EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Z'lt'M i;( i!j. j& c rrta rp
’19 
JUL -1 
P 6 « 0
S.B. NO.
116
RF,-:
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 THEREFORE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"Section 14. 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. In lieu of this measure, the following is proposed:
(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 immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES N ^C Y  S. BINAY 
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SE/^ATE
S.B. NO. 
1 1 b
of M'1 
;Tlnrp
'19 
JL".-1 
P6 ^ 0
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT
ALLOWING 
WOMEN 
TO 
REVERT TO THEIR 
MAIDEN 
SURNAME, 
ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR REVERSION AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFORE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Reversion to Maiden 
Name Act'.
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  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 File 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.


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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.
Sec. 6. 
Petitions for Deciaration o f Nuiiity, Annulment and Legal 
Separation. -  A prayer for reversion to one's maiden name may be included in 
the following petitions: 1 2 3 4
(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.
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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 other 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. 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. 10. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,