Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Tenth Congress

REPUBLIC ACT NO. !!" #ebruar$ "!% &'' AN ACT E(TABLI()IN* T)E RULE( AN+ POLICIE( ON T)E +OME(TIC A+OPTION O# #ILIPINO C)IL+REN AN+ #OR OT)ER PURPO(E( Be it enacte, b$ the (enate an, )ouse of Representati-es of the Philippines in Congress asse.ble,/ ARTICLE I *ENERAL PRO0I(ION( (ection &. (hort Title. 1 This Act shall be 2no3n as the 4+o.estic A,option Act of &'' .4 (ec. ". +eclaration of Policies. 1 5a6 It is hereb$ ,eclare, the polic$ of the (tate to ensure that e-er$ chil, re.ains un,er the care an, custo,$ of his7her parent5s6 an, be pro-i,e, 3ith lo-e% care% un,erstan,ing an, securit$ to3ar,s the full an, har.onious ,e-elop.ent of his7her personalit$. Onl$ 3hen such efforts pro-e insufficient an, no appropriate place.ent or a,option 3ithin the chil,8s e9ten,e, fa.il$ is a-ailable shall a,option b$ an unrelate, person be consi,ere,. 5b6 In all .atters relating to the care% custo,$ an, a,option of a chil,% his7her interest shall be the para.ount consi,eration in accor,ance 3ith the tenets set forth in the Unite, Nations 5UN6 Con-ention on the Rights of the Chil,: UN +eclaration on (ocial an, Legal Principles Relating to the Protection an, ;elfare of Chil,ren 3ith (pecial Reference to #oster Place.ent an, A,option% Nationall$ an, Internationall$: an, the )ague Con-ention on the Protection of Chil,ren an, Cooperation in Respect of Intercountr$

A,option. To3ar, this en,% the (tate shall pro-i,e alternati-e protection an, assistance through foster care or a,option for e-er$ chil, 3ho is neglecte,% orphane,% or aban,one,. 5c6 It shall also be a (tate polic$ to/ 5i6 (afeguar, the biological parent5s6 fro. .a2ing hurrie, ,ecisions to relin<uish his7her parental authorit$ o-er his7her chil,:
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5ii6 Pre-ent the chil, fro. unnecessar$ separation fro. his7her biological parent5s6:
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5iii6 Protect a,opti-e parent5s6 fro. atte.pts to ,isturb his7her parental authorit$ an, custo,$ o-er his7her a,opte, chil,. An$ -oluntar$ or in-oluntar$ ter.ination of parental authorit$ shall be a,.inistrati-el$ or =u,iciall$ ,eclare, so as to establish the status of the chil, as 4legall$ a-ailable for a,option4 an, his7her custo,$ transferre, to the +epart.ent of (ocial ;elfare an, +e-elop.ent or to an$ ,ul$ license, an, accre,ite, chil,1 placing or chil,1caring agenc$% 3hich entit$ shall be authori>e, to ta2e steps for the per.anent place.ent of the chil,:
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5i-6 Con,uct public infor.ation an, e,ucational ca.paigns to pro.ote a positi-e en-iron.ent for a,option:
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5-6 Ensure that sufficient capacit$ e9ists 3ithin go-ern.ent an, pri-ate sector agencies to han,le a,option in<uiries% process ,o.estic a,option applications% an, offer a,option1 relate, ser-ices inclu,ing% but not li.ite, to% parent preparation an, post1a,option

e,ucation an, counseling: an, 5-i6 Encourage ,o.estic a,option so as to preser-e the chil,8s i,entit$ an, culture in his7her nati-e lan,% an, onl$ 3hen this is not a-ailable shall intercountr$ a,option be consi,ere, as a last resort.
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(ec. ?. +efinition of Ter.s. 1 #or purposes of this Act% the follo3ing ter.s shall be ,efine, as/ 5a6 4Chil,4 is a person belo3 eighteen 5& 6 $ears of age. 5b6 4A chil, legall$ a-ailable for a,option4 refers to a chil, 3ho has been -oluntaril$ or in-oluntaril$ co..itte, to the +epart.ent or to a ,ul$ license, an, accre,ite, chil,1placing or chil,1caring agenc$% free, of the parental authorit$ of his7her biological parent5s6 or guar,ian or a,opter5s6 in case of rescission of a,option. 5c6 40oluntaril$ co..itte, chil,4 is one 3hose parent5s6 2no3ingl$ an, 3illingl$ relin<uishes parental authorit$ to the +epart.ent. 5,6 4In-oluntaril$ co..itte, chil,4 is one 3hose parent5s6% 2no3n or un2no3n% has been per.anentl$ an, =u,iciall$ ,epri-e, of parental authorit$ ,ue to aban,on.ent: substantial% continuous% or repeate, neglect: abuse: or inco.petence to ,ischarge parental responsibilities. 5e6 4Aban,one, chil,4 refers to one 3ho has no proper parental care or guar,ianship or 3hose parent5s6 has ,eserte, hi.7her for a perio, of at least si9 5@6 continuous .onths an, has

been =u,iciall$ ,eclare, as such. 5f6 4(uper-ise, trial custo,$4 is a perio, of ti.e 3ithin 3hich a social 3or2er o-ersees the a,=ust.ent an, e.otional rea,iness of both a,opter5s6 an, a,optee in stabili>ing their filial relationship. 5g6 4+epart.ent4 refers to the +epart.ent of (ocial ;elfare an, +e-elop.ent. 5h6 4Chil,1placing agenc$4 is a ,ul$ license, an, accre,ite, agenc$ b$ the +epart.ent to pro-i,e co.prehensi-e chil, 3elfare ser-ices inclu,ing% but not li.ite, to% recei-ing applications for a,option% e-aluating the prospecti-e a,opti-e parents% an, preparing the a,option ho.e stu,$. 5i6 4Chil,1caring agenc$4 is a ,ul$ license, an, accre,ite, agenc$ b$ the +epart.ent that pro-i,es t3ent$ four 5"A61hour resi,ential care ser-ices for aban,one,% orphane,% neglecte,% or -oluntaril$ co..itte, chil,ren. 5=6 4(i.ulation of birth4 is the ta.pering of the ci-il registr$ .a2ing it appear in the birth recor,s that a certain chil, 3as born to a person 3ho is not his7her biological .other% causing such chil, to lose his7her true i,entit$ an, status. ARTICLE II PRE1A+OPTION (ER0ICE( (ec. A. Counseling (er-ice. 1 The +epart.ent shall pro-i,e the ser-ices of license, social 3or2ers to the follo3ing/

5a6 Biological Parent5s6 1 Counseling shall be pro-i,e, to the parent5s6 before an, after the birth of his7her chil,. No bin,ing co..it.ent to an a,option plan shall be per.itte, before the birth of his7her chil,. A perio, of si9 5@6 .onths shall be allo3e, for the biological parent5s6 to reconsi,er an$ ,ecision to relin<uish his7her chil, for a,option before the ,ecision beco.es irre-ocable. Counseling an, rehabilitation ser-ices shall also be offere, to the biological parent5s6 after he7she has relin<uishe, his7her chil, for a,option. (teps shall be ta2en b$ the +epart.ent to ensure that no hurrie, ,ecisions are .a,e an, all alternati-es for the chil,8s future an, the i.plications of each alternati-e ha-e been pro-i,e,. 5b6 Prospecti-e A,opti-e Parent5s6 1 Counseling sessions% a,option fora an, se.inars% a.ong others% shall be pro-i,e, to prospecti-e a,opti-e parent5s6 to resol-e possible a,option issues an, to prepare hi.7her for effecti-e parenting. 5c6 Prospecti-e A,optee 1 Counseling sessions shall be pro-i,e, to ensure that he7she un,erstan,s the nature an, effects of a,option an, is able to e9press his7her -ie3s on a,option in accor,ance 3ith his7her age an, le-el of .aturit$.
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(ec. !. Location of Un2no3n Parent5s6. 1 It shall be the ,ut$ of the +epart.ent or the chil,1placing or chil,1caring agenc$ 3hich has custo,$ of the chil, to e9ert all efforts to locate his7her un2no3n biological parent5s6. If such efforts fail% the chil, shall be registere, as a foun,ling an, subse<uentl$ be the sub=ect of legal procee,ings 3here he7she shall be ,eclare, aban,one,.
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(ec. @. (upport (er-ices. 1 The +epart.ent shall ,e-elop a

pre1a,option progra. 3hich shall inclu,e% a.ong others% the abo-e .entione, ser-ices. ARTICLE III ELI*IBILITB (ec. C. ;ho Ma$ A,opt. 1 The follo3ing .a$ a,opt/ 5a6 An$ #ilipino citi>en of legal age% in possession of full ci-il capacit$ an, legal rights% of goo, .oral character% has not been con-icte, of an$ cri.e in-ol-ing .oral turpitu,e% e.otionall$ an, ps$chologicall$ capable of caring for chil,ren% at least si9teen 5&@6 $ears ol,er than the a,optee% an, 3ho is in a position to support an, care for his7her chil,ren in 2eeping 3ith the .eans of the fa.il$. The re<uire.ent of si9teen 5&@6 $ear ,ifference bet3een the age of the a,opter an, a,optee .a$ be 3ai-e, 3hen the a,opter is the biological parent of the a,optee% or is the spouse of the a,optee8s parent:
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5b6 An$ alien possessing the sa.e <ualifications as abo-e state, for #ilipino nationals/Pro-i,e,% That his7her countr$ has ,iplo.atic relations 3ith the Republic of the Philippines% that he7she has been li-ing in the Philippines for at least three 5?6 continuous $ears prior to the filing of the application for a,option an, .aintains such resi,ence until the a,option ,ecree is entere,% that he7she has been certifie, b$ his7her ,iplo.atic or consular office or an$ appropriate go-ern.ent agenc$ that he7she has the legal capacit$ to a,opt in his7her countr$% an, that his7her go-ern.ent allo3s the a,optee to enter his7her countr$ as his7her a,opte, son7,aughter/ Pro-i,e,% #urther%That the re<uire.ents on resi,enc$ an, certification of the alien8s <ualification to a,opt in his7her countr$ .a$ be 3ai-e, for the follo3ing/ 5i6 a for.er #ilipino citi>en 3ho

see2s to a,opt a relati-e 3ithin the fourth 5Ath6 ,egree of consanguinit$ or affinit$: or 5ii6 one 3ho see2s to a,opt the legiti.ate son7,aughter of his7her #ilipino spouse: or 5iii6 one 3ho is .arrie, to a #ilipino citi>en an, see2s to a,opt =ointl$ 3ith his7her spouse a relati-e 3ithin the fourth 5Ath6 ,egree of consanguinit$ or affinit$ of the #ilipino spouse: or
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5c6 The guar,ian 3ith respect to the 3ar, after the ter.ination of the guar,ianship an, clearance of his7her financial accountabilities.
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)usban, an, 3ife shall =ointl$ a,opt% e9cept in the follo3ing cases/ 5i6 if one spouse see2s to a,opt the legiti.ate son7,aughter of the other: or 5ii6 if one spouse see2s to a,opt his7her o3n illegiti.ate son7,aughter/ Pro-i,e,% )o3e-er% that the other spouse has signifie, his7her consent thereto: or 5iii6 if the spouses are legall$ separate, fro. each other.
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In case husban, an, 3ife =ointl$ a,opt% or one spouse a,opts the illegiti.ate son7,aughter of the other% =oint parental authorit$ shall be e9ercise, b$ the spouses.
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(ec.

. ;ho Ma$ Be A,opte,. 1 The follo3ing .a$ be

a,opte,/ 5a6 An$ person belo3 eighteen 5& 6 $ears of age 3ho has been a,.inistrati-el$ or =u,iciall$ ,eclare, a-ailable for a,option:
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5b6 The legiti.ate son7,aughter of one spouse b$ the other spouse:

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5c6 An illegiti.ate son7,aughter b$ a <ualifie, a,opter to i.pro-e his7her status to that of legiti.ac$:
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5,6 A person of legal age if% prior to the a,option% sai, person has been consistentl$ consi,ere, an, treate, b$ the a,opter5s6 as his7her o3n chil, since .inorit$:
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5e6 A chil, 3hose a,option has been pre-iousl$ rescin,e,: or 5f6 A chil, 3hose biological or a,opti-e parent5s6 has ,ie,/ Pro-i,e,% That no procee,ings shall be initiate, 3ithin si9 5@6 .onths fro. the ti.e of ,eath of sai, parent5s6.
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(ec. '. ;hose Consent is Necessar$ to the A,option. 1 After being properl$ counsele, an, infor.e, of his7her right to gi-e or 3ithhol, his7her appro-al of the a,option% the 3ritten consent of the follo3ing to the a,option is hereb$ re<uire,/ 5a6 The a,optee% if ten 5&D6 $ears of age or o-er:
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5b6 The biological parent5s6 of the chil,% if 2no3n% or the legal guar,ian% or the proper go-ern.ent instru.entalit$ 3hich has legal custo,$ of the chil,:
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5c6 The legiti.ate an, a,opte, sons7,aughters% ten 5&D6 $ears of age or o-er% of the a,opter5s6 an, a,optee% if an$:
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5,6 The illegiti.ate sons7,aughters% ten 5&D6 $ears of age or o-er% of the a,opter if li-ing 3ith sai, a,opter an, the latter8s spouse% if an$: an, 5e6 The spouse% if an$% of the person a,opting or to be a,opte,. ARTICLE I0 PROCE+URE (ec. &D. )urrie, +ecisions. 1 In all procee,ings for a,option% the court shall re<uire proof that the biological parent5s6 has been properl$ counsele, to pre-ent hi.7her fro. .a2ing hurrie, ,ecisions cause, b$ strain or an9iet$ to gi-e up the chil,% an, to sustain that all .easures to strengthen the fa.il$ ha-e been e9hauste, an, that an$ prolonge, sta$ of the chil, in his7her o3n ho.e 3ill be ini.ical to his7her 3elfare an, interest.
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(ec. &&. Case (tu,$. 1 No petition for a,option shall be set for hearing unless a license, social 3or2er of the +epart.ent% the social ser-ice office of the local go-ern.ent unit% or an$ chil,1placing or chil,1caring agenc$ has .a,e a case stu,$ of the a,optee% his7her biological parent5s6% as 3ell as the a,opter5s6% an, has sub.itte, the report an, reco..en,ations on the .atter to the court hearing such petition. At the ti.e of preparation of the a,optee8s case stu,$% the concerne, social 3or2er shall confir. 3ith the Ci-il Registr$ the real i,entit$ an, registere, na.e of the a,optee. If the birth of the a,optee 3as not registere, 3ith the Ci-il Registr$% it shall be the responsibilit$ of the concerne, social 3or2er to ensure that the a,optee is registere,. The case stu,$ on the a,optee shall establish that he7she is

legall$ a-ailable for a,option an, that the ,ocu.ents to support this fact are -ali, an, authentic. #urther% the case stu,$ of the a,opter5s6 shall ascertain his7her genuine intentions an, that the a,option is in the best interest of the chil,. The +epart.ent shall inter-ene on behalf of the a,optee if it fin,s% after the con,uct of the case stu,ies% that the petition shoul, be ,enie,. The case stu,ies an, other rele-ant ,ocu.ents an, recor,s pertaining to the a,optee an, the a,option shall be preser-e, b$ the +epart.ent.
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(ec. &". (uper-ise, Trial Custo,$. 1 No petition for a,option shall be finall$ grante, until the a,opter5s6 has been gi-en b$ the court a super-ise, trial custo,$ perio, for at least si9 5@6 .onths 3ithin 3hich the parties are e9pecte, to a,=ust ps$chologicall$ an, e.otionall$ to each other an, establish a bon,ing relationship. +uring sai, perio,% te.porar$ parental authorit$ shall be -este, in the a,opter5s6. The court .a$ .otu proprio or upon .otion of an$ part$ re,uce the trial perio, if it fin,s the sa.e to be in the best interest of the a,optee% stating the reasons for the re,uction of the perio,. )o3e-er% for alien a,opter5s6% he7she .ust co.plete the si9 5@61.onth trial custo,$ e9cept for those enu.erate, in (ec. C 5b6 5i6 5ii6 5iii6. If the chil, is belo3 se-en 5C6 $ears of age an, is place, 3ith the prospecti-e a,opter5s6 through a pre1a,option place.ent authorit$ issue, b$ the +epart.ent% the prospecti-e a,opter5s6 shall en=o$ all the benefits to 3hich biological parent5s6 is entitle, fro. the ,ate the a,optee is place, 3ith the prospecti-e a,opter5s6.
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(ec. &?. +ecree of A,option.1 If% after the publication of the or,er of hearing has been co.plie, 3ith% an, no opposition has been interpose, to the petition% an, after consi,eration of the case stu,ies% the <ualifications of the a,opter5s6% trial custo,$ report an, the e-i,ence sub.itte,% the court is con-ince, that the petitioners are <ualifie, to a,opt% an, that the a,option 3oul, re,oun, to the best interest of the a,optee% a ,ecree of a,option shall be entere, 3hich shall

be effecti-e as of the ,ate the original petition 3as file,. This pro-ision shall also appl$ in case the petitioner5s6 ,ies before the issuance of the ,ecree of a,option to protect the interest of the a,optee. The ,ecree shall state the na.e b$ 3hich the chil, is to be 2no3n.
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(ec. &A. Ci-il Registr$ Recor,. 1 An a.en,e, certificate of birth shall be issue, b$ the Ci-il Registr$% as re<uire, b$ the http/77333.chanrobles.co.7rulesofcourt.ht.Rules of Court% attesting to the fact that the a,optee is the chil, of the a,opter5s6 b$ being registere, 3ith his7her surna.e. The original certificate of birth shall be sta.pe, 4cancelle,4 3ith the annotation of the issuance of an a.en,e, birth certificate in its place an, shall be seale, in the ci-il registr$ recor,s. The ne3 birth certificate to be issue, to the a,optee shall not bear an$ notation that it is an a.en,e, issue.
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(ec. &!. Confi,ential Nature of Procee,ings an, Recor,s. 1 All hearings in a,option cases shall be confi,ential an, shall not be open to the public. All recor,s% boo2s% an, papers relating to the a,option cases in the files of the court% the +epart.ent% or an$ other agenc$ or institution participating in the a,option procee,ings shall be 2ept strictl$ confi,ential. If the court fin,s that the ,isclosure of the infor.ation to a thir, person is necessar$ for purposes connecte, 3ith or arising out of the a,option an, 3ill be for the best interest of the a,optee% the court .a$ .erit the necessar$ infor.ation to be release,% restricting the purposes for 3hich it .a$ be use,. ARTICLE 0 E##ECT( O# A+OPTION (ec. &@. Parental Authorit$. 1 E9cept biological parent is the spouse of the bet3een the biological parent5s6 an, se-ere, an, the sa.e shall then a,opter5s6.
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in cases 3here the a,opter% all legal ties the a,optee shall be be -este, on the

(ec. &C. Legiti.ac$. 1 The a,optee shall be consi,ere, the legiti.ate son7,aughter of the a,opter5s6 for all intents an,

purposes an, as such is entitle, to all the rights an, obligations pro-i,e, b$ la3 to legiti.ate sons7,aughters born to the. 3ithout ,iscri.ination of an$ 2in,. To this en,% the a,optee is entitle, to lo-e% gui,ance% an, support in 2eeping 3ith the .eans of the fa.il$.
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(ec. & . (uccession. 1 In legal an, intestate succession% the a,opter5s6 an, the a,optee shall ha-e reciprocal rights of succession 3ithout ,istinction fro. legiti.ate filiation. )o3e-er% if the a,optee an, his7her biological parent5s6 ha, left a 3ill% the la3 on testa.entar$ succession shall go-ern. ARTICLE 0I RE(CI((ION O# A+OPTION (ec. &'. *roun,s for Rescission of A,option.1 Upon petition of the a,optee% 3ith the assistance of the +epart.ent if a .inor or if o-er eighteen 5& 6 $ears of age but is incapacitate,% as guar,ian7counsel% the a,option .a$ be rescin,e, on an$ of the follo3ing groun,s co..itte, b$ the a,opter5s6/ 5a6 repeate, ph$sical an, -erbal .altreat.ent b$ the a,opter5s6 ,espite ha-ing un,ergone counseling: 5b6 atte.pt on the life of the a,optee: 5c6 se9ual assault or -iolence: or 5,6 aban,on.ent an, failure to co.pl$ 3ith parental obligations. A,option% being in the best interest of the chil,% shall not be sub=ect to rescission b$ the a,opter5s6. )o3e-er% the a,opter5s6 .a$ ,isinherit the a,optee for causes pro-i,e, in Article '&' of the Ci-il Co,e.
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(ec. "D. Effects of Rescission. 1 If the petition is grante,% the parental authorit$ of the a,optee8s biological parent5s6% if 2no3n% or the legal custo,$ of the +epart.ent shall be restore, if the a,optee is still a .inor or incapacitate,. The reciprocal rights an, obligations of the a,opter5s6 an, the a,optee to each other shall be e9tinguishe,. The court shall or,er the Ci-il Registrar to cancel the a.en,e, certificate of birth of the a,optee an, restore his7her original birth certificate. (uccession rights shall re-ert to its status prior to a,option%

but onl$ as of the ,ate of =u,g.ent of =u,icial rescission. 0este, rights ac<uire, prior to =u,icial rescission shall be respecte,. All the foregoing effects of rescission of a,option shall be 3ithout pre=u,ice to the penalties i.posable un,er the Penal Co,e if the cri.inal acts are properl$ pro-en. ARTICLE 0II 0IOLATION( AN+ PENALTIE( (ec. "&. 0iolations an, Penalties. 1 5a6 The penalt$ of i.prison.ent ranging fro. si9 5@6 $ears an, one 5&6 ,a$ to t3el-e 5&"6 $ears an,7or a fine not less than #ift$ thousan, pesos 5P!D%DDD.DD6% but not .ore than T3o hun,re, thousan, pesos 5P"DD%DDD.DD6 at the ,iscretion of the court shall be i.pose, on an$ person 3ho shall co..it an$ of the follo3ing acts/ 5i6 obtaining consent for an a,option through coercion% un,ue influence% frau,% i.proper .aterial in,uce.ent% or other si.ilar acts:
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5ii6 non1co.pliance 3ith the proce,ures an, safeguar,s pro-i,e, b$ the la3 for a,option: or 5iii6 sub=ecting or e9posing the chil, to be a,opte, to ,anger% abuse% or e9ploitation.
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5b6 An$ person 3ho shall cause the fictitious registration of the birth of a chil, un,er the na.e5s6 of a person5s6 3ho is not his7her biological parent5s6 shall be guilt$ of si.ulation of birth% an, shall be punishe, b$ prision .a$or in its .e,iu. perio, an, a fine not e9cee,ing #ift$ thousan, pesos 5P!D%DDD.DD6. An$ ph$sician or nurse or hospital personnel 3ho% in -iolation of his7her oath of office% shall cooperate in the e9ecution of the abo-e.entione, cri.e shall suffer the penalties herein prescribe, an, also the penalt$ of

per.anent ,is<ualification. An$ person 3ho shall -iolate establishe, regulations relating to the confi,entialit$ an, integrit$ of recor,s% ,ocu.ents% an, co..unications of a,option applications% cases% an, processes shall suffer the penalt$ of i.prison.ent ranging fro. one 5&6 $ear an, one 5&6 ,a$ to t3o 5"6 $ears% an,7or a fine of not less than #i-e thousan, pesos 5P!%DDD.DD6 but not .ore than Ten thousan, pesos 5P&D%DDD.DD6% at the ,iscretion of the court. A penalt$ lo3er b$ t3o 5"6 ,egrees than that prescribe, for the consu..ate, offense un,er this Article shall be i.pose, upon the principals of the atte.pt to co..it an$ of the acts herein enu.erate,. Acts punishable un,er this Article% 3hen co..itte, b$ a s$n,icate or 3here it in-ol-es t3o 5"6 or .ore chil,ren shall be consi,ere, as an offense constituting chil, traffic2ing an, shall .erit the penalt$ of reclusion perpetua. Acts punishable un,er this Article are ,ee.e, co..itte, b$ a s$n,icate if carrie, out b$ a group of three 5?6 or .ore persons conspiring an,7or confe,erating 3ith one another in carr$ing out an$ of the unla3ful acts ,efine, un,er this Article. Penalties as are herein pro-i,e,% shall be in a,,ition to an$ other penalties 3hich .a$ be i.pose, for the sa.e acts punishable un,er other la3s% or,inances% e9ecuti-e or,ers% an, procla.ations. ;hen the offen,er is an alien% he7she shall be ,eporte, i..e,iatel$ after ser-ice of sentence an, perpetuall$ e9clu,e, fro. entr$ to the countr$. An$ go-ern.ent official% e.plo$ee or functionar$ 3ho shall be foun, guilt$ of -iolating an$ of the pro-isions of this Act% or 3ho shall conspire 3ith pri-ate in,i-i,uals shall% in a,,ition to the abo-e1prescribe, penalties% be penali>e, in accor,ance 3ith e9isting ci-il ser-ice la3s% rules an, regulations/Pro-i,e,% That upon the filing of a case% either a,.inistrati-e or cri.inal% sai, go-ern.ent official% e.plo$ee% or functionar$ concerne, shall auto.aticall$ suffer suspension until the resolution of the case.
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(ec. "". Rectification of (i.ulate, Births. 1 A person 3ho has% prior to the effecti-it$ of this Act% si.ulate, the birth of a chil, shall not be punishe, for such act/ Pro-i,e,% That the si.ulation of birth 3as .a,e for the best interest of the chil, an, that he7she has been consistentl$ consi,ere, an, treate, b$ that person as his7her o3n son7,aughter/ Pro-i,e,% further% That the application for correction of the birth registration an, petition for a,option shall be file, 3ithin fi-e 5!6 $ears fro. the effecti-it$ of this Act an, co.plete, thereafter/ Pro-i,e,% finall$% That such person co.plies 3ith the proce,ure as specifie, in Article I0 of this Act an, other re<uire.ents as ,eter.ine, b$ the +epart.ent. ARTICLE 0III #INAL PRO0I(ION( (ec. "?. A,option Resource an, Referral Office. 1 There shall be establishe, an A,option Resources an, Referral Office un,er the +epart.ent 3ith the follo3ing functions/ 5a6 .onitor the e9istence% nu.ber% an, flo3 of chil,ren legall$ a-ailable for a,option an, prospecti-e a,opter5s6 so as to facilitate their .atching: 5b6 .aintain a nation3i,e infor.ation an, e,ucational ca.paign on ,o.estic a,option: 5c6 2eep recor,s of a,option procee,ings: 5,6 generate resources to help chil,1caring an, chil,1placing agencies an, foster ho.es .aintain -iabilit$: an, 5e6 ,o polic$ research in collaboration 3ith the Intercountr$ A,option Boar, an, other concerne, agencies. The office shall be .anne, b$ a,option e9perts fro. the public an, pri-ate sectors.
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(ec. "A. I.ple.enting Rules an, Regulations. 1 ;ithin si9 5@6 .onths fro. the pro.ulgation of this Act% the +epart.ent% 3ith the Council for the ;elfare of Chil,ren% the Office of Ci-il Registr$ *eneral% the +epart.ent of Eustice% Office of the (olicitor *eneral% an, t3o 5"6 pri-ate in,i-i,uals representing chil,1placing an, chil,1caring agencies shall for.ulate the necessar$ gui,elines to .a2e the pro-isions of this Act operati-e.
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(ec. "!. Appropriations. 1 (uch su. as .a$ be necessar$ for the i.ple.entation of the pro-isions of this Act shall be

inclu,e, in the *eneral Appropriations Act of the $ear follo3ing its enact.ent into la3 an, thereafter.
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(ec. "@. Repealing Clause. 1 An$ la3% presi,ential ,ecree or issuance% e9ecuti-e or,er% letter of instruction% a,.inistrati-e or,er% rule% or regulation contrar$ to% or inconsistent 3ith the pro-isions of this Act is hereb$ repeale,% .o,ifie,% or a.en,e, accor,ingl$.
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(ec. "C. (eparabilit$ Clause. 1 If an$ pro-ision of this Act is hel, in-ali, or unconstitutional% the other pro-isions not affecte, thereb$ shall re.ain -ali, an, subsisting.
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(ec. " . Effecti-it$ Clause. 1 This Act shall ta2e effect fifteen 5&!6 ,a$s follo3ing its co.plete publication in an$ ne3spaper of general circulation or in the Official *a>ette. Appro-e,/ #ebruar$ "!% &''