the official newsletter of the national statistics office ... crn 1st qtr 2011...3 national capital...

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National Capital Region — Civil Registration News

The Official Newsletter of the National Statistics Office The Official Newsletter of the National Statistics Office National Capital Region on Civil RegistrationNational Capital Region on Civil Registration

(Volume No. 3, Issue No. 1) January-March 2011

NSO-NCR Regional, District Offices celebrate Civil Registration Month

The National Statistics Office National-Capital Region Regional Office (NCR-RO) celebrated the 2011 Civil Registration Month with the theme “Quality Civil Registration in Support of the National Development Goals”. The NCR-RO had lined several activities to commemorate the month-long event.

Kicking off the event was the display of streamers bearing this year’s theme. A Thanksgiving Mass was conducted on February 2 and was attended by all Regional Office Staff and some District Offices personnel. This was immediately followed by a briefing on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9858 for selected regional and field Personnel. NCR Regional Director Lourdes V. Homecillo said the briefing is a “must” for NCR Personnel to keep them abreast on the updates on civil registration particularly about the provisions of the new law. The same briefing was conducted for the Metro Manila Civil Registrars and their staff on February 24. Administrator and Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta and Mrs. Lourdes J. Hufana, Director of the Civil Registration Department graced the occasion to serve as resource person.

The Regional Office also launched various approaches on information dissemination. These included radio appearances (DZRB & DWDD), conduct of briefings in some churches and Job Fairs upon invitation. The most popular was the putting up of Information Help Desk and Exhibit at eight SM Supermalls during Fridays of February by the Regional Office and the six District Offices. A civil registration briefing was also conducted for the staff and some children of Children’s Joy Foundation on February 18th. The Regional Staff also supported some of the activities of the District Offices such as the Civil Registration Quiz of NCR V and Civil Registration briefing of NCR II for school principals. Another briefing about the National Statistics Office and civil registration matters was held for students of Antonio A. Maceda Integrated School and this was immediately followed by an On-the-Spot Essay Writing Contest. The latter was participated by nine senior high school students of the said school. Their essay piece was entitled “Why Birth Certificate is Important? The winners and participants received prizes from NSO-NCR during the school’s recognition day last April 4, 2011.

I N T H I S I S S U E

S.O. Watch: Grounds for Revocation of CRASM

Extra: Registration of Court Decree/Order

Mailbox: Unsigned Private Handwritten Instrument

Questions and Answers:

Did you know ? Vslentine’s Day Presidential Proclamations on Civil Registration

Literature: Why my Birth Certificate is important

The Quarter in our Civil Registration History: Guidelines on Securing Copies of

Documents affected by R.A. 9255

OCRG issues the “green light” on the implementation of the new legitimation law

The Office of the Civil Registrar General (OCRG) has recently issued Memorandum Circular No. 2011-3 giving the green light to all NSO Regional Directors, Provincial Statistics Officers and City and Municipal Civil Registrars for the implementation of Republic Act 9858 (An Act Providing for the Legitimation of Children Born to Parents below the Marrying Age, Amending for the Purpose of the Family Code of the Philippines, as Amended.)

Said law was signed into law on December 20, 2009

by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. As provided for under the law, the OCRG in consultation with other concerned agencies prepared and promulgated Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2010 as the Implementing Rules and Regulations. NSO Administrator and Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta has enjoined all concerned particularly the civil registrars to properly implement the law as provided for in the said Administrative Order. (continued on page 2)

NEW LEGITIMATION LAW BRIEFING. NSO-NCR Regional Director Lourdes V. Homecillo addresses participants to the briefing on Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2011 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9858 last February 24, 2011. Also in photo are from left to right, Director Lourdes J. Hufana, NSO-CRD, Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta and NSO-NCR V OIC Dorotea Lilia R. Nuesca.

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This column discusses issues on concerns on the issu-ance of Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solem-nize Marriage.

This column features answers to queries sent by the public through mail. e-mail, telephone, SMS, etc..

Unsigned Private Handwritten Instrument A concerned party once called the office and asked if a private handwritten instrument need to be signed to serve as proof of acknowledgment or admission of paternity in availing the provisions of R.A. 9255 or the Use Father’s Surname Law. The office informed the caller that as far as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of said law is concerned, such documents must be signed. However in the case of “Jenie San Juan Dela Cruz versus Ronald Paul S. Gracia in his capacity as the Civil Registrar of Antipolo City” (G.R. No. 177728, July 31, 2009, 594 SCRA 648), the Supreme Court ruled that private handwritten instrument need not be signed by the father on certain conditions. The Office of the Civil Registrar General, however, has yet to circularize this for uniform implementation by civil registrars.

OCRG issues… (from page 1)

Meanwhile, the Civil Registrar General issued a related Memorandum Circular laying the guidelines in the processing of legitimation prior to the effectivity of the Act. The circular requires for the submission of a Supplemental Affidavit for those applications earlier approved by Local Civil Registry Offices immediately after the new law was approved. These applications were pending at the OCRG as the implementing guidelines of the new law at that time have not yet been issued.

Quality Civil Registration in Support of the National Development Goals

That there are two Presidential Proclamations promoting civil registration that were signed and issued on a Valentine’s Day, February 14: Proclamation No. 326 was issued on February 14, 1994 by President Fidel V. Ramos declaring as a National State Policy the Registration of Birth, Deaths, Marriages and Foundlings. Proclamation No. 790 was issued on February 14, 2005 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declaring February 23, 2005 as National Birth Registration Day.

Grounds For Cancellation of Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage

For the information of all concerned, hereunder are the Grounds for Cancellation of Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM) as laid on Rule 8 of Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2007 (The Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing the Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage with The Civil Registrar General of Bishops, Heads/Founder of Religions and Religious Sects, Priests, Imams, Religious Ministers, Tribal Heads/Leaders/Chieftains, Community Elders, and Other Designated Authorities) The Civil Registrar General through the Regional Director shall cancel the CRASMs issued to Solemnizing Officers (SOs) based on the following grounds: Rule 8.1 When the request for cancellation of authority to solemnize marriage is made by bishop or head of the religion or religious sect of which the SO is a member; Rule 8.2 When the request for cancellation of authority to solemnize marriage is made by the SO himself. Rule 8.3 When before the expiry date of his authorization, the SO ceases to be a member of the religion or religious sect which he represented at the time of registration; Rule 8.4 When the SO has been convicted by final judgment of any crime; Rule 8.5 When the SO retires from his function as a priest or religious minister, or dies or becomes permanently incapacitated to discharge the function of his office. Rule 8.6 When the SO willfully violates the provisions of the existing laws as when he officiates marriage where no one of the contracting parties is a member of his religion or religious sect; Rule 8.7 When the SO officiates marriage outside territorial jurisdiction; Rule 8.8 When the SO fails or refuses to exhibit his authority to solemnize marriage when it is demanded from him by the contracting parties, their parents or guardian; Rule 8.9 When the SO officiates marriage where the contracting parties do not have a valid marriage license when such license is required and such fact is known to him; Rule 8. 10 When the SO officiates marriage with expired marriage license; Rule 8.11 When the SO fails or refuses to indicate on the marriage certificate his registry number and the expiry date of his authority to solemnize marriage; Rule 8.12 In case of foreigner; when his visa/I-card expires before the expiry dates of his authority to solemnize marriage;

Rule 8.13 When the SO allows proxy marriages which is a kind of marriage arrangement where one of the parties to a marriage is represented merely by someone else who may be a delegate or a friend of one of the contracting parties; Rule 8.14 When the SO is represented by a proxy SO or somebody else who performs the marriage for and in his behalf; Rule 8.15 When the SO is physically incapacitated where his performance to solemnize marriage is substantially affected such as blindness; and Rule 8.16 When the SO does other acts in contravention with law.

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7NCSO to be held in Ilocos says CRG Ericta National Statistics Office Administrator and Civil

Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta had announced during the briefing on RA 9858 for Metro Manila Civil Registrars and their staff last February 24, 2011 that the 7th National Convention of Solemnizing Officers (7NCSO) will be held on August 2 to 4, 2011 at the Ilocos Norte Hotel and Convention Center. The convention will also carry the same theme “Quality Civil Registration in Support of the National Development Goals”.

The biennial convention aims to provide a venue for

exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences for the Solemnizing Officers (SOs), Mayors, members of the judiciary, Civil Registrars and other stakeholders. Topics to be discussed will include Updates on Marriage Registration and Marriage Laws and Experiences of Civil Registrars and Solemnizing Officers on marriage registration among others. Administrator Ericta had encouraged the participants during the briefing to attend the convention. Director Lourdes J. Hufana, Director of the Civil Registration Department, who was also present during the briefing, described to the participants the facilities of the convention venue and the other interesting places to visit during their stay in Ilocos Norte. She mentioned a few like the famous Pagudpud beach and Bangui Windmill, and Vigan City in nearby Ilocos Sur province. Participants will be charged a workshop fee of P3,600.00 to cover cost of the venue, food, materials and other related expenses.

CRG Issues New Rules on Foundling Registration

There is a new rule as far as registration of foundling is concerned. This developed as NSO Administrator and Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta issued Memorandum Circular 2011-5 dated 27 January 2011 to all NSO Regional Directors/Provincial Statistics Officers and City/Municipal Civil Registrars regarding the New Rules in the Registration of Foundling, repealing the rules for registration of foundling under Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 1993. The issuance is pursuant to the enactment of Republic Act No, 9523 (An Act Requiring the Certification of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to Declare a “Child Legally Available for Adoption Proceedings, Amending for this Purpose Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 8552, otherwise known as the Inter-Country Act of 1995 and Presidential No. 603, otherwise known as the Child and Youth Welfare Code, and for other purposes). The new rules that pertain to the registration of foundling and which took effect on 1 February 2011 read as follows: Rule 1. Who shall register

Only DWSD authorized social worker can register the foundling. All foundling cases shall now be referred to the regional office of DSWD where the foundling was found for the issuance of a “certification” declaring the foundling legally available for adoption. Foundlings who are not under child caring institutions or under custody of the DSWD but with independent placements/individuals shall not be registered. The C/MCR shall instead advice them to refer the foundling case to the DSWD office in the area or locality for proper screening, assessment or evaluation.

Rule 2. Requirements in Registering Foundling

2.1 Certified True Copy of Certification issued by the Secretary of the DSWD stating that the child was legally available for adoption; and 2.2 Certified True Copy of the Child Profile issued by the DSWD.

Rule 3. Submission to NSO-OCRG After registration, the city/municipal registrar shall transmit the Foundling Certificate and its supporting documents to the National Statistics Office- Office of the Civil Registrar General (NSO-OCRG).

NSO, Civil Registrars, Stakeholders Start using Revised Civil Registry Forms

Effective January 1, 2011, the National Statistics Office, Civil Registrars and stakeholders all over the country had started using the 2007 Revised Civil Registry Forms. The implementation was in pursuant to the Memorandum Circular Issued by NSO Administrator and Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta dated October 28, 2010 to all NSO Regional Directors and Provincial Statistics Officers to inform all Civil Registrars, solemnizing officers, hospital/clinic administrators, physicians, midwives, health officers, rural health personnel and other persons involved in registration activities within their respective jurisdiction. In an e-mail query to Director Lourdes J. Hufana, about the matter, she said that “they cannot tell how many months they (referring to users) have to spend their stock before they order the new forms”. She also said “that under the new Memorandum, order of forms is to be evaluated if the stock is good for six months to one year”. During the last revision of civil registry forms in 1993, stakeholders were allowed to use the old forms until July of that year. Civil registry forms include: Certificate of Live Birth; Certificate of Death, Certificate of Marriage; Birth Attachment; Application for Marriage License; Death Attachment; Marriage Attachment; Fetal Death; Certificate of Foundling; Conversion to Islam; Certificate of Divorce and Statement of Revocation of Divorce.

The implementation of the new forms was reiterated by the Civil Registrar General in her Memorandum Circular 2011-7 addressed to all City and Municipal Registrars. Aside from the comments of some civil registrars that the new forms lack enough space for binding purposes, no other issue is heard so far.

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Registration of Court Decrees, Orders Many are not aware that court decrees and legal

instruments pertaining to the civil status of a person needs to

be registered in a civil register. One whose annulment of

marriage was successfully granted wonders why such

recorded marriage is still intact when he/she secures copies at

the National Statistics Office. Moreover, one whose child was

legitimated is still being issued the document that does not

effect such legitimation. The reason for such results is the

failure of the responsible person to register such

modifications.

What are the procedures in the Registration of Court

Decree/Order? Title Seven of Administrative Order No. 1 Series of

1993 issued by the Civil Registrar General had lays down the Procedure in the Registration of Court Decree or Order. These are in reference to Articles 407 and 409 of the Civil Code of the Philippines and Sections 10 and 11 of Act 3753 or the Civil Registry Law.

Rule 50 under said title provides for the

Reglementary Period and Place of Registration.

1) In case of a court decree/order concerning the status of a person, it shall be the duty of the clerk of court to advise the successful petitioner to the court decree/order registered in the civil registrar’s office where the court is functioning, within 10 days after the decree/order has become final.

2 ) It is another person who shall register the decree other the clerk of court, the civil registrar shall verify if the copy of the decision is authentic. Otherwise, he shall refuse the registration thereof. It is likewise the duty of the clerk of court which issued the decree to ascertain whether the same has been registered, and if not, to have decree recorded.

3) The civil registry office where the event of the decree/order was registered shall forward a certified true copy of the decision to the Office of the Civil Registrar where an event affected was originally registered. The latter shall make the proper annotations in the document and in the applicable registry book. He shall likewise send a certified true copy of the annotated document and the registered court decree to the Office of the Civil Registrar General within 10 days from receipt thereof.

Rehistradong Pangalan, Kanilang Karapatan!

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill

NCR V Civil Registration Quiz NSO NCR V and the Civil Registry Offices within the area have jointly conducted their 4th Civil Registration Quiz last February 22, 2011 as part of the celebration of the Civil Registration Month. This year’s contest was hosted by the Makati City Civil Registry Office. Topping the first place was the combination of Ms. Marites R. Schofield of Pateros Municipal Civil Registry Office and Mr. Rigor Isagon of NCR V. The second place went to the team of Ms. Virginia de la Torre of Taguig CCRO and Victor Familaran. The team of Ms. Rosalie G. Ramos of Makati CCRO and Ms. Josefina C. Miranda got the third place. Winners received cash awards and plaque of recognition donated by Hon. Mayor Joey Medina of Pateros, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Nuesca and Mr. and Mrs Josephine C. Copada. Consolation prize was also awarded to the non winners. Makati City Mayor Hon. Jejomar Erwin S. “Jun Jun” Binay, Jr., graced the occasion and delivered his inspirational message. The members of the board of judges for the event were: Mr. Godofredo Mario D. Corrales, Statistician III, NSO-NCR, Chairman; Ms. Elna Ruth F. Casasola, Statistician III, Office of the Deputy Administrator and Mr. Albert A. Acosta, Registration Officer I, NSO Civil Registry Department.

CIVIL REGISTRATION QUIZ: Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun Jun” S. Binay, Jr., poses with NSO-NCR V Officer In Charge, Mrs. Dorotea Lilia R. Nuesca, Makati City Civil Registrar Josephine C. Copada, Board of Judges, Quiz participants and other NSO and Civil Registry Personnel after the 4th NCR V-CCROs Civil Registration Quiz held on February 22, 2011 at the Makati city Hall.

February 10 , 2005 - Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta issued Memorandum Circular No. 2005-002, re: Guidelines on Securing Copies of Documents Affected by R.A. 9255 from the Office of the Civil Registrar General. NCR-CRN will print the whole details in our next issue.

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Q. May a decree of adoption granted twenty years back be accepted for delayed registration? A. Yes, there is no provision of law that prohibits the delayed registration of decree of adoption. Q. Does a party who executed an affidavit to use the surname of the father (AUSF) but failed to register within twenty days after the execution still need to execute another affidavit (AUSF)? A. There is no need to execute the same affidavit. However, the party is required to execute a second affidavit stating the facts and circumstances why the registration was delayed. Q. May an illegitimate child who died before the celebration of marriage of his/her parents be legitimated? A. Yes. As of a matter of fact, Art. 181 of the Family Code states that the legitimation of children who died before the celebration of the parents’ marriage shall benefit their descendants. Q. – May a party seeking to correct entries in a civil registry documents that are substantial in nature avail of the services of lawyers from the Public Attorneys Office? A. Yes, provided that the party meets the requirements (i.e. Income ceiling). However, such other fees to be incurred related to case such as publications, stenographic notes, etc. shall still be borne by him/her. Q. – Is the issuance of valid marriage license by a local civil registrar to couple who have misrepresented their ages in their application a ground for nullity of the marriage? A. The marriage law does not invalidate the marriage on the ground of the irregularity of the issuance of the marriage license but on the ground that the contracting parties were short of the required legal age. They may be however civilly and criminally liable for misrepresenting their ages. Q. Is a certification of authority to solemnize marriage from the National Statistics Office a requirement in the delayed registration of marriage? A. The authority to solemnize marriage is not among the requirements in registration of marriage. It is presumed that the solemnizing officer who performed the marriage had the authority to do so. Q. What is the best way to do when a twin have only one registered birth certificate containing their respective names and other facts of birth? A. Have the first name of the first child in the registered birth certificate corrected within the provisions of Republic Act 9048 (Clerical Error Law) and proceed for the late registration of the birth for the second child.

Why My Birth Certificate is Important How important is one birth certificate? Is it just a piece of paper? Below are excerpts from the essay written by senior high school students (Class IV-Einstein) of Antonio Maceda Integrated High School, Manila.

“Every people in this world has the right to have a name, to be known and be acknowledged as citizens. To achieve that right, everyone should have his/her birth certificate.” Ckazlaine T. Defuntaron “Birth certificate is very important, it serves as our key to achieve all our rights.” Charleen E. Tabunan “My birth certificate is important because it serves as evidence that I am a Filipino.” Daryl B. Modesto “I have believed and learned that having your own birth certificate is the first gift that you will ever received from your parents. I am very thankful that I am starting to appreciate the kind of right that a growing child needs. You cannot really tell what the future holds so while it is still early, give your child the right to live happily and to become a good citizen.” Marie Jeremiah C. Imperial “It is a piece of paper that is really important in our life. It contains some brief history of our personality and is also a proof of our own nationality. You are like an invisible person if you do not have this.” Lizanne A. Maloboco

How about you, do you have one?

Editorial Board:

Lourdes V. Homecillo Director II, NCR

Godofredo Mario D. Corrales

Statistician III, CRIMD

Circulation

Vilma Borreo Lilia Velarde

Edna Romero Florfina A. Perez

Research and Photography Lizle Zamora

The NCR-CRN is the official newsletter of the

National Statistics Office National Capital Region On Civil Registration.

Address:

Civil Registry and Information Management Division (CRIMD)

2/F Philippine Society Bldg. 3961 R. Magsaysay Blvd.

Sta. Mesa, Manila

For your queries, comments, and suggestions, get in touch with us at:

(632) 713-3052 Or

visit us at www:nso-ncr.ph

Questions and Answers

Listen to “NSO-NCR on Air With Wings” radio segment over DWDD AFP Radio, 1134 khz AM Band,

3:00-4:00 P.M. every Wednesdays for more information on NSO-NCR Activities .

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Photo Gallery

Did you find this helpful? Please Call 7133052

CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL’s HOUR: NSO Administrator and Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta (inset) addresses the group of Metro Manila Civil Registrars during the briefing of the IRR of RA 9858 spearheaded by the NSO-NCR Regional Office last February 24, 2011.

DISTRICT OFFICE HELP DESK: NSO-NCR I (Manila District Office) personnel answer to queries raised by SM San Lazaro mall goers. The other five other District Offices also put up similar desk in the same mall in located in their respective areas.

RA 9858 BRIEFING: NSO-NCR Regional Director Lourdes V. Homecillo addresses participants during the briefing of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of RA 9858 for selected Regional Office and District Office Personnel last February 2, 2011.

CHILDREN’s JOY . NSO-NCR Regional Director Lourdes V. Homecillo (inset) delivers her inspirational message to wards of the Children’s Joy foundation in Quezon City. The gift-giving activity was part of the Region’s Outreach Program in celebration of the Civil Registration Month.

NSO INFO CORNER. Mr. Kelly Macabayao, Statistical Coordination Officer, NCR IV CAMANAVA posts NSO information materials at a Bulletin Board the district put up at Navotas City Hall.

QOUTES ON HUMILITY: “ Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." ~ John Wooden

SM HELP DESK. SM mall and grocery goers took the opportunity to raise queries about their problems on their civil registry documents on the presence of the NSO NCR Help Desk. Majority of problems asked include correction of clerical error, change of first name, legitimation and late registration.