NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
ot I'.lf tUin)
•22 JUL 12 AlO 57
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT ALLOWING WOMEN TO REVERT TO THEIR MAIDEN 
SURNAME, ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR REVERSION AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 14, Article II of the Constitution provides that the State recognizes the 
role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the 
law of women and men.
In accordance with the Constitution, this measure removes the difficult, costly, 
and unnecessary court processes that women have to endure in order to revert to their 
maiden name. This measure proposes the following:
(1) 
In instances of legal separation, annulment or declaration of nullity 
of their marriage, the women's right to revert to her surname must 
be facilitated;
(2) 
To provide for a procedure for a woman's choice to revert to her 
maiden name, the Office of the Civil Registrar, the Department of 
Justice, the Department of Finance, the Supreme Court and other 
concerned agencies will be empowered; and
(3) 
To change or correct entries in the civil register without a judicial 
order by expanding the scope of the civil registrar's authority.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
ir;.' "i SDnui1!:''
Of the
72 JUL 12 AlO 57
SENATJ
RECEIVED 3
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
AN ACT ALLOWING WOMEN TO REVERT TO THEIR MAIDEN 
SURNAME, ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR REVERSION AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
SECTION 1. Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Reversion to Maiden Name
Act.
SEC. 2. Deciaration of Poiicy. - The State shall value the dignity and 
independence of women and guarantees full respect for their freedom of choice of 
surname. Hence, the State shall provide a method for reversion to maiden name to 
fully empower women to be truly Independent in their social and economic affairs.
SEC. 3. Authority to Record a Reversion to Maiden Name. - No entry in a civil 
register shall be changed or corrected without a judicial order, except as provided in 
this Act and under Republic Act No. 9048.
SEC. 4. Who May Fiie the Petition and Where. - A woman who is or was validly 
married may file a verified petition for reversion to her maiden name before the local 
civil registry office of the city or municipality where her record is kept.
SEC. 5. Grounds for Reversion to Maiden Name. - The petition for reversion to 
maiden name may be allowed in any of the following cases: (1) After a marriage has 
been judicially declared null and void or after its annulment; (2) After a judicial 
declaration of legal separation: Provided, That there has been no manifestation of 
reconciliation filed with the court; (3) After a judicial declaration of separation of 
property: Provided, That there has been no subsequent decree reviving the old 
property regime between the spouses; (4) If the spouses stipulated in their marriage 
settlement that a regime of separation of properties shall govern their property 
relations; (5) If the petitioner has been de facto separated from or abandoned by her 
husband for a period of not less than ten (10) years; or (6) If the petitioner's husband 
may be presumed dead pursuant to the circumstances, periods and conditions set 
forth in the Civil Code of the Philippines and the Rules of Court.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
SEC. 6. Petitions for Declaration of NuHity/ Annulment and Legal Separation. - 
A prayer for reversion to one's maiden name may be included in the following 
petitions:
(1) 
Petition for declaration of nullity of a marriage;
(2) 
Petition for annulment of a marriage;
(3) 
Petition for legal separation; and
(4) 
Petition for judicial declaration of separation of property.
SEC. 7. Responsible Agencies. - The Civil Registrar, the Department of Justice, 
the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Supreme Court Administration 
shall, in coordination with such otfier concerned government agencies, issue the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Funding. - Such amounts necessary for the effective Implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the general appropriations act of the year following this 
enactment.
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of tills Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All executive orders, laws and department orders 
and parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 11. 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,