t'w -*.’ (O fi'icp  o i llic  
ciTtnrp
Senate
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
) 
*^7 
HAY 30 P5:19
SENATE
S.B. NO. 
I 4 8 6
RECEIVLD BY;
Introduced by Senator M aria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT IMPROVING THE STATUS OF ADOPTED CHILDREN AMENDING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8552, OTHERW ISE KNOWN AS 
THE DOMESTIC ADOPTION ACT OF 1998, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In accordance with the tenets set forth in the United Nations (“UN”) Convention on the 
Rights of the Child; UN Declaration on Social and Legal Principles Relating to the 
Protection and Welfare of Children with Special Reference to Foster Placement and 
Adoption, and the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in 
Respect of Inter-Country Adoption, the paramount consideration in adoption shall be in 
the best interest of children.
Notwithstanding this noble intent, the continuing disparate treatment under Republic Act 
No. 8552, otherwise known as the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998, between legitimate 
and adopted children in terms of successional rights have institutionalized a social stigma 
on adopted children relegating them to a “second class of legitimate children”. Consistent 
with the principle that our laws should endeavor to protect the best interests of children, 
regardless of status, the proposed law seeks to grant adopted children the same 
successional rights as legitimate children.
In view of the foregoing, the timely passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.
MARIA LO 
Senator
RDES NANCY S. BINAY


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
,7 
\8
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
,e^f,C!, °f tl,C
)
) 
*17 
MAY 30 
P 5 :1 9
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S.B. NO. 
1 4 8 6
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by Senator M aria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT IMPROVING THE STATUS OF ADOPTED CHILDREN AMENDING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8552, OTHERW ISE KNOWN AS 
THE DOMESTIC ADOPTION ACT OF 1998, AND FOR OTHER PURI’OSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in C onfess 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It shall be the policy of the State to promote 
domestic adoption.
SECTION 2. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 8552, otherwise known as the Domestic 
Adoption Act of 1998 is hereby amended to read:
“Section 18. Successional Rights. -  [In legal and interstate succession, the] THE 
adopter(s) [and the adoptee] shall have [reciprocal rights of succession] THE 
RIGHT TO SUCCEED FROM THE ADOPTEE without distinction from 
legitimate 
filiation. 
ADOPTED 
CHILDREN 
SHALL 
ENJOY 
FULL 
SUCCESSIONAL RIGHTS SIMILAR TO LEGITIM ATE CHILDREN 
W ITHOUT DISCRIMINATION AND/OR DISTINCTION OF ANY KIND 
WHATSOEVER.”
SECTION 3. Retroactive Effect. Section 2 of this Act shall be given retroactive effect 
except in cases where vested rights are impaired.
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. Should any part or provision of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not otherwise affected thereby 
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,