Protection orders under RA 9262

The three kinds of protection order, who issues each, how long each lasts, and how fast you can get one.

RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act)2deadlines to watch

Who this is for: Women and their children experiencing physical, sexual, psychological or economic abuse from a partner or former partner.

Step by step

1Barangay Protection Order (BPO)The fastest route. Apply at the barangay where you live; the Punong Barangay issues it on the same day. It stops the respondent from threatening or physically harming you.Issued the same day. Valid for 15 days.
2Temporary Protection Order (TPO)Applied for at the Family Court. Issued ex parte — the respondent does not have to be heard first — and can order far more than a BPO: removing the respondent from the home, custody of children, support, and surrender of firearms.Issued within 24 hours of filing. Valid 30 days, extendable until the PPO is decided.
3Permanent Protection Order (PPO)Granted after a hearing where the respondent is notified and can appear. It does not expire unless the court revokes it.
4What an order can requireProhibiting contact, ordering the respondent to stay a set distance away, removing them from the residence regardless of who owns it, granting you custody, directing financial support, and requiring firearms to be surrendered.

Not legal advice

Pangkalahatang impormasyon lamang ito para sa edukasyon — hindi ito legal advice, at hindi ito sinuri ng abogado. Sinikap naming tama ito ayon sa batas na binanggit, pero para sa sarili mong kaso, kumonsulta sa abogado o sa Public Attorney's Office (PAO).

The whole process

Drawing diagram…

Watch out for

Applying for a protection order does not require you to file a criminal case first, and it does not stop you from filing one later.
Violating a protection order is itself a criminal offence — report a breach to the police or the barangay immediately.
Economic abuse counts: withdrawing financial support, controlling your money, or preventing you from working are covered by RA 9262.