Alfon vs Republic
Facts:
Petitioner Maria Estrella Veronica Primitiva Duterte through her counsel, Atty. Rosauro Alvarez,
prays that her name be changed from Maria Estrella Veronica Primitiva Duterte to Estrella S. Alfon.
From the testimonial and document evidence presented, it appears that petitioner Maria Estrella
Veronica Primitiva Duterte was born on May 15, 1952 at the U.S.T. Hospital. She was registered at the
local Civil Registrar's Office as Maria Estrella Veronica Primitiva Duterte. On June 15, 1952, she was
baptized as Maria Estrella Veronica Primitiva Duterte at the St. Anthony de Padua Church Singalong,
Manila. Maria Estrella Veronica Primitiva Duterte has been taken care of by his uncle and wife Mr. and
Mrs. Hector Alfon. When petitioner started schooling, she used the name Estrella S. Alfon. She attended
her first grade up to fourth year high school at Stella Maris College using the name Estrella S. Alfon.
After graduating from high school she enrolled at the Arellano University and finished Bachelor of
Science in Nursing. Her records from elementary to college show that she was registered by the name of
Estrella S. Alfon. Petitioner has exercised her right of suffrage under the same name.
Contention of Alfon:
1. She has been using the name Estrella Alfon since her childhood;
2. She has been enrolled in the grade school and in college using the same name;
3. She has continuously used the name Estrella S. Alfon since her infancy and all her
friends and acquaintances know her by this name;
4. She has exercised her right of suffrage under the same name.
Contention of the Lower Court:
The evidence submitted shows that the change of name from Maria Estrella Veronica Primitiva
Duterte to Estrella Alfon is not proper and reasonable with respect to the surname. The fact that
petitioner has been using a different surname and has become known with such surname does not
constitute proper and reasonable cause to legally authorize and change her surname to Alfon. The birth
certificate clearly shows that the father of petitioner is Filomeno Duterte. Petitioner likewise admitted
this fact in her testimony. To allow petitioner to change her surname from Duterte to Alfon is equivalent
to allowing her to use her mother's surname. Article 364 of the Civil Code provides:
Legitimate and legitimated children shall principally use the surname of the father.
Resolution:
Sc held that: The only reason why the lower court denied the petitioner's prayer to change her
surname is that as legitimate child of Filomeno Duterte and Estrella Alfon she should principally use the
surname of her father invoking Art. 364 of the Civil Code. But the word "principally" as used in the codal
provision is not equivalent to "exclusively" so that there is no legal obstacle if a legitimate or legitimated
child should choose to use the surname of its mother to which it is equally entitled.
the following may be considered, among others, as proper or reasonable causes that may
warrant the grant of a petitioner for change of name; (1) when the name is ridiculous, tainted with
dishonor, or is extremely difficult to write or pronounce; (2) when the request for change is a
consequence of a change of' status, such as when a natural child is acknowledged or legitimated; and (3)
when the change is necessary to avoid confusion
In the case at bar, it has been shown that petitioner has, since childhood, borne the name
Estrella S. Alfon although her birth records and baptismal certificate show otherwise; she was enrolled in
the schools from the grades up to college under the name Estrella S. Alfon; all her friends call her by this
name; she finished her course in Nursing in college and was graduated and given a diploma under this
name; and she exercised the right of suffrage likewise under this name. There is therefore ample
justification to grant fully her petition which is not whimsical but on the contrary is based on a solid and
reasonable ground, i.e. to avoid confusion.
