Custody of children is one of the most intense aspects in family litigation. A custody battle could be an independent case or a mere incident in an annulment/separation case. Some basic matters pertaining to child custody under Philippine laws are discussed below.
In custody disputes, what is the paramount criterion?
The paramount criterion in custody disputes is the welfare and well-being of the child, or the best interest of the child. The court, in arriving at its decision as to whom custody of the minor should be given, must take into account the respective resources and social and moral situations of the contending parents. Nevertheless, this primordial rule can override the rights of one or both parents over their children.
What is the general rule as to custody over children?
The general rule is that a child under seven years of age shall not be separated from his mother, which is based on the basic need of a child for his mother’s loving care. Article 213 of the Family Code provides that “[n]o child under seven years of age shall be separated from the mother, unless the court finds compelling reasons to order otherwise.” This is more pronounced in case of illegitimate children, as the law expressly provides that illegitimate children shall be under the parental authority of their mother.
Is this rule absolute?
This rule is not absolute. Even a mother may be deprived of the custody of her child who is below seven years of age for “compelling reasons.” Instances of unsuitability are neglect, abandonment, unemployment and immorality, habitual drunkenness, drug addiction, maltreatment of the child, insanity, and affliction with a communicable illness. Negligent and careless failure to perform the duties of parenthood is a significant element of abandonment, regardless of actual intention. A strong basis for a finding of the parent’s abandonment of his or her child is found in the case where the parent has left the child permanently or indefinitely in the care of others, given it to another, or surrendered it entirely.
I left my child with a relative, even signing a document to such effect. Am I barred from taking back my child?
Parental authority and responsibility are inalienable and may not be transferred or renounced except in cases authorized by law. The right attached to parental authority, being purely personal, the law allows a waiver of parental authority only in cases of adoption, guardianship and surrender to a children’s home or an orphan institution. When a parent entrusts the custody of a minor to another, such as a friend or godfather, even in a document, what is given is merely temporary custody and it does not constitute a renunciation of parental authority. Even if a definite renunciation is manifest, the law still disallows the same.
Is the court bound by such preference of a child below 7 years of age?
While such choice is given respect, the court is not bound by that choice. The court may exercise its discretion by disregarding the child’s preference should the parent chosen be found to be unfit, in which instance, custody may be given to the other parent, or even to a third person. Decisions on custody of children are always open to adjustment as the circumstances may warrant.
[See also Child Custody of the Father and Mother, Visitation Rights in the Philippines]
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Good Day. I want to ask lang po sa case ko and my mother. Sa Birth Certificate po parents ko po nakapangalan as parents ng bunso ko pero my mga evidence po ako na ako po yung lumuwal sa bunso ko, like billing sa hospital and mga ultra sound check up ko. May laban po ba ako na sakin po mapunta ang bunsong anak ko? Kasi sabi po ng parents ko wala daw po akong laban. 4 years old na po yung bunso ko, ayaw ko na po kasi magkahiwalay yung bunso at panganay ko, Im a single mother but i have my leave in partner who is willing to support me. Stable din po ang work ko today. Hope matulungan niyo po ako. Thank You.
HI my name is Mr Jodie from new Zealand. I have a son age 18mths with my x live in partner . I do believe she has by pola . She has taken our son along with most of the house items . She comes from a very poor family – that when I was staying there her mother took and sold items of mine . Since we moved to a house i am renting for the last month she never has settle .2 times now she has taken our son .saying I have no rights and can’t do anything about it . I have videos of her going crazy and stabbing me with a knife. I come from a very good family in new Zealand. I can care .feed .schooling .make his life very happy . The lawys in the Philippines are strange but seems to work for the Philippine people . I just worried about his food and nappys .and the place where she has him . I message her nicely asking if I can drop food and nappys a care package. She saying she not need my help .that I can’t every see my son . How is this more fun in the Philippines. Pls help me God bless everyone that reads this .
good day atty,
ako po si liezl na taga bohol,may kalive-in po ako almost 5years ago, may anak kami 1 tapos may anak sya nung una 2,,ngayun po ang problema ko po yung tatay ng anak ko tinatakot ako na hindi na sya magsusustento sa akin if ibulgar ko daw yung katotohanan sa pamilya nya,,ngayun po anu bang dapat kung gawin para legal yung sustento niya kada buwan sa anak ko para hindi na gugulo ang lahat,,siya po isang engineer may kaya sa buhay pamilya at ako walang trabaho kasi walang magbabantay sa anak ko,,ang pagpakilala niya po sa akin 2008 pa da w hiwalay siya sa asawa niya tapos noong 2011 nagkakilala kami…please po tulungan niyo po ako kng anu dapat gawin at proseso po at magkanu po magagastu,,,salamat
hi good day atty.
Gusto ko lang po humingi ng advice..regarding po sa pagkuha ng custody ng 12 yrs old k na anak na babae, yun bata po kasi eh nsa pangangalaga ng father nya 6 years already Hiwalay kmi ng father nya almost 9 yrs na reason bakit ako pumayag na iwan sa X husband ko ang anak ko kasi po ng abroad ako hiningi ng ama nya na kng pwede sya muna mgalaga pumayag po ako but ngayon po na tapos na nya ang elementary hinihiling ko po sna na sa akin nman sa poder ko mgstay at mgaral ang bata ng high school ayaw pumayag ng father kasi daw wala ako dahil nsa abroad ako ngtatrabho ang gusto ko lang po sana makasma yun anak ko at tumira sya sa bhay nmin kasama mg mga kapatid ko at pamilya…anu po ba dapat ko gawin?
I have a 4 months old son and my ex gf and I were never married. Both of us earn more than the basic salary. She said that she will not strip me off of custodial rights for the kid but I’m just concerned that she will take the kid away from me once she gets into another rel. ( she is already blatantly showing me that she is finding another guy to replace me as the father) what are my rights in this situation if:
1.) She gets married with someone else and wants sole custody of the kid, and stripping me of any paternal rights?
2.) She gets pregnant with someone else but they are also unmarried but planning to give legal rights to the other guy for both children
3.) She takes away the kid from us regardless if she is into another rel. Or not and files a TRO against me but asks for money even though she can also provide for the kid?
I just want some form of custodial rights for the kid if ever she asks for financial support. Ayoko lang maechapwera sa buhay ng anak ko at magbayad ng needs nya pero iba kinikilalang legal father nya. Salamat po in adv.
Good afternoon attorney…
Hingi po sana ako ng advice sayo po wla na akung malapitan ofw po kc ako nadto singapore nagwork as DH..ito po yung case..hindi kmi kasal ng partner ko,may anak kmi isa whch s 7 yrs.yrs.old now,ito nangyar,wla po syang work simula nung nanganak ako maybe he work for ahwile like less 1 yr.tapos wla nang work,gumagamit sya ng shabu 6yrs.maybe tumigil lng xa less a year kc now nkapasok ng work sa republic cement bago lang wla pang isang buwan,palagi kming nag aaway minsn ng wlang dhilan hanggang nwalan na ako ng gana kc gnyan sya wlang work,drug addict,tamad,temper minsan..hanggang nakita ako ng mas sa knya minahal ko kc dun ko nkita lahat sa knya hanggang nalaman nya dun na magsimula ang lahat ang away…hanggang umuwi ng hiwalayan tapos ngaun sasabihin nya wla akung karapatan sa anak ko kc may iba na akung bf simula sapol aku ng pagkain sa knya 7yrs.wla syang work at addict..the question s tinaggalan nya ako ng karapatan sa anak ko kahit kausapin ko di pwde,hindi ko na dw makakasama f uwi ako ng pinas,lahat bawal na,kahit supporta ko sa anak ko ayaw nyang tanggapin na..love na love ko anak ko attorney wlang ina na tatalikuran ang anak..ano po gagawin ko attorney…
Hi , im seeking an advise ln po for my niece. Both her parents were alive kaso yun daddy nya nambabae which results into separation nila ng ate ko.. They were separated for more than 2 years and now hiniram nila un bata pra mgbakasyon pero ayaw na nila pabalikin. As per lola nun bata ndi sya papayag n ndi mpunta sknya ang bata. They were fighting for their rights pero un daddy nun bata adopted ln so technically no blood related un bata sa lola n gusto magkron ng rights s bata. 14 years old n un bata and since cla un nkasama nun bata as she grows up nun ok p parents nya dun nya gusto. Please advise anu pde nmin gawin kasi that family has a poor/bad background especially sa pagiging kunsintidor nila kya un kpatid ng daddy ng bata grows up being a mistress of everyone which is ayaw nmin kagisnan ng bata. And now ndi p nila binabalik yun bata which is pinagpaalam ln nila ng vacation for 1 week
Thank you in advance sa advise po
I am only a US citizen – my wife and two sons are dual. Married almost seven years. Boys are 4 and 8. oldest boy was wifes before our marriage was adopted by me in US prior to him and wife becoming US citizens and then reaquiring filipino. youngest boy born in US to wife prior to her being US citizen wife and I married in Philippines. She as no job and only had 7 month job in US. She has house loan, I paying for, and after buying 9 hectares and planting them she suddenly wants me gone – Lied about age to father of first boy, and got pregnant at 15, then lied to hospital and told them she was 19 when boy born. Told another man in facebook chat she did not love me and wanted his ring on her finger, three months after we married -I forgave her. was all lovey dovey till we moved to philippines then forover six months she would take off onweekends and leave me with oldest boy – he in TKD. sometime also leave youngest with me. When I told her that was just too much she told me she no longer wanted sex but would do wifely duty sometimes. Then bought farm land and said we done now. Should I seek divorce in US or annulment in Philippines? I want me and boys to stay in Philippines and been proud of heritage here because they can always go to US later, besides I honestly believe they get better education here in private schools
Good day! I would like to seek legal help regarding the case of my boyfriend. He has a 6 year old son who is turning seven year old this December. The mother wants to take the child with her. But she has no work. The child does’nt want to go with his mother since he experienced traumatic incidents before when he was with his mother. What can we do so that we cant give the child to her. Thank you very much
Magandang araw po sa inyo,
Ako po ay isang ama na nakatira sa Brgy. Krus na Ligas QC, nais ko lamang po dumulog sa inyong tanggapan patungkol sa kustodiya ng aking anak.
Ako po ay hindi kasal sa aking kinakasama at mayroon kaming isang anak na babae na nasa 2 taon gulang na nasa akin po nakaapelyido. Nais ko po sana na humiwalay sa aking kinakasama na kasama ko ang aking anak, dahil po sa kanyang masmang bisyo na paggamit ng droga. Sa ilang taon po naming pagsasama ay marami na pong beses na sya ay aking nahulihan ng mga gamit nya sa pagddroga at dahil sa aking mahabang pasensya ay makailang ulit ko din sya sinabihan at pinagbigyan sa pag-asang darating ang araw at sya ay magbabago at magpupursigi na lamang na maging mabuting ina sa aming anak. Ang kanya pong bisyo ay hindi na lingid sa kaalaman sa aming lugar, maging ang kanyang ina ay alam ang kanyang masamang gawain na ito. Dalawang taon na po ang aming anak, dalawang taon na dn ako na umaasa sa kanyang pagbabago, pero paulit ulit na lamang po ang nangyayari at hindi pa din nya tinitigil ang kanyang bisyo. Ako po ay nangangamba sa kinabukasan ng aming anak, ako lamang po ang may trabaho sa amin lagi ko po iniisip kung paano mkakaipon para sa kinabukasan ng aking anak kung hindi nya tinitigil ang kanyang masamang bisyo, madalas ako ay nawawalan ng pera sa bahay sa sarili naming kwarto at iyon nga po sya nyang ginagamit pang bisyo na sana ay magagastos para sa aming pangaraw araw at para sa bata. Kung sa usapang moral po ay kahit ang kanyang ina ay magsasabi na hindi sya mabuting anak at ina ng kanyang mga anak, dahil san kanyang mainiting ulo at mga pagmumura nito maging sa kanyang ina, marahil dahil na din sa epekto ng masamang bisyo sa kanya. Marami ang nagsasabi na akin na lamang po itakas ang aking anak, pero ako po ay nangangamba dahil alam ko na labag ito sa batas, kaya nman po sa inyo na kinauukulan ako po ay dumudulog ng tulong o payo sa kung ano po ba ang aking dapat gawin para mapunta sa akin ang aming anak ng naaayon sa legal at tamang proseso. Maraming salamat po sa inyong panahon.