ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090

ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

LOVE ME T̶E̶N̶D̶E̶R̶L̶Y̶ BRUTALLY

A LECTURE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

History
PRE-COLONIAL
Filipino women were enjoying equal status with men. They are respected for their human rights
and heard for their maternal wisdom; and enjoyed high social esteem and leadership. There were even
woman rulers.

SPANISH PERIOD
The social being of women was invested with new meanings, new dimensions; these were
imposed on them, and their social consciousness. Image of the Filipino woman then became tied to the
house whose only duty was to take care of the husband and the children.

Cycles of violence
Violence against women has been associated with a systematic pattern of abusive behavior called
the ‘cycle of violence’.
.
PHASE 1: TENSION BUILDS
It begins with seemingly normal relations between the victim and the abuser, but involves
escalating tension marked by verbal, and/or emotional abuse. The victim becomes fearful and feels like
they are “walking on egg shells”, in an effort to hopefully avoid anything that may cause tensions to
increase further.

PHASE 2: THE INCIDENT

The abuser resorts to physical violence as a release for all the tension build up during Phase 1.
For many abusers, this violent release often becomes additive, causing them to be unable or unwilling to
deal with their anger in any other way.

PHASE 3: HONEYMOON
The abuser feels remorse, and may apologize, promising the violence to never happen again.
They try to justify their reactions to themselves and to others, denying that the abuse ever took place, or
claiming as it was not as bad as the victim claims, or even blaming the victim for causing the violence to
occur in the first place.

Moreover, the abuser becomes loving, apologetic and attentive, promising to change and acts like
the abuse never happened. The victim has mixed feelings and all too often, reconciles with the abuser,
wanting to believe that it is really over and the abuse will never happen again. Before long, the tensions
start building and the cycle starts anew.

Violence Against Women (VAW) continues to be a major social and public health issue affecting
thousands of women not only in the Philippines but in the whole world. It is often associated with unequal
power relations between men and women which are greatly influenced by the patriarchal and masculine
culture of society.

#LexBolatis5ever Page 1
 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090
ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

RA 9262 is “ANTI-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ACT OF 2004”.

RE: RULES ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN

A.M. No. 04-10-11-SC; October 19, 2004

Applicability. This Rule shall apply to petitions for protection orders in cases of violence against women
and their children under R.A 9262 otherwise known as the “Anti Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act of 2004” (Sec. 1)
*The Rules of Court shall apply suppletorily.

Construction. The Rule shall be liberally construed to promote its objectives pursuant to the principles of
restorative justice (Sec. 2).

Violence against women and their children. Any act or a series of acts committed by any person
against a woman with who is his wife, former wife, or a woman with whom the person has or had a dating
or sexual relationship, or with whom he has a common child, if against her child whether legitimate
abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or
economic abuse including threats of such act, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbiter deprivation
of liberty (Sec. 4[a]).

Children. Persons below eighteen (18) years of age or older but are unable to fully take care of
themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental
disability or condition It includes the biological children of the offended party and other children under
her care (Sec.4[b]).

Battery. Act of inflicting physical harm upon the woman or her child resulting in physical and
psychological or emotional distress (Sec.4[c]).

Sexual violence. Act which is sexual in nature committed against a woman or her child. (Sec.4[f]).

Psychological violence. Acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the
offended party such as intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or
humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity (Sec.4[g]).

Economic abuse. Acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent (Sec. 4[h]).

Stalking. Intentional act of knowingly and without lawful justification, following the woman or her child
or placing the woman or her child under surveillance directly or indirectly or through a combination
thereof (Sec. 4[i]).

#LexBolatis5ever Page 2
 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090
ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

Protection order. Order issued by the court to prevent further acts of violence against women and their
children, their family or household members, and to grant other necessary relief. Its purpose is to
safeguard the offended parties from further harm, minimize any disruption in their daily life and facilitate
the opportunity and ability to regain control of their life (Sec. 4[o]).

Barangay protection order (BPO). Protection order issued by the Punong Barangay, or In his absence
the Barangay Kagawad ordering the perpetrator to desist from committing acts of violence against the
family or household members particularly women and their children under Sections 5a of RA. 9262
(Sec.4[p]).

Temporary protection order (TPO) refers to the protection rder issued by the court on the filing of the
application and after ex parte determination of its need. It may also be issued in the course of a hearing,
motu proprio or upon motion (Sec. 4[q]).

Permanent protection order (PPO) refers to the protection order issued by the court after notice and
hearing (Sec. 4[r]).

Acts of Violence against Women and their Children under RA. 9262. Violence against women and
their children is committed through any of the following acts:
1.Causing, threatening or attempting to cause physical harm to the woman or her child;
2. Placing the woman or her child in fear of imminent physical harm;
3. Attempting to compel or compelling the woman or her child to engage in conduct which the woman or
her child has the right to desist from or to desist from conduct which the woman or her child has the right
to engage in, or attempting to restrict or restricting the woman’s or her child’s freedom of movement or
conduct by force or threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical on other harm, or
intimidation directed against the woman or her child (Sec.5).

Prohibited Acts: This shall include but is not limited to, the following acts committed with the purpose
or effect of controlling or restricting the movement or conduct of the woman or her child:
1.Threatening to deprived or actually depriving the woman or her child of custody or access to her/his
family;
2.Depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her children of financial support legally due her or
her family, or deliberately providing the woman’s children insufficient financial support;
3. Depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her child of a legal right;
4. Preventing the woman from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity
except in cases where spouse or partner on valid, serious and moral grounds, or controlling the victim’s
own money or property or solely controlling the conjugal or common money or property;
5. Inflicting or threatening physical harm on oneself for the purpose of controlling her actions or
decisions;
6. Causing or attempting to cause the woman or her child to engage in any sexual activity which does not
constitute rape, by force or threat of force, physical harm, or through intimidation directed against the
woman or her child or her/his immediate family; and
7. Engaging in purposeful, knowing, or reckless conduct, personally or through another, that alarms or
causes substantial emotional or psychological distress to the woman or her child. This shall include, but is
not limited to, the following acts:
a. Stalking or following the woman or her child in public or private places;
b. Peering in the window or lingering outside the residence of the woman or her child;
c. Entering or remaining in the dwelling or on the property of the woman or her child against
her/his will;
d. Destroying the property and personal belongings or inflicting harm to animals or pets of the
woman or child; and

#LexBolatis5ever Page 3
 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090
ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

e. Engaging in any form of harassment or violence; or

f. Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her
child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of
financial support or custody of a minor child or denial of access to the woman’s child. (Sec.
5).

Remedies of offended party. The offended party may file a separate petition for protection order without
claiming damages. The offended party may also pursue other remedies in accordance with Part II of this
Rule by the filing of any of the following:
a. Criminal action;
b. Criminal action with reservation of a separate civil action; or
c.Civil action for damages. (Sec. 6)

PETITION FOR PROTECTION ORDER

Form of petition. A petition for protection order shall be in writing, signed and verified by the petitioner.
It shall be accompanied by a certificate of non-forum shopping which the petitioner must sign personally.
(SEC. 7)

Who may file petition. A petition for protection order may be filed by any of the following:
1. The offended party;
2. Parents or guardians of the offended party;
3. Ascendants, descendants or collateral relatives of the offended party within the fourth civil degree
of consanguinity or affinity;
4. Officers or social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or
social workers of local government units (LGUs);
5. Police officers, preferably those in charge of women and children’s desks;
6. Punong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad;
7. Lawyer, counselor, therapist or healthcare provider of the petitioner; or
8. At least two concerned, responsible citizens of the place where the violence against women and
their children occurred and who have personal knowledge of the offense committed.

Contents of the petition. The petition filed by the offended party shall contain the following:
1. The name, age and residence of the offended party;
2. The name, age and residence of the respondent;
3. A description of the relationship between the offended party and the respondent;
4. A complete description of the alleged act constituting violence including the date, time and place
of occurrence;
5. A request for counsel and the reasons for such;
6. A request for waiver of application fees;
7. The relief from violence prayed for, including protection orders to cover any designated family or
household member who consents to such relief.

Ex parte issuance of Temporary Protection Order (TPO)

1. If the court is satisfied from the verified allegations of the petition that there is reasonable ground
to believe that an imminent danger of violence against women and their children exists or is about
to recur, the court may issue ex parte a temporary protection order which shall be effective for
thirty days from service on the party or person sought to be enjoined.

#LexBolatis5ever Page 4
 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090
ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

2. The temporary protection order shall include notice of the date of the preliminary conference and
hearing on the merits. The following statements must be printed in bold-faced type or in capital
letters on the protection order issued by the court; and
3. The court shall likewise order the immediate issuance of a notice requiring the respondent to file
an opposition within five days from service. It shall further order service of (1) the notices to file
opposition and of dates of the preliminary conference and hearing, (2) the protection order, and
(3) copy of the petition, upon the respondent by the court sheriff, or any person authorized by the
court, who may obtain the assistance of law enforcement officers (Sec. 15).

Prohibited pleadings and motions. The following pleadings, motions or petitions shall not be allowed:
1. Motion to dismiss the petition except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter
or over the parties;
2. Motion for extension of time to file opposition, affidavit, position paper and other pleadings;
3. Dilatory motion for postponement;
4. Motion for a bill of particulars;
5. Third-party complaint;
6. Reply;
7. Motion to declare the respondent in default;
8. Intervention;
9. Memorandum;
10. Petition for certiorari, mandamus or prohibition against any interlocutory order issued by the
court;
11. Motion for new trial, or for reconsideration of a protection order, or for reopening of trial; and
12. Petition for relief from judgment (Sec. 22)

PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE
When conducted. A preliminary conference, which is mandatory, shall be held on the date indicated in
the notice (Sec. 23).

Service of Notice. The notice shall be served the parties, including the offended party, who shall be
required to notify their respective counsels, if any. The parties shall appear in person at the preliminary
conference and submit their position papers setting forth the law and the facts relied upon by them (Id).

Nature and purpose: The court shall consider:

1. The propriety of issuing a protection order. The court shall not deny the issuance of a protection
order due to the lapse of time between the act of violence and the filing of the petition, subject to
Section 24, R.A. No. 9262. The issuance of a barangay protection order or the pendency of an
application for a barangay protection order shall not preclude a petitioner from applying for, or
the court from granting, a protection order;
2. The simplification of the issues; and
3. Such other matters as may aid in the prompt disposition of the petition.
*The court shall NOT refer the case or any issue thereof to a mediator.

Prohibited compromise. The court shall not allow compromise on any act constituting the crime of
violence against women and their children and other prohibited matters, such as the following:
1. The civil status of persons;
2. The validity of a marriage, declaration of nullity or annulment of a marriage or of a legal
separation;

#LexBolatis5ever Page 5
 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090
ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

3. Any ground for declaration of nullity or annulment of a marriage or of legal separation;

4. Future support;
5. The jurisdiction of courts; and
6. Future legitime.

Protection order issued after preliminary conference. Within five (5) days after the termination of the
preliminary conference, the court may issue a protection order, based on the pleadings and stipulations or
admissions made by the parties (Sec. 24).

Order for further hearing. In case the court determines the need for further hearing, it may issue an
order containing the following:
1. Facts undisputed and admitted;
2. Factual and legal issues to be resolved;
3. Evidence, including objects and documents that have been marked and will be presented;
4. Names of witnesses who will be ordered to present their direct testimonies in the form of
affidavits; and
5. Schedule of the presentation of evidence by both parties which shall be done in one day, to the
extent possible, within the Thirty (30) day period of the effectivity of the temporary protection
order issued (Sec. 25).

HEARING
Period to hear petition. The court shall, to the extent possible, endeavor to conduct in one day the
hearing en the merits for the issuance of a permanent protection order. Where the court is unable to finish
the hearing within one day and the temporary protection order issued is due to expire, it may extend or
renew the temporary protection order for a period of thirty days each time until final judgment is
rendered. The court may modify the extended or renewed temporary protection order as may be necessary
to meet the needs of the parties (Sec. 26).

Evidence of history of abusive conduct. The court may allow the introduction of any evidence of history
of abusive conduct of a respondent even if the same was not directed against the victim, provided the
same is relevant (Id).

Exclusion of persons from courtroom. The court may order the exclusion from the courtroom of all
persons who do not have a direct interest in the case. Such an order may be made if the court determines
on the record that requiring a party to testify in open court:
1. would not enhance the ascertainment of truth;
2. would cause the party psychological harm or inability to effectively communicate due to
embarrassment, fear or timidity;
3. would violate the right of a party to privacy; or
4. would be offensive to decency or public morals (Sec. 26).

Prohibited acts. The court hearing a petition for a protection order shall not order, direct, force or in any
way unduly influence the applicant for a protection order to compromise or abandon any of the reliefs
sought in the petition for protection under the law and this Rule. Failure to comply with this section shall
render the judge administratively liable (Sec. 27).

Period to decide. The court shall decide the petition within thirty days after termination of the hearing on
the merits.

#LexBolatis5ever Page 6
 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090
ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

Where no hearing has been conducted, the court shall decide the petition within ten days after the
termination of the preliminary conference (Sec. 29).

Judgment. If the court finds the petition meritorious, it shall render judgment granting the offended party
permanent protection against acts of violence and such other necessary reliefs provided in Section 11 of
this Rule. The court shall not deny the issuance of a permanent protection order due to the lapse of time
between the act of violence and the filing of the petition, subject to Section 24, R.A. No. 9262. The
judgment shall be immediately executory (Sec. 30).

Appeal. Any aggrieved party may appeal by filing a notice of appeal with the court that rendered the final
order or judgment within fifteen days from notice and serving a copy thereof upon the adverse party. The
appeal shall not stay the enforcement of the final order or judgment (Sec. 32).

APPLICATION FOR PROTECTION ORDER AS AN INCIDENT IN A CRIMINAL OR CIVIL

ACTION AND OTHER REMEDIES
Applicability to applications for protection orders filed as incidents in civil or criminal cases. The
foregoing provisions shall also apply to applications for protection orders filed as incidents in criminal or
civil actions (Sec. 32).

When petition may proceed separately from or be deemed instituted with criminal action. An
offended party may file a petition for protection order ahead of a criminal action arising from the same
act. The same shall proceed separately from the criminal action and shall require only a preponderance of
evidence. Upon motion of the petitioner, the court may consolidate the petition with the criminal action.
*Where the offended party chooses to file a criminal action, the petition for protection order is deemed
instituted with the criminal action, unless the offended party reserves the right to institute it separately
(Sec. 33).

When petition may proceed separately from or be deemed instituted with the civil action for
damages: An offended party may file a petition for protection order ahead of a civil action for damages
arising from the same act. The same shall proceed separately from the civil action and shall require only a
preponderance of evidence. Upon motion of the petitioner, the court may consolidate the petition with the
civil action.
Where the offended party chooses to file a civil action for damages, the petition for protection
order is deemed instituted with the civil action (Sec. 34).

COMMON PROVISIONS

Reproduction of evidence. An order granting the issuance of a permanent protection order is without
prejudice to a trial on the merits of the criminal or civil action involving violence against women and their
children. (Sec. 38).

Jurisdiction and venue for criminal actions or civil actions. The Family Court shall have original and
exclusive jurisdiction over cases of violence against women and their children regardless of the amount of
damages claimed. The action may also be filed with the appropriate regional trial courts in places where
there are no Family Courts, at the option of the offended party (Sec. 39).

#LexBolatis5ever Page 7
 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAW 090
ATTY. EUVILLE T. COQUIA

Privacy and confidentiality of proceedings. Records of the cases shall be treated with utmost
confidentiality. Whoever publishes or causes to be published, in any format, the name, address, telephone
number, school, business address, employer or other identifying information of the parties or an
immediate family or household member, without their consent or without authority of the court, shall be
liable for contempt of court and shall suffer the penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine of not more
than Five Hundred Thousand (P500,000.00) Pesos (Sec. 40).

BARANGAY PROTECTION ORDER

Venue. Applications for barangay protection orders shall observe the rules on venue.

Where to file complaint for violation of a barangay protection order. A complaint for violation of a
barangay protection order may be filed with any metropolitan trial court, municipal trial court in cities,
municipal trial court or municipal circuit trial court that has territorial jurisdiction over the barangay
which issued the said protection order (Sec. 42).

Procedure. The following are the procedure for filling an action under Violence against women and
Children Act:
1. The complaint shall be accompanied by affidavits and other evidence proving the alleged violation;
2. Upon receipt of the complaint, the court shall issue an order requiring the accused to submit within
five days his counter-affidavit, the affidavits of his witnesses and other evidence in his behalf;
3. If the court, upon a consideration of the complaint, the counter-affidavits of the accused and other
evidence submitted by the parties, finds no cause or ground to hold the accused for trial, it shall
order the dismissal of the case; otherwise, it shall set the case for arraignment and trial;
4. Violation of a barangay protection order shall be punishable by imprisonment of thirty days without
prejudice to any other criminal or civil action that the offended party may file for any of the acts
committed; and
5. A judgment of violation of a barangay protection order may be appealed to the regional trial court
whose decision shall be final. An appeal from a judgment of violation of a barangay protection
order shall not stay the enforcement of a protection order that might have been issued by the trial
court during the trial.

Issuance of protection order when warranted; contempt of court for violation. During trial or upon
judgment, the trial court may motu proprio issue a protection order when warranted. Violation of any
protection order issued under this Section shall constitute contempt of court punishable under Rule 71
of the Rules of Court, without prejudice to any other criminal or civil action that the offended party may
file for any of the acts committed (Sec. 44).

Apostol. Romero .Siapno. Verzosa. Zafra.

#LexBolatis5ever Page 8