Title
Banzon vs. Alviar
Case
G.R. No. L-8806
Decision Date
May 25, 1955
A mother seeks custody of her son, held by non-parents claiming authority from the father; court rules in her favor, prioritizing parental rights and child welfare.

Case Digest (G.R. No. L-8806)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Parties Involved:
    • Petitioner: Maria N. Banzon, the mother of the minor Angelo N. Banzon.
    • Respondents: Pedro Alviar, Teresa Alviar, and Ruby Alviar, who had custody of the child.
  • Background of the Case:
    • Angelo N. Banzon, a 9-year-old boy, is the legitimate son of Maria N. Banzon and Colonel Jose Banzon of the Philippine Army.
    • In June 1954, Maria sent Angelo to his father in Saigon for a vacation.
    • Angelo returned to the Philippines in September 1954 with Ruby Alviar and has since been in the custody of the Alviars.
  • Petitioner’s Claims:
    • Maria repeatedly attempted to regain custody of Angelo but was refused by the Alviars, who insisted on needing a court order to release him.
    • Maria filed a petition for habeas corpus to recover custody of her son.
  • Respondents’ Defense:
    • The Alviars admitted to having custody of Angelo but claimed he was entrusted to them by his father, Colonel Jose Banzon.
    • They argued that Angelo was being cared for and educated appropriately.
    • During the proceedings, they claimed Angelo was no longer in their custody as he had allegedly been taken back to Saigon by his father.
  • Subsequent Developments:
    • Maria moved to hold the respondents in contempt for allegedly transferring custody of Angelo without court approval.
    • The respondents later filed a manifestation stating that Angelo had returned to Manila on April 11, 1955, and was now in the custody of his aunt, Atty. Soledad Banzon, in Baliwag, Bulacan.
    • The respondents disclaimed any further interest in Angelo’s custody and expressed willingness to surrender him to whoever the court deemed legally entitled.

Issues:

The sole issue to be resolved is: Who is entitled to the care and custody of the minor Angelo N. Banzon?

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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