Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 JAN 2013

Metro Manila, Philippines 49 fh
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS X gpd
Third Regular Session

6812

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PEDRO P. ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The proposed amendment dwells on the exemption of indigent petitioners from the publication
requirement of the existing law, Republic Act No. 9048, as amended by Republic Act No. 10172
which was approved into law on August 15, 2012 by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino
UL

To avoid nefarious activities just to get away with the publication requirement, any indigent
petitioner in order to avail of the exemption provided in this Act shall first secure a Certificate
of Indigency from the Office of the Local Social Welfare and Development Officer where the
Petition is being lodged and shall submit the same with the petition for the change of first name
or nickname, or for correction of erroneous entry concerning the day and month in the date of
birth or the sex of a person at the Office of the Local Civil Registrar prior to processing of the
petitioner's application.

Upon receipt of the Petition and the Certificate of indigency, the Local Civil Registrar shall cause
the printing of the name of the petitioner and the posting of the name in two (2) common areas
already identified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations to show to the whole world and
provide third parties or the general public to file an opposition against said petition.

Many potential petitioners would like to rectify the problem of their birth or civil registration
records upon discovery however they cannot carry out their intention with the high cost of
publication which they cannot totally afford.

This proposal would provide our indigent petitioners the opportunity to apply and rectify their
birth records from the Local Civil Registrar with less cost considering the importance of our
birth records in many legal transactions and as proof of a person's identity.

Your favourable support to the approval of this amendment will be highly appreciated.

Lone District, Camiguin


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Metro Manila, Philippines

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

6813

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PEDRO P. ROMUALDO-

AN ACT
EXEMPTING INDIGENT PETITIONERS FROM THE PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 9048, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10172 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. All indigent petitioners for change of first name or nickname, or for
correction of erroneous entry concerning the day and month in the date of birth or the sex of a
person shall be exempted from the publication requirement provided in Section 3 of Republic
Act No. 10172. Provided, However, that the petitioner shall secure a Certification of indigency
from the local Social Welfare Officer of the local government unit where the petition is lodged
by the petitioner. Provided, Further, That in lieu of the publication requirement for indigent
petitioners, the Local Civil Registrar concerned shall cause the posting of the names of the
petitioners in two (2) common public places in the Municipality and Province where the
petitioner originated and in the place where the petition is being lodged for a period of two (2)
consecutive weeks. Provided, Furthermore, That the Local Civil Registrar shall keep a separate
record and proof of posting of the names of petitioners with pending applications in their
office

SEC. 2, The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Office of the Civil
Registrar General, Association of City and Municipal Civil Registrars, and the Department of
Interior and Local Government shall draft the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
within thirty (30) days after the approval of this Act and shall published the same in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

SEC, 3. Any person who makes a mockery of the civil registration system through fraud,
wilful deceit, and dishonesty shall be penalized by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months
but not more than six (6) years, or fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P\ 50,000.00) but
not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P\ 200,000.00), or both at the discretion of the
court.

In addition, if the offender is a government official or employee, the penalty shall be
removal from government service in accordance with existing civil service laws including a fine
of not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P\ 200,000.00) and an imprisonment of not
less than six (6) months but not more than six (6) years, or both at the discretion of the court.


SEC. 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the
same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other provisions thereof.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 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,