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Republic Act
Approved December 13, 1989

Republic Act No. 6809

An act lowering the age of majority from twenty-one to eighteen years, amending for the purpose [executive order numbered two hundred nine], and for other purposes

AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM TWENTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN YEARS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE [EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBERED TWO HUNDRED NINE], AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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In plain language

The act amends the Family Code to lower the age of majority from 21 to 18, amends Article 234, repeals Articles 235 and 237, amends Article 236, and protects wills and other instruments for minors.

  • Lower age of majority to 18 years
  • Amend Article 234 of the Family Code
  • Repeal Articles 235 and 237
  • Amend Article 236 to clarify emancipation and parental consent up to 21
  • Protect wills, bequests, donations, grants, insurance policies, and similar instruments for minors from retroactive effect
  • Effectivity upon publication in at least two newspapers
Family Code
Age of Majority
Philippines
Republic Act
Legal Reform

Eighth Congress

Republic Act No. 6809 December 13, 1989

AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM TWENTY-ONE TO EIGHTEEN YEARS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE [EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBERED TWO HUNDRED NINE](../../../executive/execord/eo1987/eo_209_1987.html), AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1

Article 234 of Executive Order No. 209, the Family Code of the Philippines, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Art. 234. Emancipation takes place by the attainment of majority. Unless otherwise provided, majority commences at the age of eighteen years.

Section 2

Articles 235 and 237 of the same Code are hereby repealed.

Section 3

Article 236 of the same Code is also hereby amended to read as follows:

Art. 236. Emancipation shall terminate parental authority over the person and property of the child who shall then be qualified and responsible for all acts of civil life, save the exceptions established by existing laws in special cases. "Contracting marriage shall require parental consent until the age of twenty-one. "Nothing in this Code shall be construed to derogate from the duty or responsibility of parents and guardians for children and wards below twenty-one years of age mentioned in the second and third paragraphs of Article 2180 of the Civil Code.

Section 4

Upon the effectivity of this Act, existing wills, bequests, donations, grants, insurance policies and similar instruments containing references and provisions favorable to minors will not retroact to their prejudice.

Section 5

This Act shall take effect upon completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: December 13, 1989

For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.