Mandatory use of the middle name in all official transactions sought

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MANILA — A legislator is pushing for the mandatory use of the middle name in all documents or transactions where the name of a person is required.

Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr. has filed House Bill 5419, which aims to make use of the middle name in identifying a person.

Lagdameo said the middle name immediately establishes the parentage or lineage of a person. Requiring the use of the middle name in all official transactions and documents lessens the opportunity to hide a person’s true identity.

“Our name symbolizes our honor and integrity. Once our name is destroyed or tarnished it may be equivalent to loss of life,” Lagdameo said.

In filing the measure, he cited Articles 364 to 380, Title XIII (Use of Surnames) of the Civil Code of the Philippines, as amended by the Family Code, which specifically provides for the use of surnames by, among others, legitimate and legitimated children and married women.

The Mindanao solon said, ordinarily, the full name of a person consists of a given name, a middle name which is the last name of the mother and the surname, last name or family name.

According to Lagdameo, in all cases, however, a person is not required to include a middle name in the full name of a person. Middle names are usually expressed only in initials.

Under the measure, every person shall use a middle name in all documents or transactions where the name of a person is required.

The middle name is the maiden name of the mother, as registered in the Certificate of live birth except in the case of an adopted child, the middle name shall be decided upon by the adopter following the legal adoption and if a child born out of wedlock, the mother or the person who has custody of the child shall choose the middle name of the child.

“The inclusion of the family name of a mother who is usually the closest to a person’s heart will encourage and motivate our citizens to care for and defend their dear name,” Lagdameo stressed.