One of the most common questions in child custody disputes is: Who gets custody of a young child? Under Philippine law, this is often answered through the Tender Age Doctrine, a long-standing legal principle designed to protect the best interests of young children.

This article explains what the Tender Age Doctrine is, when it applies, and when courts may depart from it, based on the Family Code and Supreme Court rulings.

A Barangay Protection Order (BPO) is one of the fastest legal remedies available in the Philippines for women and children who are victims of violence. It is designed to provide immediate, short-term protection at the barangay level while longer-term remedies before the courts are being pursued.

Understanding what a Barangay Protection Order is, how it works, and what happens if it is violated is important for both victims seeking protection and respondents who are subject to one.

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.