her to choose to use the surnae of her other


26/70

to 0hich she is entitle*. In a**ition, the Court foun* that there 0asa!le 1usti8cation to %rant her !etition, i.e., to a"oi* confusion.

ei%hin% !etitioners reason of con"enience for the chan%e of his naea%ainst the stan*ar*s set in the cases he cites to su!!ort his

contention 0oul* sho0 that his 1usti8cation is aor!hous, to sa$ theleast, an* coul* not 0arrant fa"ora#le action on his !etition.

&he factual antece*ents an* uni4ue circustances of the cite* casesare not at all analo%ous to the case at #ar. &he instant case is clearl$*istin%uisha#le fro the cases of Oshita an* Alfon, 0here the!etitioners 0ere alrea*$ of a%e 0hen the$ 8le* their !etitions forchan%e of nae. 'ein% of a%e, the$ are consi*ere* to ha"e eGercise*their *iscretion an* 1u*%ent, full$ >no0in% the e5ects of their*ecision to chan%e their surnaes. It can also #e unista>a#l$o#ser"e* that the reason for the %rant of the !etitions for chan%e of

nae in these t0o cases 0as the !resence of reasona#le or co!ellin%%roun*s therefore. &he Court, in Oshita, reco%nie* the tan%i#leaniosit$ ost 2ili!inos ha* *urin% that tie a%ainst the Ja!anese as aresult of orl* ar II, in a**ition to the fact of therein !etitionerselection of Phili!!ine citienshi!. In Alfon, the Court %rante* the!etition since the !etitioner ha* #een >no0n since chil*hoo* #$ anae *i5erent fro her re%istere* nae an* she ha* not use* herre%istere* nae in her school recor*s an* "oters re%istration recor*sthus, *en$in% the !etition 0oul* onl$ result to confusion.

Cal*eron, on the other han*, %rante* the !etition for chan%e of nae

8le* #$ a other in #ehalf of her ille%itiate inor chil*. Petitionercites this case to #uttress his ar%uent that he *oes not ha"e to reachthe a%e of a1orit$ to !etition for chan%e of nae. ?o0e"er, it isanifest in Cal*eron that the Court, in %rantin% the !etition for chan%eof nae, %a"e !araount consi*eration to the #est interests of theinor !etitioner therein.

In the case at #ar, the onl$ reason a*"ance* #$ !etitioner for the*ro!!in% his i**le nae is con"enience. ?o0e"er, ho0 such chan%eof nae 0oul* a>e his inte%ration into Sin%a!orean societ$ easieran* con"enient is not clearl$ esta#lishe*. &hat the continue* use of his

i**le nae 0oul* cause confusion an* *i6cult$ *oes not constitute!ro!er an* reasona#le cause to *ro! it fro his re%istere* co!letenae.

In a**ition, !etitioner is onl$ a inor. Consi*erin% the ne#ulousfoun*ation on 0hich his !etition for chan%e of nae is #ase*, it is #estthat the atter of chan%e of his nae #e left to his 1u*%ent an**iscretion 0hen he reaches the a%e of a1orit$.+=/ As he is of ten*er


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a%e, he a$ not $et un*erstan* an* a!!reciate the "alue of thechan%e of his nae an* %rantin% of the sae at this !oint a$ 1ust!re1u*ice hi in his ri%hts un*er our la0s.

?ERE2ORE, in "ie0 of the fore%oin%, the Petition for Re"ie0 on

Certiorari is DENIED.

SO ORDERED.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner,vs.TRINIDAD R.A. CAPOTE, Responent.

D E C I S I O N

CORONA, J.:

&his !etition for re"ie0 on certiorari see>s to set asi*e the Court ofA!!eals 9CA *ecision+ *ate* Januar$ (, +


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3. &he inor 0as left un*er the care of res!on*ent/ since he 0as $etnine 9 $ears ol* u! to the !resent

). Minor 7IOFANNI N. 7ALLAMASO is the ille%itiate natural chil* ofCoraon P. Na*ores an* Dios*a*o 7allaaso. ?e/ 0as #orn on Jul$ ,

B+ ,/ !rior to the e5ecti"it$ of the Ne0 2ail$ Co*e an* as such, hisother use* the surnae of the natural father *es!ite the a#sence ofarria%e #et0een the an* 7io"anni/ has #een >no0n #$ that naesince #irth as !er his #irth certi8cate re%istere* at the Local Ci"ilRe%ister of San Juan, Southern Le$te/

=. &he father, Dios*a*o 7allaaso, fro the tie 7io"anni/ 0as #ornan* u! to the !resent, faile* to ta>e u! his res!onsi#ilities to hi/ onatters of 8nancial, !h$sical, eotional an* s!iritual concerns.7io"anniQs !leas/ for attention alon% that line fell/ on *eaf ears GGGGGG GGG

;. 7io"anni/ is no0 full$ a0are of ho0 he stan*s 0ith his father an* he*esires to ha"e his surnae chan%e* to that of his otherQs surnae

B. 7io"anniQs/ other i%ht e"entuall$ !etition hi/ to 1oin her in thenite* States an* his/ continue* use of the surnae 7allaaso, thesurnae of his natural father, a$ co!licate his/ status as naturalchil* an*

. &he chan%e of nae fro/ 7IOFANNI N. 7ALLAMASO to 7IOFANNINADORES 0ill #e for the #ene8t of the inor.

GGG GGG GGG3

Res!on*ent !ra$e* for an or*er *irectin% the local ci"il re%istrar toe5ect the chan%e of nae on 7io"anniQs #irth certi8cate. ?a"in% foun*res!on*entQs !etition su6cient in for an* su#stance, the trial court%a"e *ue course to the !etition.) Pu#lication of the !etition in ane0s!a!er of %eneral circulation in the !ro"ince of Southern Le$teonce a 0ee> for three consecuti"e 0ee>s 0as li>e0ise or*ere*.= &hetrial court also *irecte* that the local ci"il re%istrar #e noti8e* an* thatthe O6ce of the Solicitor 7eneral 9OS7 #e sent a co!$ of the !etition

an* or*er.;

Since there 0as no o!!osition to the !etition, res!on*ent o"e* forlea"e of court to !resent her e"i*ence eG !arte #efore a court-a!!ointe* coissioner. &he OS7, actin% throu%h the Pro"incialProsecutor, *i* not o#1ect hence, the lo0er court %rante* the otion.


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After the rece!tion of e"i*ence, the trial court ren*ere* a *ecisionor*erin% the chan%e of nae fro 7io"anni N. 7allaaso to 7io"anniNa*ores.B

2ro this *ecision, !etitioner Re!u#lic of the Phili!!ines, throu%h the

OS7, 8le* an a!!eal 0ith a lone assi%nent of error: the court a 4uoerre* in %rantin% the !etition in a suar$ !rocee*in%.

Rulin% that the !rocee*in%s 0ere su6cientl$ a*"ersarial in nature asre4uire*, the CA a6re* the R&C *ecision or*erin% the chan%e ofnae.

In this !etition, the Re!u#lic conten*s that the CA erre* in a6rin% thetrial courtQs *ecision 0hich %rante* the !etition for chan%e of nae*es!ite the non-1oin*er of in*is!ensa#le !arties.< Petitioner citesRe!u#lic of the Phili!!ines ". La#ra*or an* clais that the !ur!orte*

!arents an* all other !ersons 0ho a$ #e a*"ersel$ a5ecte* #$ thechil*Qs chan%e of nae shoul* ha"e #een a*e res!on*ents to a>ethe !rocee*in% a*"ersarial.+

e *en$ the !etition.

&he su#1ect of ri%hts ust ha"e a 8Ge* s$#ol for in*i"i*ualiation0hich ser"es to *istin%uish hi fro all others this s$#ol is hisnae.( n*erstan*a#l$, therefore, no !erson can chan%e his naeor surnae 0ithout 1u*icial authorit$.3 &his is a reasona#lere4uireent for those see>in% such chan%e #ecause a !ersonQs nae

necessaril$ a5ects his i*entit$, interests an* interactions. &he Stateust #e in"ol"e* in the !rocess an* *ecision to chan%e the nae ofan$ of its citiens.

&he Rules of Court !ro"i*es the re4uireents an* !roce*ure forchan%e of nae. ?ere, the a!!ro!riate ree*$ is co"ere* #$ Rule


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as 0ell as successional ri%hts.; Such issues are "entilate* onl$ ina*"ersarial !rocee*in%s 0herein all intereste* !arties are i!lea*e*an* *ue !rocess is o#ser"e*.B

hen 7io"anni 0as #orn in B+ 9!rior to the enactent an*

e5ecti"it$ of the 2ail$ Co*e of the Phili!!ines, the !ertinent!ro"ision of the Ci"il Co*e then as re%ar*s his use of a surnae, rea*:

Art. (==. A natural chil* ac>no0le*%e* #$ #oth !arents shall !rinci!all$use the surnae of the father. If reco%nie* #$ onl$ one of the !arents,a natural chil* shall e!lo$ the surnae of the reco%niin% !arent.9e!hasis ours

'ase* on this !ro"ision, 7io"anni shoul* ha"e carrie* his otherQssurnae fro #irth. &he recor*s *o not re"eal an$ act or intention onthe !art of 7io"anniQs !utati"e father to actuall$ reco%nie hi.

Mean0hile, accor*in% to the 2ail$ Co*e 0hich re!eale*, aon%others, Article (== of the Ci"il Co*e:

Art. ;=. Ille%itiate chil*ren shall use the surnae an* shall #e un*erthe !arental authorit$ of their other, an* shall #e entitle* to su!!ortin conforit$ 0ith this Co*e. GGG GGG GGG 9e!hasis ours

Our rulin% in the recent case of In Re: Petition for Chan%e of Naean*@or Correction@Cancellation of Entr$ in Ci"il Re%istr$ of Julian LinCarulasan an%+< is enli%htenin%:

Our la0s on the use of surnaes state that le%itiate an* le%itiate*chil*ren shall !rinci!all$ use the surnae of the father. &he 2ail$Co*e %i"es le%itiate chil*ren the ri%ht to #ear the surnaes of thefather an* the other, 0hile ille%itiate chil*ren shall use thesurnae of their other, unless their father reco%nies their 8liation,in 0hich case the$ a$ #ear the fatherQs surnae.

A!!l$in% these la0s, an ille%itiate chil* 0hose 8liation is notreco%nie* #$ the father #ears onl$ a %i"en nae an* his otherQsurnae, an* *oes not ha"e a i**le nae. &he nae of theunreco%nie* ille%itiate chil* therefore i*enti8es hi as such. It is

onl$ 0hen the ille%itiate chil* is le%itiate* #$ the su#se4uentarria%e of his !arents or ac>no0le*%e* #$ the father in a !u#lic*ocuent or !ri"ate han*0ritten instruent that he #ears #oth hisotherQs surnae as his i**le nae an* his fatherQs surnae as hissurnae, reectin% his status as a le%itiate* chil* or anac>no0le*%e* chil*.a0!hi.net+


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&he fore%oin% *iscussion esta#lishes the si%ni8cant connection of a!ersonQs nae to his i*entit$, his status in relation to his !arents an*his successional ri%hts as a le%itiate or ille%itiate chil*. 2or sure,these atters shoul* not #e ta>en li%htl$ as to *e!ri"e those 0ho a$,in an$ 0a$, #e a5ecte* #$ the ri%ht to !resent e"i*ence in fa"or of or

a%ainst such chan%e.

&he la0 an* facts o#tainin% here fa"or 7io"anniQs !etition. 7io"annia"aile* of the !ro!er ree*$, a !etition for chan%e of nae un*er Rulee !etitions for thecancellation or correction of clerical errors in entries in the ci"il re%istr$un*er Rule


32/70

the 8lin% of the !etition. &he lo0er court also furnishe* the OS7 a co!$thereof. Des!ite the notice, no one cae for0ar* to o!!ose the!etition inclu*in% the OS7. &he fact that no one o!!ose* the !etition*i* not *e!ri"e the court of its 1uris*iction to hear the sae nor *oes ita>e the !rocee*in% less a*"ersarial in nature. &he lo0er court is still

eG!ecte* to eGercise its 1u*%ent to *eterine 0hether the !etition iseritorious or not an* not erel$ acce!t as true the ar%uents!ro!oun*e*. Consi*erin% that the OS7 neither o!!ose* the !etitionnor the otion to !resent its e"i*ence eG !arte 0hen it ha* theo!!ortunit$ to *o so, it cannot no0 co!lain that the !rocee*in%s inthe lo0er court 0ere not a*"ersarial enou%h.+( 9e!hasis su!!lie*

A !rocee*in% is a*"ersarial 0here the !art$ see>in% relief has %i"enle%al 0arnin% to the other !art$ an* a5or*e* the latter an o!!ortunit$to contest it.+3 Res!on*ent %a"e notice of the !etition throu%h!u#lication as re4uire* #$ the rules.+) ith this, all intereste* !arties

0ere *eee* noti8e* an* the 0hole 0orl* consi*ere* #oun* #$ the1u*%ent therein. In a**ition, the trial court %a"e *ue notice to theOS7 #$ ser"in% a co!$ of the !etition on it. &hus, all the re4uireentsto a>e a !rocee*in% a*"ersarial 0ere satis8e* 0hen all intereste*!arties, inclu*in% !etitioner as re!resente* #$ the OS7, 0ere a5or*e*the o!!ortunit$ to contest the !etition.

?ERE2ORE, the !etition is here#$ DENIED an* the Januar$ (, +


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G-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------G

D E C I S I O NCARPIO, J.:

&he Case'efore the Court is a !etition for re"ie0/ of the +; Ma$ +


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&his has reference to $our letter *ate* ; Au%ust +


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In its Decision of +; Ma$ +


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&he sole issue in this case is 0hether !etitioner, 0ho ori%inall$ use*her hus#an*s surnae in her eG!ire* !ass!ort, can re"ert to the use of

her ai*en nae in the re!laceent !ass!ort, *es!ite the su#sistenceof her arria%e.&he Rulin% of the Court

&he !etition lac>s erit.&itle HIII of the Ci"il Co*e %o"erns the use of surnaes. In the case of aarrie* 0oan, Article (;< of the Ci"il Co*e !ro"i*es:

AR&. (;


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of her forer hus#an*s is o!tional an* not o#li%ator$ for her 9&olentino,Ci"il Co*e, !. ;+), B( e*. Art. (;(, Ci"il Co*e. hen !etitionerarrie* her hus#an*, she *i* not chan%e her #ut onl$ her ci"il status.Neither 0as she re4uire* to secure 1u*icial authorit$ to use thesurnae of her hus#an* after the arria%e as no la0 re4uires it.

9E!hasis su!!lie*

Clearl$, a arrie* 0oan has an o!tion, #ut not a *ut$, to use thesurnae of the hus#an* in an$ of the 0a$s !ro"i*e* #$ Article (;< ofthe Ci"il Co*e.(/ She is therefore allo0e* to use not onl$ an$ of thethree naes !ro"i*e* in Article (;e in asin, 0hich in"ol"e* a Musli *i"orcee 0hoseforer hus#an* is alrea*$ arrie* to another 0oan, !etitionersarria%e reains su#sistin%. Another !oint, asin *i* not in"ol"e a

re4uest to resue ones ai*en nae in a re!laceent !ass!ort, #ut a!etition to resue ones ai*en nae in "ie0 of the *issolution of onesarria%e.

&he la0 %o"ernin% !ass!ort issuance is RA B+( an* the a!!lica#le!ro"ision in this case is Section )9*, 0hich states:Sec. ). Re4uireents for the Issuance of Pass!ort. No !ass!ort shall #eissue* to an a!!licant unless the Secretar$ or his *ul$ authorie*

re!resentati"e is satis8e* that the a!!licant is a 2ili!ino citien 0hohas co!lie* 0ith the follo0in% re4uireents: G G G9D IN CASE O2 A OMAN ?O IS MARRIED, SEPARA&ED, DIFORCEDOR IDOED OR ?OSE MARRIA7E ?AS 'EEN ANNLLED ORDECLARED ' COR& AS FOID, A COP O2 &?E CER&I2ICA&E O2MARRIA7E, COR& DECREE O2 SEPARA&ION, DIFORCE OR ANNLMEN&OR CER&I2ICA&E O2 DEA&? O2 &?E DECEASED SPOSE DL ISSED


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AND A&?EN&ICA&ED ' &?E O22ICE O2 &?E CIFIL RE7IS&RAR7ENERAL: PROFIDED, &?A& IN CASE O2 A DIFORCE DECREE,ANNLMEN& OR DECLARA&ION O2 MARRIA7E AS FOID, &?E OMANAPPLICAN& MA REFER& &O &?E SE O2 ?ER MAIDEN NAME:PROFIDED, 2R&?ER, &?A& SC? DIFORCE IS RECO7NIED NDER

EHIS&IN7 LAS O2 &?E P?ILIPPINES H H H 9EMP?ASIS SPPLIED

&he O6ce of the Solicitor 7eneral 9OS7, on #ehalf of the Secretar$ of2orei%n A5airs, ar%ues that the hi%hli%hte* !ro"iso in Section )9* ofRA B+( liits the instances 0hen a arrie* 0oan a$ #e allo0e* tore"ert to the use of her ai*en nae in her !ass!ort. &hese instancesare *eath of hus#an*, *i"orce *ecree, annulent or nullit$ ofarria%e. Si%ni8cantl$, Section , Article + of the I!leentin% Rulesan* Re%ulations of RA B+( !ro"i*es:

&he !ass!ort can #e aen*e* onl$ in the follo0in% cases:

A AMENDMEN& O2 OMANS NAME DE &O MARRIA7E

' AMENDMEN& O2 OMANS NAME DE &O DEA&? O2 SPOSE,ANNLMEN& O2 MARRIA7E OR DIFORCE INI&IA&ED ' A 2OREI7NSPOSE OR

C C?AN7E O2 SRNAME O2 A C?ILD ?O IS LE7I&IMA&ED ' FIR&EO2 A S'SEEN& MARRIA7E O2 ?IS PAREN&S.

Since !etitioners arria%e to her hus#an* su#sists, !lacin% her caseoutsi*e of the !ur"ie0 of Section )9* of RA B+( 9as to the instances0hen a arrie* 0oan a$ re"ert to the use of her ai*en nae,she a$ not resue her ai*en nae in the re!laceent !ass!ort.)/ &his !rohi#ition, accor*in% to !etitioner, conicts 0ith an*, thus,o!erates as an i!lie* re!eal of Article (;< of the Ci"il Co*e.PE&I&IONER IS MIS&AKEN. &?E CON2LIC& 'E&EEN AR&ICLE (;< O2

&?E CIFIL CODE AND SEC&ION )9D O2 RA B+( IS MORE IMA7INED&?AN REAL. RA B+(, INCLDIN7 I&S IMPLEMEN&IN7 RLES ANDRE7LA&IONS, DOES NO& PRO?I'I& A MARRIED OMAN 2ROM SIN7?ER MAIDEN NAME IN ?ER PASSPOR&. IN 2AC&, IN RECO7NI&ION O2&?IS RI7?&, &?E D2A ALLOS A MARRIED OMAN ?O APPLIES 2ORA PASSPOR& 2OR &?E 2IRS& &IME &O SE ?ER MAIDEN NAME. SC? ANAPPLICAN& IS NO& REIRED &O ADOP& ?ER ?S'ANDS SRNAME.=/


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In the case of rene0al of !ass!ort, a arrie* 0oan a$ either a*o!ther hus#an*s surnae or continuousl$ use her ai*en nae. If shechooses to a*o!t her hus#an*s surnae in her ne0 !ass!ort, the D2Aa**itionall$ re4uires the su#ission of an authenticate* co!$ of the

arria%e certi8cate. Other0ise, if she !refers to continue usin% herai*en nae, she a$ still *o so. &he D2A 0ill not !rohi#it her frocontinuousl$ usin% her ai*en nae.;/

?OEFER, ONCE A MARRIED OMAN OP&ED &O ADOP& ?ER?S'ANDS SRNAME IN ?ER PASSPOR&, S?E MA NO& REFER& &O &?ESE O2 ?ER MAIDEN NAME, EHCEP& IN &?E CASES ENMERA&ED INSEC&ION )9D O2 RA B+(. &?ESE INS&ANCES ARE: 9 DEA&? O2?S'AND, 9+ DIFORCE, 9( ANNLMEN&, OR 93 NLLI& O2

MARRIA7E. SINCE PE&I&IONERS MARRIA7E &O ?ER ?S'ANDS'SIS&S, S?E MA NO& RESME ?ER MAIDEN NAME IN &?EREPLACEMEN& PASSPOR&. O&?ERISE S&A&ED, A MARRIED OMANSREFERSION &O &?E SE O2 ?ER MAIDEN NAME MS& 'E 'ASED ONLON &?E SEFERANCE O2 &?E MARRIA7E.EFEN ASSMIN7 RA B+( CON2LIC&S I&? &?E CIFIL CODE, &?EPROFISIONS O2 RA B+( ?IC? IS A SPECIAL LA SPECI2ICALLDEALIN7 I&? PASSPOR& ISSANCE MS& PREFAIL OFER &?EPROFISIONS O2 &I&LE HIII O2 &?E CIFIL CODE ?IC? IS &?E 7ENERALLA ON &?E SE O2 SRNAMES. A 'ASIC &ENE& IN S&A&&OR

CONS&RC&ION IS &?A& A SPECIAL LA PREFAILS OFER A 7ENERALLA,B/ &?S:I/t is a failiar rule of statutor$ construction that to the eGtent of an$necessar$ re!u%nanc$ #et0een a %eneral an* a s!ecial la0 or!ro"ision, the latter 0ill control the forer 0ithout re%ar* to theres!ecti"e *ates of !assa%e./

Moreo"er, !etitioners theor$ of i!lie* re!eal ust fail. ell-entrenche* is the rule that an i!lie* re!eal is *isfa"ore*. & he

a!!arentl$ conictin% !ro"isions of a la0 or t0o la0s shoul* #eharonie* as uch as !ossi#le, so that each shall #e e5ecti"e.+


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an* consistentl$ use her ai*en nae fro the oent she 0asarrie* an* fro the tie she 8rst a!!lie* for a Phili!!ine !ass!ort.?o0e"er, !etitioner consciousl$ chose to use her hus#an*s surnae#efore, in her !re"ious !ass!ort a!!lication, an* no0 *esires toresue her ai*en nae. If 0e allo0 !etitioners !resent re4uest,

*e8nitel$ nothin% !re"ents her in the future fro re4uestin% to re"ertto the use of her hus#an*s surnae. Such un1usti8e* chan%es in onesnae an* i*entit$ in a !ass!ort, 0hich is consi*ere* su!erior to allother o6cial *ocuents,++/ cannot #e countenance*. Other0ise,un*ue confusion an* inconsistenc$ in the recor*s of !ass!ort hol*ers0ill arise. &hus, for !ass!ort issuance !ur!oses, a arrie* 0oan,such as !etitioner, 0hose arria%e su#sists, a$ not chan%e herfail$ nae at 0ill.&?E ACISI&ION O2 A P?ILIPPINE PASSPOR& IS A PRIFILE7E. &?E LARECO7NIES &?E PASSPOR& APPLICAN&S CONS&I&&IONAL RI7?& &O

&RAFEL. ?OEFER, &?E S&A&E IS ALSO MANDA&ED &O PRO&EC& ANDMAIN&AIN &?E IN&E7RI& AND CREDI'ILI& O2 &?E PASSPOR& AND&RAFEL DOCMEN&S PROCEEDIN7 2ROM I&+(/ AS A P?ILIPPINEPASSPOR& REMAINS A& ALL &IMES &?E PROPER& O2 &?E7OFERNMEN&. &?E ?OLDER IS MEREL A POSSESSOR O2 &?EPASSPOR& AS LON7 AS I& IS FALID AND &?E SAME MA NO& 'ESRRENDERED &O AN PERSON OR EN&I& O&?ER &?AN &?E7OFERNMEN& OR I&S REPRESEN&A&IFE.+3/As the OS7 correctl$ !ointe* out:

&/he issuance of !ass!orts is i!resse* 0ith !u#lic interest. A!ass!ort is an o6cial *ocuent of i*entit$ an* nationalit$ issue* to a!erson inten*in% to tra"el or so1ourn in forei%n countries. It is issue* #$the Phili!!ine %o"ernent to its citiens re4uestin% other %o"ernentsto allo0 its hol*er to !ass safel$ an* freel$, an* in case of nee*, to%i"e hi@her ai* an* !rotection. G G GFie0e* in the li%ht of the fore%oin%, it is 0ithin res!on*entsco!etence to re%ulate an$ aen*ents inten*e* to #e a*etherein, inclu*in% the *enial of unreasona#le an* 0hisical re4uestsfor aen*ents such as in the instant case.+)/

?ERE2ORE, 0e DEN the !etition. e A22IRM the +; Ma$ +


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES,Petitioner,

$ vers*s $

"ENNIFER B. CA!ANDAHAN,Res!on*ent.7.R. No. ===;=Present:

ISM'IN7, J., Chair!erson,CARPIO MORALES,&IN7A,FELASCO, JR., an*'RION, JJ.Proul%ate*:Se!te#er +, +


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con*ition 0here !ersons thus aicte* !ossess #oth ale an* fealecharacteristics. She further alle%e* that she 0as *ia%nose* to ha"eclitoral h$!erthro!$ in her earl$ $ears an* at a%e siG, un*er0ent anultrasoun* 0here it 0as *isco"ere* that she has sall o"aries. At a%ethirteen, tests re"eale* that her o"arian structures ha* iniie*, she

has sto!!e* %ro0in% an* she has no #reast or enstrual *e"elo!ent.She then alle%e* that for all interests an* a!!earances as 0ell as inin* an* eotion, she has #ecoe a ale !erson. &hus, she !ra$e*that her #irth certi8cate #e correcte* such that her %en*er #e chan%e*fro feale to ale an* her 8rst nae #e chan%e* fro Jennifer toJe5.&he !etition 0as !u#lishe* in a ne0s!a!er of %eneral circulation forthree 9( consecuti"e 0ee>s an* 0as !oste* in cons!icuous !laces #$the sheri5 of the court. &he Solicitor 7eneral entere* his a!!earancean* authorie* the Assistant Pro"incial Prosecutor to a!!ear in his#ehalf.

&o !ro"e her clai, res!on*ent testi8e* an* !resente* the testion$of Dr. Michael Sionon of the De!artent of Ps$chiatr$, ni"ersit$ ofthe Phili!!ines-Phili!!ine 7eneral ?os!ital. Dr. Sionon issue* ae*ical certi8cate statin% that res!on*ents con*ition is >no0n as CA?.?e eG!laine* that %eneticall$ res!on*ent is feale #ut #ecause her#o*$ secretes ale horones, her feale or%ans *i* not *e"elo!norall$ an* she has t0o seG or%ans feale an* ale. ?e testi8e*that this con*ition is "er$ rare, that res!on*ents uterus is not full$*e"elo!e* #ecause of lac> of feale horones, an* that she has noonthl$ !erio*. ?e further testi8e* that res!on*ents con*ition is!eranent an* recoen*e* the chan%e of %en*er #ecause

res!on*ent has a*e u! her in*, a*1uste* to her chosen role asale, an* the %en*er chan%e 0oul* #e a*"anta%eous to her.&he R&C %rante* res!on*ents !etition in a Decision *ate* Januar$ +,+


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It is li>e0ise or*ere* that !etitioners school recor*s, "oters re%istr$,#a!tisal certi8cate, an* other !ertinent recor*s are here#$ aen*e*to confor 0ith the fore%oin% correcte* *ata.SO ORDERED.(/&hus, this !etition #$ the O6ce of the Solicitor 7eneral 9OS7 see>in%

a re"ersal of the a#o"eentione* rulin%.&he issues raise* #$ !etitioner are:&?E &RIAL COR& ERRED IN 7RAN&IN7 &?E PE&I&ION CONSIDERIN7&?A&:I.&?E REIREMEN&S O2 RLES


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Rule e* for.SEC. (. Or*er for hearin%. If the !etition 8le* is su6cient in for an*

su#stance, the court, #$ an or*er recitin% the !ur!ose of the !etition,shall 8G a *ate an* !lace for the hearin% thereof, an* shall *irect that aco!$ of the or*er #e !u#lishe* #efore the hearin% at least once a 0ee>for three 9( successi"e 0ee>s in soe ne0s!a!er of %eneralcirculation !u#lishe* in the !ro"ince, as the court shall *ee #est. &he*ate set for the hearin% shall not #e 0ithin thirt$ 9(


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SEC. +. Entries su#1ect to cancellation or correction. !on %oo* an*"ali* %roun*s, the follo0in% entries in the ci"il re%ister a$ #ecancelle* or correcte*: 9a #irths 9# arria%es 9c *eaths 9* le%alse!arations 9e 1u*%ents of annulents of arria%e 9f 1u*%ents*eclarin% arria%es "oi* fro the #e%innin% 9% le%itiations 9h

a*o!tions 9i ac>no0le*%ents of natural chil*ren 91 naturaliation9> election, loss or reco"er$ of citienshi! 9l ci"il inter*iction 91u*icial *eterination of 8liation 9n "oluntar$ eanci!ation of ainor an* 9o chan%es of nae.SEC. (. Parties. hen cancellation or correction of an entr$ in the ci"ilre%ister is sou%ht, the ci"il re%istrar an* all !ersons 0ho ha"e or claian$ interest 0hich 0oul* #e a5ecte* there#$ shall #e a*e !arties tothe !rocee*in%.SEC. 3. Notice an* !u#lication. !on the 8lin% of the !etition, the courtshall, #$ an or*er, 8G the tie an* !lace for the hearin% of the sae,an* cause reasona#le notice thereof to #e %i"en to the !ersons nae*

in the !etition. &he court shall also cause the or*er to #e !u#lishe*once a 0ee> for three 9( consecuti"e 0ee>s in a ne0s!a!er of %eneralcirculation in the !ro"ince.SEC. ). O!!osition. &he ci"il re%istrar an* an$ !erson ha"in% orclaiin% an$ interest un*er the entr$ 0hose cancellation or correctionis sou%ht a$, 0ithin 8fteen 9) *a$s fro notice of the !etition, orfro the last *ate of !u#lication of such notice, 8le his o!!ositionthereto.SEC. =. EG!e*itin% !rocee*in%s. &he court in 0hich the !rocee*in%s is#rou%ht a$ a>e or*ers eG!e*itin% the !rocee*in%s, an* a$ also%rant !reliinar$ in1unction for the !reser"ation of the ri%hts of the

!arties !en*in% such !rocee*in%s.SEC. ;. Or*er. After hearin%, the court a$ either *isiss the !etitionor issue an or*er %rantin% the cancellation or correction !ra$e* for. Ineither case, a certi8e* co!$ of the 1u*%ent shall #e ser"e* u!on theci"il re%istrar concerne* 0ho shall annotate the sae in his recor*.&he OS7 ar%ues that the !etition #elo0 is fatall$ *efecti"e for non-co!liance 0ith Rules


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Res!on*ent, ho0e"er, in"o>es Section =,)/ Rule of the Rules ofCourt 0hich states that courts shall construe the Rules li#erall$ to!roote their o#1ecti"es of securin% to the !arties a 1ust, s!ee*$ an*ineG!ensi"e *is!osition of the atters #rou%ht #efore it. e a%ree thatthere is su#stantial co!liance 0ith Rule


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an a#i%uous %enitalia often a!!earin% ore ale than feale 9+noral internal structures of the feale re!ro*ucti"e tract such as theo"aries, uterus an* fallo!ian tu#es as the chil* %ro0s ol*er, soefeatures start to a!!ear ale, such as *ee!enin% of the "oice, facialhair, an* failure to enstruate at !u#ert$. A#out in


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ale horones 9an*ro%en. As a result, res!on*ent has a#i%uous%enitalia an* the !henot$!ic features of a ale.ltiatel$, 0e are of the "ie0 that 0here the !erson is #iolo%icall$ ornaturall$ interseG the *eterinin% factor in his %en*er classi8cation0oul* #e 0hat the in*i"i*ual, li>e res!on*ent, ha"in% reache* the a%e

of a1orit$, 0ith %oo* reason thin>s of his@her seG. Res!on*ent herethin>s of hiself as a ale an* consi*erin% that his #o*$ !ro*uceshi%h le"els of ale horones 9an*ro%en there is !re!on*erant#iolo%ical su!!ort for consi*erin% hi as #ein% ale. SeGual*e"elo!ent in cases of interseG !ersons a>es the %en*erclassi8cation at #irth inconclusi"e. It is at aturit$ that the %en*er ofsuch !ersons, li>e res!on*ent, is 8Ge*.Res!on*ent here has si!l$ let nature ta>e its course an* has notta>en unnatural ste!s to arrest or interfere 0ith 0hat he 0as #orn 0ith.An* accor*in%l$, he has alrea*$ or*ere* his life to that of a ale.Res!on*ent coul* ha"e un*er%one treatent an* ta>en ste!s, li>e

ta>in% lifelon% e*ication,+=/ to force his #o*$ into the cate%oricalol* of a feale #ut he *i* not. ?e chose not to *o so. Nature hasinstea* ta>en its *ue course in res!on*ents *e"elo!ent to re"ealore full$ his ale characteristics.In the a#sence of a la0 on the atter, the Court 0ill not *ictate onres!on*ent concernin% a atter so innatel$ !ri"ate as ones seGualit$an* lifest$le !references, uch less on 0hether or not to un*er%oe*ical treatent to re"erse the ale ten*enc$ *ue to CA?. &he Court0ill not consi*er res!on*ent as ha"in% erre* in not choosin% toun*er%o treatent in or*er to #ecoe or reain as a feale. Neither0ill the Court force res!on*ent to un*er%o treatent an* to ta>e

e*ication in or*er to 8t the ol* of a feale, as societ$ coonl$currentl$ >no0s this %en*er of the huan s!ecies. Res!on*ent is theone 0ho has to li"e 0ith his interseG anato$. &o hi #elon%s thehuan ri%ht to the !ursuit of ha!!iness an* of health. &hus, to hishoul* #elon% the !rior*ial choice of 0hat courses of action to ta>ealon% the !ath of his seGual *e"elo!ent an* aturation. In thea#sence of e"i*ence that res!on*ent is an inco!etent+;/ an* in thea#sence of e"i*ence to sho0 that classif$in% res!on*ent as a ale 0illhar other e#ers of societ$ 0ho are e4uall$ entitle* to !rotectionun*er the la0, the Court a6rs as "ali* an* 1usti8e* the res!on*ents!osition an* his !ersonal 1u*%ent of #ein% a ale.

In so rulin% 0e *o no ore than %i"e res!ect to 9 the *i"ersit$ ofnature an* 9+ ho0 an in*i"i*ual *eals 0ith 0hat nature has han*e*out. In other 0or*s, 0e res!ect res!on*ents con%enital con*ition an*his ature *ecision to #e a ale. Life is alrea*$ *i6cult for theor*inar$ !erson. e cannot #ut res!ect ho0 res!on*ent *eals 0ith hisunor*inar$ state an* thus hel! a>e his life easier, consi*erin% theuni4ue circustances in this case.


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As for res!on*ents chan%e of nae un*er Rule


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Petitioner 7er#ert R. Cor!u 0as a forer 2ili!ino citien 0ho ac4uire*Cana*ian citienshi! throu%h naturaliation on No"e#er +, +


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here a arria%e #et0een a 2ili!ino citien an* a forei%ner is "ali*l$cele#rate* an* a *i"orce is thereafter "ali*l$ o#taine* a#roa* #$ thealien s!ouse ca!acitatin% hi or her to rearr$, the 2ili!ino s!ouseshall li>e0ise ha"e ca!acit$ to rearr$ un*er Phili!!ine la0.

&his conclusion, the R&C state*, is consistent 0ith the le%islati"e intent#ehin* the enactent of the secon* !ara%ra!h of Article += of the2ail$ Co*e, as *eterine* #$ the Court in Re!u#lic ". Or#eci*o III


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&he 2ail$ Co*e reco%nies onl$ t0o t$!es of *efecti"e arria%es"oi*)/ an* "oi*a#le=/ arria%es. In #oth cases, the #asis for the1u*icial *eclaration of a#solute nullit$ or annulent of the arria%eeGists #efore or at the tie of the arria%e. Di"orce, on the other

han*, conte!lates the *issolution of the la0ful union for cause arisin%after the arria%e.;/ Our fail$ la0s *o not reco%nie a#solute*i"orce #et0een 2ili!ino citiens.B/Reco%niin% the realit$ that *i"orce is a !ossi#ilit$ in arria%es#et0een a 2ili!ino an* an alien, Presi*ent Coraon C. A4uino, in theeGercise of her le%islati"e !o0ers un*er the 2ree*o Constitution,/enacte* EGecuti"e Or*er No. 9EO ++;, aen*in% Article += of the2ail$ Co*e to its !resent 0or*in%, as follo0s:Art. +=. All arria%es solenie* outsi*e the Phili!!ines, in accor*ance0ith the la0s in force in the countr$ 0here the$ 0ere solenie*, an*

"ali* there as such, shall also #e "ali* in this countr$, eGce!t those!rohi#ite* un*er Articles ()9, 93, 9) an* 9=, (=, (; an* (B.here a arria%e #et0een a 2ili!ino citien an* a forei%ner is "ali*l$cele#rate* an* a *i"orce is thereafter "ali*l$ o#taine* a#roa* #$ thealien s!ouse ca!acitatin% hi or her to rearr$, the 2ili!ino s!ouseshall li>e0ise ha"e ca!acit$ to rearr$ un*er Phili!!ine la0.&hrou%h the secon* !ara%ra!h of Article += of the 2ail$ Co*e, EO ++;e5ecti"el$ incor!orate* into the la0 this Courts hol*in% in Fan Dorn ".Roillo, Jr.+


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to the 2ili!ino s!ouse.+(/ &he le%islati"e intent is for the #ene8t of the2ili!ino s!ouse, #$ clarif$in% his or her arital status, settlin% the*ou#ts create* #$ the *i"orce *ecree. Essentiall$, the secon*!ara%ra!h of Article += of the 2ail$ Co*e !ro"i*e* the 2ili!ino s!ousea su#stanti"e ri%ht to ha"e his or her arria%e to the alien s!ouse

consi*ere* as *issol"e*, ca!acitatin% hi or her to rearr$.+3/ithout the secon* !ara%ra!h of Article += of the 2ail$ Co*e, the1u*icial reco%nition of the forei%n *ecree of *i"orce, 0hether in a!rocee*in% institute* !recisel$ for that !ur!ose or as a relate* issue inanother !rocee*in%, 0oul* #e of no si%ni8cance to the 2ili!ino s!ousesince our la0s *o not reco%nie *i"orce as a o*e of se"erin% thearital #on*+)/ Article ; of the Ci"il Co*e !ro"i*es that the !olic$a%ainst a#solute *i"orces cannot #e su#"erte* #$ 1u*%ents!roul%ate* in a forei%n countr$. &he inclusion of the secon*!ara%ra!h in Article += of the 2ail$ Co*e !ro"i*es the *irecteGce!tion to this rule an* ser"es as #asis for reco%niin% the

*issolution of the arria%e #et0een the 2ili!ino s!ouse an* his or heralien s!ouse.A**itionall$, an action #ase* on the secon* !ara%ra!h of Article += ofthe 2ail$ Co*e is not liite* to the reco%nition of the forei%n *i"orce*ecree. If the court 8n*s that the *ecree ca!acitate* the alien s!ouseto rearr$, the courts can *eclare that the 2ili!ino s!ouse is li>e0iseca!acitate* to contract another arria%e. No court in this 1uris*iction,ho0e"er, can a>e a siilar *eclaration for the alien s!ouse 9otherthan that alrea*$ esta#lishe* #$ the *ecree, 0hose status an* le%alca!acit$ are %enerall$ %o"erne* #$ his national la0.+=/

7i"en the rationale an* intent #ehin* the enactent, an* the !ur!oseof the secon* !ara%ra!h of Article += of the 2ail$ Co*e, the R&C 0ascorrect in liitin% the a!!lica#ilit$ of the !ro"ision for the #ene8t of the2ili!ino s!ouse. In other 0or*s, onl$ the 2ili!ino s!ouse can in"o>e thesecon* !ara%ra!h of Article += of the 2ail$ Co*e the alien s!ousecan clai no ri%ht un*er this !ro"ision.

&he forei%n *i"orce *ecree is !resu!ti"e e"i*ence of a ri%ht thatclothes the !art$ 0ith le%al interest to !etition for its reco%nition in this

1uris*ictione 4ualif$ our a#o"e conclusion i.e., that the secon* !ara%ra!h ofArticle += of the 2ail$ Co*e #esto0s no ri%hts in fa"or of aliens 0iththe co!leentar$ stateent that this conclusion is not su6cient#asis to *isiss 7er#erts !etition #efore the R&C. In other 0or*s, theuna"aila#ilit$ of the secon* !ara%ra!h of Article += of the 2ail$ Co*eto aliens *oes not necessaril$ stri! 7er#ert of le%al interest to !etition


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the R&C for the reco%nition of his forei%n *i"orce *ecree. &he forei%n*i"orce *ecree itself, after its authenticit$ an* conforit$ 0ith thealiens national la0 ha"e #een *ul$ !ro"en accor*in% to our rules ofe"i*ence, ser"es as a !resu!ti"e e"i*ence of ri%ht in fa"or of7er#ert, !ursuant to Section 3B, Rule ( of the Rules of Court 0hich

!ro"i*es for the e5ect of forei%n 1u*%ents. &his Section states:SEC. 3B. E5ect of forei%n 1u*%ents or 8nal or*ers.&he e5ect of a1u*%ent or 8nal or*er of a tri#unal of a forei%n countr$, ha"in%1uris*iction to ren*er the 1u*%ent or 8nal or*er is as follo0s:9a In case of a 1u*%ent or 8nal or*er u!on a s!eci8c thin%,the 1u*%ent or 8nal or*er is conclusi"e u!on the title of the thin% an*9# In case of a 1u*%ent or 8nal or*er a%ainst a !erson, the1u*%ent or 8nal or*er is !resu!ti"e e"i*ence of a ri%ht as #et0een

the !arties an* their successors in interest #$ a su#se4uent title.In either case, the 1u*%ent or 8nal or*er a$ #e re!elle* #$ e"i*enceof a 0ant of 1uris*iction, 0ant of notice to the !art$, collusion, frau*, orclear ista>e of la0 or fact.&o our in*, *irect in"ol"eent or #ein% the su#1ect of the forei%n1u*%ent is su6cient to clothe a !art$ 0ith the re4uisite interest toinstitute an action #efore our courts for the reco%nition of the forei%n1u*%ent. In a *i"orce situation, 0e ha"e *eclare*, no less, that the*i"orce o#taine* #$ an alien a#roa* a$ #e reco%nie* in the

Phili!!ines, !ro"i*e* the *i"orce is "ali* accor*in% to his or hernational la0.+;/&he startin% !oint in an$ reco%nition of a forei%n *i"orce 1u*%ent isthe ac>no0le*%ent that our courts *o not ta>e 1u*icial notice offorei%n 1u*%ents an* la0s. Justice ?errera eG!laine* that, as a rule,no so"erei%n is #oun* to %i"e e5ect 0ithin its *oinion to a 1u*%entren*ere* #$ a tri#unal of another countr$.+B/ &his eans that theforei%n 1u*%ent an* its authenticit$ ust #e !ro"en as facts un*erour rules on e"i*ence, to%ether 0ith the aliens a!!lica#le national la0to sho0 the e5ect of the 1u*%ent on the alien hiself or herself.+/

&he reco%nition a$ #e a*e in an action institute* s!eci8call$ for the!ur!ose or in another action 0here a !art$ in"o>es the forei%n *ecreeas an inte%ral as!ect of his clai or *efense.In 7er#erts case, since #oth the forei%n *i"orce *ecree an* thenational la0 of the alien, reco%niin% his or her ca!acit$ to o#tain a*i"orce, !ur!ort to #e o6cial acts of a so"erei%n authorit$, Section +3,Rule (+ of the Rules of Court coes into !la$. &his Section re4uires


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!roof, either #$ 9 o6cial !u#lications or 9+ co!ies atteste* #$ theo6cer ha"in% le%al custo*$ of the *ocuents. If the co!ies of o6cialrecor*s are not >e!t in the Phili!!ines, these ust #e 9a acco!anie*#$ a certi8cate issue* #$ the !ro!er *i!loatic or consular o6cer inthe Phili!!ine forei%n ser"ice statione* in the forei%n countr$ in 0hich

the recor* is >e!t an* 9# authenticate* #$ the seal of his o6ce.&he recor*s sho0 that 7er#ert attache* to his !etition a co!$ of the*i"orce *ecree, as 0ell as the re4uire* certi8cates !ro"in% itsauthenticit$,(e this latter course of action, %i"en

the Article += interests that 0ill #e ser"e* an* the 2ili!ina 0ifes9Dais$l$ns o#"ious conforit$ 0ith the !etition. A rean*, at thesae tie, 0ill allo0 other intereste* !arties to o!!ose the forei%n1u*%ent an* o"ercoe a !etitioners !resu!ti"e e"i*ence of a ri%ht#$ !ro"in% 0ant of 1uris*iction, 0ant of notice to a !art$, collusion,frau*, or clear ista>e of la0 or fact. Nee*less to state, e"er$!recaution ust #e ta>en to ensure conforit$ 0ith our la0s #efore areco%nition is a*e, as the forei%n 1u*%ent, once reco%nie*, shallha"e the e5ect of res 1u*icata(+/ #et0een the !arties, as !ro"i*e* inSection 3B, Rule ( of the Rules of Court.((/

In fact, ore than the !rinci!le of coit$ that is ser"e* #$ the !racticeof reci!rocal reco%nition of forei%n 1u*%ents #et0een nations, the res1u*icata e5ect of the forei%n 1u*%ents of *i"orce ser"es as the*ee!er #asis for eGten*in% 1u*icial reco%nition an* for consi*erin% thealien s!ouse #oun* #$ its ters. &his sae e5ect, as *iscusse* a#o"e,0ill not o#tain for the 2ili!ino s!ouse 0ere it not for the su#stanti"erule that the secon* !ara%ra!h of Article += of the 2ail$ Co*e!ro"i*es.Consi*erations #e$on* the reco%nition of the forei%n *i"orce *ecreeAs a atter of house>ee!in% concern, 0e note that the Pasi% Cit$ Ci"il

Re%istr$ O6ce has alrea*$ recor*e* the *i"orce *ecree on 7er#ert an*Dais$l$ns arria%e certi8cate #ase* on the ere !resentation of the*ecree.(3/ e consi*er the recor*in% to #e le%all$ i!ro!er hence,the nee* to *ra0 attention of the #ench an* the #ar to 0hat ha* #een*one.Article 3


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ci"il re%ister. &he la0 re4uires the entr$ in the ci"il re%istr$ of 1u*icial*ecrees that !ro*uce le%al conse4uences touchin% u!on a !ersonsle%al ca!acit$ an* status, i.e., those a5ectin% all his !ersonal 4ualitiesan* relations, ore or less !eranent in nature, not or*inaril$terina#le at his o0n 0ill, such as his #ein% le%itiate or ille%itiate,

or his #ein% arrie* or not.()/A 1u*%ent of *i"orce is a 1u*icial *ecree, althou%h a forei%n one,a5ectin% a !ersons le%al ca!acit$ an* status that ust #e recor*e*. Infact, Act No. (;)( or the La0 on Re%istr$ of Ci"il Status s!eci8call$re4uires the re%istration of *i"orce *ecrees in the ci"il re%istr$:Sec. . Ci"il Re%ister. A ci"il re%ister is esta#lishe* for recor*in% theci"il status of !ersons, in 0hich shall #e entere*:9a #irths

9# *eaths9c arria%es9* annulents of arria%es9e *i"orces9f le%itiations9% a*o!tions9h ac>no0le*%ent of natural chil*ren9i naturaliation an*91 chan%es of nae.G G G G

Sec. 3. Ci"il Re%ister 'oo>s. &he local re%istrars shall >ee! an*!reser"e in their o6ces the follo0in% #oo>s, in 0hich the$ shall,res!ecti"el$ a>e the !ro!er entries concernin% the ci"il status of!ersons:9 'irth an* *eath re%ister9+ Marria%e re%ister, in 0hich shall #e entere* not onl$ the arria%essolenie* #ut also *i"orces an* *issol"e* arria%es.

9( Le%itiation, ac>no0le*%ent, a*o!tion, chan%e of nae an*naturaliation re%ister.

'ut 0hile the la0 re4uires the entr$ of the *i"orce *ecree in the ci"ilre%istr$, the la0 an* the su#ission of the *ecree #$ thesel"es *onot i!so facto authorie the *ecrees re%istration. &he la0 shoul* #erea* in relation 0ith the re4uireent of a 1u*icial reco%nition of the


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forei%n 1u*%ent #efore it can #e %i"en res 1u*icata e5ect. In theconteGt of the !resent case, no 1u*icial or*er as $et eGists reco%niin%the forei%n *i"orce *ecree. &hus, the Pasi% Cit$ Ci"il Re%istr$ O6ceacte* totall$ out of turn an* 0ithout authorit$ of la0 0hen it annotate*the Cana*ian *i"orce *ecree on 7er#ert an* Dais$l$ns arria%e

certi8cate, on the stren%th alone of the forei%n *ecree !resente* #$7er#ert.E"i*entl$, the Pasi% Cit$ Ci"il Re%istr$ O6ce 0as a0are of there4uireent of a court reco%nition, as it cite* NSO Circular No. 3, seriesof B+,(=/ an* De!artent of Justice O!inion No. B, series ofB+(;/ #oth of 0hich re4uire* a 8nal or*er fro a co!etentPhili!!ine court #efore a forei%n 1u*%ent, *issol"in% a arria%e, can#e re%istere* in the ci"il re%istr$, #ut it, nonetheless, allo0e* there%istration of the *ecree. 2or #ein% contrar$ to la0, the re%istration ofthe forei%n *i"orce *ecree 0ithout the re4uisite 1u*icial reco%nition is

!atentl$ "oi* an* cannot !ro*uce an$ le%al e5ect.Another !oint 0e 0ish to *ra0 attention to is that the reco%nition thatthe R&C a$ eGten* to the Cana*ian *i"orce *ecree *oes not, #$ itself,authorie the cancellation of the entr$ in the ci"il re%istr$. A !etition forreco%nition of a forei%n 1u*%ent is not the !ro!er !rocee*in%,conte!late* un*er the Rules of Court, for the cancellation of entriesin the ci"il re%istr$.Article 3+ of the Ci"il Co*e *eclares that no entr$ in a ci"il re%istershall #e chan%e* or correcte*, 0ithout 1u*icial or*er. &he Rules of Court

su!!leents Article 3+ of the Ci"il Co*e #$ s!eci8call$ !ro"i*in% for as!ecial ree*ial !rocee*in% #$ 0hich entries in the ci"il re%istr$ a$#e 1u*iciall$ cancelle* or correcte*. Rule


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un*er Rule e of la0 or fact.?ERE2ORE, 0e 7RAN& the !etition for re"ie0 on certiorari, an*REFERSE the Octo#er (


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Decision+ an* Octo#er =, +


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9+ Certi8cate of Marria%e#et0een !ri"ate res!on*ent an* Ra$on*Ma%lono Ara#ulo ar>e* as EGhi#it V'W to !ro"e the fact ofarria%e #et0een the !arties on June +e*

as EGhi#its VCW an* VC-W to !ro"e the fact of the latterQs *eath onJul$ 3, +


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co!lete stran%er to the arria%e certi8cate #et0een !ri"ateres!on*ent an*Ara#ulo an* the latterQs *eath certi8cate. It further rule* that!etitionerQstestion$ a#out the NSO certi8cation is li>e0ise unrelia#le since he is

astran%er to the !re!aration of sai* *ocuent.Petitioner 8le* a otion for reconsi*eration, #ut the sae 0as *enie*#$ the R&C in an Or*er *ate* Octo#er =, +s a>in% u! the ci"ilre%isteran* all *ocuents relatin% thereto shall #e consi*ere* !u#lic*ocuents an*shall #e !ria facie e"i*ence of the facts state* therein. Moreo"er, thetrial!rosecutor hiself also a*itte* the authenticit$ of sai* *ocuents.&he OS7, in its Coent,( su#its that the 8n*in%s of the R&C are

not in accor* 0ith la0 an* esta#lishe* 1uris!ru*ence. It conten*s that#othRe!u#lic Act No. (;)(, other0ise >no0n as the La0 on Re%istr$ of Ci"ilStatus, an* the Ci"il Co*e ela#orate* on the character of *ocuentsarisin%fro recor*s an* entries a*e #$ the ci"il re%istrar an* cate%oricall$*eclare* the as !u#lic *ocuents. 'ein% !u#lic *ocuents, sai**ocuents are a*issi#le in e"i*ence e"en 0ithout further !roof oftheir *ueeGecution an* %enuineness an* conse4uentl$, there 0as no nee* forthe court

to re4uire !etitioner to !resent the recor*s custo*ian or o6cer frothe NSOto testif$ on the. &he OS7 further conten*s that !u#lic *ocuentsha"e!ro#ati"e "alue since the$ are !ria facie e"i*ence of the facts state*therein as !ro"i*e* in the a#o"e-4uote* !ro"ision of the Ci"il Co*e.&hus,the OS7 su#its that the !u#lic *ocuents !resente* #$ !etitioner,


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consi*ere* to%ether, co!letel$ esta#lish the facts in issue.+ I*. at )+.( I*. at


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!ri"ate res!on*ent nor the !u#lic !rosecutor !resente* e"i*ence to thecontrar$.&his Court has consistentl$ hel* that a 1u*icial *eclaration of nullit$ isre4uire* #efore a "ali* su#se4uent arria%e can #e contracte* orelse, 0hat

trans!ires is a #i%aous arria%e,= 0hich is "oi* fro the #e%innin%as!ro"i*e* in Article ()93 of the 2ail$ Co*e of the Phili!!ines. An* thisis0hat trans!ire* in the instant case.As correctl$ !ointe* out #$ the OS7, the *ocuentar$ eGhi#its ta>ento%ether concretel$ esta#lish the nullit$ of the arria%e of !etitioner to!ri"ate res!on*ent on the %roun* that their arria%e is #i%aous. &he3 I*. at .) Salas ". Sta. Mesa Mar>et Cor!oration, ))3 Phil. (3(, (3B 9+


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res!on*ent to !etitioner is #i%aous, hence null an* "oi*, since the8rstarria%e 0as still "ali* an* su#sistin% 0hen the secon* arria%e 0ascontracte*.?ERE2ORE, the !etition for re"ie0 on certiorari is 7RAN&ED.

&he Se!te#er 3, +


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si%nature a!!earin% in the arria%e certi8cate is not hers.3 She, thus,8le* a Petition for Cancellation of Entries in the Marria%e Contract,es!eciall$ the entries in the 0ife !ortion thereof.) Res!on*enti!lea*e* the Local Ci"il Re%istrar of Ce#u Cit$, as 0ell as her alle%e*hus#an*, as !arties to the case.

Durin% trial, res!on*ent testi8e* on her #ehalf an* eG!laine* that shecoul* not ha"e a!!eare* #efore Ju*%e Maerto Caliores, thesu!!ose* soleniin% o6cer, at the tie the arria%e 0as alle%e*l$cele#rate*, #ecause she 0as then in Ma>ati 0or>in% as a e*ical*istri#utor in ?ansao Phara. She co!letel$ *enie* ha"in% >no0nthe su!!ose* hus#an*, #ut she re"eale* that she reco%nie* thenae* 0itnesses to the arria%e as she ha* et the 0hile she 0as0or>in% as a rece!tionist in &a*els Pension ?ouse. She #elie"e* thather nae 0as use* #$ a certain Johnn$ Sin%h, 0ho o0ne* a tra"ela%enc$, 0ho she %a"e her !ersonal circustances in or*er for her to

o#tain a !ass!ort.= Res!on*ent also !resente* as 0itness a certainEufrocina Natin%a, an e!lo$ee of M&CC, 'ranch , 0ho con8re* thatthe arria%e of e Son Sune 0as in*ee* cele#rate* in their o6ce, #utclaie* that the alle%e* 0ife 0ho a!!eare* 0as *e8nitel$ notres!on*ent.; Lastl$, a *ocuent eGainer testi8e* that the si%naturea!!earin% in the arria%e contract 0as for%e*.B

On Ma$ ), +


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In an Or*er *ate* Au%ust +), +


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e *en$ the !etition.

At the outset, it is necessar$ to stress that a *irect recourse to thisCourt fro the *ecisions an* 8nal or*ers of the R&C a$ #e ta>en0here onl$ 4uestions of la0 are raise* or in"ol"e*. &here is a 4uestion

of la0 0hen the *ou#t arises as to 0hat the la0 is on a certain state offacts, 0hich *oes not call for the eGaination of the !ro#ati"e "alue ofthe e"i*ence of the !arties.B ?ere, the issue raise* #$ !etitioner is0hether or not the cancellation of entries in the arria%e contract0hich, in e5ect, nulli8es the arria%e a$ #e un*erta>en in a Rule no0le*%ents of natural chil*ren 91 naturaliation9> election, loss or reco"er$ of citienshi! 9l ci"il inter*iction 91u*icial *eterination of 8liation 9n "oluntar$ eanci!ation of ainor an* 9o chan%es of nae.

SEC. (. Parties. X hen cancellation or correction of an entr$ in the ci"ilre%ister is sou%ht, the ci"il re%istrar an* all !ersons 0ho ha"e or claian$ interest 0hich 0oul* #e a5ecte* there#$ shall #e a*e !arties tothe !rocee*in%.

SEC. 3. Notice an* Pu#lication. X !on the 8lin% of the !etition, the

court shall, #$ an or*er, 8G the tie an* !lace for the hearin% of thesae, an* cause reasona#le notice thereof to #e %i"en to the !ersonsnae* in the !etition. &he court shall also cause the or*er to #e!u#lishe* once a 0ee> for three 9( consecuti"e 0ee>s in a ne0s!a!erof %eneral circulation in the !ro"ince.

SEC. ). O!!osition. X &he ci"il re%istrar an* an$ !erson ha"in% orclaiin% an$ interest un*er the entr$ 0hose cancellation or correction


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is sou%ht a$, 0ithin 8fteen 9) *a$s fro notice of the !etition, orfro the last *ate of !u#lication of such notice, 8le his o!!ositionthereto.

SEC. =. EG!e*itin% !rocee*in%s. X &he court in 0hich the !rocee*in%s is

#rou%ht a$ a>e or*ers eG!e*itin% the !rocee*in%s, an* a$ also%rant !reliinar$ in1unction for the !reser"ation of the ri%hts of the!arties !en*in% such !rocee*in%s.

SEC. ;. Or*er. X After hearin%, the court a$ either *isiss the !etitionor issue an or*er %rantin% the cancellation or correction !ra$e* for. Ineither case, a certi8e* co!$ of the 1u*%ent shall #e ser"e* u!on theci"il re%istrar concerne* 0ho shall annotate the sae in his recor*.

Rule


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In this case, the entries a*e in the 0ife !ortion of the certi8cate ofarria%e are a*itte*l$ the !ersonal circustances of res!on*ent.&he latter, ho0e"er, clais that her si%nature 0as for%e* an* she 0asnot the one 0ho contracte* arria%e 0ith the !ur!orte* hus#an*. Inother 0or*s, she clais that no such arria%e 0as entere* into or if

there 0as, she 0as not the one 0ho entere* into such contract. It ust#e recalle* that 0hen res!on*ent trie* to o#tain a CENOMAR fro theNSO, it a!!eare* that she 0as arrie* to a certain e Son Sune. Shethen sou%ht the cancellation of entries in the 0ife !ortion of thearria%e certi8cate.

In 8lin% the !etition for correction of entr$ un*er Rule ara, Local Ci"ilRe%istrar of ueon Cit$, an* the A*inistrator an* Ci"il Re%istrar7eneral of the National Statistics O6ce+3 that:

&o #e sure, a !etition for correction or cancellation of an entr$ in theci"il re%istr$ cannot su#stitute for an action to in"ali*ate a arria%e. A*irect action is necessar$ to !re"ent circu"ention of the su#stanti"e

an* !roce*ural safe%uar*s of arria%e un*er the 2ail$ Co*e, A.M. No.


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Courts un*er the 2ail$ Courts Act of ; 9Re!u#lic Act No. B(=, asa !etition for cancellation or correction of entries in the ci"il re%istr$a$ #e 8le* in the Re%ional &rial Court 0here the corres!on*in% ci"ilre%istr$ is locate*. In other 0or*s, a 2ili!ino citien cannot *issol"e hisarria%e #$ the ere eG!e*ient of chan%in% his entr$ of arria%e in

the ci"il re%istr$.

Asi*e fro the certi8cate of arria%e, no such e"i*ence 0as !resente*to sho0 the eGistence of arria%e.Y0!hi Rather, res!on*ent sho0e*#$ o"er0helin% e"i*ence that no arria%e 0as entere* into an* thatshe 0as not e"en a0are of such eGistence. &he testionial an**ocuentar$ e"i*ence clearl$ esta#lishe* that the onl$ e"i*ence ofarria%e 0hich is the arria%e certi8cate 0as a for%er$. hile 0eaintain that Rule of, #ut the correction of the recor* of sucharria%e to reect the truth as set forth #$ the e"i*ence. Other0isestate*, in allo0in% the correction of the su#1ect certi8cate of arria%e#$ cancellin% the 0ife !ortion thereof, the trial court *i* not, in an$0a$, *eclare the arria%e "oi* as there 0as no arria%e to s!ea> of.

?ERE2ORE, !reises consi*ere*, the !etition is DENIED for lac> oferit. &he Re%ional &rial Court Decision *ate* Ma$ ), +

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