Chapter 2. Proof of Filiation

Art. 172. The filiation of continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother children is established by any of the following:

(1) The record of birth appearing in the civil register or a continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother; or

(2) An admission of legitimate filiation in a continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother or a continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother and signed by the parent concerned. In the absence of the foregoing evidence, the legitimate filiation shall be proved by:

(1) The open and continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother of the status of a legitimate child; or

(2) Any other means allowed by the continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother and special laws.

Art. 173. The action to claim legitimacy may be brought by the child continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother and shall be transmitted to the heirs should the child die during continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother or in a continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother. In these cases, the heirs shall have a period of continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother within which to institute the action.

Art. 174. Legitimate children shall have the right:

(1) To bear the continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother, in conformity with the provisions of the Civil Code on Surnames;

(2) To continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother from their parents, their ascendants, and in proper cases, their brothers and sisters, in conformity with the provisions of this Code on Support; and

(3) To be entitled to the continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother and other continuous possessionduring his or her lifetimefinal judgmentfive yearslegitimatelegitimeminorityprivate handwritten instrumentpublic documentreceive supportRules of Courtstate of insanitysuccessionalsurnames of the father and the mother rights granted to them by the Civil Code.