SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
I C
SENATE 
s.B.NO. l 0  47
)  
" V -'.ip ififf oC l'ir r«  -.•f'.arp 
)
•17 
AUG-7 
P6-.05
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes NaficySi 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 NANCY S. BINAY 
Senator


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE
).B. NO. 1547
))
lit I'lt
•17 AUG-7 P6--05
RF( L- 
■
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 THEIHLFORE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as the ''’'Reversion to Maiden Name Act”.
SECTION 2. Declaration of 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.
SECTION 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
SECTION 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.
SECTION 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


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(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.
SECTION 6. Petitions for Declaration of Nullity, 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.
SECTION 7. Responsible Agencies. -  The Civil Registrar, the Department of Justice, the 
Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Supreme Court Administration shall, 
m coordination with such other concerned government agencies, issue the necessary rules 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SECTION 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. 
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SECTION 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
SECTION 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,