Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) — The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) reminded banks and financial institutions on Wednesday that the Civil Code backs wives who opt to use their maiden surnames in legal documents.
PCW Executive Director and OIC Kristine Rosary Yuzon-Chaves said wives with documents rejected by banks for not bearing their husband’s surname may file a complaint against the institution.
“They have the option to file a complaint kasi it’s a violation of their right. Ang sabi sa civil code is (The civil code states) that a married woman ‘may’ use the surname of the husband. Permissive lang po siya (it’s only permissive),” the lawyer told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon.
PCW earlier released Memorandum Circular No. 2023-04 which reiterates guidelines for banks and financial institutions to ensure compliance with existing laws that offer women the choice to retain their unmarried surnames.
Yuzon-Chaves said the commission has been receiving complaints from wives whose documents with their maiden surnames are not being recognized by some companies.
“The banks and financial institutions actually do not have any legal basis na i-mandate na (to mandate that) once you’re married na gamitin ng client nila automatic ang surname ng husband (the client should automatically use the husband’s surname),” she said.
The lawyer maintained that this is an option given to women under the law.
Gender-equality global ranking
Citing a study released in June, Yuzon-Chaves said the Philippines placed 16th over 146 countries in the latest World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index report (GGGR).
The lawyer said the country has \”closed the gap\” in gender-equality in the education sector, with the study showing a 99.9% rate in the educational attainment sector.
However, Yuzon-Chaves said Filipinos ranked low in women labor participation and leadership.
