PHP amounts in words: examples
Monthly condo rent with centavos
PHP 15,750.25
Fifteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos And Twenty Five Centavos Only
Open this amount in the converter →A car down payment
PHP 1,200,000.00
One Million Two Hundred Thousand Pesos Only
Open this amount in the converter →Philippine checks print “Pesos” on the words line. Many people write centavos as a fraction, for example “Fifteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty and 25/100 Only”; spelling them out as the converter does states the same amount.
The date: MM-DD-YYYY, numbers only
Under the new check design, the date of issue must be numeric in month-day-year order. A later PCHC advisory, effective 1 July 2025 according to bank notices, specifies pure numbers in MM-DD-YYYY with a dash as the only separator: 11-02-2026, not “Nov. 2, 2026”, “2/11/2026” or “11/02/26”. Spelled-out or wrongly ordered dates are returned.
Step by step: a peso check
- Date: MM-DD-YYYY in the date boxes, as above.
- Pay to the order of: the payee’s full name or registered business name.
- Pesos (words): start at the left, write centavos as words or “and 25/100”, end with “Only” and line through the gap.
- ₱ box (figures): two decimals, e.g. 15,750.25.
- Signature: as on your bank’s signature card.
- Crossing: two lines at the top left, optionally “For Payee’s Account Only”, so it must be deposited to the payee’s account.
Old checkbooks and post-dated checks
Since 1 May 2024, checks in the old design are not accepted for deposit or encashment. The only exception PCHC allowed was for post-dated checks that the payee’s bank had already accepted and stamped “Warehoused” before that date. If you still have an old checkbook, order a new one.
Post-dated checks are common for rent, car loans and instalments. Each one has to be funded on its date, because that is when the payee will deposit it.
Validity and BP 22
Banks treat a check as stale after six months, which many apply as 180 days from the check date. Some government checks have a shorter validity of three months.
Issuing a check that bounces can be a crime under Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, the Bouncing Checks Law, separate from any civil claim for the debt. The Supreme Court has described six months as the reasonable period to present a check to the bank.
Frequently asked questions
How should I write the date on a check in the Philippines?
Numbers only, in MM-DD-YYYY order with dashes, for example 11-02-2026. PCHC returns checks with spelled-out or wrongly formatted dates.
How long is a check valid in the Philippines?
Generally 180 days, or about six months, from the date written on it. After that it is stale and the bank can refuse it.
Can I still use my old checkbook?
No. Old-design checks have not been accepted since 1 May 2024. Ask your bank for a checkbook in the new PCHC format.
How do I write centavos on a check?
Either spell them out (“and Twenty Five Centavos Only”) or use a fraction (“and 25/100 Only”), and write ₱15,750.25 in the box.
Sources
Rules change, and banks can apply stricter practices than the law requires. Check with your bank before relying on a detail for a large or time-sensitive payment. This guide is general information, not legal advice.