In Philippine law, the obligation to provide support is a matter of "public mandate," governed primarily by the Family Code of the Philippines. While the ideal method of proving compliance is through a paper trail—bank deposit slips, acknowledgment receipts, or mobile wallet logs—situations often arise where a parent has provided support in cash or in kind without documenting the exchange.

Under the Rules of Court and established jurisprudence, the lack of a receipt is not an absolute bar to proving payment, but it significantly increases the "burden of proof" on the paying parent.

1. The Burden of Proof

In legal proceedings, the burden of proof generally lies with the party who alleges a fact. However, in the context of obligations (like support), the rule is:

The Claimant (Recipient): Must prove that the obligation to support exists (e.g., through a Birth Certificate or a Court Order).
The Payor (Obligor): Once the obligation is established, the payor has the burden to prove that they have actually fulfilled the obligation. If you claim you paid, you must prove you paid.

2. Admissible Evidence Beyond Receipts

When digital or physical receipts are unavailable, the court may consider "secondary evidence" or "parol evidence" (oral testimony) under the Revised Rules on Evidence.

A. Testimonial Evidence (Witnesses)

If a third party witnessed the hand-over of cash or the delivery of goods (groceries, school supplies, etc.), their testimony can be used.

Neutral Third Parties: Testimony from a teacher, a common friend, or a relative who saw the exchange is given more weight than the self-serving testimony of the payor.
Affidavits of Desistance: If the recipient previously signed a document or made a statement acknowledging they are "fully supported," this can serve as evidence of past payments.

B. Evidence of "In-Kind" Support

Support is not limited to cash. Under Article 194 of the Family Code, support comprises everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education, and transportation.

School Records: If the payor is the one listed on tuition enrollment forms or school service contracts, this serves as circumstantial evidence of support.
Medical Records: Hospital bills or HMO dependency records showing the child is covered under the payor’s plan.
Photographic Evidence: While not definitive of a specific amount, photos of the parent providing specific items (e.g., a new computer, a bicycle, or bulk groceries) can corroborate claims of support in kind.

C. Admissions by the Recipient

Under the Rules of Court, a "judicial admission" (a statement made by the recipient during a hearing or in a pleading) that they received money is the strongest form of proof. Even an "extrajudicial admission" (e.g., a text message or a social media comment where the recipient mentions using the "money you gave last week") can be used as evidence, provided the authenticity of the message is established.

3. Legal Presumptions and "Laches"

If a recipient waits several years before claiming "back support" despite the payor being present and involved, the payor may argue Laches (unreasonable delay in asserting a right). While the right to support itself cannot be waived or renounced (Article 203, Family Code), the court may look skeptically at a claim that zero support was provided over many years if the parties were in constant contact and no demand was made.

4. The "Check and Balance" of the Court

Philippine courts operate on the principle of the "Best Interest of the Child." * If the payor cannot prove payment, the court may order them to pay the arrears (unpaid balance).

However, if the payor can prove they were the one physically providing for the child (e.g., the child lived with them for a period), the law recognizes this as support "by keeping the child in the family home" (Article 204), which offsets the need for cash receipts during that specific period.

5. Risks of Non-Documentation

The Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act and various jurisprudence emphasize that support is a priority. In the absence of receipts:

Credibility Contest: The case becomes a "he-said, she-said" scenario. Courts generally lean toward the protection of the child's welfare.
Article 201 (Proportionality): The court will look at the means of the giver and the needs of the recipient. If the payor has a high income but no proof of payment, the court is likely to impose a strict payment schedule moving forward.
Criminal Liability: Under R.A. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act), the "willful" or "intentional" withholding of financial support is considered economic abuse. Without receipts, a payor faces a higher risk of being charged under this law.

Summary Table: Alternative Proofs

Type of Proof	Legal Basis	Weight in Court
Witness Testimony	Rules of Court (Rule 130)	Moderate (depends on witness credibility)
In-Kind Provision	Family Code (Art. 194)	High (for specific expenses)
School/Medical Docs	Circumstantial Evidence	High (proves specific needs were met)
Text/Chat Logs	Electronic Evidence Rules	Moderate to High (if authenticated)
Physical Custody	Family Code (Art. 204)	Very High (for the duration of stay)