Title VI — Paternity and Filiation
Article 176
ELI5— what this means for you
An illegitimate child takes the mother's surname and is under her parental authority, and is entitled to support — but their guaranteed inheritance share (legitime) is only half of what a legitimate child gets. (Note: RA 9255, passed after this Code, later allowed illegitimate children to use their father's surname if acknowledged.)
Key point
Art. 176 as amended by RA 9255: illegitimate child can now bear the father's surname if the father voluntarily acknowledges. Default remains the mother's surname.
Official text — EO 209
Illegitimate children shall use the surname and shall be under the parental authority of their mother, and shall be entitled to support in conformity with this Code. The legitime of each illegitimate child shall consist of one-half of the legitime of a legitimate child. Except for this modification, all other provisions in the Civil Code governing successional rights shall remain in force. (287a)
Chapter 4. Legitimated Children
Source: lawphil.net (EO 209 as amended)
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Legal disclaimer: BatasKo provides general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on marriage, annulment, property relations, custody, or support, consult a licensed Filipino lawyer or the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) at pao.gov.ph.