A woman sought help from the program ‘CIA with BA’ to ask for ‘Payo ni Kuya Alan’ regarding what she should do about having two birth certificates.

Keiko shared that from childhood up until she started working, she had always used her mother’s surname.

Before the pandemic, she attempted to get a PSA-authenticated birth certificate, but the one issued by the agency reflected her father’s surname.

Keiko made various efforts and spoke to several people, but they all told her that the issue had to be resolved by the court.

“Gusto ko pong ma-retain ‘yung [apelyido ng nanay ko] hindi lang po dahil ‘yun na ‘yung nakasanayan ko, kundi gusto ko rin po ito ilaban para sa kanya dahil eversince po talaga, siya ang nagtaguyod sa akin, nagpa-aral, lahat lahat. (I want to retain [my mother's last name] not only because that's what I'm used to, but I also want to fight for it for her because ever since, she's the one who supported me, educated me, everything)," she said.

According to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the good news is that there is a legal remedy for her situation.

“There is a simple legal remedy,” he explained, though he clarified that since it involves filing in court, it may take some time and will incur costs.

“But of course, we're here not just to give you legal advice but to assist. Hahanap tayo ng partners natin na pwedeng mag-draft at tumulong mag-file. (We will find partners who can draft and help file)," he assured.

He further elaborated, “Until a few years or a decade ago, marami tayo talagang mga kababayan na walang birth certificate. May effort talaga na ayusin ‘yung birth certificate ng bawat isa. (Many of our countrymen did not have birth certificates. There was an effort to fix everyone's birth certificate.)"

“Ang nangyari in your case, if I'm not mistaken, is that meron kang original birth certificate. Pero may nag-advise siguro na mag-file ka ng late registration, so pangalawa ito. (What happened in your case, if I'm not mistaken, is that you have an original birth certificate. But someone probably advised you to file a late registration, so this is second)," he said.

Senator Cayetano also explained that a memo was later released stating that all second birth certificates must be canceled if the first was not annulled.

“Sa ’yo, ang solution is to file the case for the change of name. When you change your name, you have to have a good reason, and your reason is a good reason, walang magda-doubt no’n, so it’s a matter of time and getting it done,” he concluded.

Impressed by her clarity and intent, Senator Alan also praised Keiko’s desire to honor her mother.

“Kung lahat ganyang mag-explain, sorry pero hindi na natin kailangan ng Mariteam sa segment. (If everyone explains like that, I'm sorry but we don't need Mariteam in the segment anymore)," he jokingly added.

Along with award-winning TV host Boy Abunda, Alan leads ‘CIA with BA’ to continue the advocacy of his late dad, Sen. 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.