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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Hi Atty,
I have problem with my brother in law the husband of my sister just passed away 5 months ago. Since my sister died his behavior was changed alot. My sister 3 siblings lived with him but the reason I am here to your blog is because my brother in law won’t let us see the kids. And even if he always passing by my parents house , he never think to stopped by just to say HI. So we dont know what is going on.
Can we get my sister siblings and stay with us even the father still alive? I don’t know how to process step by step. Also they married twices at the civil and church.. or just ignore him and just wait if he brings the kids at my parents house.
Please give us an advice??
Thank you
Van,
Hi Van, no legal advice is dispensed in this forum. By way of general information, however, I think the article is clear on the general rule and the possible exceptions. Whether there are enough facts to justify the removal of custody is a matter that should be discussed with your lawyer. In our experience, we usually suggest a dialogue among the parties concerned because any legal move is sometimes counter-productive, and should be taken only as a last resort. It’s all about the best interest of the children.
I am considering starting a relationship with a Filipina who has a 2-year-old child. I would be fine with supporting a child, but would not want to legally adopt, because I would not want to be “on the hook” for many years of child support for a child that isn’t even mine, if she decided to divorce me later. I’ve been searching for info but can’t seem to find any for this specifically. Should I say, in so many words, “Sorry, I can’t even start this, because of the risk to me financially.” Or are my fears unfounded? Thanks for your help.
Good day ! Atty. Do we have a right to claim a custody to my Sister’s daughter’s custody even if she is 10 months? Because this case for my sister is her ex-husband wanted to claim the child Kahit po 10 months palang ang niece ko may karapatan po bang Kunin ng ex-husband ng sister ko ang Anak niya? Kasi po gagawa po ng kalokohan ang ex-husband ng sister ko para lang po makuha niya ang bata.. Ano po ba ang dapat gawin ng kapatid ko. I am waiting for your advice. Thank you.
Hello poh.. asl lng pos sa custody nang anak ko single poh ako 26 yrs old I have 4 yrs old son.. Wala poh akong work gusto nang tatay nang anak ko kunin nya kasi daw sya yung my trabaho ako poh wala.. parents and sibling sumusuporta sakin finance sa anak ko.. nag aaral yung anak ko d nya po sinisuntentohan yung anak namin kung na sakin custody nang bata. Ang gusto nya Lang dun lng sa kanila.. panu po yan my right din ba sya kunin sakin kahit 4yrs palang?
Hi po atty.
May anak po ako turning 4 na po sya sa may, simula po nong ipinagbuntis ko sya hanggang sa naipanganak ko sya walang support galing sa tatay nya, kaya ginawa ko iniwan ko po sya sa tatay nya para maalagaan sya at para maka pag trabaho po ako . Ngayon gusto ko na po syang kunin sa tatay nya ngayon nalaman ko po na wala sa kanila Yong anak ko pinaalagaan nya po sa ibang tao.. ask ko po paano po namin makukuha Yong bata, binantaan po ako na hindi ko daw makukuha Yong anak ko sa kanila..
Hi Attorney,
Ako po isang OFW 8yrs na may anak ako naiwan sa pinas from 2010 pag alis ko hinde ako nagkulang sa responsibilidad ko, hinde naman kami kasal ng nanay na anak ko 2013 naghiwalay kami kasi nagkaron na sya ng ibang pamilya alam ko wala ako habol dun kasi hinde naman kami kasal pero kahit na ganun ang ngyari yung suporta ko sa anak ko patuloy parin at yung bata ay iniwan sa lola nya ng ilang taon nanay narin nya nagpalaki sa anak ko, 9yrs old na yung bata ang gusto ko sana mangyari ay pag sakali na makabuo na ako ng sariling pamilya ay makuha ko ang custody ng bata since lagpas narin sa year period below 7,? at kung sakali man hinde pumabor sa akin ang batas sana mgkaron ng takda kung magkano talaga ang dapat ko i suporta sa bata. SALAMAT po
hello po. May anak ko po sa dati ko kinakasama at binigay ko po lahat ng suportang financial na kaya ko sa bata kahit alam kong hindi malaki. kagagaling ko lng po ng ibang bansa ngunit di po ako nakaipon dahil di naging maayos sweldohan namin sa company na napasukan ko. tinulungan po ako ng girlfriend ko na magbukas ng maliit na tindahan sa bahay. Ngayon po… nagdedemand na ang nanay ng anak ko ng pera. willing naman po ako magbigay ng kakayanin ko. dalawang buwan palang po tindahan ko. nagkasundo kami sa baranggay na magbigay ako P500 kada linggo at saakin ang bata tuwing weekend pero ihahatid ko linggo ng gabi. Kahapon, sinabi ko sa nanay ng anak ko na lunes ng umaga ko nalang cya ihatid bago kasi alas dose ng tanghali pa pasok ng bata para makumpleto ko rin pang allowance nya. ayaw pumayag ng nanay at sinasabing di na ako tumutupad sa usapan.Ang sinasabi ko lng naman lunes ng umaga ko ihatid para kahit ipangutang ko na yun kulang sa 500. kaya sabi ko… “sige doblehin ko nalang sa susunod na linggo ang ibibigay ko. kasi nakasulat din sa kasunduan yun na pag di ko kaya ngayon, dobke sa susunod” ngayon ang gusto nya… magpunta ulit kami sa baranggay para palitan kasunduan. di na daw nya kukunin 500pesos kada linggo pero wag ko na din daw kukunin anak ko. di ko po pinababayaan ang bata pag nandito. Ano po ang gagawin ko. Ano po ba ang karapatan ko sa bata? at ano pwede gawin sa sitwasyon?SANA MATULUNGAN NYO PO AKO AGAD. Igagapang ko po pambayad ng abugado kung paabutin nila sa ganun. sainyo po ako lalapit. Pwede po tayo mag usap through email kung mas makalilinaw po. whatever works po. I BADLY NEED A HELP! thank you!
Good afternoon po attorney ako po Maribel gsto ko lang po humingi ng advice kung pano po ang gagawin ko may anak po ako 4 yrs old at kasalukuyang NASA parents ko po sya ngayun dhil naiwan ko po sya sa manila ng 2 yrs po dhil ndin po sa pkiusap ng parents ko na iwan ko muna yung bata sa kanila dhil nagkaroon po ako ng pangalawang Asawa at anak dto sa laguna ,nagkataon po na namatay ang anak ko sa pangalawang Asawa ko po tanggap naman po nya ang unang anak ko at gusto nmin sana makuha ang anak ko sa pamilya ko…may paraan po b na mkuha ko ang anak ko sa parents ko kahit na sila young nagtustos ng pangangailangan ng bata sa loob ng dalawang taon.salamat po
Hello, tanong lang Po ako, kung pwede ba ma dala ang apelyedo ko sa magiging anak namin ng live in partner ko kahit di kami kasal at di aq makaka uwi sa pag anak nya? nasa malayo kasi aq nandito aq sa abroad.. Please help me… Thank you…
Good day Atty. may 4 na anak po ako..2 sa unang asawa(kasal) at 2 sa pangalawa (hindi kasal)..4 na taon n po kme nagsasama ng pangalawa ko kasama ang 2 ko anak sa una..hanggang sa nagkasakit ang isa kong anak sa una meron po syang (MDD) Major depressive disorder pero ayon nman po s kanyang doktor ay hindi nman po sya mananakit ng iba dahil sarili nya po ang gusto nya lng saktan..ngunit ayaw na po kme pabalikin sa bahay ng pangalawa ko at magulang nya at ayaw na rin po nila ibigay ang dalawa ko pang anak dahil ayaw nila ipasama sa anak kong maysakit at baka daw saktan..ano po ang laban ko para makuha ko ang mga anak ko sa pangalawa edad po nila ay 3 at 4yrs old.maraming salamat po.