Appearances

Atty. Georfo: Appearing before this Honorable Court is Atty. Recca Georfo representing in behalf of the
petitioner Maria Castellon.

Assistant Solicitor General: This is Prosecutor Davide appearing in behalf of the Office of the Solicitor
General.

LCR: This is Atty. Bagonoc appearing in behalf of the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Cebu City.

Jurisdictional Facts

Atty. Georfo: If it pleases the court, may we request that we present before the screen the pertinent
documents to be shown for identification.

Judge

Atty. Georfo: I have here the verified petition signed by the petitioner’s counsel together with the
petitioner’s verification and certification of non-forum shopping signed by the petitioner. May we
request the court to mark the petition as Exhibit A, and to mark the verification and certification as
Exhibit A-1 and the signature of the petitioner in page 7 thereof as Exhibit A-2.

Judge

Atty. Georfo: At this point, petitioner’s counsel would like to manifest that this Honorable Court has
given due course to our petition through a court order dated May 1, 2022. It manifested that the
petition has been found to be sufficient in form and substance and, thus, the aforementioned order
fixed the initial hearing on June 6, 2022 at 6:30pm in Branch 24, as well as caused the necessary notice
thereof to the persons named in the petition. We would like to ask the court to mark the order as
Exhibit B.

Judge

Atty. Georfo: Petitioner’s counsel respectfully asks this court to mark as Exhibit C-1, the notice sent to
the Solicitor General, as Exhibit C-2 for the notice to the Provincial Prosecutor, as Exhibit C-3 for the
notice to the Local Civil Registry of Cebu, as Exhibit C-4 for the notice to the Philippine Statistics
Authority, as Exhibit C-5 for the notice to the petitioner, as Exhibit C-6 for the notice to the petitioner’s
mother, Marita S. Castellon who is impleaded in the case, and lastly, as Exhibit C-7 for the notice to the
petitioner’s father, Miguel P. Castillo who is likewise impleaded in the case.

Judge

Atty. Georfo: The counsel also respectfully asks this court to mark as Exhibit D this document signed by
the Assistant Solicitor General deputizing the Provincial Prosecutor to prosecute this case, as well as
mark as Exhibit D-1 the Notice of Appearance signed by the Solicitor General.

Judge

Atty. Georfo: This Honorable Court has also caused the notice of hearing to be published once a week
for 3 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation which is SunStar. Thus, petitioner’s
counsel respectfully asks this court to mark as Exhibit E, the affidavit of publication signed by Juan B.
Dela Cruz, which shows the due publication of the notice of hearing in SunStar, which therewith
attached the newspaper clippings dated May 2, May 9 and May 16, 2022. We also ask the court to mark
said newspaper clippings Exhibit E-1.

Judge

Atty. Georfo: That is all for the jurisdictional facts your honor.

Judge: She will ask for comments from Provincial Prosecutor and LCR representative. Just say “no
comment.”

Provincial Prosecutor: No comment, you honor.

LCR: No comment, you honor.

Judge: She will ask for some opposition. Don’t say anything, just wait. Then, she will ask the counsel
what to ask before the court.

Atty. Georfo: Counsel asks that the documents presented be admitted for the purpose of showing that
the jurisdictional requirements have been complied with. Moreover, counsel also respectfully asks this
court a declaration of general default against the rest of the world except for the State, there being no
opposition in our petition.

Judge: She will ask for presentation of evidence-in-chief

Atty. Georfo: If this court pleases, we will present two witnesses. First, may I call to the witness stand
Ms. Maria Castellon, petitioner of this case.

Judge: Ms. Castellon, please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth….?

Maria: Yes, you honor.

Judge: State your name and other personal circumstances.

Maria: I am Maria Castellon, Filipino, single, 31 years old, and residing at Block 123, Pelaez Street, Cebu
City. I am currently working as a public accountant.

Judge: She will ask who will present the witness.

Atty. Sitoy: This is Atty. Sitoy appearing as co-counsel in behalf of the petitioner, Maria Castellon.

Judge: State the purpose of the testimony of the witness.

Atty. Sitoy: The purposes of the presenting herein witness is as follows: first, to establish that petitioner
Maria Castellon is the biological daughter of her mother, Marita S. Castellon; second, to establish that
petitioner Maria Castellon has not been recognized by her biological father, Miguel P. Castillo and since
then has been using the surname of her mother, both in public and private; fourth, to establish that the
surname registered in her certificate of live birth is erroneously entered as Castillo instead of Castellon,
which is inconsistent with her other public records; fifth, to establish the need to change her name
under Rule 103 of the Rules of Court to eliminate the discrepancies in her record; and sixth, to prove
other material allegations as pleaded in her judicial affidavit, as well as to identify the documentary
exhibits attached thereto.
Judge: Proceed.

Direct Examination of Maria Castellon

Atty. Sitoy: Ms. Castellon, do you recall having executed a judicial affidavit in the case entitled IN THE
MATTER OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM MARIA C. CASTILLO TO MARIA CASTELLON,
PETITIONER MARIA CASTELLON V. OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CEBU CITY, MARITA S.
CASTELLON, and MIGUEL P. CASTILLO, docketed as SpecPro Case No. 12345

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: If shown a copy of this judicial affidavit, will you be able to identify it?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: I have here a judicial affidavit consisting of 5 pages of a certain Maria Castellon filed with this
Honorable Court and attached to the records of this case. What is the relation of this judicial affidavit
have to the judicial affidavit you mentioned earlier?

Maria: They are one and the same.

Atty. Sitoy: On page 5 of the judicial affidavit dated 29 th April 2022, there is a signature above the name
Maria Castellon. Ms. Castellon, whose signature is this?

Maria: That is my signature.

Atty. Sitoy: Do you have anything to add in your judicial affidavit, Ms. Castellon?

Maria: No, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Ms. Castellon, do you affirm the truthfulness and veracity of the answers made and as stated
in your judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Do you likewise affirm the truthfulness and veracity of the exhibits attached in your judicial
affidavit and forming as integral parts thereof?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: At this juncture you honor, may we request that the judicial affidavit of Ms. Castellon be
marked as Exhibit F, and the signature of Ms. Castellon in page 5 thereof be marked as Exhibit F-1.

Judge: Marked

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. Ms. Castellon, in your judicial affidavit, do you recall having identified
several documents?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 8 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a document purported to
be your certificate of live birth, is this the document you are referring to in your judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 9 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your certificate of live birth is incorrect, am I correct Ms. Castellon?

Maria: Yes, Atty. I would like to change my name from Maria C. Castillo to Maria Castellon.

Atty. Sitoy: At this juncture your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the
certificate of live birth, thus I respectfully request that the certificate of live birth be marked as Exhibit G,
and that the name Maria C. Castillo be marked as Exhibited G-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit G.

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 12 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a
document purported to be your baptismal certificate, is this the document you are referring to in your
judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 13 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your baptismal certificate is Maria Castellon, is that correct?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the baptismal
certificate, thus I respectfully request that the baptismal certificate be marked as Exhibit H, and that the
name Maria Castellon be marked as Exhibit H-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit H…

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 14 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a
document purported to be your grade school diploma, is this the document you are referring to in your
judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 15 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your grade school diploma is Maria Castellon, is that correct?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the grade school
diploma, thus I respectfully request that the grade school diploma be marked as Exhibit I, and that the
name Maria Castellon be marked as Exhibit I-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit I…

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 14 of your judicial affidavit, you also
identified a document purported to be your high school diploma, is this the document you are referring
to in your judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 15 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your high school diploma is Maria Castellon, is that correct?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the high school
diploma, thus I respectfully request that the high school diploma be marked as Exhibit J, and that the
name Maria Castellon be marked as Exhibit J-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit J.

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 14 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a
document purported to be your college diploma, is this the document you are referring to in your
judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 15 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your college diploma is Maria Castellon, is that correct?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the college diploma,
thus I respectfully request that the college diploma be marked as Exhibit K, and that the name Maria
Castellon be marked as Exhibit K-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit K.

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 16 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a
document purported to be your Professional Regulation Commission Identification Card or PRC License,
is this the document you are referring to in your judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the PRC license, thus
I respectfully request that the PRC license be marked as Exhibit L, and that the name Maria Castellon
appearing therein be marked as Exhibit L-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit L.

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 18 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a
document purported to be your National Bureau of Investigation Clearance or NBI Clearance, is this the
document you are referring to in your judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 19 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your NBI Clearance is Maria Castellon, is that correct?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the NBI Clearance,
thus I respectfully request that the NBI Clearance be marked as Exhibit M, and that the name Maria
Castellon appearing therein be marked as Exhibit M-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit M.

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 21 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a
document purported to be your Police Clearance Certificate, is this the document you are referring to in
your judicial affidavit?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: In answer to question no. 22 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your NBI Clearance is Maria Castellon, is that correct?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Sitoy: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the Police Clearance
Certificate, thus I respectfully request that the Police Clearance Certificate be marked as Exhibit N, and
that the name Maria Castellon appearing therein be marked as Exhibit N-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit N.

Atty. Sitoy: Thank you, your honor. As the judicial affidavit of Ms. Maria Castellon dated 29 th of April
2022 has been authenticated by the witness, and the exhibits attached thereto identified, we pray
before the Honorable Court that the judicial affidavit will constitute as the witness’ direct testimony.

Judge: Okay. Any cross-examination from the Assistant SolGen?

Prosecutor Davide: No more cross examination, your honor.

Atty. Georfo: If this court pleases, I will now present the second witness. May I call to the witness stand
Ms. Marita S. Castellon.

Judge: Ms. Castellon, please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth….?

Marita: Yes, you honor.

Judge: State your name and other personal circumstances.

Marita: I am Maria Castellon, Filipino, single, yea62rs old, and residing at Block 123, Pelaez Street, Cebu
City. I am currently working as an entrepreneur.

Judge: She will ask who will present the witness.

Atty. Georfo: This is Atty. Georfo appearing as counsel in behalf of the petitioner, Maria Castellon.

Judge: State the purpose of the testimony of the witness.

Atty. Georfo: The purposes of the presenting herein witness is as follows: first, to establish that
petitioner Maria Castellon is the biological daughter of her mother, Marita S. Castellon; second, to
establish that petitioner Maria Castellon has not been recognized by her biological father, Miguel P.
Castillo and since then has been using the surname of her mother, both in public and private; fourth, to
establish that Marita S. Castellon and Miguel P. Castillo have never been married; and fifth, to prove
other material allegations as pleaded in her judicial affidavit, as well as to identify the documentary
exhibits attached thereto.

Judge: Proceed.

Direct Examination of Maria Castellon

Atty. Georfo: Ms. Castellon, do you recall having executed a judicial affidavit in the case entitled IN THE
MATTER OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM MARIA C. CASTILLO TO MARIA CASTELLON,
PETITIONER MARIA CASTELLON V. OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CEBU CITY, MARITA S.
CASTELLON, and MIGUEL P. CASTILLO, docketed as SpecPro Case No. 12345

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: If shown a copy of this judicial affidavit, will you be able to identify it?

Maria: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: I have here a judicial affidavit consisting of 5 pages of a certain Marita S. Castellon filed
with this Honorable Court and attached to the records of this case. What is the relation of this judicial
affidavit have to the judicial affidavit you mentioned earlier?

Marita: They are one and the same.

Atty. Georfo: On page 5 of the judicial affidavit dated 29 th April 2022, there is a signature above the
name Marita S. Castellon. Ms. Castellon, whose signature is this?

Marita: That is my signature.

Atty. Georfo: Do you have anything to add in your judicial affidavit, Ms. Castellon?

Marita: No, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: Ms. Castellon, do you affirm the truthfulness and veracity of the answers made and as
stated in your judicial affidavit?

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: Do you likewise affirm the truthfulness and veracity of the exhibits attached in your judicial
affidavit and forming as integral parts thereof?

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: At this juncture you honor, may we request that the judicial affidavit of Ms. Castellon be
marked as Exhibit O, and the signature of Ms. Castellon in page 5 thereof be marked as Exhibit O-1.

Judge: Marked

Atty. Georfo: Thank you, your honor. Ms. Castellon, in your judicial affidavit, do you recall having
identified several documents?

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: In answer to question no. 15 of your judicial affidavit, you identified a document purported
to be your certificate of live birth, is this the document you are referring to in your judicial affidavit?

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: In answer to question no. 16 of your judicial affidavit, you stated that the name reflected in
your certificate of live birth is Marita S. Castellon, is that correct?

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: At this juncture your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified
her certificate of live birth, thus I respectfully request that the certificate of live birth be marked as
Exhibit P, and that the name Marita S. Castellon be marked as Exhibited P-1.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit P.

Atty. Georfo: Thank you, your honor. In answer to question no. 10 of your judicial affidavit, you
identified a document purported to be your Certificate of No Marriage, is this the document you are
referring to in your judicial affidavit?

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: In answer to question no. 11 of your judicial affidavit, you stated you are not married with
petitioner’s biological father, Miguel P. Castellon, is that correct?

Marita: Yes, Atty.

Atty. Georfo: Your honor, I would like to manifest that the witness has duly identified the Certificate of
No Marriage, thus I respectfully request that the baptismal certificate be marked as Exhibit Q.

Judge: Marked as Exhibit Q.

Atty. Georfo: Thank you, your honor. As the judicial affidavit of Ms. Marita S. Castellon dated 29 th of April
2022 has been authenticated by the witness, and the exhibits attached thereto identified, we pray
before the Honorable Court that the judicial affidavit will constitute as the witness’ direct testimony.

Judge: Okay. Any cross-examination from the Assistant SolGen?

Prosecutor Davide: No more cross examination, your honor.

Judge: Comments and comments from other groups.