PD 603 THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE

Article 17.Joint Parental Authority.- The father and mother shall exercise jointly just and reasonable parental authority and responsibility over their legitimate or adopted children. In case of disagreement, the father's decision shall prevail unless there is a judicial order to the contrary.In case of the absence or death of either parent, the present or surviving parent shall continue to exercise parental authority over such children, unless in case of the surviving parent's remarriage, the court, for justifiable reasons, appoints another person as guardian.In case of separation of his parents, no child under five years of age shall be separated from his mother unless the court finds compelling reasons to do so.Article 18.Grandparents.- Grandparents shall be consulted on important family questions but they shall not interfere in the exercise of parental authority by the parents.Article 19.Absence or Death of Parents.- Grandparents and in their default, the oldest brother or sister who is at least eighteen years of age, or the relative who has actual custody of the child, shall exercise parental authority in case of absence or death of both parents, unless a guardian has been appointed in accordance with the succeeding provision.Article 20.Guardian.- The court may, upon the death of the parents and in the cases mentioned in Arts. 328 to 332 of the Civil Code, appoint a guardian for the person and property of the child, on petition of any relative or friend of the family or the Department of Social Welfare.

DOMESTIC ADOPTION ACT OF 1998Republic Act No. 8552

GENERAL PROVISIONSSection 1.Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Domestic Adoption Act of 1998."Section 2.Declaration of Policies. (a) It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure that every child remains under the care and custody of his/her parent(s) and be provided with love, care, understanding and security towards the full and harmonious development of his/her personality. Only when such efforts prove insufficient and no appropriate placement or adoption within the child's extended family is available shall adoption by an unrelated person be considered.(b) In all matters relating to the care, custody and adoption of a child, his/her interest shall be the paramount consideration in accordance with the tenets set forth in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child; UN Declaration on Social and Legal Principles Relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption, Nationally and Internationally; and the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. Toward this end, the State shall provide alternative protection and assistance through foster care or adoption for every child who is neglected, orphaned, or abandoned.(c) It shall also be a State policy to:(i) Safeguard the biological parent(s) from making hurried decisions to relinquish his/her parental authority over his/her child;(ii) Prevent the child from unnecessary separation from his/her biological parent(s);(iii) Protect adoptive parent(s) from attempts to disturb his/her parental authority and custody over his/her adopted child.Any voluntary or involuntary termination of parental authority shall be administratively or judicially declared so as to establish the status of the child as "legally available for adoption" and his/her custody transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or to any duly licensed and accredited child-placing or child-caring agency, which entity shall be authorized to take steps for the permanent placement of the child;(iv) Conduct public information and educational campaigns to promote a positive environment for adoption;(v) Ensure that sufficient capacity exists within government and private sector agencies to handle adoption inquiries, process domestic adoption applications, and offer adoption-related services including, but not limited to, parent preparation and post-adoption education and counseling; and(vi) Encourage domestic adoption so as to preserve the child's identity and culture in his/her native land, and only when this is not available shall intercountry adoption be considered as a last resort.Section 3.Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as:(a)"Child"is a person below eighteen (18) years of age.(b)"A child legally available for adoption"refers to a child who has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to the Department or to a duly licensed and accredited child-placing or child-caring agency, freed of the parental authority of his/her biological parent(s) or guardian or adopter(s) in case of rescission of adoption.(c)"Voluntarily committed child"is one whose parent(s) knowingly and willingly relinquishes parental authority to the Department.(d)"Involuntarily committed child"is one whose parent(s), known or unknown, has been permanently and judicially deprived of parental authority due to abandonment; substantial, continuous, or repeated neglect; abuse; or incompetence to discharge parental responsibilities.(e)"Abandoned child"refers to one who has no proper parental care or guardianship or whose parent(s) has deserted him/her for a period of at least six (6) continuous months and has been judicially declared as such.(f)"Supervised trial custody"is a period of time within which a social worker oversees the adjustment and emotional readiness of both adopter(s) and adoptee in stabilizing their filial relationship.(g)"Department"refers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.(h)"Child-placing agency"is a duly licensed and accredited agency by the Department to provide comprehensive child welfare services including, but not limited to, receiving applications for adoption, evaluating the prospective adoptive parents, and preparing the adoption home study.(i)"Child-caring agency"is a duly licensed and accredited agency by the Department that provides twenty four (24)-hour residential care services for abandoned, orphaned, neglected, or voluntarily committed children.(j)"Simulation of birth"is the tampering of the civil registry making it appear in the birth records that a certain child was born to a person who is not his/her biological mother, causing such child to lose his/her true identity and status.ARTICLE IIPRE-ADOPTION SERVICESSection 4.Counseling Service. The Department shall provide the services of licensed social workers to the following:(a)Biological Parent(s) Counseling shall be provided to the parent(s) before and after the birth of his/her child. No binding commitment to an adoption plan shall be permitted before the birth of his/her child. A period of six (6) months shall be allowed for the biological parent(s) to reconsider any decision to relinquish his/her child for adoption before the decision becomes irrevocable. Counseling and rehabilitation services shall also be offered to the biological parent(s) after he/she has relinquished his/her child for adoption.Steps shall be taken by the Department to ensure that no hurried decisions are made and all alternatives for the child's future and the implications of each alternative have been provided.(b)Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) Counseling sessions, adoption fora and seminars, among others, shall be provided to prospective adoptive parent(s) to resolve possible adoption issues and to prepare him/her for effective parenting.(c)Prospective Adoptee Counseling sessions shall be provided to ensure that he/she understands the nature and effects of adoption and is able to express his/her views on adoption in accordance with his/her age and level of maturity.Section 5.Location of Unknown Parent(s). It shall be the duty of the Department or the child-placing or child-caring agency which has custody of the child to exert all efforts to locate his/her unknown biological parent(s). If such efforts fail, the child shall be registered as a foundling and subsequently be the subject of legal proceedings where he/she shall be declared abandoned.Section 6.Support Services. The Department shall develop a pre-adoption program which shall include, among others, the above mentioned services.ARTICLE IIIELIGIBILITYSection 7.Who May Adopt. The following may adopt:(a) Any Filipino citizen of legal age, in possession of full civil capacity and legal rights, of good moral character, has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, emotionally and psychologically capable of caring for children, at least sixteen (16) years older than the adoptee, and who is in a position to support and care for his/her children in keeping with the means of the family. The requirement of sixteen (16) year difference between the age of the adopter and adoptee may be waived when the adopter is the biological parent of the adoptee, or is the spouse of the adoptee's parent;(b) Any alien possessing the same qualifications as above stated for Filipino nationals:Provided, That his/her country has diplomatic relations with the Republic of the Philippines, that he/she has been living in the Philippines for at least three (3) continuous years prior to the filing of the application for adoption and maintains such residence until the adoption decree is entered, that he/she has been certified by his/her diplomatic or consular office or any appropriate government agency that he/she has the legal capacity to adopt in his/her country, and that his/her government allows the adoptee to enter his/her country as his/her adopted son/daughter:Provided, Further,That the requirements on residency and certification of the alien's qualification to adopt in his/her country may be waived for the following:(i) a former Filipino citizen who seeks to adopt a relative within the fourth (4th) degree of consanguinity or affinity; or(ii) one who seeks to adopt the legitimate son/daughter of his/her Filipino spouse; or(iii) one who is married to a Filipino citizen and seeks to adopt jointly with his/her spouse a relative within the fourth (4th) degree of consanguinity or affinity of the Filipino spouse; or(c) The guardian with respect to the ward after the termination of the guardianship and clearance of his/her financial accountabilities.Husband and wife shall jointly adopt, except in the following cases:(i) if one spouse seeks to adopt the legitimate son/daughter of the other; or(ii) if one spouse seeks to adopt his/her own illegitimate son/daughter: Provided, However, that the other spouse has signified his/her consent thereto; or(iii) if the spouses are legally separated from each other.In case husband and wife jointly adopt, or one spouse adopts the illegitimate son/daughter of the other, joint parental authority shall be exercised by the spouses.Section 8.Who May Be Adopted. The following may be adopted:(a) Any person below eighteen (18) years of age who has been administratively or judicially declared available for adoption;(b) The legitimate son/daughter of one spouse by the other spouse;(c) An illegitimate son/daughter by a qualified adopter to improve his/her status to that of legitimacy;(d) A person of legal age if, prior to the adoption, said person has been consistently considered and treated by the adopter(s) as his/her own child since minority;(e) A child whose adoption has been previously rescinded; or(f) A child whose biological or adoptive parent(s) has died:Provided,That no proceedings shall be initiated within six (6) months from the time of death of said parent(s).Section 9.Whose Consent is Necessary to the Adoption. After being properly counseled and informed of his/her right to give or withhold his/her approval of the adoption, the written consent of the following to the adoption is hereby required:(a) The adoptee, if ten (10) years of age or over;(b) The biological parent(s) of the child, if known, or the legal guardian, or the proper government instrumentality which has legal custody of the child;(c) The legitimate and adopted sons/daughters, ten (10) years of age or over, of the adopter(s) and adoptee, if any;(d) The illegitimate sons/daughters, ten (10) years of age or over, of the adopter if living with said adopter and the latter's spouse, if any; and(e) The spouse, if any, of the person adopting or to be adopted.ARTICLE IVPROCEDURESection 10.Hurried Decisions. In all proceedings for adoption, the court shall require proof that the biological parent(s) has been properly counseled to prevent him/her from making hurried decisions caused by strain or anxiety to give up the child, and to sustain that all measures to strengthen the family have been exhausted and that any prolonged stay of the child in his/her own home will be inimical to his/her welfare and interest.Section 11.Case Study. No petition for adoption shall be set for hearing unless a licensed social worker of the Department, the social service office of the local government unit, or any child-placing or child-caring agency has made a case study of the adoptee, his/her biological parent(s), as well as the adopter(s), and has submitted the report and recommendations on the matter to the court hearing such petition.At the time of preparation of the adoptee's case study, the concerned social worker shall confirm with the Civil Registry the real identity and registered name of the adoptee. If the birth of the adoptee was not registered with the Civil Registry, it shall be the responsibility of the concerned social worker to ensure that the adoptee is registered.The case study on the adoptee shall establish that he/she is legally available for adoption and that the documents to support this fact are valid and authentic. Further, the case study of the adopter(s) shall ascertain his/her genuine intentions and that the adoption is in the best interest of the child.The Department shall intervene on behalf of the adoptee if it finds, after the conduct of the case studies, that the petition should be denied. The case studies and other relevant documents and records pertaining to the adoptee and the adoption shall be preserved by the Department.Section 12.Supervised Trial Custody. No petition for adoption shall be finally granted until the adopter(s) has been given by the court a supervised trial custody period for at least six (6) months within which the parties are expected to adjust psychologically and emotionally to each other and establish a bonding relationship. During said period, temporary parental authority shall be vested in the adopter(s).The court may motu proprio or upon motion of any party reduce the trial period if it finds the same to be in the best interest of the adoptee, stating the reasons for the reduction of the period. However, for alien adopter(s), he/she must complete the six (6)-month trial custody except for those enumerated in Sec. 7 (b) (i) (ii) (iii).If the child is below seven (7) years of age and is placed with the prospective adopter(s) through a pre-adoption placement authority issued by the Department, the prospective adopter(s) shall enjoy all the benefits to which biological parent(s) is entitled from the date the adoptee is placed with the prospective adopter(s).Section 13.Decree of Adoption. If, after the publication of the order of hearing has been complied with, and no opposition has been interposed to the petition, and after consideration of the case studies, the qualifications of the adopter(s), trial custody report and the evidence submitted, the court is convinced that the petitioners are qualified to adopt, and that the adoption would redound to the best interest of the adoptee, a decree of adoption shall be entered which shall be effective as of the date the original petition was filed. This provision shall also apply in case the petitioner(s) dies before the issuance of the decree of adoption to protect the interest of the adoptee. The decree shall state the name by which the child is to be known.Section 14.Civil Registry Record. An amended certificate of birth shall be issued by the Civil Registry, as required by theRules of Court, attesting to the fact that the adoptee is the child of the adopter(s) by being registered with his/her surname. The original certificate of birth shall be stamped"cancelled"with the annotation of the issuance of an amended birth certificate in its place and shall be sealed in the civil registry records. The new birth certificate to be issued to the adoptee shall not bear any notation that it is an amended issue.Section 15.Confidential Nature of Proceedings and Records. All hearings in adoption cases shall be confidential and shall not be open to the public. All records, books, and papers relating to the adoption cases in the files of the court, the Department, or any other agency or institution participating in the adoption proceedings shall be kept strictly confidential.If the court finds that the disclosure of the information to a third person is necessary for purposes connected with or arising out of the adoption and will be for the best interest of the adoptee, the court may merit the necessary information to be released, restricting the purposes for which it may be used.ARTICLE VEFFECTS OF ADOPTIONSection 16.Parental Authority. Except in cases where the biological parent is the spouse of the adopter, all legal ties between the biological parent(s) and the adoptee shall be severed and the same shall then be vested on the adopter(s).Section 17.Legitimacy.The adoptee shall be considered the legitimate son/daughter of the adopter(s) for all intents and purposes and as such is entitled to all the rights and obligations provided by law to legitimate sons/daughters born to them without discrimination of any kind. To this end, the adoptee is entitled to love, guidance, and support in keeping with the means of the family.Section 18.Succession. In legal and intestate succession, the adopter(s) and the adoptee shall have reciprocal rights of succession without distinction from legitimate filiation. However, if the adoptee and his/her biological parent(s) had left a will, the law on testamentary succession shall govern.ARTICLE VIRESCISSION OF ADOPTIONSection 19.Grounds for Rescission of Adoption. Upon petition of the adoptee, with the assistance of the Department if a minor or if over eighteen (18) years of age but is incapacitated, as guardian/counsel, the adoption may be rescinded on any of the following grounds committed by the adopter(s): (a) repeated physical and verbal maltreatment by the adopter(s) despite having undergone counseling; (b) attempt on the life of the adoptee; (c) sexual assault or violence; or (d) abandonment and failure to comply with parental obligations.Adoption, being in the best interest of the child, shall not be subject to rescission by the adopter(s). However, the adopter(s) may disinherit the adoptee for causes provided in Article 919 of theCivil Code.Section 20.Effects of Rescission. If the petition is granted, the parental authority of the adoptee's biological parent(s), if known, or the legal custody of the Department shall be restored if the adoptee is still a minor or incapacitated. The reciprocal rights and obligations of the adopter(s) and the adoptee to each other shall be extinguished.The court shall order the Civil Registrar to cancel the amended certificate of birth of the adoptee and restore his/her original birth certificate.Succession rights shall revert to its status prior to adoption, but only as of the date of judgment of judicial rescission. Vested rights acquired prior to judicial rescission shall be respected.All the foregoing effects of rescission of adoption shall be without prejudice to the penalties imposable under the Penal Code if the criminal acts are properly proven.ARTICLE VIIVIOLATIONS AND PENALTIESSection 21.Violations and Penalties.(a) The penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and/or a fine not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) at the discretion of the court shall be imposed on any person who shall commit any of the following acts:(i) obtaining consent for an adoption through coercion, undue influence, fraud, improper material inducement, or other similar acts;(ii) non-compliance with the procedures and safeguards provided by the law for adoption; or(iii) subjecting or exposing the child to be adopted to danger, abuse, or exploitation.(b) Any person who shall cause the fictitious registration of the birth of a child under the name(s) of a person(s) who is not his/her biological parent(s) shall be guilty of simulation of birth, and shall be punished by prision mayor in its medium period and a fine not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00).Any physician or nurse or hospital personnel who, in violation of his/her oath of office, shall cooperate in the execution of the abovementioned crime shall suffer the penalties herein prescribed and also the penalty of permanent disqualification.Any person who shall violate established regulations relating to the confidentiality and integrity of records, documents, and communications of adoption applications, cases, and processes shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years, and/or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00), at the discretion of the court.A penalty lower by two (2) degrees than that prescribed for the consummated offense under this Article shall be imposed upon the principals of the attempt to commit any of the acts herein enumerated. Acts punishable under this Article, when committed by a syndicate or where it involves two (2) or more children shall be considered as an offense constituting child trafficking and shall merit the penalty ofreclusion perpetua.Acts punishable under this Article are deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group of three (3) or more persons conspiring and/or confederating with one another in carrying out any of the unlawful acts defined under this Article. Penalties as are herein provided, shall be in addition to any other penalties which may be imposed for the same acts punishable under other laws, ordinances, executive orders, and proclamations.When the offender is an alien, he/she shall be deported immediately after service of sentence and perpetually excluded from entry to the country.Any government official, employee or functionary who shall be found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this Act, or who shall conspire with private individuals shall, in addition to the above-prescribed penalties, be penalized in accordance with existing civil service laws, rules and regulations:Provided, That upon the filing of a case, either administrative or criminal, said government official, employee, or functionary concerned shall automatically suffer suspension until the resolution of the case.Section 22.Rectification of Simulated Births. A person who has, prior to the effectivity of this Act, simulated the birth of a child shall not be punished for such act:Provided, That the simulation of birth was made for the best interest of the child and that he/she has been consistently considered and treated by that person as his/her own son/daughter:Provided, further,That the application for correction of the birth registration and petition for adoption shall be filed within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act and completed thereafter:Provided, finally,That such person complies with the procedure as specified in Article IV of this Act and other requirements as determined by the Department.ARTICLE VIIIFINAL PROVISIONSSection 23.Adoption Resource and Referral Office. There shall be established an Adoption Resources and Referral Office under the Department with the following functions: (a) monitor the existence, number, and flow of children legally available for adoption and prospective adopter(s) so as to facilitate their matching; (b) maintain a nationwide information and educational campaign on domestic adoption; (c) keep records of adoption proceedings; (d) generate resources to help child-caring and child-placing agencies and foster homes maintain viability; and (e) do policy research in collaboration with the Intercountry Adoption Board and other concerned agencies. The office shall be manned by adoption experts from the public and private sectors.Section 24.Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months from the promulgation of this Act, the Department, with the Council for the Welfare of Children, the Office of Civil Registry General, the Department of Justice, Office of the Solicitor General, and two (2) private individuals representing child-placing and child-caring agencies shall formulate the necessary guidelines to make the provisions of this Act operative.Section 25.Appropriations. Such sum as may be necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.Section 26.Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.Section 27.Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.Section 28.Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in any newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.Approved:February 25, 1998

A.M. NO. 02-1-19-SCRULE ON THE COMMITMENT OF CHILDREN

SECTION 1.Objective, -The objective of this Rule is to ensure that every effort is exerted to promote the child's welfare and enhance his opportunities for a useful and happy life, Toward this end, this Rule seeks to protect the child from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to his development.

SEC. 2.Interpretation. -The best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration in all actions concerning him, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities and legislative bodies consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child,

SEC. 3.Definition of Terms. -(a) "Child" is a person below eighteen years of age.

(b) "Department" refers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development,

(c) "Dependent child" is one who is without a parent, guardian or custodian, or one whose parents, guardian or other custodian for good cause desires to be relieved of his care and custody, and is dependent upon the public for support.

(d) "Abandoned child" is one who has no proper parental care or guardianship, or whose parents or guardian has deserted him for a period of at least six (5) continuous months.

(e) "Neglected child" is one whose basic needs have been deliberately unattended to or inadequately attended to, physically or emotionally, by his parents or guardian.

(f) "Physical neglect" occurs when the child is malnourished, ill-clad and without proper shelter.

(g) "Emotional neglect" occurs when a child is raped, seduced, mal-treated, exploited, overworked or made to work under conditions not conducive to good health; made to beg in the streets or public places, or when placed in moral danger, or exposed to drugs, alcohol, gambling, prostitution and other vices.

(h) "Disabled child" includes mentally retarded, physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed and mentally ill children, children with cerebral palsy and those with similar afflictions.

(i) "Mentally retarded child" is one who is (1) socially incompetent, that is, socially inadequate, occupational^ incompetent and unable to manage his own affairs; (2) mentally subnormal; (3) intellectually retarded from birth or early age; (4) retarded at maturity; (5) mentally deficient as a result of constitutional origin through heredity or diseases or (6) essentially incurable.

(j) "Physically handicapped child" is one who is crippled, deaf-mute, blind, or otherwise suffers from a defect which restricts his means of action or communication with others.

(k) "Emotionally disturbed child" is one who, although not afflicted with insanity or mental defect, is unable to maintain normal social relations with others and the community in general due to emotional problems or complexes.

(I) "Mentally ill child" is one with any behavioral disorder, whether functional or organic, which is of such a degree of severity as to require professional help or hospitalization.

(m) "Commitment" or "surrender of a child" is the legal act of entrusting a child to the care of the Department or any duly licensed child- placement or child-caring agency or individual by the court, parent or guardian or any interested party.

(n) "Involuntarily committed child" is one whose parents have been permanently and judicially deprived of parental authority due to abandonment; substantial, continuous, or repeated neglect; abuse; or incompetence to discharge parental responsibilities in accordance with Section 4 herein.

(o) "Voluntarily committed child" is one whose parents knowingly and willingly relinquished parental authority to the Department or any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual in accordance with Section 3 herein.

(p) "Child-placing or child-placement agency" refers to a private non-profit or charitable institution or government agency duly licensed and accredited by (he Department to provide comprehensive child welfare services, including but not limited to, receiving applications for adoption or foster care, evaluating the prospective adoptive or foster parents and preparing the home study report.

(q) "Child-caring agency" refers to a private non-profit or charitable institution or government agency duly licensed and accredited by the Department that provides twenty-four hour residential care services for abandoned, orphaned, neglected, involuntarily or voluntarily committed children.

(r) "Guardian ad litem is a person appointed by the court where the case is pending for a child sought to be committed to protect his best interests.

(s) "Case Study Report" is a written report of the result of an investigation conducted by a social worker as to the socio-cultural, economic and legal status or condition of the child sought to be committed. It shall include among others his developmental age, educational attainment, family and social relationships, the quality of his peer group, his family's strengths and weaknesses and parental control over him. The report is submitted to the Family Court to aid it in its evaluation of whether the child ought to be committed to the care of the Department or any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual.SEC. 4. (a)Who may file. - The Secretary of the Department or his authorized representative or any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency having knowledge of a child who appears to be dependent, abandoned or neglected, may file a verified petition for involuntary commitment of said child to the care of any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual.

(b)Venue. - The petition shall be filed with the Family Court of the province or city in which the parent or guardian resides or where the child is found.

(c)Contents of Verified Petition. -The petition must state:1. The names of the parents or guardian and their place of residence. If the child's parents are unknown, petitioner must allege that diligent efforts have been exerted to locate them. It said parents are deceased, petitioner shall attach a certified true copy of their death certificate;

2. The facts showing that the child is dependent, abandoned, or neglected;

3. The facts showing who has custody of the child at the time of the filing of the petition; and

4. The name, address and written consent of the Department or duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whose care the commitment of the child is sought to be entrusted.(d)Summons; Court to Set Time for Hearing. - If the court is satisfied that the petition is sufficient in form and substance, it snail direct the clerk of court to immediately issue summons which shall be served together with a copy of the petition and a notice of hearing, upon the parents or guardian of the child and the office of the public prosecutor not less than five (5) days before the date of the hearing. The office of the public prosecutor shall be directed to immediately transmit the summons to the prosecutor assigned to the Family Court concerned.

If it appears from the petition that both parents of the child are dead or that neither parent can be found in the province or city where the court is located and the child has no guardian residing therein, summons may not be issued and the court shall thereupon appoint a guardian ad litem pursuant to Sub-section (f) below and proceed with the hearing of the case with due notice to the provincial or city prosecutor.

(e)Social Worker. - After the court sets the petition for hearing in accordance with Sub-section (d) above, it shall direct the social worker to submit, before the hearing, a case study report of the child to aid it in evaluating whether said child should be committed to the care of the Department or any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual. The report shall bear the signature of the social worker on every page.

(f)Guardian Ad Litem of Child. - If neither of the parents nor the guardian of the child can be located or does not appear in court despite due notice, or if the court finds them incompetent to protect the best interests of the child, it shall be the duty of the court to appoint a suitable person as guardian ad litem to represent the child. In making the appointment, the court shall consider the background of the guardian ad litem and his familiarity with the judicial process, social service programs and child development. A member of the Philippine Bar may be appointed guardian ad litem.

(g)Child's Right to Counsel. - The court, upon request of the child capable of forming his own views or upon request of his guardian ad litem, shall appoint a lawyer to represent him in the proceedings.

(h)Duty of Public Prosecutor. - The provincial or "city prosecutor shall appear for the State and ascertain if there has been due notice to all parties concerned and that there is justification for the declaration of dependency, abandonment or neglect.

(i)Hearing. - The court shall direct the person or agency which has custody of the child to bring the latter to the court on the date of the hearing of the petition and shall ascertain the facts and determine whether the child is dependent, abandoned, or neglected, and if so, the-cause and circumstances of such condition.

(j)Judgment. - If, after the hearing, the court shall find the child to be dependent, abandoned, or neglected, it shall render judgment committing him to the care and custody of the Department or any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual until he reaches the age of eighteen (18), The judgment shall likewise make proper provisions for the custody of the property or money belonging to the committed child.

If the child is committed to the Department, it shall notify the court within thirty (30) days from the order of commitment, the name and address of the duly licensed and accredited child-placement or child-caring agency or individual where the child shall be placed.

However, if the court finds that the abandonment or neglect of the child may be remedied, the child may be allowed to stay in his own home under the care and control of his parents or guardian, subject to supervision and direction of the Department.

(k)Visitation or Inspection. - Any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whom a child has been committed by the court shall be subject to visitation or inspection by a representative of the court or of the Department, as the case may be or of both, to determine whether the welfare and interests of the child are being served,

(I)Report of Person or Institution. - Any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whom a child has been committed by judicial order may at any time be required by the court to submit a report, containing all necessary information for determining whether the welfare of the child is being served.

(m)Temporary Custody of Child. - The duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whom a child has been committed may file a verified motion with the court which granted the petition for involuntary commitment of a child to place him in the care of any suitable person, upon the latter's request, for a period not exceeding one month at a time. The court may order the social worker to submit a case study report to aid it in evaluating whether such temporary custody shall be for the best interests of the child. The period of temporary custody of the child may be extended by the court for a period not exceeding one month at a time upon motion of the duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to which the child has been committed.

The court, motu proprio, or upon request of the child assisted by his guardian ad litem, or at the instance of the agency or person to whom the child was committed, after due notice and hearing, shall discontinue the temporary custody of the child if it appears that he is not being given proper care.

After one month from the date temporary custody of the child was given to another suitable person, the agency or individual shall submit to the court a verified report on whether the temporary custody of the child has promoted his best interests.

(n)Change of Custody. - If the child is committed to the Department, it shall have the authority to change the custody o! a child it had placed with any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual if it appears that such change is for the best interests of the child. The Department shall notify the court of any change in custody of the child,

When conflicting interests arise among child-placement or child-caring agencies, the court which granted the involuntary commitment of the child, upon motion of the Department or any of the agencies concerned, shall order the change of commitment of the child.

(o)Removal of Custody. - A motion to remove custody of a child may be filed by an authorized representative of the Department with knowledge of the facts against a child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whose custody a child has been committed by the court on the ground of neglect of such child as defined in Section 3 (e) of this Rule. The court shall set the motion for hearing with notice to the public prosecutor and the court-designated social worker. If the court finds after hearing that the allegations of the motion have been established and that it is for the best interests and welfare of the child, the court shall issue an order removing him from the custody of the person or agency, as the case may be, and committing him to the custody of another duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual.

In the same proceeding, the court may suspend or revoke the license of the agency or individual found guilty of such neglect depending upon the gravity or frequency of the offense.(p)Restoration of Parental Authority After Involuntary Commitment. -(i)Who may file; Ground. - The parents or guardian of a child committed to the care of a person, agency or institution by judicial order may file a verified motion for the restoration of his rights over the child with the court which granted the involuntary commitment on the ground that he is now able to take proper care and custody of said child, provided, however, that the child has not yet been adopted.

(ii)Notice of Hearing. - The court shall fix the time and date for the hearing of the motion, which shall not be earlier than thirty (30) days nor later than sixty (60) days from the date of the filing of said motion and cause notice of the hearing to be sent to the person, agency or institution to which the child has been committed, the public prosecutor and the court-designated social worker, at least five (5) days before the date of hearing.

(iii)Hearing. - At the hearing, any person may be allowed to intervene at the discretion of the court to contest the right to the relief demanded. Witnesses may be called and examined by the parties or by the court motu proprio.

(iv)Resolution. - If it is found that the cause for the commitment of the child no longer exists and that the movant is already able to take proper care and custody of the child, the court, after taking into consideration the best interests and the welfare of the child, shall issue a resolution terminating the parental authority of the person, agency or institution to whom the child was committed by judicial order and restoring parental authority to the movant.q)Jurisdiction for Prosecution of Punishable Acts. - The Family Court which granted the involuntary commitment shall have jurisdiction over the prosecution of a child who left without prior permission from the person or institution to which he has been judicially committed or the person under whose custody he has been judicially committed in accordance with Sub-section (m) of Section 4 of this Rule. It shall likewise have jurisdiction over the person who induced the child to leave such person or institution, except in case of actual or imminent grave physical or moral danger to the child. The Family Court which granted the involuntary commitment shall also have jurisdiction over the prosecution of parents or guardians of the child who may be held liable under Articles 59 and 60 of P.D. No. 603 and Sections 9, 10 and 31 of R.A. No. 7610.SEC. 5.Voluntary Commitment of a Child to an Institution or Individual. - The parent or guardian of a dependent, abandoned or neglected child may voluntarily commit him to the Department or any duly licensed child- placement or child-caring agency or individual subject to the rules of the Department. However, no child shall be committed unless he is surrendered in writing by his parents or guardian stating such voluntary commitment and specifically naming the office, agency, or individual to whose custody the child is to be committed. Such written instrument should be notarized and signed in the presence of an authorized representative of the Department after counseling and other services have been made available to encourage the child's parents to keep the child.

(a)Petition for Removal of Custody. -(i)Who may file; Ground. - The parents or guardian who voluntarily committed the child, or in their absence or failure, any person with knowledge of the facts, may file a verified petition to remove custody of the child against the child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whose custody the child has been voluntarily committed on the ground of neglect of such child as defined in Section 3 (e) of this Rule. A child may also be removed from the custody of the child-placement or child-caring agency or individual on the ground that the voluntary commitment of the child was unjustified.

(ii)Venue. - The petition shall be filed with the Family Court of the province or city where the child-placement or child-caring agency to which the child has been voluntarily committed is located or where the child may be found.

(iii)Contents of Verified Petition. - The petition must state:

The name and address of the child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whose custody the child has been voluntarily committed;

The facts showing that the child has been neglected by the agency or in cases where the voluntary commitment was unjustified, that the parents of the child are actually capable of taking care and custody of the child;

The name, address and written consent of the duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual to whose care the child may be transferred.

The facts showing that petitioner has exhausted the administrative remedies available to him,

(iv)Notice of Hearing. - If the petition is sufficient in form and substance, the court shall set the same for hearing with notice to the Department, the public prosecutor, the court-designated social worker, the agency or individual to whom the child has been committed and in appropriate cases, the parents of the child.

(v)Judgment. - If after hearing the court finds that the allegations of the petition have been established and that it is for the best interests and welfare of the child, it shall issue an order removing the child from the custody of the person or agency concerned, and committing him to the custody of another duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual.

The court, in the same proceeding may, after hearing the comment or recommendation of the Department, suspend or revoke the license of the agency or individual found guilty of such neglect depending upon the gravity or frequency of the offense.(b)Restoration of Parental Authority After Voluntary Commitment. - The restoration of rights of the parent or guardian over the child who has been voluntarily committed shall be governed by the rules of the Department, provided, however, that the petition for restoration is filed within six (6) months from the date of voluntary commitment. In case the Department refuses to grant legal custody and parental authority to the parent or guardian over the child who has been voluntarily committed to an agency or individual, the parent or guardian may file a petition in court for restoration of parental authority in accordance with Section 4 (p) of this Rule.

(c)Jurisdiction for Prosecution of Punishable Acts. - The Family Court of the place where the child may be found or where the duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual is located shall have jurisdiction over the prosecution of a child who left without prior permission from the person or institution to which he has been voluntarily committed. It shall likewise have jurisdiction over the person who induced the child to leave such person or institution, except in case of grave actual or imminent physical or moral danger, to the child. The same Family Court shall also have jurisdiction over the prosecution of parents or guardians of the child who may be held liable under Articles 59 and 60 of P.O. No, 603 and Sections 9, 10 and 31 of R.A. No. 7610.

SEC. 6.Petition for Commitment of a Disabled Child. -(a)Who may file. - Where a child appears to be mentally retarded physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, with cerebral palsy or with similar afflictions and needs institutional care but his parents or guardians are opposed thereto, the Department, or any duly licensed child-placement or child-caring agency or individual may file a verified petition for commitment of the said child to any reputable institution providing care, training and rehabilitation for disabled children.

The parents or guardian of the child may file a similar petition in case no immediate placement can be arranged for the disabled child when his welfare and interests are at stake,

(b)Venue. - The petition for commitment of a disabled child shall be filed with the Family Court of the place where the parent or guardian resides or where the child is found.

(c)Contents of Verified Petition. - The petition for commitment must stale the following:(1) The facts showing that the child appears to be mentally retarded, physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, with cerebral 'palsy or with similar afflictions and needs institutional care;

(2) The name of the parents and their residence, if known, or if the child has no living parent, the name and residence of the guardian, if any; and

(3) The fact that the parents or guardian or any duty licensed disabled child-placement or child-caring agency, as the case may be, has opposed the commitment of such child;

(4) The name and written conformity of the institution where the child is to be committed.

(5) An estimate of the costs and other expenses of maintaining the child in the institution.The verified petition shall be sufficient if based upon the personal knowledge of the petitioner.

(d)Order of Hearing; Notice. - If the petition filed is sufficient in form and substance, the court, by an order reciting the purpose of the petition, shall fix the date of the hearing thereof, and a copy of such order shall be served on the child alleged to be mentally retarded, physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, with cerebral palsy or with similar afflictions and on the person having charge of him or any of his relatives residing in the province or city as the court may deem proper.

The order shall also direct the sheriff or any other officer of the court to produce, if necessary, the alleged disabled child on the date of the hearing.

(e)Hearing and Judgment. - If the court finds that the allegations of the petition have been established and that institutional care of the child is for his best interests or the public welfare and that his parents, or guardian or relatives are unable for any reason whatsoever to take proper care of him, the court shall order his commitment to the proper institution for disabled children. The court shall likewise make proper provisions for the custody of the property or money belonging to the committed child.

The expense of maintaining a disabled child in the institution to which he has been committed shall be borne primarily by the parents or guardian and secondarily, by such disabled child, if he has property of his own.

In all cases where the expenses for the maintenance of the disabled child cannot be paid in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Department shall bear the expenses, or such part thereof as may remain unpaid.

The court shall furnish the institution to which the child has been committed with a copy of its judgment, together with ail the reports and other data pertinent to the case.

(f)Discharge of Judicially Committed Disabled Child. - Upon motion of the parent, guardian or institution to which the child has been judicially committed under this Rule, the court, after hearing, shall order the discharge of such child if it is established and certified by the Department that:(1) He is no longer a danger to himself and the community;

(2) He has been sufficiently rehabilitated from his physical handicap or if of working age, is already fit to engage in gainful occupation; or

(3) He has been sufficiently relieved of his psychological, mental and emotional problems and is ready to assume normal social relations.SEC. 7.Effectivity. - This rule shall take effect on April 15, 2002 after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation not later than March 15, 2002.

RULE ON ADOPTION(A.M. No. 02-6-02-SC)

A. Domestic Adoption

Section 1.Applicability of the Rule. This Rule covers the domestic adoption of Filipino children.

Sec. 2.Objectives. (a) The best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration in all matters relating to his care, custody and adoption, in accordance with Philippine laws, the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child, UN Declaration on Social and Legal Principles Relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption, Nationally and Internationally, and the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption.

(b) The State shall provide alternative protection and assistance through foster care or adoption for every child who is a foundling, neglected, orphaned, or abandoned. To this end, the State shall:(i) ensure that every child remains under the care and custody of his parents and is provided with love, care, understanding and security for the full and harmonious development of his personality. Only when such efforts prove insufficient and no appropriate placement or adoption within the childs extended family is available shall adoption by an unrelated person be considered.

(ii) safeguard the biological parents from making hasty decisions in relinquishing their parental authority over their child;

(iii) prevent the child from unnecessary separation from his biological parents;

(iv) conduct public information and educational campaigns to promote a positive environment for adoption;

(v) ensure that government and private sector agencies have the capacity to handle adoption inquiries, process domestic adoption applications and offer adoption-related services including, but not limited to, parent preparation and post-adoption education and counseling;

(vi) encourage domestic adoption so as to preserve the childs identity and culture in his native land, and only when this is not available shall inter-country adoption be considered as a last resort; and

(vii) protect adoptive parents from attempts to disturb their parental authority and custody over their adopted child.Any voluntary or involuntary termination of parental authority shall be administratively or judicially declared so as to establish the status of the child as legally available for adoption and his custody transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or to any duly licensed and accredited child-placing or child-caring agency, which entity shall be authorized to take steps for the permanent placement of the child.

Sec. 3.Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Rule:(a) Child is a person below eighteen (18) years of age at the time of the filing of the petition for adoption.

(b) A child legally available for adoption refers to a child who has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to the Department or to a duly licensed and accredited child-placing or child-caring agency, freed of the parental authority of his biological parents, or in case of rescission of adoption, his guardian or adopter(s).

(c) Voluntarily committed child is one whose parents knowingly and willingly relinquish parental authority over him in favor of the Department.

(d) Involuntarily committed child is one whose parents, known or unknown, have been permanently and judicially deprived of parental authority over him due to abandonment; substantial, continuous or repeated neglect and abuse; or incompetence to discharge parental responsibilities.

(e) Foundling refers to a deserted or abandoned infant or child whose parents, guardian or relatives are unknown; or a child committed to an orphanage or charitable or similar institution with unknown facts of birth and parentage and registered in the Civil Register as a foundling.

(f) Abandoned child refers to one who has no proper parental care or guardianship or whose parents have deserted him for a period of at least six (6) continuous months and has been judicially declared as such.

(g) Dependent child refers to one who is without a parent, guardian or custodian or one whose parents, guardian or other custodian for good cause desires to be relieved of his care and custody and is dependent upon the public for support.

(h) Neglected child is one whose basic needs have been deliberately not attended to or inadequately attended to, physically or emotionally, by his parents or guardian.

(i) Physical neglect occurs when the child is malnourished, ill-clad and without proper shelter.

(j) Emotional neglect exists when a child is raped, seduced, maltreated, exploited, overworked or made to work under conditions not conducive to good health or made to beg in the streets or public places, or placed in moral danger, or exposed to drugs, alcohol, gambling, prostitution and other vices.

(k) Child-placement agency refers to an agency duly licensed and accredited by the Department to provide comprehensive child welfare services including, but not limited to, receiving applications for adoption, evaluating the prospective adoptive parents and preparing the adoption home study report.

(l) Child-caring agency refers to an agency duly licensed and accredited by the Department that provides 24-hour residential care services for abandoned, orphaned, neglected or voluntarily committed children.

(m) Department refers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

(n) "Deed of Voluntary Commitment refers to the written and notarized instrument relinquishing parental authority and committing the child to the care and custody of the Department executed by the childs biological parents or in their absence, mental incapacity or death, by the childs legal guardian, to be witnessed by an authorized representative of the Department after counseling and other services have been made available to encourage the biological parents to keep the child.

(o) Child Study Report refers to a study made by the court social worker of the childs legal status, placement history, psychological, social, spiritual, medical, ethno-cultural background and that of his biological family needed in determining the most appropriate placement for him.

(p) Home Study Report refers to a study made by the court social worker of the motivation and capacity of the prospective adoptive parents to provide a home that meets the needs of a child.

(q) Supervised trial custody refers to the period of time during which a social worker oversees the adjustment and emotional readiness of both adopters and adoptee in stabilizing their filial relationship.

(r) Licensed Social Worker refers to one who possesses a degree in bachelor of science in social work as a minimum educational requirement and who has passed the government licensure examination for social workers as required by Republic Act No. 4373.

(s) Simulation of birth is the tampering of the civil registry to make it appear in the birth records that a certain child was born to a person who is not his biological mother, thus causing such child to lose his true identity and status.

(t) Biological Parents refer to the childs mother and father by nature.

(u) Pre-Adoption Services refer to psycho-social services provided by professionally-trained social workers of the Department, the social services units of local governments, private and government health facilities, Family Courts, licensed and accredited child-caring and child-placement agencies and other individuals or entities involved in adoption as authorized by the Department.

(v) Residence means a persons actual stay in the Philippines for three (3) continuous years immediately prior to the filing of a petition for adoption and which is maintained until the adoption decree is entered. Temporary absences for professional, business, health, or emergency reasons not exceeding sixty (60) days in one (1) year does not break the continuity requirement.

(w) Alien refers to any person, not a Filipino citizen, who enters and remains in the Philippines and is in possession of a valid passport or travel documents and visa.SEC. 4.Who may adopt. The following may adopt:(1) Any Filipino citizen of legal age, in possession of full civil capacity and legal rights, of good moral character, has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; who is emotionally and psychologically capable of caring for children, at least sixteen (16) years older than the adoptee, and who is in a position to support and care for his children in keeping with the means of the family. The requirement of a 16-year difference between the age of the adopter and adoptee may be waived when the adopter is the biological parent of the adoptee or is the spouse of the adoptees parent;

(2) Any alien possessing the same qualifications as above-stated for Filipino nationals: Provided, That his country has diplomatic relations with the Republic of the Philippines, that he has been living in the Philippines for at least three (3) continuous years prior to the filing of the petition for adoption and maintains such residence until the adoption decree is entered, that he has been certified by his diplomatic or consular office or any appropriate government agency to have the legal capacity to adopt in his country, and that his government allows the adoptee to enter his country as his adopted child. Provided, further, That the requirements on residency and certification of the aliens qualification to adopt in his country may be waived for the following:(i) a former Filipino citizen who seeks to adopt a relative within the fourth (4th) degree of consanguinity or affinity; or

(ii) one who seeks to adopt the legitimate child of his Filipino spouse; or

(iii) one who is married to a Filipino citizen and seeks to adopt jointly with his spouse a relative within the fourth (4th) degree of consanguinity or affinity of the Filipino spouse.(3) The guardian with respect to the ward after the termination of the guardianship and clearance of his financial accountabilities.

Husband and wife shall jointly adopt, except in the following cases:

(i) if one spouse seeks to adopt the legitimate child of one spouse by the other spouse; or

(ii) if one spouse seeks to adopt his own illegitimate child: Provided, however, That the other spouse has signified his consent thereto; or

(iii) if the spouses are legally separated from each other.In case husband and wife jointly adopt or one spouse adopts the illegitimate child of the other, joint parental authority shall be exercised by the spouses.

SEC. 5.Who may be adopted. The following may be adopted:(1) Any person below eighteen (18) years of age who has been voluntarily committed to the Department under Articles 154, 155 and 156 of P.D. No. 603 or judicially declared available for adoption;

(2) The legitimate child of one spouse, by the other spouse;

(3) An illegitimate child, by a qualified adopter to raise the status of the former to that of legitimacy;

(4) A person of legal age regardless of civil status, if, prior to the adoption, said person has been consistently considered and treated by the adopters as their own child since minority;

(5) A child whose adoption has been previously rescinded; or

(6) A child whose biological or adoptive parents have died: Provided, That no proceedings shall be initiated within six (6) months from the time of death of said parents.

(7) A child not otherwise disqualified by law or these rules.Sec. 6.Venue. The petition for adoption shall be filed with the Family Court of the province or city where the prospective adoptive parents reside.

Sec. 7.Contents of the Petition. The petition shall be verified and specifically state at the heading of the initiatory pleading whether the petition contains an application for change of name, rectification of simulated birth, voluntary or involuntary commitment of children, or declaration of child as abandoned, dependent or neglected.1) If the adopter is a Filipino citizen, the petition shall allege the following:(a) The jurisdictional facts;

(b) That the petitioner is of legal age, in possession of full civil capacity and legal rights; is of good moral character; has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; is emotionally and psychologically capable of caring for children; is at least sixteen (16) years older than the adoptee, unless the adopter is the biological parent of the adoptee or is the spouse of the adoptees parent; and is in a position to support and care for his children in keeping with the means of the family and has undergone pre-adoption services as required by Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8552.2) If the adopter is an alien, the petition shall allege the following:(a) The jurisdictional facts;

(b) Sub-paragraph 1(b) above;

(c) (c) That his country has diplomatic relations with the Republic of the Philippines;

(d) That he has been certified by his diplomatic or consular office or any appropriate government agency to have the legal capacity to adopt in his country and his government allows the adoptee to enter his country as his adopted child and reside there permanently as an adopted child; and

(e) That he has been living in the Philippines for at least three (3) continuous years prior to the filing of the petition and he maintains such residence until the adoption decree is entered.The requirements of certification of the aliens qualification to adopt in his country and of residency may be waived if the alien:(i) is a former Filipino citizen who seeks to adopt a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity; or

(ii) seeks to adopt the legitimate child of his Filipino spouse; or

(iii) is married to a Filipino citizen and seeks to adopt jointly with his spouse a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity of the Filipino spouse.3) If the adopter is the legal guardian of the adoptee, the petition shall allege that guardianship had been terminated and the guardian had cleared his financial accountabilities.

4) If the adopter is married, the spouse shall be a co-petitioner for joint adoption except if:(a) one spouse seeks to adopt the legitimate child of the other, or

(b) if one spouse seeks to adopt his own illegitimate child and the other spouse signified written consent thereto, or

(c) if the spouses are legally separated from each other.5) If the adoptee is a foundling, the petition shall allege the entries which should appear in his birth certificate, such as name of child, date of birth, place of birth, if known; sex, name and citizenship of adoptive mother and father, and the date and place of their marriage.

6) If the petition prays for a change of name, it shall also state the cause or reason for the change of name.In all petitions, it shall be alleged:(a) The first name, surname or names, age and residence of the adoptee as shown by his record of birth, baptismal or foundling certificate and school records.

(b) That the adoptee is not disqualified by law to be adopted.

(c) The probable value and character of the estate of the adoptee.

(d) The first name, surname or names by which the adoptee is to be known and registered in the Civil Registry.A certification of non-forum shopping shall be included pursuant to Section 5, Rule 7 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.

Sec. 8.Rectification of Simulated Birth. In case the petition also seeks rectification of a simulated of birth, it shall allege that:(a) Petitioner is applying for rectification of a simulated birth;

(b) The simulation of birth was made prior to the date of effectivity of Republic Act No. 8552 and the application for rectification of the birth registration and the petition for adoption were filed within five years from said date;

(c) The petitioner made the simulation of birth for the best interests of the adoptee; and

(d) The adoptee has been consistently considered and treated by petitioner as his own child.Sec. 9.Adoption of a foundling, an abandoned, dependent or neglected child. In case the adoptee is a foundling, an abandoned, dependent or neglected child, the petition shall allege:(a) The facts showing that the child is a foundling, abandoned, dependent or neglected;

(b) The names of the parents, if known, and their residence. If the child has no known or living parents, then the name and residence of the guardian, if any;

(c) The name of the duly licensed child-placement agency or individual under whose care the child is in custody; and

(d) That the Department, child-placement or child-caring agency is authorized to give its consent.Sec. 10.Change of name. In case the petition also prays for change of name, the title or caption must contain:(a) The registered name of the child;

(b) Aliases or other names by which the child has been known; and

(c) The full name by which the child is to be known.Sec. 11.Annexes to the Petition. The following documents shall be attached to the petition:A. Birth, baptismal or foundling certificate, as the case may be, and school records showing the name, age and residence of the adoptee;

B. Affidavit of consent of the following:1. The adoptee, if ten (10) years of age or over;

2. The biological parents of the child, if known, or the legal guardian, or the child-placement agency, child-caring agency, or the proper government instrumentality which has legal custody of the child;

3. The legitimate and adopted children of the adopter and of the adoptee, if any, who are ten (10) years of age or over;

4. The illegitimate children of the adopter living with him who are ten (10) years of age or over; and

5. The spouse, if any, of the adopter or adoptee.C. Child study report on the adoptee and his biological parents;

D. If the petitioner is an alien, certification by his diplomatic or consular office or any appropriate government agency that he has the legal capacity to adopt in his country and that his government allows the adoptee to enter his country as his own adopted child unless exempted under Section 4(2);

E. Home study report on the adopters. If the adopter is an alien or residing abroad but qualified to adopt, the home study report by a foreign adoption agency duly accredited by the Inter-Country Adoption Board; and

F. Decree of annulment, nullity or legal separation of the adopter as well as that of the biological parents of the adoptee, if any.Sec. 12.Order of Hearing. If the petition and attachments are sufficient in form and substance, the court shall issue an order which shall contain the following:(1) the registered name of the adoptee in the birth certificate and the names by which the adoptee has been known which shall be stated in the caption;

(2) the purpose of the petition;

(3) the complete name which the adoptee will use if the petition is granted;

(4) the date and place of hearing which shall be set within six (6) months from the date of the issuance of the order and shall direct that a copy thereof be published before the date of hearing at least once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province or city where the court is situated; Provided, that in case of application for change of name, the date set for hearing shall not be within four (4) months after the last publication of the notice nor within thirty (30) days prior to an election.

The newspaper shall be selected by raffle under the supervision of the Executive Judge.

(5) a directive to the social worker of the court, the social service office of the local government unit or any child-placing or child-caring agency, or the Department to prepare and submit child and home study reports before the hearing if such reports had not been attached to the petition due to unavailability at the time of the filing of the latter; and

(6) a directive to the social worker of the court to conduct counseling sessions with the biological parents on the matter of adoption of the adoptee and submit her report before the date of hearing.At the discretion of the court, copies of the order of hearing shall also be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General through the provincial or city prosecutor, the Department and the biological parents of the adoptee, if known.

If a change in the name of the adoptee is prayed for in the petition, notice to the Solicitor General shall be mandatory.

Sec. 13.Child and Home Study Reports. In preparing the child study report on the adoptee, the concerned social worker shall verify with the Civil Registry the real identity and registered name of the adoptee. If the birth of the adoptee was not registered with the Civil Registry, it shall be the responsibility of the social worker to register the adoptee and secure a certificate of foundling or late registration, as the case may be.

The social worker shall establish that the child is legally available for adoption and the documents in support thereof are valid and authentic, that the adopter has sincere intentions and that the adoption shall inure to the best interests of the child.

In case the adopter is an alien, the home study report must show the legal capacity to adopt and that his government allows the adoptee to enter his country as his adopted child in the absence of the certification required under Section 7(b) of Republic Act No. 8552.

If after the conduct of the case studies, the social worker finds that there are grounds to deny the petition, he shall make the proper recommendation to the court, furnishing a copy thereof to the petitioner.

Sec. 14.Hearing. Upon satisfactory proof that the order of hearing has been published and jurisdictional requirements have been complied with, the court shall proceed to hear the petition. The petitioner and the adoptee must personally appear and the former must testify before the presiding judge of the court on the date set for hearing.

The court shall verify from the social worker and determine whether the biological parent has been properly counseled against making hasty decisions caused by strain or anxiety to give up the child; ensure that all measures to strengthen the family have been exhausted; and ascertain if any prolonged stay of the child in his own home will be inimical to his welfare and interest.

Sec. 15.Supervised Trial Custody. Before issuance of the decree of adoption, the court shall give the adopter trial custody of the adoptee for a period of at least six (6) months within which the parties are expected to adjust psychologically and emotionally to each other and establish a bonding relationship. The trial custody shall be monitored by the social worker of the court, the Department, or the social service of the local government unit, or the child-placement or child-caring agency which submitted and prepared the case studies. During said period, temporary parental authority shall be vested in the adopter.

The court may, motu proprio or upon motion of any party, reduce the period or exempt the parties if it finds that the same shall be for the best interests of the adoptee, stating the reasons therefor.

An alien adopter however must complete the 6-month trial custody except the following:a) a former Filipino citizen who seeks to adopt a relative within the fourth (4th) degree of consanguinity or affinity; or

b) one who seeks to adopt the legitimate child of his Filipino spouse; or

c) one who is married to a Filipino citizen and seeks to adopt jointly with his or her spouse the latters relative within the fourth (4th) degree of consanguinity or affinity.If the child is below seven (7) years of age and is placed with the prospective adopter through a pre-adoption placement authority issued by the Department, the court shall order that the prospective adopter shall enjoy all the benefits to which the biological parent is entitled from the date the adoptee is placed with him.

The social worker shall submit to the court a report on the result of the trial custody within two weeks after its termination.

Sec. 16.Decree of Adoption. If the supervised trial custody is satisfactory to the parties and the court is convinced from the trial custody report and the evidence adduced that the adoption shall redound to the best interests of the adoptee, a decree of adoption shall be issued which shall take effect as of the date the original petition was filed even if the petitioners die before its issuance.

The decree shall:

A. State the name by which the child is to be known and registered;

B. Order:1) the Clerk of Court to issue to the adopter a certificate of finality upon expiration of the 15-day reglementary period within which to appeal;

2) the adopter to submit a certified true copy of the decree of adoption and the certificate of finality to the Civil Registrar where the child was originally registered within thirty (30) days from receipt of the certificate of finality. In case of change of name, the decree shall be submitted to the Civil Registrar where the court issuing the same is situated.

3) the Civil Registrar of the place where the adoptee was registered:a. to annotate on the adoptees original certificate of birth the decree of adoption within thirty (30) days from receipt of the certificate of finality;

b. to issue a certificate of birth which shall not bear any notation that it is a new or amended certificate and which shall show, among others, the following: registry number, date of registration, name of child, sex, date of birth, place of birth, name and citizenship of adoptive mother and father, and the date and place of their marriage, when applicable;

c. to seal the original certificate of birth in the civil registry records which can be opened only upon order of the court which issued the decree of adoption; and

d. to submit to the court issuing the decree of adoption proof of compliance with all the foregoing within thirty days from receipt of the decree.If the adoptee is a foundling, the court shall order the Civil Registrar where the foundling was registered, to annotate the decree of adoption on the foundling certificate and a new birth certificate shall be ordered prepared by the Civil Registrar in accordance with the decree.

Sec. 17.Book of Adoptions. The Clerk of Court shall keep a book of adoptions showing the date of issuance of the decree in each case, compliance by the Civil Registrar with Section 16(B)(3) and all incidents arising after the issuance of the decree.

Sec. 18.Confidential Nature of Proceedings and Records. All hearings in adoption cases, after compliance with the jurisdictional requirements shall be confidential and shall not be open to the public. All records, books and papers relating to the adoption cases in the files of the court, the Department, or any other agency or institution participating in the adoption proceedings shall be kept strictly confidential.

If the court finds that the disclosure of the information to a third person is necessary for security reasons or for purposes connected with or arising out of the adoption and will be for the best interests of the adoptee, the court may, upon proper motion, order the necessary information to be released, restricting the purposes for which it may be used.

Sec. 19.Rescission of Adoption of the Adoptee. The petition shall be verified and filed by the adoptee who is over eighteen (18) years of age, or with the assistance of the Department, if he is a minor, or if he is over eighteen (18) years of age but is incapacitated, by his guardian or counsel.

The adoption may be rescinded based on any of the following grounds committed by the adopter:1) repeated physical and verbal maltreatment by the adopter despite having undergone counseling;

2) attempt on the life of the adoptee;

3) sexual assault or violence; or

4) abandonment or failure to comply with parental obligations.Adoption, being in the best interests of the child, shall not be subject to rescission by the adopter. However, the adopter may disinherit the adoptee for causes provided in Article 919 of the Civil Code.

Sec. 20.Venue. The petition shall be filed with the Family Court of the city or province where the adoptee resides.

Sec. 21.Time within which to file petition. The adoptee, if incapacitated, must file the petition for rescission or revocation of adoption within five (5) years after he reaches the age of majority, or if he was incompetent at the time of the adoption, within five (5) years after recovery from such incompetency.

Sec. 22.Order to Answer. The court shall issue an order requiring the adverse party to answer the petition within fifteen (15) days from receipt of a copy thereof. The order and copy of the petition shall be served on the adverse party in such manner as the court may direct.

Sec. 23.Judgment. If the court finds that the allegations of the petition are true, it shall render judgment ordering the rescission of adoption, with or without costs, as justice requires.

The court shall order that the parental authority of the biological parent of the adoptee, if known, or the legal custody of the Department shall be restored if the adoptee is still a minor or incapacitated and declare that the reciprocal rights and obligations of the adopter and the adoptee to each other shall be extinguished.

The court shall further declare that successional rights shall revert to its status prior to adoption, as of the date of judgment of judicial rescission. Vested rights acquired prior to judicial rescission shall be respected.

It shall also order the adoptee to use the name stated in his original birth or foundling certificate.

The court shall further order the Civil Registrar where the adoption decree was registered to cancel the new birth certificate of the adoptee and reinstate his original birth or foundling certificate.

Sec. 24.Service of Judgment. A certified true copy of the judgment together with a certificate of finality issued by the Branch Clerk of the Court which rendered the decision in accordance with the preceding Section shall be served by the petitioner upon the Civil Registrar concerned within thirty (30) days from receipt of the certificate of finality. The Civil Registrar shall forthwith enter the rescission decree in the register and submit proof of compliance to the court issuing the decree and the Clerk of Court within thirty (30) days from receipt of the decree.

The Clerk of Court shall enter the compliance in accordance with Section 17 hereof.

SEC. 25.Repeal.- This supersedes Rule 99 on Adoption and Rule 100 of the Rules of Court.

B. Inter-Country AdoptionSec. 26.Applicability. The following sections apply to inter-country adoption of Filipino children by foreign nationals and Filipino citizens permanently residing abroad.

SEC. 27.Objectives. The State shall:a) a) consider inter-country adoption as an alternative means of child care, if the child cannot be placed in a foster or an adoptive family or cannot, in any suitable manner, be cared for in the Philippines;

b) ensure that the child subject of inter-country adoption enjoys the same protection accorded to children in domestic adoption; and

c) take all measures to ensure that the placement arising therefrom does not result in improper financial gain for those involved.Sec. 28.Where to File Petition. A verified petition to adopt a Filipino child may be filed by a foreign national or Filipino citizen permanently residing abroad with the Family Court having jurisdiction over the place where the child resides or may be found.

It may be filed directly with the Inter-Country Adoption Board.

Sec. 29.Who may be adopted. Only a child legally available for domestic adoption may be the subject of inter-country adoption.

Sec. 30.Contents of Petition. The petitioner must allege:a) his age and the age of the child to be adopted, showing that he is at least twenty-seven (27) years of age and at least sixteen (16) years older than the child to be adopted at the time of application, unless the petitioner is the parent by nature of the child to be adopted or the spouse of such parent, in which case the age difference does not apply;

b) if married, the name of the spouse who must be joined as co-petitioner except when the adoptee is a legitimate child of his spouse;

c) that he has the capacity to act and assume all rights and responsibilities of parental authority under his national laws, and has undergone the appropriate counseling from an accredited counselor in his country;

d) that he has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

e) that he is eligible to adopt under his national law;

f) that he can provide the proper care and support and instill the necessary moral values and example to all his children, including the child to be adopted;

g) that he agrees to uphold the basic rights of the child, as embodied under Philippine laws and the U. N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to abide by the rules and regulations issued to implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 8043;

h) that he comes from a country with which the Philippines has diplomatic relations and whose government maintains a similarly authorized and accredited agency and that adoption of a Filipino child is allowed under his national laws; and

i) that he possesses all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications provided in this Rule, in Republic Act No. 8043 and in all other applicable Philippine laws.Sec. 31.Annexes.- The petition for adoption shall contain the following annexes written and officially translated in English:a) Birth certificate of petitioner;

b) Marriage contract, if married, and, if applicable, the divorce decree, or judgment dissolving the marriage;

c) Sworn statement of consent of petitioners biological or adopted children above ten (10) years of age;

d) Physical, medical and psychological evaluation of the petitioner certified by a duly licensed physician and psychologist;

e) Income tax returns or any authentic document showing the current financial capability of the petitioner;

f) Police clearance of petitioner issued within six (6) months before the filing of the petitioner;

g) Character reference from the local church/minister, the petitioners employer and a member of the immediate community who have known the petitioner for at least five (5) years;

h) Full body postcard-size pictures of the petitioner and his immediate family taken at least six (6) months before the filing of the petition.Sec. 32.Duty of Court. The court, after finding that the petition is sufficient in form and substance and a proper case for inter-country adoption, shall immediately transmit the petition to the Inter-Country Adoption Board for appropriate action.

SEC. 33.Effectivity.- This Rule shall take effect on August 22, 2002 following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Republic Act No. 8043 Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995.ARTICLE 1GENERAL PROVISIONSSEC. 1.Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995.SEC. 2.Declaration of Policy- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide every neglected and abandoned child with a family that will provide such child with love and care as well as opportunities for growth and development. Towards this end, efforts shall be exerted to place the child with an adoptive family in the Philippines. However, recognizing that inter-country adoption may be considered as allowing aliens, not presently allowed by law to adopt Filipino children if such children cannot be adopted by qualified Filipino citizens or aliens, the State shall take measures to ensure that inter-country adoptions are allowed when the same shall prove beneficial to the childs best interests and shall serve and protect his/her fundamental rights.SEC. 3.Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act, the term:a)Inter-country adoptionrefers to the socio-legal process of adopting a Filipino child by a foreigner or a Filipino citizen permanently residing abroad where the petition is filed, the supervised trial custody is undertaken and decree of adoption is issued outside the Philippines.b) Childmeans a person below fifteen (15) years of age unless sooner emancipated by law.c) Departmentrefers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Republic of the Philippines.d) Secretaryrefers to the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.e) Authorized and accredited agencyrefers to the State welfare agency or a licensed adoption agency in the country of the adopting parents which provide comprehensive social services and which is duly recognized by the Department.f) Legally-free childmeans a child who has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to the Department, in accordance with the Child and Youth Welfare Code.g) Matchingrefers to the judicious pairing of the adoptive child and the applicant to promote a mutually satisfying parent-child relationship.h) Boardrefers to the Inter-Country Adoption Board.ARTICLE IITHE INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION BOARDSEC. 4.The Inter-Country Adoption Board.- There is hereby created the Inter-Country Adoption Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to act as the central authority in matters relating to inter-country adoption. It shall act as the policy-ma