THIRDDIVISION

[G.R.No.148311.March31,2005]

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF STEPHANIE NATHY ASTORGA

GARCIA
HONORATOB.CATINDIG,petitioner.
DECISION
SANDOVALGUTIERREZ,J.:

Mayanillegitimatechild,uponadoptionbyhernaturalfather,usethesurnameofher
naturalmotherashermiddlename?Thisistheissueraisedintheinstantcase.
Thefactsareundisputed.
[1]
OnAugust31,2000,HonoratoB.Catindig,hereinpetitioner,filedapetition toadopt
his minor illegitimate child Stephanie Nathy Astorga Garcia. He alleged therein, among
[2]
others, that Stephanie was born on June 26, 1994 thathermotherisGemma Astorga
GarciathatStephaniehasbeenusinghermothersmiddlenameandsurnameandthathe
isnowawidowerandqualifiedtobeheradoptingparent.HeprayedthatStephaniesmiddle
nameAstorgabechangedtoGarcia, her mothers surname, and that her surname Garcia
bechangedtoCatindig,hissurname.
[3]
On March 23, 2001, the trial court rendered the assailed Decision granting the
adoption,thus:
Afteracarefulconsiderationoftheevidencepresentedbythepetitioner,andintheabsenceofany
oppositiontothepetition,thisCourtfindsthatthepetitionerpossessesallthequalificationsandnone
ofthedisqualificationprovidedforbylawasanadoptiveparent,andthatassuchheisqualifiedto
maintain,careforandeducatethechildtobeadoptedthatthegrantofthispetitionwouldredoundto
thebestinterestandwelfareoftheminorStephanieNathyAstorgaGarcia.TheCourtfurtherholds
thatthepetitionerscareandcustodyofthechildsinceherbirthuptothepresentconstitutemorethan
enoughcompliancewiththerequirementofArticle35ofPresidentialDecreeNo.603.
WHEREFORE,findingthepetitiontobemeritorious,thesameisGRANTED.Henceforth,
StephanieNathyAstorgaGarciaisherebyfreedfromallobligationsofobedienceandmaintenance
withrespecttohernaturalmother,andforcivilpurposes,shallhenceforthbethepetitionerslegitimate
childandlegalheir.PursuanttoArticle189oftheFamilyCodeofthePhilippines,theminorshallbe
knownasSTEPHANIENATHYCATINDIG.
UponfinalityofthisDecision,letthesamebeenteredintheLocalCivilRegistrarconcernedpursuant
toRule99oftheRulesofCourt.
LetcopyofthisDecisionbefurnishedtheNationalStatisticsOfficeforrecordpurposes.
[4]

SOORDERED.

[5]
On April 20, 2001, petitioner filed a motion for clarification and/or reconsideration
praying that Stephanie should be allowed to use the surname of her natural mother
(GARCIA)ashermiddlename.
[6]
OnMay28,2001, thetrialcourtdeniedpetitionersmotionforreconsiderationholding
that there is no law or jurisprudence allowing an adopted child to use the surname of his
biologicalmotherashismiddlename.
Hence,thepresentpetitionraisingtheissueofwhetheranillegitimatechildmayusethe
surname of her mother as her middle name when she is subsequently adopted by her
naturalfather.
PetitionersubmitsthatthetrialcourterredindeprivingStephanieofamiddlenameasa
consequence of adoption because: (1) there is no law prohibiting an adopted child from
havingamiddlenameincasethereisonlyoneadoptingparent(2)itiscustomaryforevery
Filipinotohaveasmiddlenamethesurnameofthemother(3)themiddlenameorinitialis
apartofthenameofaperson(4)adoptionisforthebenefitandbestinterestoftheadopted
child,hence,herrighttobearapropernameshouldnotbeviolated(5)permittingStephanie
tousethemiddlenameGarcia(hermotherssurname)avoidsthestigmaofherillegitimacy
and (6) her continued use of Garcia as her middle name is not opposed by either the
CatindigorGarciafamilies.
TheRepublic,throughtheOfficeoftheSolicitorGeneral(OSG),agreeswithpetitioner
thatStephanieshouldbepermittedtouse,ashermiddlename,thesurnameofhernatural
motherforthefollowingreasons:
First, it is necessary to preserve and maintain Stephanies filiation with her natural
motherbecauseunderArticle189oftheFamilyCode,sheremainstobeanintestateheirof
the latter. Thus, to prevent any confusion and needless hardship in the future, her
relationshiporproofofthatrelationshipwithhernaturalmothershouldbemaintained.
Second, there is no law expressly prohibiting Stephanie to use the surname of her
naturalmotherashermiddlename.Whatthelawdoesnotprohibit,itallows.
Last, it is customary for every Filipino to have a middle name, which is ordinarily the
surname of the mother. This custom has been recognized by the Civil Code and Family
Code.Infact,theFamilyLawCommitteesagreedthattheinitialorsurnameofthemother
shouldimmediatelyprecedethesurnameofthefathersothatthesecondname,ifany,will
[7]
bebeforethesurnameofthemother.
Wefindmeritinthepetition.
UseOfSurnameIsFixedByLaw
For all practical and legal purposes, a man's name is the designation by which he is
knownandcalledinthecommunityinwhichhelivesandisbestknown.Itisdefinedasthe
wordorcombinationofwordsbywhichapersonisdistinguishedfromotherindividualsand,
also, as the label or appellation which he bears for the convenience of the world at large
[8]
addressing him, or in speaking of or dealing with him. It is both of personal as well as
publicinterestthateverypersonmusthaveaname.
The name of an individual has two parts: (1) the given or proper name and (2) the
surnameorfamilyname.Thegivenorpropernameisthatwhichisgiventotheindividual
atbirthoratbaptism,todistinguishhimfromotherindividuals.Thesurnameorfamilyname

isthatwhichidentifiesthefamilytowhichhebelongsandiscontinuedfromparenttochild.
The given name may be freely selected by the parents for the child, but the surname to
[9]
whichthechildisentitledisfixedbylaw.
Thus,Articles364to380oftheCivilCodeprovidesthesubstantiveruleswhichregulate
[10]
theuseofsurname
ofanindividualwhatevermaybehisstatusinlife,i.e.,whetherhe
maybelegitimateorillegitimate,anadoptedchild,amarriedwomanorapreviouslymarried
woman,orawidow,thus:
Art.364.Legitimateandlegitimatedchildrenshallprincipallyusethesurnameofthefather.
Art.365.Anadoptedchildshallbearthesurnameoftheadopter.
xxx
Art.369.Childrenconceivedbeforethedecreeannullingavoidablemarriageshallprincipallyusethe
surnameofthefather.
Art.370.Amarriedwomanmayuse:
(1)Hermaidenfirstnameandsurnameandaddherhusband'ssurname,or
(2)Hermaidenfirstnameandherhusband'ssurnameor
(3)Herhusband'sfullname,butprefixingawordindicatingthatsheishiswife,suchasMrs.
Art.371.Incaseofannulmentofmarriage,andthewifeistheguiltyparty,sheshallresumeher
maidennameandsurname.Ifsheistheinnocentspouse,shemayresumehermaidennameand
surname.However,shemaychoosetocontinueemployingherformerhusband'ssurname,unless:
(1)Thecourtdecreesotherwise,or
(2)Sheortheformerhusbandismarriedagaintoanotherperson.
Art.372.Whenlegalseparationhasbeengranted,thewifeshallcontinueusinghernameand
surnameemployedbeforethelegalseparation.
Art.373.Awidowmayusethedeceasedhusband'ssurnameasthoughhewerestillliving,in
accordancewithArticle370.
Art.374.Incaseofidentityofnamesandsurnames,theyoungerpersonshallbeobligedtousesuch
additionalnameorsurnameaswillavoidconfusion.
Art.375.Incaseofidentityofnamesandsurnamesbetweenascendantsanddescendants,theword
Juniorcanbeusedonlybyason.Grandsonsandotherdirectmaledescendantsshalleither:
(1)Addamiddlenameorthemother'ssurname,
(2)AddtheRomannumeralsII,III,andsoon.
xxx
LawIsSilentAsToTheUseOf
MiddleName
As correctly submitted by both parties, there is no law regulating the use of a middle

[11]
name. Even Article 176
of the Family Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 9255,
otherwise known as An Act Allowing Illegitimate Children To Use The Surname Of Their
Father,issilentastowhatmiddlenameachildmayuse.
The middle name or the mothers surname is only considered in Article 375(1), quoted
above, in case there is identity of names and surnames between ascendants and
descendants,inwhichcase,themiddlenameorthemotherssurnameshallbeadded.
Notably, the law is likewise silent as to what middle name an adoptee may use.
Article365oftheCivilCodemerelyprovidesthatanadoptedchildshallbearthesurnameof
theadopter.Also,Article189oftheFamilyCode,enumeratingthelegaleffectsofadoption,
islikewisesilentonthematter,thus:
"(1)Forcivilpurposes,theadoptedshallbedeemedtobealegitimatechildoftheadoptersand
bothshallacquirethereciprocalrightsandobligationsarisingfromtherelationshipofparentand
child,includingtherightoftheadoptedtousethesurnameoftheadopters
xxx
However, as correctly pointed out by the OSG, the members of the Civil Code and
Family Law Committees that drafted the Family Code recognized the Filipino custom of
addingthesurnameofthechildsmotherashismiddlename.IntheMinutesoftheJoint
Meeting of the Civil Code and Family Law Committees, the members approved the
suggestion that the initial or surname of the mother should immediately precede the
surnameofthefather,thus
JusticeCaguioacommentedthatthereisadifferencebetweentheusebythewifeofthesurnameand
thatofthechildbecausethefatherssurnameindicatesthefamilytowhichhebelongs,forwhich
reasonhewouldinsistontheuseofthefatherssurnamebythechildbutthat,ifhewantsto,the
childmayalsousethesurnameofthemother.
JusticePunoposedthequestion:Ifthechildchoosestousethesurnameofthemother,howwillhis
namebewritten?JusticeCaguioarepliedthatitisuptohimbutthathispointisthatitshouldbe
mandatorythatthechildusesthesurnameofthefatherandpermissiveinthecaseofthe
surnameofthemother.
Prof.BavieraremarkedthatJusticeCaguioaspointiscoveredbythepresentArticle364,whichreads:
Legitimateandlegitimatedchildrenshallprincipallyusethesurnameofthefather.
JusticePunopointedoutthatmanynameschangethroughnochoiceofthepersonhimselfprecisely
becauseofthismisunderstanding.Hethencitedthefollowingexample:AlfonsoPonceEnrilescorrect
surnameisPoncesincethemotherssurnameisEnrilebuteverybodycallshimAtty.Enrile.Justice
JoseGutierrezDavidsfamilynameisGutierrezandhismotherssurnameisDavidbuttheyallcall
himJusticeDavid.
JusticeCaguioasuggestedthattheproposedArticle(12)bemodifiedtotheeffectthatitshallbe
mandatoryonthechildtousethesurnameofthefatherbuthemayusethesurnameofthe
motherbywayofaninitialoramiddlename.Prof.Balanestatedthattheytakenoteofthisfor
inclusionintheChapteronUseofSurnamessinceintheproposedArticle(10)theyarejust
enumeratingtherightsoflegitimatechildrensothatthedetailscanbecoveredintheappropriate
chapter.
xxx

JusticePunoremarkedthatthereislogicinthesimplificationsuggestedbyJusticeCaguioathatthe
surnameofthefathershouldalwaysbelastbecausetherearesomanytraditionsliketheAmerican
traditionwheretheyliketousetheirsecondgivennameandtheLatintradition,whichisalso
followedbytheChinesewhereintheyevenincludetheClanname.
xxx
JusticePunosuggestedthattheyagreeinprinciplethatintheChapterontheUseofSurnames,
theyshouldsaythatinitialorsurnameofthemothershouldimmediatelyprecedethesurname
ofthefathersothatthesecondname,ifany,willbebeforethesurnameofthemother.Prof.
[12]

BalaneaddedthatthisisreallytheFilipinoway.TheCommitteeapprovedthesuggestion.
(Emphasissupplied)

In the case of an adopted child, the law provides that the adopted shall bear the
[13]
surnameoftheadopters.
Again,itissilentwhetherhecanuseamiddlename.Whatit
only expressly allows, as a matter of right and obligation, is for the adoptee to bear the
[14]
surnameoftheadopter,uponissuanceofthedecreeofadoption.
TheUnderlyingIntentof
AdoptionIsInFavorofthe
AdoptedChild
Adoption is defined as the process of making a child, whether related or not to the
[15]
adopter,possessingeneral,therightsaccordedtoalegitimatechild.
Itisajuridicalact,
aproceedinginremwhichcreatesbetweentwopersonsarelationshipsimilartothatwhich
[16]
results from legitimate paternity and filiation.
The modern trend is to consider adoption
notmerelyasanacttoestablisharelationshipofpaternityandfiliation,butalsoasanact
[17]
which endows the child with a legitimate status.
This was, indeed, confirmed in 1989,
when the Philippines, as a State Party to the Convention of the Rights of the Child
initiatedbytheUnitedNations,acceptedtheprinciplethatadoptionisimpressedwith
social and moral responsibility, and that its underlying intent is geared to favor the
[18]
adoptedchild.
RepublicActNo.8552,otherwiseknownastheDomesticAdoptionAct
[19]
[20]
of1998,
securestheserightsandprivilegesfortheadopted.
Oneoftheeffectsofadoptionisthattheadoptedisdeemedtobealegitimatechildof
[21]
theadopterforallintentsandpurposespursuanttoArticle189
oftheFamilyCodeand
[22]
[23]
Section17
ArticleVofRA8552.
Being a legitimate child by virtue of her adoption, it follows that Stephanie is
entitledtoalltherightsprovidedbylawtoalegitimatechildwithoutdiscriminationof
any kind, including the right to bear the surname of her father and her mother, as
discussedabove.ThisisconsistentwiththeintentionofthemembersoftheCivilCodeand
FamilyLawCommitteesasearlierdiscussed.Infact,itisaFilipinocustomthattheinitialor
surnameofthemothershouldimmediatelyprecedethesurnameofthefather.
Additionally, as aptly stated by both parties, Stephanies continued use of her mothers
surname (Garcia) as her middle name will maintain her maternal lineage. It is to be noted
[24]
that Article 189(3) of the Family Code and Section 18
, Article V of RA 8552 (law on
adoption) provide that the adoptee remains an intestate heir of his/her biological parent.

Hence, Stephanie can well assert or claim her hereditary rights from her natural mother in
thefuture.
Moreover,recordsshowthatStephanieandhermotherarelivingtogetherinthehouse
builtbypetitionerforthemat390Tumana,SanJose,Baliuag,Bulacan.Petitionerprovides
for all their needs. Stephanie is closely attached to both her mother and father. She calls
themMamaandPapa.Indeed,theyareonenormalhappyfamily.Hence,toallowStephanie
tousehermotherssurnameashermiddlenamewillnotonlysustainhercontinuedloving
relationshipwithhermotherbutwillalsoeliminatethestigmaofherillegitimacy.
LiberalConstructionof
AdoptionStatutesInFavorOf
Adoption
Itisasettledrulethatadoptionstatutes,beinghumaneandsalutary,shouldbeliberally
[25]
construedtocarryoutthebeneficentpurposesofadoption.
Theinterestsandwelfareof
[26]
theadoptedchildareofprimaryandparamountconsideration,
hence,everyreasonable
intendment should be sustained to promote and fulfill these noble and compassionate
[27]
objectivesofthelaw.
Lastly,Art.10oftheNewCivilCodeprovidesthat:
Incaseofdoubtintheinterpretationorapplicationoflaws,itispresumedthatthelawmakingbody
intendedrightandjusticetoprevail.
This provision, according to the Code Commission, is necessary so that it may tip the
scalesinfavorofrightandjusticewhenthelawisdoubtfulorobscure.Itwillstrengthenthe
determination of the courts to avoid an injustice which may apparently be authorized by
[28]
somewayofinterpretingthelaw.
Hence, since there is no law prohibiting an illegitimate child adopted by her natural
father,likeStephanie,touse,asmiddlenamehermotherssurname,wefindnoreasonwhy
sheshouldnotbeallowedtodoso.
WHEREFORE,thepetitionisGRANTED.TheassailedDecisionispartlyMODIFIEDin
the sense that Stephanie should be allowed to use her mothers surname GARCIA as her
middlename.
Letthecorrespondingentryofhercorrectandcompletenamebeenteredinthedecree
ofadoption.
SOORDERED.
Panganiban,(Chairman),Corona,CarpioMorales,andGarcia,JJ.,concur.
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

Rolloat3436.
AnnexC,id.at33.
AnnexF,id.at4143.
Rolloat4243.
AnnexG,id.at4448.

[6]
[7]
[8]

[9]

AnnexH,id.at49.
MinutesoftheJointMeetingoftheCivilCodeandFamilyLawCommittees,August10,1985,p.8.
Republicvs.CourtofAppealsandMaximoWong,G.R.No.97906,May21,1992,209SCRA189,citing38
AmJur,Name594595.
Republicvs.Hon.Hernandez,etal., G.R. No. 117209, February 9, 1996, 253 SCRA 509, citing Tolentino,
A.M.,CivilCodeofthePhilippines,CommentariesandJurisprudence,Vol.I,1993ed.,672.

[10]
[11]

[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]

[19]

[20]
[21]

[22]
[23]
[24]

[25]

[26]

Republicvs.CourtofAppealsandMaximoWong,supra.
Art.176.Illegitimatechildrenshallusethesurnameandshallbeundertheparentalauthorityoftheirmother,
andshallbeentitledtosupportinconformitywiththisCode.However,illegitimatechildrenmayusethe
surnameoftheirfatheriftheirfiliationhasbeenexpresslyrecognizedbythefatherthroughtherecordof
birth appearing in the civil register, or when an admission in a public document or private handwritten
instrument is made by the father. Provided, the father has the right to institute an action before the
regularcourtstoprovenonfiliationduringhislifetime.Thelegitimeofeachillegitimatechildshallconsist
ofonehalfofthelegitimeofalegitimatechild.
MinutesoftheJointMeetingoftheCivilCodeandFamilylawCommittees,August10,1985,pp.1618.
Article365oftheNewCivilCode.
Republicvs.Hon.Hernandez,etal.,supraRepublicvs.CourtofAppealsandMaximoWong,supra.
Paras,CivilCodeofthePhilippinesAnnotated,Vol.I,FifteenthEdition,2002,p.685.
Pineda,TheFamilyCodeofthePhilippinesAnnotated,1989Edition,p.272273,citing4Valverde,473.
Paras,supra,citingPrasnickvs.Republic,98Phil.665.
Lahom vs. Sibulo, G.R. No. 143989, July 14, 2003, 406 SCRA 135, citing United Nation General
Assembly/44/49(1989).
Sec. 17. Legitimacy.The adoptee shall be considered the legitimate son/daughter of the adopter(s) for all
intentsandpurposesandassuchisentitledtoalltherightsandobligationsprovidedbylawtolegitimate
sons/daughters born to them without discrimination of any kind. To this end, the adoptee is entitled to
love,guidanceandsupportinkeepingwiththemeansofthefamily.
Id.
Art.189.(1)Forcivilpurposes,theadoptedshallbedeemedtobealegitimatechildoftheadoptersand
both shall acquire the reciprocal rights and obligations arising from the relationship of parent and child,
includingtherightoftheadoptedtousethesurnameoftheadopters
Supra.
DomesticAdoptionActof1998.
Sec.18.Succession.Inlegalandintestatesuccession,theadopter(s)andtheadopteeshallhavereciprocal
rights of succession without distinction from legitimate filiation. However, if the adoptee and his/her
biologicalparent(s)hadleftawill,thelawontestamentarysuccessionshallgovern.
RepublicofthePhilippinesvs.CourtofAppeals,etal.,G.R.No.92326,January24,1992,205SCRA356,
citing2AmJur2d,Adoption,865.
RepublicofthePhilippinesvs.CourtofAppeals,etal.,id.,citing2AmJur2d,Adoption,910.

[27]

[28]

RepublicofthePhilippinesvs.CourtofAppeals,etal.,id.,citingBobanovic,etal.vs.Montes,etc.,etal.,
142SCRA485(1986).
Paras,supra,p.91.