Congress has ratified the reconciled version of a proposed law allowing parents or guardians to correct simulated birth records through administrative proceedings.
La Union’s District 2 Rep. Sandra Eriguel, co-chairperson of the bicameral conference committee that consolidated the measure, said the “Simulated Birth Rectification Act” aims to grant amnesty and allow the rectification of the simulated birth of a child if it is found to be in the best interest of the child.
“The proposed law would allow the child whose birth record was simulated to enjoy all the benefits available to legally adopted children,” she said.
Eriguel, committee on social services chairperson, led the House panel in the bicameral conference committee with Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, COOP-NATCCO Rep. Anthony Bravo, Negros Occidental Rep. Melecio Yap Jr. and Butil Rep. Cecilia Leonila Chavez.
The approved measure reconciled House Bill No. 5675 and Senate Bill 2081.
The House of Representatives approved HB 5675 in August 2017 to amend Republic Act No. 8552 or the “Domestic Adoption Act of 1998.”
“The measure aims to make the relationship between parent and child whose birth records were simulated legal through administrative adoption proceedings,” Eriguel said.
Last Dec. 12, Congress ratified the reconciled “Simulated Birth Rectification.”
According to Eriguel, the proposed measure would fix the status and filiation of a child whose birth was simulated by giving the child all the benefits of adoption and ensuring that the child will be entitled to all the rights provided by law to legally adopted children without any discrimination of any kind, as well as to love, guidance and support from the child’s adoptive family.
“This would also exempt from criminal, civil and administrative liability those who simulated the birth record of a child prior to the effectivity of this law provided that a petition for adoption with an application for the rectification of the simulated birth record is filed within 10 years from the effectivity of the law,” she said.