The Short Answer
Go to your barangay hall and ask for a Barangay Protection Order (BPO). The barangay captain should issue it on the same day, and it lasts 15 days. For longer and wider protection, ask the Family Court for a Temporary Protection Order, issued on the day you file, and then a Permanent Protection Order. The law protects women who are or were married to, living with, dating or in a sexual relationship with the abuser, or who have a child with them, and also the woman's children. If you are in danger right now, call 911.
Example: Grace in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas
Names and details in this example are made up.
Grace Villanueva, 29, works as a saleslady in a mall in Las Piñas City. She has lived for five years with her partner Jomar in Barangay Talon Dos. They are not married, and they have a four-year-old son, Migo. Jomar takes her salary every payday, checks her phone, and calls her "walang kwenta" in front of the neighbours. One night in August 2026, after drinking, he slaps her and throws a plastic chair at her. He says he will take Migo to his province if she leaves.
Is Grace covered? Yes. The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (Republic Act No. 9262, or RA 9262) covers a woman who lives with or has a child with the abuser, married or not. Migo is covered too. What Jomar did is physical violence (the slap and the chair), psychological violence (the insults and the threat about Migo) and economic abuse (taking her salary).
That night. Grace takes Migo to her sister's house nearby. The next morning she goes to a hospital, has her bruises examined and asks for a Medical Certificate. She screenshots Jomar's threatening messages.
At the barangay. Grace goes to the VAW (violence against women) desk at the Talon Dos barangay hall. The desk officer helps her fill in the application. The Punong Barangay issues a BPO that same day, ordering Jomar to stop hurting or threatening her. It lasts 15 days. Nobody asks her to sit down with Jomar to "pag-usapan" it; the law does not allow that.
At the Family Court. Within the 15 days, with a PAO lawyer's help, Grace files a petition for a Protection Order at the Regional Trial Court in Las Piñas acting as a Family Court. She asks to file without paying fees because she is in danger. The judge issues a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) that day, good for 30 days. It orders Jomar to leave the house and stay away from Grace, Migo, her workplace and Migo's daycare, gives Grace temporary custody of Migo, and orders Jomar to give support in an amount the court sets. After a hearing, the court can issue a Permanent Protection Order (PPO).
Who RA 9262 Protects
RA 9262 protects a woman who is, or used to be:
- the wife of the abuser;
- in a sexual or dating relationship with them, including a live-in partner or a boyfriend; or
- the mother of a child with them.
It also protects her children, legitimate or not, and children under her care, whether the abuse happens inside or outside the home.
Abuse is not only hitting. The law covers:
- physical violence: hitting, slapping, kicking, choking, throwing things;
- sexual violence: forcing sexual acts, or forcing you to watch or do things you do not want;
- psychological violence: threats, insults, public humiliation, stalking, harassment, threatening to take the children, controlling who you see;
- economic abuse: taking your salary, refusing support for the children, stopping you from working, controlling all the money.
Barangay Order or Court Order: What Each One Does
There are two kinds of Protection Order. You can ask for one or both. You do not need a BPO before going to court.
| Barangay Protection Order (BPO) | Court Orders: Temporary (TPO) and Permanent (PPO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | The VAW desk at the barangay hall where you live | The Family Court (a branch of the Regional Trial Court) where you live |
| Who gives it | The Punong Barangay (barangay captain), or a Barangay Kagawad (council member) if the captain is not available | The judge |
| How fast | The same day you apply | The TPO on the day you file, without the abuser being heard first. The PPO after a hearing. |
| How long | 15 days | TPO: 30 days. PPO: until the court lifts it at your request. |
| What it orders | The abuser must stop hurting you or threatening to hurt you | Much more: leave your home, even if it is in their name; stay away from you, your children, your home, work and school; temporary custody of the children for you; support for you and the children; surrender of their firearms |
Barangay officials and court staff must help you fill in the application. You do not need a lawyer. In court, the petition (your written request) is sworn to, and if you cannot afford the fees, or you are in danger, the court accepts it without payment of fees. The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) can also help you for free if you qualify. If the barangay does not act within 24 hours, you can go to the police or straight to the Family Court, and you can complain against the official.
For the steps, what to bring and who else can apply for you, see Protection Orders for women and children.
The Barangay Must Not Make You Settle
Section 33 of RA 9262 does not allow conciliation or mediation (settlement talks) in these cases. The barangay must not hold talks between you and the abuser or push you to withdraw. See also do I need to go to the barangay first: for abuse, you go to the barangay for protection, not to settle.
For help: the barangay VAW desk, the Women and Children Protection Desk at the nearest police station, your city or municipal social welfare office and the DSWD for shelter and counseling, and the PAO. If you are in danger, call 911, which takes calls about violence against women and children.
Beyond the Protection Order
- A criminal case. Violence against women and their children is a crime under RA 9262. A Protection Order is separate; you can have both.
- Breaking a Protection Order is itself punishable. Report any violation to the barangay, the police or the court.
- Leave from work. RA 9262 gives a working victim up to 10 days of paid leave, on top of other leaves, to attend to these matters.
- Support for the children. See how much child support can I ask for.
- Property you shared as live-in partners. See what live-in partners own together. For married couples, see is there divorce in the Philippines.
Common Questions
Hindi Kami Kasal. Pwede pa rin ba Akong Kumuha ng BPO?
Yes. RA 9262 covers a woman who has or had a dating or sexual relationship with the abuser, or who has a child with them, not only wives. Live-in partners and girlfriends are covered.
How Long Does a Barangay Protection Order Last?
15 days. It is issued on the day you apply. For longer protection, ask the Family Court for a Temporary Protection Order, which lasts 30 days, and then a Permanent Protection Order.
Kailangan Ko ba ng Abogado at Pera Para Mag-file?
No lawyer is needed. Barangay officials and court staff must help you with the application. In court, an applicant who cannot afford the fees, or who is in danger, can file without paying them. The PAO helps people who qualify for free.
The Barangay Told Us to Just Talk It Over. Is That Allowed?
No. Section 33 of RA 9262 does not allow conciliation or mediation of violence against women and their children. No official should push you to settle or withdraw. If the barangay does not act within 24 hours, you can go to the police or the Family Court.
My Partner Abuses Me Through Texts and Facebook, Not Physically. Does That Count?
It can. Psychological violence, such as threats, harassment, public humiliation and stalking, is covered by RA 9262, whether done in person or online. Save screenshots of the messages and posts, with dates.
Not legal advice. This is general information. For advice on your own situation, consult a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or an IBP legal aid office may help for free.
Government fees, rules and requirements change, so always check with the office concerned before you go. This page explains the general rules; it cannot tell you how they apply to your own family or case. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.