July 02, 2025
T O : All Clearing Banks/Institutions
R E : CLARIFICATIONS ON STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF THE NON-ACCEPTANCE OF CHECKS
WITH INVALID DATE FORMAT AND UNNECESSARY SPECIAL CHARACTERS/SYMBOLS IN
THE AMOUNT IN FIGURES
1. We wish to reiterate that following the second moratorium issued on June 3, 2024 (MC No.
3814) and the subsequent reminder on proper check writing (MC No. 3821 dated July 2,
2024), the implementation date of July 1, 2025 (August 1, 2025 for Manager’s/Cashier’s
Checks), remains firm. Despite prior guidance and public dissemination, we continue to
receive numerous inquiries.
2. To address recurring concerns, we emphasize the following clarifications:
2.1 Date of Issue
• Must follow MM-DD-YYYY format or acceptable variants: M-DD-YYYY, MM-D-YYYY.
• Examples for July 2, 2025:
- 07-02-2025, 7-02-2025, 07-2-2025
• Checks remain acceptable even if the date is printed above, below, or outside the boxes, with or without dashes.
Example:
2.2 Amount in Figures
• Must be in standard number format: commas to separate thousands, a period before centavos (e.g., 10,500.35).
- No symbols, underlines, or additional markings before or after the number.
- Acceptable: 10,000.00
- Not acceptable: ₱10,000.00, 10,000--, ***10,000.35***, 10,000.00/100
- If the amount is printed slightly outside the designated box, the check remains acceptable. Example:
2.3 Amount in Words and Payee
• No restrictions.
- Traditional writing styles, including the use of ampersands (&), dashes (-), or the word “only”
are acceptable.
- Centavos may be written as numbers or fractions (e.g., 35/100) without affecting check
acceptability.
2.4 Post Dated Checks
· PDCs warehoused before July 1, 2025, remain acceptable for clearing on due date, provided
they bear the “Warehoused” stamp on the dorsal side.
2.5 Other Reminders
· The policy applies to Checks presented for deposit/clearing.
· Checks not acceptable due to formatting issues may still be presented directly to the Drawee
Bank for payment or encashment by the payee or issuer.
3. Please be guided accordingly.