Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD)

Good Morning I want to know if Im legally adopted. Thankyou. My name is jessica feliciano and my mothers name is florencia feliciano

August 6, 2019

Dear Jessica,

Thank you for your request dated Aug 06, 2019 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for Adoption papers.

We received your request on Aug 06, 2019 and will respond on or before Aug 27, 2019 09:06:27 AM, in accordance with the Executive Order's implementing rules and regulations.

Should you have any questions regarding your request, kindly contact me using the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHgsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEURTV0QtNDgzMTA2NDM0Mjc2DA, for request with ticket number #DSWD-483106434276.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Myrna Reyes
FOI Officer

7 August 2019


Dear Ms. Jessica Feliciano,


You requested to know the following information: “If you are legally adopted.”

We regret to inform you that the information you requested is covered under the list of exceptions under Annex B per Memorandum of the Executive Secretary dated 24 November 2016, specifically:

Exceptions to Right of Access to Information

For the guidance of all government offices and instrumentalities covered by EO No. 2 (series of 2016), the following are the exceptions to the right of access to information, as recognized by the Constitution, existing laws or jurisprudence:
xxx

4. 	Information deemed confidential for the protection of the privacy of 
        persons and  certain individuals, minors, victims of crimes, or the accused. 
        These include: xxx

c.	Records of proceedings and processes deemed confidential by law for the 
        privacy and/or protection of certain individuals, such as children, victims of 
        crime, witnesses to a crime or rehabilitated drug offenders, including those 
        pertaining to the following: xxx

        (9)	records, documents, and communications of proceedings involving 
                domestic and inter-country adoptions, including the identity of the 
                child, natural parents and adoptive parents.

Thus, we are constrained to deny your request.

Under Republic Act 8552 (the “Domestic Adoption Act of 1998”), all records, books, and papers relating to the adoption cases in the files of the court, the Department, or any other agency or institution participating in the adoption proceedings shall be kept strictly confidential. It is the court who could order the release of the necessary information if they find compelling reasons to do so. 

Thus, we recommend that you should first identify which court handled your adoption case and then request the concerned court, for pertinent information.


Very Truly Yours,

Atty. Maria Cassandra M. Urbiztondo
FOI Decision Maker