“The [IC] affirms your position that the insured who secures a life insurance policy on his or her own life may designate any individual as beneficiary,” the regulator said in the opinion that was addressed to Professor Leo Battad, chief of the gender law programme.

Battad sought the opinion of the regulator regarding the right of an insured person to designate their beneficiary, referring particularly to LGBT individuals nominating their domestic partners to receive their life insurance benefits.

The Department of Justice also concurred with the IC’s opinion, the report said.

According to Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa, there are several exceptions on who a person can nominate as an insurance beneficiary. However, these have nothing to do with gender and instead seek to prevent criminal acts such as bribery or fraud.

Funa also told Philstar that LGBT individuals can use the legal opinion if an insurance agent refuses to allow them to nominate their partner.