Below is an extensive discussion of how Philippine law governs the naming of a child born without a legally recognized father, including background, relevant statutes, and practical considerations. This overview focuses on Philippine law and administrative regulations as they pertain to a child whose father is either absent, unknown, or has not acknowledged paternity.

1. Legal Framework and Terminology

1.1 Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209, as amended)

Article 165 defines an illegitimate child as one “conceived and born outside a valid marriage.”
Article 176 (as amended by R.A. 9255) provides the general rules concerning the surname of an illegitimate child and how it may be changed if paternity is recognized.

1.2 Republic Act No. 9255

Also known as “An Act Allowing Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of Their Father,” it amended Article 176 of the Family Code.
It provides procedures and conditions under which an illegitimate child may use the father’s surname, specifically requiring proof of paternity (e.g., affidavit of acknowledgment/admission of paternity).

1.3 Civil Registration Laws and Regulations

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) issue administrative rules on the registration of births and the issuance of birth certificates.
For a child born to an unwed mother or where the father is unknown or has not acknowledged paternity, the child’s birth certificate typically reflects only the mother’s personal details, with the father’s name left blank (or indicated as “unknown” or “not stated”).
Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2012 (and other relevant Civil Registrar issuances) guide the local civil registrars on how to record births, correct entries, and manage subsequent legitimations or recognitions.

2. Naming Convention for a Child Without a Legally Recognized Father

2.1 General Rule: Use of Mother’s Surname

No Father’s Name on the Birth Certificate
If the child’s father is unknown or has not acknowledged paternity, the father’s name will not appear on the birth certificate.
Surname of the Child
In such instances, the child is registered using the mother’s surname as the child’s surname.
Middle Name Considerations
Under Philippine naming traditions, a child’s middle name is typically the mother’s maiden surname if the child is legitimate. However, for illegitimate children who do not have a recognized father, there is no father’s surname to serve as a basis for a middle name. In practice, many civil registrars do not include a middle name for children born without a recognized father, but policies can differ among local civil registrar offices.

2.2 Birth Certificate Entry

Line for Father’s Name: Left blank or indicated as “Unknown” if there is truly no information on the father or no acknowledgment.
Mother’s Details: The mother’s name, age, and other required details are fully recorded.
Result: The child’s legal name, as reflected on the birth certificate, consists of the chosen first name/s and the mother’s surname as the last name.

2.3 “Illegitimate” Status

A child born without a recognized father is deemed an illegitimate child under Philippine law.
The mother exercises sole parental authority over the child unless or until there is a voluntary recognition or subsequent legitimation procedure (e.g., if the biological parents eventually marry and comply with legal requirements).

3. Recognition and Subsequent Use of Father’s Surname

Even if a child is initially registered without a father, there are legal avenues for the father to recognize the child later:

3.1 Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity

Affidavit of Acknowledgment/Admission of Paternity
The father may execute a notarized affidavit acknowledging that he is the child’s father. This document is submitted to the Local Civil Registrar.
Amendment of Birth Certificate
Upon acknowledgment, the birth certificate may be annotated to indicate paternity. In compliance with R.A. 9255, the illegitimate child may then use the father’s surname if both parents agree, or if the child (if of age) consents.

3.2 Court Action for Compulsory Recognition (If Disputed)

If the putative father refuses to acknowledge paternity or disputes it, the mother (or the child, upon reaching the age of majority) may file a court petition to compel recognition.
Once a final court judgment establishes paternity, the birth certificate may be corrected accordingly.

3.3 Requirements for Changing the Child’s Surname

The father’s formal acknowledgment or a court order is needed.
Administrative corrections in the birth certificate follow the procedures set by the PSA (e.g., R.A. 9048 and other rules on changes to civil registry documents).

4. Practical Considerations

4.1 Absence of Middle Name

Since Philippine naming customs typically involve a middle name (the mother’s maiden surname) only for legitimate children (or children with both parents recognized), an illegitimate child might not have a middle name listed.
Practices may vary, and certain local civil registrars might follow different conventions, but generally, an illegitimate child recognized only by the mother carries only the mother’s surname with no middle name.

4.2 Social and Administrative Implications

School Registration
Most schools will require a copy of the child’s birth certificate, which will show that no father is registered if that was the case at birth.
Passport, Government IDs
The child’s full legal name (which may lack a middle name or father’s surname) should be consistently used in these documents to avoid complications.

4.3 Future Changes to the Birth Record

If the father becomes willing to recognize the child, the birth certificate can be updated in accordance with R.A. 9255 and relevant PSA guidelines. This includes having the father’s surname reflected and adding an annotation about recognition.
If the parents subsequently marry and undertake the process of legitimation (where applicable), the child’s status can change from illegitimate to legitimate, and the surname may likewise be altered.

5. Summary of Key Points

Default Rule: A child born without a father’s acknowledgment or where the father is unknown is considered an “illegitimate child” under Philippine law.
Mother’s Surname: The child, in the absence of paternal recognition, carries the mother’s surname.
Father’s Name Blank on Birth Certificate: If there is no acknowledged father, the father’s details do not appear on the birth certificate.
No Middle Name: Commonly, no middle name is listed for an illegitimate child on the civil registry record.
Later Recognition: The father can later acknowledge the child, enabling the child to use the father’s surname and possibly add a middle name (the mother’s surname), subject to existing rules.
Court Compulsion: If a father denies paternity and the mother/child seeks legal establishment of paternity, a court order is required to compel recognition.
Legitimation by Subsequent Marriage: If the parents marry after the child’s birth and comply with legal requirements, the child’s status may be changed to legitimate, possibly affecting the child’s name and middle name usage.

6. Conclusion

In the Philippines, a child born without a recognized father—whether the father is unknown or unwilling to acknowledge paternity—is by default registered under the mother’s surname alone and is considered illegitimate. The civil registry will not list the father’s information unless paternity is established via an affidavit of acknowledgment or by court order. Subsequent recognition of paternity can alter the child’s surname usage and legal status through administrative and judicial processes.

It is always advisable for parents or guardians seeking clarity or pursuing paternity recognition to consult with a lawyer or approach the Local Civil Registrar. This ensures that any change to a child’s birth record follows the proper legal protocols and administrative procedures set by Philippine law.