Hi Paul. Like you I live in the UK and my understanding of the application process at the time indicated to me that it would be necessary for BOTH of us to be present when the application was made. Because part of the process involved us BOTH signing a form in front of a witness (embassy official) swearing that we were the real parents of our daughter and that my then girlfriend had no objections to her being registered as a UK citizen. So what I am saying is that we applied in Manila, in person, together. In an earlier post you said that you went to the Fil often. So hopefully this should not be a problem to you.
In fact even though it was not necessary we also took our daughter with us. I just thought that it would help our application if they could see her! Just a suggestion but you should consider taking your daughter with you also because maybe then they will be less inclined to give you a hard time (such as DNA test etc) if they are able to see all three of you in front of them.
I have recently been to the new Embassy in Manila to get my CNI and it is much improved from the old one. That was like Fort Knox to get into especially if you had a bag or mobile with you! But the new one is much better. Just present your photo ID and you can leave your bag and mobile etc inside a secure locker before you enter.
