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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Hello Atty.,
Hihingi po sana ako ng tulong sa inyo. Yung 6 years old ko kasing anak ay nasa byenan ko. Hiwalay na kami ng asawa ko. Ngayon po, ayaw ng byenan ko na ipahiram ang anak ko sa kin. Gusto nya dalaw lang. Tapos nanghihingi pa sya ng pera sa kin para daw sustento. Tapos meron daw akong pinirmahang subpoena na nagsasabing hindi ko makukuha ang anak ko sa kanya. Gusto ko po sanang makuha ang anak ko. Ano po ba ang kailangan kong gawin? Sana po matulungan nyo ko. Salamat po.
I need a lawyer’s prespective on this situation concerning earning the custody of an 8-year old girl to the father. The girl currently lives with her mother in her family household that includes the grandparents and 5 other family members. Recently, a family member (grandma’s brother) also living with them, was caught by the pdea (Philippines drug enforcement agency) and was shot due to his drug dealing transactions and they’ve confiscated some of the holdings. Keeping in mind, that the family members including the child’s mother were familiar with his drug abuse and dealership. I can’t see how an environment like such is safe for a child of her age. Also, there had been problems between both parents on financial aids and it has been witnessed by the girl’s aunt that there was a maltreatment involved. I need a professional opinion on this matter and how thos can work in the favor of the father.
(Relationship to the girl: Second aunt)
Hi Good day Atty!
Gusto ko pong matulungan pinsan ko po c John. He has two daughters ages 7&8 this year. He has lived in partner who went abroad nung maliit pa lang ang mga anak nila. Di po sila kasal kasi hindi po nila gusto ang pinsan ko.
Apelyido ni insan ang dala ng dalawang bata sa birth at kasalukuyang nag aaral sa Elem grades 2&3 po sila.
Ofw po ang ina at umuwi nitong May2017 bago bumalik ng ibang bansa nitong June ay gusto nitong makipaghiwalay kay pinsan at ayaw na nyang magpadala ng sustento. Pero gusto nyang kunin ang dalawang anak. May nabalita ring may bf ang babae sa labas.
Di pumayag si pinsan na ibigay ang mga anak. Lumaki po ito sa kanya at pinag aral ng maayos. Ginampanan ni pinsan ang pagiging ina at ama ng sabay habang sya ay nagtratrabaho.
Nagkaroon sila ng agreement sa Brgy Temp Separation kasi d pa nakukuha ng ina ang mga bata.
At dahil hindi naman interesado ang partner ni pinsan sa kanila at pinipilit na makipaghiwalay gusto ni.pinsan na maging permanent na lang ang hiwalay nila pero sa kanya pa rin ang mga anak nila.
Ngayon po kasalukuyang nasa ibang bansa na ulit ang ina ng mga bata. At ganun pa rin gaya ng dati nasa kay pinsan ang mga bata. Pero di na nagpapadala ng kahit magkano ang ina nito. Maging ang pamilya ng babae.At araw2× pong sinisiraan ng pamilya at kaibigan ng babae itong aking c John po sa school.
Kahit kailan wLa pong bisyo ang pinsan ko c John, wLa rin pong ibang babae.
Tanong ko poAtty.
Dahil hindi na maganda ang paninira ng pamilya ng babae pwede po bang kasohan namin cla ng Slander?o kaya’y ano po bang best legal action po namin pra tigilan nila c John po.?
2.Ang custody po sa mga bata malakas po ba ang laban ni pinsan dahil siya ang nagpalaki ng mga bata at may trabaho naman sya at responsable naman po at 7&8 yrs old naman po ang mga bata edad kung kailan may boses na sila sa korte na pumili kanino sa mama o papa sila sasama?
3. Kung mag asawa po ang babae sa ibang lalaki may karapatan pa po ba sya sa mga anak na ayaw sumama sa kanya?
4. Ang pamilya po ng babae na gustong kunin ang mga bata ano po ba ang dpat naming gawin?
5. Kung maliban sa paninira kung sa huli po ay physical nila harasin o kaya’y eskandalohin c John ano po ba ang legal na aksyon po.?
Yung paninira po sa kanya through facebook pwede po bang kasuhan?
Nawa po matulungan nyo po kami sa pamamagitan ng mga legal advice nyo po.May God bless po! Thanks!
Shu
Hello po, gusto ko po sama malaman ako ang pwede ko gawin sa sitwasyon ko. Ang ama po ng taty ko may girlfriend na po at gusto ya may visitation rights sha sa mga anako (turning 4 eldest and 2 ang youngest) . Ang sabi ng ex ko eh gusto nya may regular na araw na makasama nya ang mga anak namin pero ayaw ko po sana kasi ang mga bata po nag wawala pag uuwi na sa amin wala gusto lapitan at ayaw ako paalisin para mag trabaho. nahihirapan ako in term of going to work everyday kada makikita makakasama nila tatay nila. ano po ba maganda gawin kapag ganito?
Hi po ! Pa advice naman po
Isa po akong student i was 17 year old nung nabuntis po ako at yung lalaking nakabuntis po sakin ay student din po at same age lang po kami. Nung 1 month palang po akong buntis sinabi ko kaagad sa kanya pero dninied nya po na d sa kanya yung batamng dinadala ko. sinabi nya na ipalaglag ko yung bata pero d ko po pinalaglag. Ilang months po akong nagtiis kahit wala sya kahit na nasasalubong nya ko sa daan parang d nya lang ako nakikita. Tapos nung malapit na po akomh manganak nalaman nilang kambal yung dinadala ko ( boy and Girl ) simula po nung malaman nila na kambal yung magiging anak ko dun na po sila nag papakita sakin, nung nanganak po ako andun dun sila yung ama ng babies ko at parents nya . Nanganak ako ng kambal pero yung isa my deperensya( IMPERFORATE ANUS ). Dinala nila yung bata sa manila para i paopera after 6 days sumunod ako. Tumutulong naman po sila, d naman po sila pabaya pag dating sa mga bata . After pong naoperahan ang baby boy umuwi po kami ng probinsya. Di pumayag yung lola ng babies na dalhin ko yung isang bata sa bahay gusto nya hatiin namin yung kambal. Bilang ina naman po ayaw kong malayo sa dalawa kong anak kaya tiniis ko na po muna at hinayaan ko nalang po ang hilaw kong BYENAN. Umuwi ako ng bahay na dala yung isa ko lang na anak na my sakit kasi d pweding ihiwalay saken kasi kilangan nya ang gatas ko. After po ng ilang days pumunta po kami ng Odiongan kong saan malayu ito sa present home namin. Pinagpatuloy ko yung pag aaral ko kahit my anak na ako, dala ko yung baby boy ko at naiwan sa kanila yung baby girl. Pinagkatiwala ko muna sa kanila kasi sabi nill sayang naman daw kong hihinto ako ng pag aral ko. So yun nga po every hour umuuwi ako para sa baby boy ko taz balik agad ng school pag katapos syang e breast feed. Umuuwi kami sa present home namin minsan para bisitahin yung baby girl ko . Pero 1 time po pumunta ako sa bahay nila para kunin yung baby girl ko after ng ilang months na d ko sya nakikita gusto ko din syang makasama, PERO hindi ako pinayagan ng hilaw kong byenan na dalhin sa bahay yung baby ko. mag ka iba kasi kami ng barranggay at medyo malayo . The other day po hinatid nila sa bahay yung baby ko , bali 1 night lang natulog sa bahay ko yung baby giirl . kinaumagahan pumunta sila sa bahay para sunduin yung baby ko . Hindi ako pumayag kasi d pa nawala yung pag ka miss ko sa baby girl ko at gusto kong magkasama kaming tatlo. NAG away po kami ng byenan konhg hilaw patinang ama ng kambal ko. Pinilit nila kunin sakin yung baby kahit ayaw ko hanggang sa naiiyak na ko dahil gusto ko pa talaga makasama yung anak ko . pero wala akong nagawa nakuha nila sakin yung baby ko at tumakas . hinabol ko sila pero d ko na naabot kasi mabilis ang pag patakbo ng motor ng ex ko. After 2 days pumunta ako sa kanila para hiramin yung baby ko uli. HInarap ako ng papa ng ex ko na ama ng anak ko . Pinuntahan ko yung baby ko sa duyan pero maya maya kinuha to ng yaya nya at dinala sa kwarto kong saan dun yung Hilaw BYENAN nilock nila yung pinto at d ko nanaman nakuha yung anak ko at ang sabi nila nag pa gawa daw sila ng papel sa ABOGADO d ko alam kong ano yung ginawa nila , para in case daw na kunin ko yung baby may pang laban sila .
ATTORNEY, ano po ba yung tama kong gawin. Sila ba yung may mas rights kasi parents ng ex ko yung nag sussupport sa babies. Sa kanila na din ngayon yung dalawang babies ko kasi nag aaral ako, pag kaalis ko sa amin si mama yung nag babantay ng isang baby pero ngayun pina uwi nila si mama ayaw na nilang i paalaga kay mama kasi daw pabaya pero d naman totoo dami ng sinacrifice si mama para sa kambal. Yong problema po is parang ayaw ng ibigay ng HILAW kong BYENAN ang mga anak ko at parang nag aaACT sya na sya yung nanay. mas gusto nya yung nasusunod.
Paano po ba to? kong sakali po na ayaw nilang ibigay sakin yung babies pag ka GRADUATE ko ngayong march 2018 ano po yung dapat kong gawin MAY LBAN PO BA AKO? kasi po baka palbasin nila na inaBANDON ko ang kambal at inuna ang pag aaral kaysa alagaan ang babies. Nag aral po ako kahit mahirap mapalayo sa kanila para din po sa FUTURE Naming tatlo . Never po kaming nag sama ng tatay nila at wala pong balak ang tatay nila na aSAwahin ako. Ang dami nyang babae at ex ko na po sya since nalaman niyang buntis ako at ngayon pinagyayabang niya saken na sila ang may mas karapatan dahil sila ang GUMASTOS.
MAY karapatan po ba ako? Gusto ko po ipaglaban ang mga anak ko sa LOLA nila ! Help po kahit advice lang. Sorry kong mahaba yung kwento ko .
Good afternoon po Atty.
Pwede po ba magfile ng kaso ng kidnapping sa father po ng bata? Halimbawa po nasa custody po ng nanay yung bata kasi po minor pa and may visiting right po yung father since gamit ng bata yung surname nung father pero Hindi naman po kasal ang parents nung bata then kinuha nung father yung bata na wala yung mother sa Bahay and that time nasa work yung mother at ang nasa bahay lang po ee yung yaya at yung bata. Kinuha yung bata sa Bahay hinalughog yung buong Bahay tangay po ang birth certificate and passport po ng bata. Kasi po paguwi nung mother nung bata magulo ang Bahay wala yung bata at yaya.. Pwede po ba makasuhan ng kidnapping po yung father.?
Ask ko lang po.. Salamat po god bless po..
ask ko lng po..di ba tungkulin ng isang ina n alagaan nya ang anak nya khit gnu n kahirap ang schedule nya…ang bata po ay 6 na taon gulang at ang biyenan ko po ang nagaalaga s probinsya nila…nais ko sna n ipauwi dito at kmi ang magasikaso s bata subalit ayaw nya
Dear Atty,
Good morning po!
I am separated (not legally) from my husband for over 10 yrs already. I am an OFW in the UAE and he is with his mother taking care of their family business in the province. We separated in 2007 when our only son was 2 yrs. old. Since then, the kid had been with me and my parents until I decided to work abroad in 2013. For two years I was abroad, my husband was just borrowing my son from my parents because he also tried twice to work abroad but failed until 2015, when he decided to get my son and bring to their province. At first I was hysterical and I didnt want the kid to be with him. But later on I realized, he has full authority on the kid since I am away. I also thought it would be better that the child is with because my parents are getting old and might not have enough energy to take care of my kid.
For two years, I just call and I get him from the province to spend time with me during my annual vacations. But this year, my employer already advised me that I cant have vacation this coming December because of our ongoing projects in the company. I proposed to my husband if I can get the kid and bring in the UAE for vacation. He refused. He is paranoid that I might not send our kid back to the Philippines. I didnt argue anymore.
But I want to know if I have any right to take the kid with me even for a vacation only. Any document that I need? My husband told me that he is holding a document that I cant take and bring my kid abroad without his consent.
I heard from a friend’s story that when her husband (they are married and still together) was having a vacation in the Philippines and took their kid to go to UAE for a vacation, the immigration asked for the mother’s consent letter. And was further told that if he had been the mother, they would not be asking for any consent anymore.
Can I get any document that I can show to my husband and eventually at the airport saying I am allowed to take my kid with me on a vacation?
Please help!
Sincerely,
Len
Good Morning po Atty, Possible po ba na makuha ng kaibigan kong lalaki ang mga anak nya sa asawa nya na planong magpakasal sa isang Japanesse khit d po sila annul? Inalala po nya kc ung mga bata kung dadalhin nya sa Japan? May kakayahan nman po akong buhayin mga anak namin. Please po I need an answer. Thank you
Hello po atty. good day po.. Hingi po sna ako ng advise sa inyo regarding po sa custody ng pamangkin ko.. Yung hipag ko po at hindi kasal sa tatay ng anak nya.. No show na po c lalaki since birth. Tapos po nagkaproblema pa po sa birthcert nung bata. My pirma po ng mother ung birthcert kahit po hinde ung hipag ko ang nag sign. Tapos po ung hipag ko ay nada jordan na ngayon. Ung bata po ay nsa custody ng isa ko pang hipag. Kaso po my hindi cla pagkakaintindihan.. Ang gusto po mangyari nung hipag ko na nanay nung bata ipacustody nya ung bata sa kaibigan nya. Ayaw nmn po pumayag nung byenan ko. Wala n dw po karapatan ung nanay sa bata kc dw po simula nung pinanganak ung bata ung byenan ko na po ang napalaki.. Ano po kayang magandang gawin dun sa bata? San po b sya dapat tlg ihabilin since wala po ang nanay nya?