Affidavit of Desistance—a term often encountered in Philippine legal proceedings—can play a significant role in both criminal and administrative cases. Whether you're a complainant reconsidering your stance or an accused seeking clarity, it's essential to understand what this document truly means and how the courts interpret it.

In the Philippines, marriage isn’t just a celebration of love—it’s a legal commitment that comes with specific requirements. One of the most crucial of these is the marriage license.

Many couples go through a religious or symbolic ceremony thinking they’re already legally married. But under the law, missing even one legal requirement—especially the marriage license—can mean the marriage is not valid at all.

Under Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, victims of abuse are granted legal protection through various types of protection orders. These orders are essential in preventing further acts of violence and ensuring the safety of women and their children. This article outlines the types of protection orders available under RA 9262, the penalties for violating them, and how they are enforced through indirect contempt proceedings, without prejudice to the filing of other criminal or civil cases.

At present, the law provides two main remedies for troubled marriages: annulment and legal separation. Both remedies recognize serious marital problems but address them in different ways.

There is also a proposed law — the Absolute Divorce Bill — which, if passed, will introduce divorce as an additional option. However, as of now, divorce is not yet legal in the Philippines.