Title
XXXvs. AAA, BBB, and Minor CCC
Case
G.R. No. 187175
Decision Date
Jul 6, 2022
Longtime live-in partners AAA and XXX faced abuse allegations under RA 9262. SC upheld the law's constitutionality, affirming protection orders for AAA and adult children.

Case Digest (A.M. No. P-18-3843 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 16-4612-P)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Background of the Parties
    • XXX (Petitioner) and AAA (Respondent) were longtime live-in partners since 1982; they had three children:
      • BBB (b. February 13, 1986)
      • DDD (b. January 23, 1989; died of brain cancer at age 8)
      • CCC (b. October 31, 1990)
    • AAA was aged 20 and employed when they met; XXX was already married to EEE but led AAA to believe they would marry.
  • AAA’s Complaint under RA 9262 (I.S. No. 07J-03232)
    • Physical Violence: forbade work, restricted friends and clothing, raised hand in threat, hit AAA’s face during argument.
    • Psychological Violence: verbal insults (“malandi ka,” threats to kill), accusations of infidelity.
    • Economic Abuse: abandonment after arguments, sending minimal weekly support (PHP 1,000–2,000).
    • Sexual Violence: forced rough and anal sex during pregnancy and daughter’s terminal illness; forced oral sex post-surgery.
    • Demand Letter: AAA’s counsel formally sought PHP 50,000,000 for support, damages, and children’s legitimes.
  • XXX’s Defense and Countersuits
    • Denied abuses; cited purchase of multiple properties (lands, house, condominium, Taguig property), alleged increased support (PHP 230,000 monthly; total PHP 1,086,823.35).
    • Claimed AAA forced loans (PHP 5,000,000), deeds of sale, and harassment when he resisted.
    • Filed motions to dismiss RA 9262 complaint as void or non-retroactive, questioned AAA’s compliance with procedural remedies.
  • Trial Court Proceedings (Civil Case No. 07-104)
    • October 23, 2007: AAA and children filed for Ex Parte Temporary Protection Order (TPO) and support pendente lite.
    • November 16, 2007: TPO granted—stay-away, custody pendente lite, exclusive possession of residence, PHP 279,650 weekly support.
    • February 8, 2008: support pendente lite modified to PHP 50,000 per child monthly.
    • March 6, 2009: TPO made Permanent Protection Order (PPO)—extended stay-away (500 m), custody, exclusive residence use; violation punishable.
  • Criminal Proceedings on Economic Abuse (Crim. Case No. 08-347)
    • City Prosecutor initially dismissed all RA 9262 counts but later found probable cause for economic abuse (Section 5(e)(2)).
    • XXX moved to quash information; RTC vacillated but ultimately (Nov 26, 2008) found probable cause and set arraignment.

Issues:

  • Constitutionality of RA 9262
    • Is RA 9262 valid legislation?
    • Does RA 9262 violate XXX’s right to equal protection?
    • Does RA 9262 infringe XXX’s right to due process?
    • Is the enactment of RA 9262 an improper exercise of police power?
  • Scope and Application of Protection Orders
    • Should a PPO be issued in favor of AAA (a live-in “paramour”)?
    • Should a PPO cover BBB and CCC (now of age)?
    • Does RA 9262 conflict with SC-promulgated rules on custody (A.M. No. 03-04-04-SC), mediation (A.M. No. 01-10-5-SC-PHILJA), and support pendente lite (Rule 61)?
  • Interpretation of “Economic Abuse”
    • Does intermittent or mere failure to provide support constitute economic abuse under Section 5(e)(2)?

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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