Title
Regulation on Use of Aliases
Law
Commonwealth Act No. 142
Decision Date
Nov 7, 1936
"Commonwealth Act No. 142: Regulation of Aliases in the Philippines" is a law that governs the use of aliases, allowing individuals to use a different name for literary purposes or if authorized by a court, with failure to disclose real name and authorized aliases resulting in imprisonment.

General prohibition on alias use

  • Section 1 prohibits any person from using any name different from the name with which the person was christened or by which the person has been known since childhood.
  • Section 1 allows an exception for an alias used as a pseudonym for literary purposes.
  • Section 1 permits the use of a substitute name only when it is authorized by a competent court.
  • Section 1 requires that a valid name used in this context comprise the patronymic name and one or two surnames.

Court authority requirement and application process

  • Section 2 requires any person desiring to use an alias to apply for authority through proceedings like those legally used to obtain judicial authority for a change of name.
  • Section 2 requires separate proceedings for each alias.
  • Section 2 requires each new petition to state:
    • the person’s original name, and
    • the alias or aliases for which authority is being sought.
  • Section 2 requires each petition to specify the proceedings and the date on which judicial authority was granted for the alias or aliases.
  • Section 2 requires that judicial authorities for aliases be recorded in the proper civil register.

Mandatory disclosure when signing documents

  • Section 3 requires that a person who has obtained judicial authority to use an alias must state the real name.
  • Section 3 requires the person to state all aliases the person is authorized to use.
  • Section 3 applies the disclosure requirement when the person signs or executes any document.

Criminal penalty for violations

  • Section 4 provides that any violation of the Act is punished by imprisonment for from one month to six months.

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