In the continuation of CIA with BA Hong Kong Special episode, an intriguing question from an OFW named Cristina was raised in the segment called ‘Tanong ng Pilipino.’

She shared, “‘Yung isa kong kaibigan, tinawagan ng stepdaughter niya na nasa Pilipinas. Bilang pasasalamat daw sa kanya dahil siya ang nagpalaki dito, gagawin daw siyang life insurance beneficiary nito. Pwede po ba ‘yon? (A friend of mine, his stepdaughter, who is in the Philippines, called him. He said that as a thank you to him for raising her, he would make her his life insurance beneficiary. Is that possible?)'

According to Atty. Mark Demova, “The answer is yes. Under our Insurance Code, malaya ang isang tao na may insurance policy o ‘yung insured person to designate kung sino ‘yung gusto niyang beneficiary. Hindi required na kamag-anak o blood relative. (Under our Insurance Code, a person with an insurance policy or the insured person is free to designate who he or she wants as the beneficiary. It is not required to be a blood relative.)'

However, he clarified that there are specific circumstances where a person cannot be named beneficiary.

“Meron lang specific circumstances na hindi mo pwedeng maging beneficiary, katulad halimbawa na kabit,” he added. “As a matter of public policy, syempre hindi natin dapat i-encourage ‘yung mga ganon klase ng relasyon. (There are only specific circumstances where you cannot be a beneficiary, like a mistress. As a matter of public policy, of course, we should not encourage that kind of relationship.)

In the middle of the discussion, host Boy Abunda shared that this was the first time he learned about this and took the opportunity to ask, “Pero pwede bang gawing beneficiary ang alagang aso? (But can a pet dog be made a beneficiary?)

According to Atty. Matt Cesa, “I think hindi pa ganon ka-advanced ‘yung laws natin. I’ve heard it sa U.S. although sa kanila kasi, liberal talaga sa laws nila. They treat their pets as a legal personality. (I think our laws are not that advanced yet. I’ve heard it in the U.S., although in theirs, they are really liberal in their laws.)

Atty. Demova added, “Dalawa lang ang personalidad sa laws natin — natural persons, tayong mga tao, at juridical persons — mga korporasyon. (There are only two personalities in our laws — natural persons, we the people, and juridical persons — corporations.)

Overall, the episode once again highlighted the importance of a person’s freedom to choose whom they want to value and recognize — even if they are not related by blood. For many OFWs, this question carries deep personal significance, especially in cases where care and nurturing form the foundation of the relationship rather than blood ties.

Hosted by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tito Boy, CIA with BA continues the advocacy of the late Senator Rene Cayetano. The program airs every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. on GMA7, with replays every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on GTV.