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Violence against women and their children "

1. any act or a series of act s commi tt ed b y any perso n 2. aga in s t a wom an who is his

a . wife,b . former wife,

c . or aga ins t a wom an wi t h whom t he perso n ha s or h a d a sexu al or d at ing re lat ion ship, orwi th whom he h a s a commo n chi ld,

3 . or aga in s t her chi ld whe t her le g it im at e or i lle g it im at e,4 . wi thi n or wi t hou t t he f a mi ly a bode,

5 . whi ch resu lt in or is like ly t o resu lt in a . ph ysi cal ,b. sexu al ,c . ps yc ho log ical h a rm or sufferi ng ,d. or e con omi c a buse

6 . incl udi ng thre at s of su ch act s, b att er y , a ss a u lt , coer c ion , h a ra ssme nt or a rbi t ra ry depriv at ion of liber ty . I t incl udes, bu t is n o t limi ted t o, t he fo llowi ng act s:

A . " P hysical Violence " refers to act s t h at incl ude bodi ly or ph ysi cal h a rm;

B. " Sexual violence " refers t o an act whi ch is sexu al in nat ure, commi tt ed aga ins t a wom an or her chi ld. I t incl udes, bu t is n o t limi t ed t o:

a) 1. r a pe,

2. sexu al h a ra ssme nt ,

3. act s of la sc ivious n ess,

4. t re at ing a wom an or her chi ld a s a sex obje ct ,

5. m a king deme an ing an d sexu ally su gg es t ive rem a rks,

6. ph ysi cally attac king the sexu al pa r t s of the vi ct im's bod y,

7. for c ing her/him to w atc h obs ce n e pub licat ion s an d i n de ce nt showsor

8. for c ing the wom an or her chi ld to do i n de ce nt act s an d/or m a kefilms t hereof, for c ing the wife an d mis t ress/ lover to live i n the con ju gal home or s leep t og e ther i n the s a me room wi t h the a buser;

b ) 1. act s ca usi ng or att emp t ing to ca use the vi ct im to e ngag e i n any sexu al act ivity b y for ce,

2. t hre at of for ce, ph ysi cal or o t her h a rm or

3. t hre at of ph ysi cal or o t her h a rm or coer c ion ;

c) Pros t itu t ing t he wom an or chi ld.



C . " P sychological violence " refers to act s or omissio n s ca usi ng or like ly to ca use me ntal oremo t ional sufferi ng of the vi ct im su ch a s bu t n o t limi t ed to i nt imid at ion , h a ra ssme nt , s tal king ,d a m ag e to proper ty , pub lic ridi cu le or humi liat ion , repe at ed verb al a buse an d me ntal in fide lity .I t incl udes ca usi ng or all owi ng t he vi ct im to wi tn ess the ph ysi cal , sexu al or ps yc ho log ical a buse of a member of t he f a mi ly t o whi ch the vi ct im be long s, or to wi tn ess por n og ra ph y in any form or to wi tn ess a busive i n jur y to pe t s or t o u nla wfu l or u n want ed depriv at ion of t herig h t to cus tod y an d/or visi tat ion of commo n chi ldre n .

D. " Economic abuse " refers to act s t hat m a ke or att emp t t o m a ke a wom an financ ially depe n de nt whi ch i ncl udes, bu t is n o t limi ted to the fo llowi ng :

1. wi thdr a wal of fi nanc ial suppor t or preve nt ing the vi ct im from e ngag ing in any le g it im at e professio n , o cc up at ion , busi n ess or act ivity , ex cep t in ca ses wherei n theo t her spouse/p a r tn er obje ct s o n val id, serious an d mor al g rou n ds a s defi n ed i n A r t icle73 of t he F a mi ly C ode;

2. depriv at ion or thre at of depriv at ion of fi nanc ial resour ces an d the ri g h t tothe use an d e n jo yme nt of t he con ju gal , commu n ity or proper ty ow n ed i n commo n ;

3. des t ro y ing househo ld proper ty ;

4. cont ro lling t he vi ct ims' ow n mo n e y or proper t ies or so le ly cont ro lling t hecon ju gal mo n e y or proper t ies.

"Battered Woman Syndrome " refers to a s c ie nt ifically defi ned p att er n of ps yc ho log ical an d beh a vior al s ymp t oms fou n d i n wome n living in b att eri ng re lat ion ships a s a resu lt of cumu lat ive a buse.

"Dating relationship " refers t o a si t uat ion wherei n the p a r t ies live a s husb an d an d wife wi thou t thebe n efi t of m a rri ag e or a re rom ant ically in vo lved over t ime an d o n a cont in ui ng ba sis duri ng the courseof t he re lat ionship. A ca su al acq ua intanc e or ordi na ry so c ial izat ion be twee n t wo i n dividu al s i n a busi n ess or so c ial cont ex t is n o t a d at ing re lat ion ship.

"Sexual relations " refers to a si ngl e sexu al act whi ch m ay or m ay n o t resu lt in t he be a ring of a commo n chi ld.

SECTION 5. A cts of Violence A gainst Women and Their Children .- The crime of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n is commi tt ed t hrou g h any of the fo llowi ng act s:

(a) C a usi ng ph ysi cal h a rm to the wom an or her chi ld;

(b ) Thre at e n ing t o ca use the wom an or her chi ld ph ysical h a rm;

(c) A tt emp t ing t o ca use the wom an or her chi ld ph ysical h a rm;

(d ) Plac ing the wom an or her chi ld i n fe a r of immi n e nt ph ysi cal h a rm;

(e ) A tt emp t ing t o compe l or compe lling the wom an or her chi ld to e ngag e i n con du ct whi ch t hewom an or her chi ld h a s the ri g h t to desis t from or desis t from con du ct whi ch the wom an or her chi ldh a s t he ri g h t to e ngag e i n , or att emp t ing to res t rict or res t rict ing t he wom an 's or her chi ld's freedomof moveme nt or condu ct b y for ce or thre at of for ce, ph ysi cal or o ther h a rm or t hre at of ph ysi cal oro ther h a rm, or i nt imid at ion dire ct ed aga ins t the wom an or chi ld. This sh all incl ude, bu t n o t limi t ed to,t he fo llowi ng act s commi tt ed wi th the purpose or effe ct of cont ro lling or res t rict ing t he wom an 's or herchi ld's moveme nt or con du ct :



(1 ) Thre at e n ing t o deprive or act u ally deprivi ng the wom an or her chi ld of cus t od y t o her/his f a mi ly;

(2 ) Deprivi ng or t hre at e n ing t o deprive the wom an or her chi ldre n of fi nanc ial suppor t le gally due heror her f a mi ly , or de liber at e ly providi ng t he wom an 's chi ldre n insuffi c ie nt financ ial suppor t ;

(3 ) Deprivi ng or thre at e n ing t o deprive t he wom an or her chi ld of a le gal rig h t ;

(4 ) Preve nt ing t he wom an in e ngag ing in any le g it im at e professio n , o cc up at ion , busi n ess or act ivity orcont ro lling the vi ct im's ow n mo n 4e y or proper t ies, or so le ly cont ro lling the con ju gal or commo n mo n e y , or proper t ies;

(f ) In f lict ing or thre at e n ing to i n f lict ph ysi cal ha rm o n on ese lf for the purpose of cont ro lling her act ion sor de c isio n s;

(g) C a usi ng or att emp t ing to ca use the wom an or her chi ld t o e ngag e i n any sexu al act ivity whi chdoes no t con s t itu te r a pe, b y for ce or thre at of for ce, ph ysi cal h a rm, or throu g h i nt imid at ion dire ct edaga in s t the wom an or her chi ld or her/his immedi at e f a mi ly ;

(h ) Engag ing in purposefu l, k n owi ng , or re ck less con du ct , perso nally or t hrou g h an o ther, that ala rms

or ca uses subs tant ial emo t ional or ps yc ho log ical dis t ress to the wom an or her chi ld. This sh all incl ude,bu t n o t be limi t ed t o, t he fo llowi ng act s:

(1 ) S tal king or fo llowi ng t he wom an or her chi ld i n pub lic or priv at e p lac es;

(2 ) Peeri ng in the wi n dow or ling eri ng ou tside t he reside nc e of the wom an or her chi ld;

(3 ) Ent eri ng or rem a in ing in the dwe lling or o n t he proper ty of the wom an or her chi ld aga in s t her/hiswi ll;

(4 ) Des t ro y ing the proper ty an d perso nal be long ing s or i n f lict ing h a rm to an im al s or pe ts of thewom an or her chi ld; an d

(5 ) Engag ing in any form of h a ra ssme nt or vio le nc e;

(i ) C a usi ng me ntal or emo t ional ang uish, pub lic ridi cu le or humi liat ion to t he wom an or her chi ld,incl udi ng , bu t n o t limi ted to, repe at ed verb al an d emo t ional a buse, an d de n ial of fi nanc ial suppor t orcus tod y of mi n or chi ldre n of acc ess t o t he wom an 's chi ld/ chi ldre n .

SECTION 6. P enalties .- The crime of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d t heir chi ldre n , u nder Se c . 5 hereof sh all be pu n ished acc ordi ng to t he fo llowi ng ru les:

(a) Act s f all ing u n der Se c . 5( a) con s t it u t ing att emp ted, frus t rat ed or con summ at ed p a rri c ide ormurder or homi c ide sh all be pu n ished i n acc ord anc e wi t h t he provisio n s of the Revised Pe nal C ode.

If these act s resu lted i n mu t ilat ion , i t sh all be pu n ish a b le i n acc ord anc e wi t h the Revised Pe nal C

ode;t hose con s t itu t ing serious ph ysi cal in juries sh all h a ve the pe nalty of priso n m ay or; those con s t itu t ing less serious ph ysi cal in juries sh all be pu n ished b y prisio n corre cc ional ; an d t hose con s t it u t ing s lig h t ph ysi cal in juries sh all be pu n ished b y a rres to m ay or.

A ct s f all ing u n der Se c . 5(b ) sh all be pu n ished b y impriso nme nt of two de g rees lower th an t hepres cribed pe nalty for the consumm at ed crime a s spe c ified i n the pre cedi ng pa rag ra ph bu t sh all in n oca se be lower t han a rres t o m ay or.

(b ) A ct s f all ing u n der Se c . 5( c) an d 5(d ) sh all be pu n ished b y a rres to m ay or;



(c) A ct s f all ing u n der Se c . 5(e ) sh all be pu n ished b y prisio n corre cc ional ;

(d ) A ct s f all ing u n der Se c . 5(f ) sh all be pu n ished b y a rres to m ay or;

(e ) A ct s f all ing u n der Se c . 5( g) sh all be pu n ished b y prisio n m ay or;

(f ) A ct s f all ing un der Se c. 5(h ) an d Se c. 5(i ) sh all be pu n ished b y prisio n m ay or.

If t he act s a re commi tt ed whi le t he wom an or chi ld is pre gnant or commi tt ed i n t he prese nc e of herchi ld, t he pe nalty t o be a pp lied sh all be the m a ximum period of pe nalty pres c ribed i n the se ct ion .

In a ddi t ion t o impriso n me nt , t he perpe t rat or sh all (a) p ay a fin e i n the a mou nt of n o t less th an On ehu n dred t hous an d pesos (P100,000.00 ) bu t n o t more than three hu n dred t hous an d pesos(300,000.00 ) ; (b ) u n der g o m an dat or y ps yc ho log ical cou n se ling or ps yc hiat ric t re at me nt an d sh all repor t comp lianc e t o the cour t .

SECTION 7. Venue .- The Re g ional Tri al C our t desi gnat ed a s a Fa mi ly C our t sh all ha ve ori g inal an dex clusive jurisdi ct ion over ca ses of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n u n der this la w. I n thea bse nc e of su ch cour t in the p lac e where t he offe n se w a s commi tt ed, the ca se sh all be fi led i n t heRe g ional Trial C our t where the c rime or any of i t s e leme nt s w a s commi tt ed at the op t ion of thecomp liant .

SECTION 8. P rotection Orders .- A pro te ct ion order is an order issued u n der this act for the purpose of preve nt ing fur ther act s of vio le nc e aga in s t a wom an or her chi ld spe c ified i n Se c . 5 of t his A ct an dg rant ing o ther n e cess a ry re lief. The re lief g rant ed u n der a pro te ct ion order serve t he purpose of s a fe g ua rdi ng t he vi ct im from fur ther h a rm, mi n imizi ng any disrup t ion in the vi ct im's d a ily life, an df ac ilitat ing the oppor t u n ity an d a bi lity of t he vi ct im to i n depe n de ntly re ga in cont ro l over her life. Theprovisio n s of t he pro te ct ion order sh all be e n for ced b y la w e n for ceme nt ag e nc ies. The pro te ct ion orders t h at m ay be issued u n der this Act a re t he b a rangay pro te ct ion order (BPO ) , t empor a ry pro te ct ion order (TPO ) an d perm an e nt pro te ct ion order (PPO ) . The pro te ct ion orders that m ay beissued u n der t his A ct sh all incl ude any , some or all of the fo llowi ng re liefs:

(a) Prohibi t ion of t he respo n de nt from t hre at e n ing to commi t or commi tt ing , perso nally or t hrou ghan o ther, any of the act s me nt ioned i n Se c. 5 of t his Act ;

(b ) Prohibi t ion of the respo n de nt from h a ra ssi ng , ann oy ing , te lepho n ing , contact ing or o therwisecommu n icat ing wi th the pe t it ion er, dire ctly or i n dire ctly ;

(c) Remov al an d ex clusio n of the respo n de nt from t he reside nc e of the pe t it ion er, re ga rd less of ow n ership of the reside nc e, ei t her t empor a ri ly for the purpose of pro te ct ing the pe t it ion er, orperm an e ntly where n o proper ty rig h ts a re vio lat ed, an d if respo n de nt mus t remove perso nal effe ct sfrom the reside nc e, the cour t sh all dire ct a la w e n for ceme nt ag e nt to acc omp any the respo nde nt ha sgat hered his t hi ng s an d es cor t respo nde nt from t he reside nc e;

(d ) Dire ct ing t he respo n de nt to s tay a way from pe t it ion er an d desi gnat ed f a mi ly or househo ld memberat a dis tanc e spe c ified b y t he cour t , an d to s tay a way from the reside nc e, s choo l, p lac e of emp loyme nt , or any spe c ified p lac e fre q ue nt ed b y the pe t it ioner an d any desi gnat ed f a mi ly orhouseho ld member;

(e ) Dire ct ing la wfu l possessio n an d use b y pe t it ion er of an a u tomobi le an d o ther esse nt ial perso nal effe ct s, re ga rd less of ow nership, an d dire ct ing t he a ppropri at e la w e n for ceme nt offi cer t o acc omp any t he pe t it ion er to t he reside nc e of the p a rt ies to e nsure that the pe t it ion er is s a fe ly res tored to t hepossessio n of the a u tomobi le an d o ther esse nt ial perso nal effe ct s, or to supervise the pe t it ion er's orrespo nde nt 's remov al of perso nal be long ing s;



(f ) Gr ant ing a tempor a ry or perm an e nt cus t od y of a chi ld/ chi ldre n to the pe t it ion er;

(g) Dire ct ing t he respo n de nt t o provide suppor t to the wom an an d/or her chi ld if e nt itled to le gal suppor t . No t wi t hs tan di ng o ther la ws t o the cont ra ry , t he cour t sh all order an a ppropri at e per ce ntag eof the i nc ome or s ala ry of the respo n de nt t o be wi thhe ld re g u la r ly b y the respo n de nt 's emp loyer fort he s a me to be a u t om at ically remi tt ed dire ctly t o t he wom an . F a ilure t o remi t an d/or wi t hho ld or any de lay in t he remi ttanc e of suppor t t o t he wom an an d/or her chi ld wi thou t jus t ifia b le ca use sh all re ndert he respo nde nt or his emp loyer lia b le for i n dire ct cont emp t of cour t ;

(h ) Prohibi t ion of the respo n de nt from any use or possessio n of any fire a rm or de a d ly we a po n an dorder him to surre n der the s a me t o the cour t for a ppropri at e disposi t ion b y the cour t , i ncl udi ng revo cat ion of lice n se an d dis qu al ificat ion t o a pp ly for any lice n se to use or possess a fire a rm. If theoffe n der is a la w e n for ceme nt ag e nt , t he cour t sh all order t he offe n der to surre nder his fire a rm an dsh all dire ct t he a ppropri at e a u t hori ty t o i n ves t igat e o n the offe n der an d ta ke a ppropri at e act ion on m att er;

(i ) Res t itu t ion for act ual da m ag es ca used b y t he vio le nc e i n f lict ed, i ncl udi ng , bu t n o t limi ted to,proper ty d a m ag e, medi cal expe n ses, chi ldca re expe nses an d loss of i nc ome;

(j ) Dire ct ing the DSWD or any a ppropri at e ag e ncy to provide pe t it ioner m ay n eed; an d

(k ) Provisio n of su ch o ther forms of re lief a s the cour t deems n e cess a ry to pro t e ct an d provide for t hes a fe ty of t he pe t it ion er an d any desi gnat ed f a mi ly or househo ld member, provided pe t it ion er an d any desi gnat ed f a mi ly or househo ld member con se nt s t o su ch re lief.

A ny of the re liefs provided u n der t his se ct ion sh all be g rant ed eve n in the a bse nc e of a de cree of le gal sep a rat ion or ann u lme nt or de cla rat ion of a bso lu te n u llity of m a rri ag e.

The issu anc e of a BPO or the pe n de ncy of an a pp licat ion for BPO sh all n o t pre clude a pe t it ion er froma pp lying for, or the cour t from g rant ing a TPO or PPO.

SECTION 9. Who may file P etition for P rotection Orders . A pe t it ion for pro te ct ion order m ay be fi led

b y any of t he fo llowi ng :

(a) the offe n ded p a r ty ;

(b ) pa re nt s or g u a rdi an s of t he offe nded p a rty ;

(c) a s ce nd ant s, des ce n dant s or co llat er al re lat ives wi t hi n t he four th c ivil de g ree of con s ang ui n ity ora ffin ity ;

(d ) offi cers or so c ial workers of the DSWD or so c ial workers of local g over n me nt u n it s (LGUs ) ;

(e ) po lice offi cers, prefer a b ly those i n ch a rg e of wome n an d chi ldre n 's desks;

(f ) P unong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad ;

(g) la wyer, cou n se lor, ther a pis t or he alt hca re provider of the pe t it ioner;

(h ) A t le a s t t wo (2 ) conc er n ed respo n sib le c it ize n s of the c ity or mu n ic ipal ity where the vio le nc eaga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n occ urred an d who h a s perso nal kn ow led g e of t he offe n se commi tt ed.

SECTION 10. Where to A pply for a P rotection Order . A pp licat ion s for BPOs sh all fo llow t he ru les o n ve n ue u n der Se c . 409 of the Lo cal Gover n me nt C ode of 1991 an d i t s imp leme nt ing ru les an d



re g u lat ion s. A n a pp licat ion for a TPO or PPO m ay be fi led i n t he re g ional t rial cour t , me t ropo litan t rial cour t , mu n ic ip al t rial cour t , mu n ic ipal c ircui t t rial cour t wi t h t erri tori al jurisdi ct ion over the p lac e of reside nc e of the pe t it ion er: Provided, however, Th at if a f a mi ly cour t exis ts i n t he p lac e of reside nc e of t he pe t it ion er, the a pp licat ion sh all be fi led wi th th at cour t .

SECTION 11. H ow to A pply for a P rotection Order . The a pp licat ion for a pro te ct ion order mus t be i n

wri t ing , si gn ed an d verified u n der o at h b y t he a pp licant . I t m ay be fi led a s an indepe n de nt act ion or a sinc ide ntal re lief i n any c ivil or c rimi nal ca se the subje ct m att er or issues thereof p a r ta kes of a vio le nc ea s des cribed i n this A ct . A s tan da rd pro te ct ion order a pp licat ion form, wri tt e n in Engl ish wi tht ran s lat ion to the m a jor local lang uag es, sh all be m a de a va ila b le t o f ac ilitat e a pp licat ion s forpro te ct ion s order, an d sh all conta in , a mo ng o ther, the fo llowi ng in form at ion :

(a) na mes an d a ddresses of pe t it ion er an d respo n de nt ;

(b ) des crip t ion of re lat ion ships be twee n pe t it ion er an d respo n de nt ;

(c) a s tat eme nt of t he c ircums tanc es of t he a buse;

(d ) des crip t ion of the re liefs re q ues ted b y pe t it ion er a s spe c ified i n Se c . 8 herei n ;

(e ) re q ues t for cou n se l an d re a so n s for su ch;

(f ) re q ues t for w a iver of a pp licat ion fees u nt il he a ring ; an d

(g) an att es tat ion th at there is n o pe n di ng a pp licat ion for a pro te ct ion order i n an o t her cour t .

If t he a pp licant s is n o t the vi ct im, the a pp licat ion mus t be acc omp an ied b y an a ffid a vit of the a pp licant att es t ing t o ( a) t he c ircums tanc es of t he a buse suffered b y t he vi ct im an d (b ) the c ircums tanc es of con se nt g ive n b y the vi ct im for the fi lling of the a pp licat ion . Whe n dis closure of t he a ddress of thevict im wi ll pose d ang er to her life, i t sh all be so s tat ed i n t he a pp licat ion . I n su ch a ca se, the a pp licant sh all att es t t hat the vi ct im is residi ng in t he mu n ic ip al ity or c ity over whi ch cour t ha s terri t ori al

jurisdi ct ion , an d sh all provide a m a iling a ddress for purpose of servi ce pro cessi ng .

A n a pp licat ion for pro te ct ion order fi led wi t h a cour t sh all be con sidered an a pp licat ion for bo t h a TPOan d PPO.

Ba rangay offi c ial s an d cour t perso nn e l sh all a ssis t a pp licant s i n t he prep a rat ion of the a pp licat ion . L a we n for ceme nt ag e nt s sh all al so ex te n d a ssis tanc e i n t he a pp licat ion for pro te ct ion orders i n ca sesbrou g h t to t heir att e nt ion .

SECTION 12. Enforceability of P rotection Orders . A ll TPOs an d PPOs issued u n der t his A ct sh all bee n for ce a b le any where i n t he Phi lippi n es an d a vio lat ion thereof sh all be pu n ish a b le wi t h a fin e r ang ing from Five Thous an d Pesos (P5,000.00 ) t o Fif ty Thous an d Pesos (P50,000.00 ) an d/or impriso nme nt of

six (6 ) mo nt hs.

SECTION 13. Legal Representation of P etitioners for P rotection Order . If the wom an or her chi ldre q ues t s i n the a pp licat ion s for a pro t e ct ion order for the a ppoi nt me nt of cou nse l be ca use of lac k of e con omi c me an s to hire a cou n se l de p a r te, t he cour t sh all immedi at e ly dire ct the Pub lic A tt or n e y 'sOffi ce (P A O) to represe nt the pe t it ioner i n t he he a ring on t he a pp licat ion . If t he P A O de t ermi n es th at t he a pp licant can a fford to hire the servi ces of a cou n se l de p a r te, i t sh all f ac ilitat e the le gal represe ntat ion of t he pe t it ion er b y a cou n se l de p a r t e. The lac k of acc ess t o f a mi ly or con ju gal



resour ces b y the a pp licant , su ch a s whe n t he s a me a re cont ro lled b y t he perpe t rat or, sh all q u al if y thepe t it ion er to le gal represe ntat ion b y the P A O.

However, a priv at e cou n se l offeri ng free le gal servi ce is n o t ba rred from represe nt ing the pe t it ion er.

SECTION 14. Barangay P rotection Orders (B P Os); Who May Issue and H ow. - Ba rangay Pro te ct ion Orders (BPOs ) refer to the pro te ct ion order issued b y the P unong Barangay orderi ng the perpe t rat or t odesis t from commi tt ing act s u n der Se c. 5 ( a) an d (b ) of this A ct . A P unong Barangay who re ceivesa pp licat ion s for a BPO sh all issue the pro te ct ion order t o t he a pp licant on t he d at e of fi ling a f ter ex

parte de termi nat ion of the b a sis of the a pp licat ion . If the P unong Barangay is u na va ila b le to act on t hea pp licat ion for a BPO, the a pp licat ion sh all be act ed upo n b y any a va ila b le Barangay Kagawad. If t heBPO is issued b y a Barangay Kagawad the order mus t be acc omp an ied b y an att es tat ion b y t he Barangay Kagawad t h at the P unong Barangay wa s u na va ila b le at the t ime for the issu anc e of t heBPO. BPOs sh all be effe ct ive for fif tee n (15 ) day s. Immedi at e ly a f ter t he issu anc e of an ex parte BPO,t he P unong Barangay or Barangay Kagawad sh all perso nally serve a cop y of the s a me o n therespo nde nt , or dire ct any b a rangay offi c ial t o effe ct is perso nal servi ce.

The p a r t ies m ay be acc omp an ied b y a n on - la wyer a dvo cat e i n any pro ceedi ng before t he Pu n ong

Ba rangay .

SECTION 15. Temporary P rotection Orders. Tempor a ry Pro t e ct ion Orders (TPOs ) refers to thepro te ct ion order issued b y the cour t on t he d at e of fi ling of t he a pp licat ion a f ter ex

parte de termi nat ion th at su ch order shou ld be issued. A cour t m ay g rant in a TPO any , some or all of t he re liefs me nt ion ed i n t his Act an d sh all be effe ct ive for t hir ty (30 ) d ay s. The cour t sh all schedu le a he a ring on t he issu anc e of a PPO prior to or o n the d at e of t he expir at ion of t he TPO. The cour t sh all order t he immedi at e perso nal servi ce of t he TPO o n t he respo n de nt b y t he cour t sheriff who m ay ob ta in the a ssis tanc e of la w e n for ceme nt ag e nt s for t he servi ce. The TPO sh all incl ude no t ice of t hed at e of t he he a ring on t he meri t s of t he issu anc e of a PPO.

SECTION 16. P ermanent P rotection Orders . Perm an e nt Pro te ct ion Order (PPO ) refers t o pro te ct ion order issued b y the cour t a f ter n o t ice an d he a ring .

Respo n de nt s n on -a ppe a ranc e despi t e proper n ot ice, or his lac k of a la wyer, or the n on -a va ila bi lity of his la wyer sh all n o t be a g rou n d for res chedu ling or pos tpo n ing the he a ring on the meri ts of t heissu anc e of a PPO. If t he respo n de nt s a ppe a rs wi thou t cou n se l on t he d at e of the he a ring on the PPO,t he cour t sh all a ppoi nt a la wyer for t he respo n de nt an d immedi at e ly pro ceed wi t h t he he a ring . I n ca set he respo n de nt f a ils t o a ppe a r despi te proper n o t ice, the cour t sh all all ow ex p a rt e prese ntat ion of t heevide nc e b y the a pp licant an d re n der jud g me nt on t he b a sis of the evide nc e prese nt ed. The cour t sh all all ow t he i nt rodu ct ion of any his tor y of a busive con du ct of a respo n de nt eve n if the s a me w a s n o t dire ct ed aga in s t t he a pp licant or t he perso n for whom the a pp licant is m a de.

The cour t sh all , t o t he ex te nt possib le, con du ct the he a ring on the meri t s of the issu anc e of a PPO i n on e (1 ) d ay . Where the cour t is u na b le t o con du ct the he a ring wi t hi n on e (1 ) d ay an d the TPO issued

is due t o expire, t he cour t sh all cont in uous ly ex te n d or re new the TPO for a period of thir ty (30 ) d ay sat e ac h p a r t icu la r t ime u nt il final jud g me nt is issued. The ex te n ded or re newed TPO m ay be modifiedb y t he cour t a s m ay be ne cess a ry or a pp lica b le t o a ddress the needs of t he a pp licant .

The cour t m ay g rant any , some or all of t he re liefs spe c ified i n Se c. 8 hereof i n a PPO. A PPO sh all beeffe ct ive u nt il revoked b y a cour t upo n a pp licat ion of the perso n in whose f a vor t he order w a s issued.The cour t sh all e n sure immedi at e perso nal servi ce of the PPO o n respo n de nt .



The cour t sh all n ot de ny t he issu anc e of pro te ct ion order o n the b a sis of the la pse of t ime be twee n theact of vio le nc e an d the fi ling of t he a pp licat ion .

Re ga rd less of t he con vict ion or acq ui ttal of the respo n de nt , the C our t mus t de t ermi n e whe ther or n o t t he PPO sh all be come fi nal . Eve n in a dismiss al , a PPO sh all be g rant ed a s long a s t here is n o cle a rshowi ng t hat the act from whi ch the order mi gh t a rise did n o t exis t .

SECTION 17. N otice of Sanction in P rotection Orders . The fo llowi ng s tat eme nt mus t be pri nt ed i n bo ld-f ac ed ty pe or i n ca pi tal le tt ers o n the pro te ct ion order issued b y t he P unong Barangay or cour t :

"V IOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW ."

SECTION 18. Mandatory P eriod For A cting on A pplications For P rotection Orders Fa ilure to act on an a pp licat ion for a pro t e ct ion order wi thi n the re gleme nta ry period spe c ified i n the previous se ct ion wi thou t jus t ifia b le ca use sh all re n der t he offi c ial or jud g e a dmi n is t rat ive ly lia b le.

SECTION 19. Legal Separation Cases . I n ca ses of le gal sep a rat ion , where vio le nc e a s spe c ified i n thisA ct is all e g ed, A r t icle 58 of t he F a mi ly C ode sh all n o t a pp ly . The cour t sh all pro ceed o n the m a in ca se

an d o t her i nc ide nt s of t he ca se a s soo n a s possib le. The he a ring on any a pp licat ion for a pro te ct ion order fi led b y the pe t it ion er mus t be con du ct ed wi t hi n t he m an d at or y period spe c ified i n t his A ct .

SECTION 20. P riority of A pplication for a P rotection Order. Ex p a rte an d a dvers a rial he a ring s t ode t ermi n e t he b a sis of a pp licat ion s for a pro te ct ion order u n der t his A ct sh all h a ve priori ty over all o ther pro ceedi ng s. B a rangay offi c ial s an d the cour t s sh all s chedu le an d con du ct he a ring s o n a pp licat ion s for a pro te ct ion order u n der t his A ct a bove all o t her busi ness an d, if n e cess a ry , suspe n do ther pro ceedi ng s i n order t o he a r a pp licat ion s for a pro te ct ion order.

SECTION 21. Violation of P rotection Orders . A comp la int for a vio lat ion of a BPO issued u n der this Act mus t be fi led dire ctly wi t h any mu n ic ipal t rial cour t , me t ropo litan t rial cour t , or mu n ic ipal c ircui t t rial cour t t hat h a s terri t ori al jurisdi ct ion over the b a rangay t h at issued the BPO. Vio lat ion of a BPO sh all bepu n ish a b le b y impriso n me nt of t hir ty (30 ) d ay s wi thou t prejudi ce t o any o ther crimi nal or c ivil act ion t h at the offe n ded p a r ty m ay file for any of t he act s commi tt ed.

A jud g eme nt of vio lat ion of a BPO m a be a ppe al ed acc ordi ng to t he Ru les of C our t . Duri ng t rial an dupo n jud g me nt , the t rial cour t m ay mo tu proprio issue a pro te ct ion order a s i t deems n e cess a ry wi thou t n eed of an a pp licat ion .

Vio lat ion of any provisio n of a TPO or PPO issued u n der t his Act sh all con s t it u te cont emp t of cour t pu n ish a b le u n der Ru le 71 of the Ru les of C our t , wi thou t prejudi ce t o any o t her crimi nal or c ivil act ion t h at the offe n ded p a r ty m ay file for any of t he act s commi tt ed.

SECTION 22. A pplicability of P rotection Orders to Criminal Cases. The fore g oing provisio n s o n pro te ct ion orders sh all be a pp lica b le i n imp lied ly in s t it u t ed wi th the crimi nal act ion s i n vo lving vio le nc eaga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n .

SECTION 23. Bond to Keep the P eace . The C our t m ay order any perso n aga ins t whom a pro te ct ion order is issued to g ive a bo nd t o keep the pe ac e, to prese nt two suffi c ie nt sure t ies who sh all u n der ta ke that su ch perso n wi ll n o t commi t t he vio le nc e sou g h t t o be preve nt ed.

Shou ld t he respo n de nt f a il to g ive the bo n d a s re q uired, he sh all be de ta in ed for a period whi ch sh all in n o ca se ex ceed six (6 ) mo nt hs, if he sh all h a ve bee n prose cu ted for act s pu n ish a b le u n der Se c . 5( a) t o 5(f ) an d n o t ex ceedi ng thir ty (30 ) d ay s, if for act s pu n ish a b le u nder Se c . 5( g) t o 5(I ) .



The pro te ct ion orders referred to i n t his se ct ion a re t he TPOs an d t he PPOs issued o nly b y the cour t s.

SECTION 24. P rescriptive P eriod. Act s f all ing u n der Se ct ion s 5( a) t o 5(f ) sh all pres c ribe i n twe nty (20 ) ye a rs. Act s f all ing un der Se ct ion s 5( g) t o 5(I ) sh all pres cribe i n te n (10 ) ye a rs.

SECTION 25. P ublic Crime . Vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n sh all be con sidered a pub lic offe n se whi ch m ay be prose cu ted upo n the fi ling of a comp la int b y any c it ize n h a ving perso nal kn ow led g e of t he c ircums tanc es i n vo lving the commissio n of t he crime.

SECTION 26. Battered Woman Syndrome as a Defense . Vi ct im-survivors who a re fou n d b y the cour t st o be sufferi ng from b att ered wom an s yn drome do n o t inc ur any crimi nal an d c ivil lia bi lity n o t wi t hs tan di ng the a bse nc e of any of t he e leme nt s for jus t if y ing c ircums tanc es of se lf-defe nse u ndert he Revised Pe nal C ode.

In t he de termi nat ion of the s tat e of mi nd of t he wom an who w a s sufferi ng from b att ered wom an s yn drome at t he t ime of t he commissio n of t he crime, the cour t s sh all be a ssis ted b y exper t ps yc hi at ris ts/ ps yc ho log is t s.

SECTION 27. P rohibited Defense . Bei ng u n der the i n f lue nc e of alc oho l, any illic it dru g , or any o thermi n d- alt eri ng subs tanc e sh all n o t be a defe n se u nder t his A ct .

SECTION 28. Custody of children . The wom an vict im of vio le nc e sh all be e nt itled t o the cus tod y an dsuppor t of her chi ld/ chi ldre n . C hi ldre n be low seve n (7 ) ye a rs o ld o lder bu t wi t h me ntal or ph ysical dis a bi lit ies sh all a u tom at ically be g ive n to t he mo ther, wi t h ri g h t t o suppor t , u nl ess t he cour t fin dscompe lling re a so n s t o order o therwise.

A vict im who is sufferi ng from b att ered wom an s yn drome sh all n o t be dis q ual ified from h a ving cus t od y of her chi ldre n . I n n o ca se sh all cus tod y of mi n or chi ldre n be g ive n t o t he perpe t rat or of a wom an whois sufferi ng from B att ered wom an s yn drome.

SECTION 29. Duties of

P rosecutors/Court

P ersonnel . Prose cu tors an d cour t perso nn e l shou ld observet he fo llowi ng du t ies whe n de al ing wi t h vi ct ims u n der this A ct :

a) commu n icat e wi th t he vi ct im i n a lang uag e u n ders tood b y the wom an or her chi ld; an d

b ) in form the vi ct im of her/his ri g h t s i ncl udi ng le gal remedies a va ila b le an d pro cedure, an d privi le g esfor i n di g e nt lit igant s.

SECTION 30. Duties of Barangay Officials and Law Enforcers . B a rangay offi c ial s an d la w e n for cerssh all h a ve the fo llowi ng du t ies:

(a) respo n d immedi at e ly t o a call for he lp or re q ues t for a ssis tanc e or pro te ct ion of t he vi ct im b y e nt eri ng the n e cess a ry whe ther or n o t a pro te ct ion order h a s bee n issued an d e n sure t he s a fe ty of t hevict im/s;

(b ) con fiscat e any de a d ly we a po n in the possessio n of t he perpe t rat or or wi t hi n p la in view;

(c) t ran spor t or es cor t the vi ct im/s to a sa fe p lac e of their choi ce or to a cl in ic or hospi tal ;

(d ) a ssis t the vi ct im i n removi ng perso nal be long s from t he house;



(e ) a ssis t the b a rangay offi c ial s an d o t her g over nme nt offi cers an d emp loyees who respo nd to a call for he lp;

(f ) e n sure t he e n for ceme nt of t he Pro te ct ion Orders issued b y the P unong Barangy or the cour ts;

(g) a rres t the suspe ct ed perpe t rat or wii t hou t a wa rr ant whe n any of the act s of vio le nc e defi n ed b y

t hisA

ct is o cc urri ng , or whe n he/she h a s perso nal kn ow led g e th at any act of a buse h a s jus t bee n commi tt ed, an d t here is immi ne nt d ang er to the life or limb of the vi ct im a s defi n ed i n t his A ct ; an d

(h ) immedi at e ly repor t the call for a ssessme nt or a ssis tanc e of the DSWD, so c ial We lf a re Dep a r tme nt of LGUs or acc redi t ed n on -g over n me nt or gan izat ion s (NGOs ) .

A ny ba rangay offi c ial or la w e n for cer who f a ils t o repor t the i nc ide nt sh all be lia b le for a fin e n o t ex ceedi ng Te n Thous an d Pesos (P10,000.00 ) or whe n ever a pp lica b le crimi nal , c ivil or a dmi n is t rat ivelia bi lity .

SECTION 31. H ealthcare P rovider Response to A buse A ny he alt h ca re provider, i ncl udi ng , bu t n o t limi ted t o, an att e n di ng ph ysi c ian , n urse, cl in ic ian , b a rangay he alt h worker, t her a pis t or cou n se lor whosuspe ct s a buse or h a s bee n in formed b y t he vi ct im of vio le nc e sh all :

(a) proper ly do cume nt any of t he vi ct im's ph ysi cal , emo t ional or ps yc ho log ical in juries;

(b ) proper ly re cord any of vi ct im's suspi c ions, observ at ion s an d c ircums tanc es of t he ex a mi nat ion orvisi t ;

(c) a u t om at ically provide the vi ct im free of ch a rge a medi cal cer t ificat e conc er n ing t he ex a mi nat ion orvisi t ;

(d ) s a fe gu a rd t he re cords an d m a ke them a va ila b le to t he vi ct im upo n re q ues t at act ual cos t ; an d

(e ) provide the vi ct im immedi at e an d a de qu at e n o t ice of ri g h ts an d remedies provided u n der t his A ct ,

an d servi ces a va ila b le t o them.

SECTION 32. Duties of Other Government A gencies and LGUs Ot her g over n me nt ag e nc ies an d LGUssh all es ta b lish pro g ra ms su ch a s, bu t n o t limi ted t o, edu cat ion an d i n form at ion ca mp a ign an dsemi na rs or s ymposi a on the nat ure, ca uses, i nc ide nc e an d con se q ue nc es of su ch vio le nc e p a r t icu la r ly t ow a rds edu cat ing the pub lic on it s so c ial imp act s.

I t sh all be the du ty of the conc er n ed g over n me nt ag e nc ies an d LGU's to e nsure t he sus ta in ededu cat ion an d t ra in ing of t heir offi cers an d perso nn e l on the preve nt ion of vio le nc e aga ins t wome n an dt heir chi ldre n u n der the Act .

SECTION 33. P rohibited A cts. A P unong Barangay, Barangay Kagawad or t he cour t he a ring an a pp licat ion for a pro te ct ion order sh all n o t order, dire ct , for ce or i n any way u n du ly in f lue nc e hea pp licant for a pro te ct ion order to compromise or a ban do n any of t he re liefs sou g h t in t he a pp licat ion for pro t e ct ion u nder t his Act . Se c. 7 of t he F a mi ly C our t s A ct of 1997 an d Se ct ion s 410, 411, 412 an d413 of the Lo cal Gover nme nt C ode of 1991 sh all n o t a pp ly in pro ceedi ng s where re lief is sou gh t u ndert his A ct .

Fa ilure to comp ly wi t h t his Se c . sh all re n der the offi c ial or jud g e a dmi n is t rat ive ly lia b le.



SECTION 34. P ersons Intervening Exempt from L iability. In ever y ca se of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d t heir chi ldre n a s herei n defi n ed, any perso n , priv at e i n dividu al or po lice a u thori ty or b a rangay offi c ial who, act ing in acc ord anc e wi th la w, respo n ds or i nt erve n es wi t hou t usi ng vio le nc e or res t ra int g re at er t han n e cess a ry to e n sure t he s a fe ty of t he vi ct im, sh all n o t be lia b le for any crimi nal , c ivil ora dmi n is t rat ive lia bi lity resu lt ing therefrom.

SECTION 35. Rights of Victims. In a ddi t ion to t heir ri g h t s u n der exis t ing la ws, vi ct ims of vio le nc eaga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n sh all h a ve the fo llowi ng rig h t s:

(a) to be t re at ed wi t h respe ct an d di gn ity ;

(b ) to a va il of le gal a ssis tanc e form the P A O of the Dep a r tme nt of Jus t ice (DOJ ) or any pub lic le gal a ssis tanc e offi ce;

(c) To be e nt itled to suppor t servi ces form the DSWD an d LGUs'

(d ) To be e nt itled t o all le gal remedies an d suppor t a s provided for u n der the F a mi ly C ode; an d

(e ) To be i n formed of t heir ri g h t s an d the servi ces a va ila b le t o them i ncl udi ng their ri g h t to a pp ly for a pro te ct ion order.

SECTION 36. Damages. A ny vict im of vio le nc e u n der this A ct sh all be e nt itled t o act u al ,compe n sat or y , mor al an d exemp la ry d a m ag es.

SECTION 37. H old Departure Order. The cour t sh all expedi t e the pro cess of issu anc e of a ho lddep a rt ure order i n ca ses prose cu ted u n der this A ct .

SECTION 38. Exemption from P ayment of Docket Fee and Other Expenses. If t he vi ct im is an in dig e nt or t here is an immedi at e n e cessi ty due t o immi n e nt d ang er or t hre at of d ang er t o act on an a pp licat ion for a pro t e ct ion order, t he cour t sh all acc ep t the a pp licat ion wi thou t pay me nt of the fi ling fee an d o t her fees an d of t ran s crip t of s t e n og ra phi c n o tes.

SECTION 39. Inter- A gency Council on Violence A gainst Women and Their Children (I A C-V A WC). In pursu anc e of t he a boveme nt ion ed po licy , t here is hereb y es ta b lished an Int er- A ge ncy C ou nc il on Vio le nc e Aga in s t Wome n an d their chi ldre n , herei na f ter k n ow n a s t he C ou nc il, whi ch sh all becomposed of the fo llowi ng ag e nc ies:

(a) Dep a r tme nt of So c ial We lf a re an d Deve lopme nt (DSWD ) ;

(b ) Nat ional C ommissio n on t he Ro le of Fi lipi n o Wome n (N C RFW ) ;

(c) C ivil Servi ce C ommissio n (C SC ) ;

(d ) C ommissio n on Hum an rig h t s ( C HR)

(e ) C ou nc il for t he We lf a re of C hi ldre n ( C WC ) ;

(f ) Dep a rtme nt of Jus t ice (DOJ ) ;

(g) Dep a rtme nt of t he I nt erior an d Lo cal Gover nme nt (DILG ) ;

(h ) Phi lippi n e N at ional Po lice (PNP ) ;



(i ) Dep a rtme nt of He alt h (DOH ) ;

(j ) Dep a r tme nt of Edu cat ion (DepEd ) ;

(k ) Dep a rtme nt of L a bor an d Emp loyme nt (DOLE ) ; an d

( l) Nat ional Bure a u of I n ves t igat ion (NBI ) .

These ag e nc ies a re ta sked to formu lat e pro g ra ms an d proje ct s t o e limi nat e V AW b a sed o n theirm an d at es a s we ll a s deve lop ca pa bi lity pro g ra ms for t heir emp loyees to be come more se nsi t ive t o t hen eeds of their cl ie nt s. The C ou nc il wi ll al so serve a s the mo n itori ng bod y a s re ga rds to V AW i n it iat ives.

The C ou nc il members m ay desi gnat e t heir du ly a u t horized represe ntat ive who sh all h a ve a ran k n o t lower th an an a ssis tant se cre ta ry or i t s e q uiv al e nt . These represe ntat ives sh all att e nd C ou nc il mee t ing s i n their beh al f, an d sh all re ceive emo lume nt s a s m ay be de termi n ed b y t he C ou nc il in acc ord anc e wi th exis t ing bud g e t an d acc ou nt ing ru les an d re g u lat ion s.

SECTION 40. Mandatory P rograms and Services for Victims. The DSWD, an d LGU's sh all provide the

vict ims t empor a ry she lters, provide cou n se ling , ps yc ho-so c ial servi ces an d /or, re cover y , reh a bi litat ion pro g ra ms an d live lihood a ssis tanc e.

The DOH sh all provide medi cal a ssis tanc e to vi ct ims.

SECTION 41. Counseling and Treatment of Offenders. The DSWD sh all provide reh a bi litat ivecou nse ling an d t re at me nt to perpe t rat ors t ow a rds le a rn ing con s t ru ct ive w ay s of copi ng wi t h ang er an demo t ional ou t burs ts an d reformi ng t heir w ay s. Whe n n e cess a ry , the offe n der sh all be ordered b y t heC our t t o submi t to ps yc hi at ric t re at me nt or con fin eme nt .

SECTION 42. Training of P ersons Involved in Responding to Violence A gainst Women and their Children Cases. A ll ag e nc ies i n vo lved i n respo ndi ng to vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n ca sessh all be re q uired to u n der g o edu cat ion an d t ra in ing to acq u a int them wi th:

a . the nat ure, ex te nd an d ca uses of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n ;

b. t he le gal rig h t s of, an d remedies a va ila b le to, vi ct ims of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d their chi ldre n ;

c . t he servi ces an d f ac ilit ies a va ila b le to vi ct ims or survivors;

d. t he le gal du t ies imposed o n po lice offi cers to m a ke a rres t an d t o offer pro te ct ion an d a ssis tanc e;an d

e. te chn iq ues for h an d ling inc ide nt s of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d t heir chi ldre n t hat mi n imize thelike lihood of i n jur y t o t he offi cer an d promo te t he s a fe ty of t he vi ct im or survivor.

The PNP, i n coordi nat ion wi th LGU's sh all es ta b lish an edu cat ion an d t ra in ing pro g ra m for po liceoffi cers an d b a rangay offi c ial s to e na b le them to proper ly h an d le ca ses of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an dt heir chi ldre n .

SECTION 43. Entitled to Leave. Vict ims u n der this A ct sh all be e nt itled t o ta ke a p a id le a ve of a bse nc e up to t e n (10 ) d ay s i n a ddi t ion to o ther p a id le a ves u nder t he L a bor C ode an d C ivil Servi ceRu les an d Re g u lat ion s, ex te n dib le whe n the ne cessi ty a rises a s spe c ified i n t he pro te ct ion order.



A ny emp loyer who sh all prejudi ce t he ri g h t of the perso n un der t his se ct ion sh all be pe nal ized i n acc ord anc e wi t h the provisio n s of the L a bor C ode an d C ivil Servi ce Ru les an d Re g u lat ions. Likewise, an emp loyer who sh all prejudi ce any perso n for a ssis t ing a co-emp loyee who is a vict im u n der this A ct sh all likewise be lia b le for dis crimi nat ion .

SECTION 44. Confidentiality. A ll re cords per ta in ing t o ca ses of vio le nc e aga in s t wome n an d their

chi ldre n incl udi ng t hose i n the b a rangay sh all be con fide nt ial an d all pub lic offi cers an d emp loyees an dpub lic or priv at e cl in ics t o hospi tal s sh all respe ct t he ri g h t to priv acy of the vi ct im. Whoever pub lishesor ca uses t o be pub lished, i n any form at , the na me, a ddress, te lepho n e n umber, s choo l, busi n essa ddress, emp loyer, or o ther ide nt if y ing in form at ion of a vict im or an immedi at e f a mi ly member,wi thou t the latt er's con se nt , sh all be lia b le t o t he cont emp t power of t he cour t .

A ny perso n who vio lat es t his provisio n sh all suffer the pe nalty of o n e (1 ) ye a r impriso n me nt an d a fin eof n o t more than Five Hu n dred Thous an d pesos (P500,000.00 ) .