Child Custody niece nephew

anonymous
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Hingi lang po ako ng legal advice para sa sister ko. Ang sister ko po ang may anak na babae 3 yrs old po, pero di sila kasal nong ama ng bata. Sa kasalukuyan po nasa akin po nakatira ang bata at ama nya while ang sister ko po ay ngdecide last yr na magwork abroad para masuportahan ang anak nya kasi hindi naman sila kayang suportahan ng lalake though may work naman ito bilang agent sa isang insurance company, kasi commission based salary lang sya.

Ang tanong ko po ay may karapatan ba ang ama ng bata na dalhin o isama nya ang bata kung sakaling lilipat na sya ng tirahan? Nakausap ko na po kasi ang sister ko at ayaw nyang pumayag na isama ng ama yong anak nya, pwede naman daw na dalaw dalawin nlng ito sa bahay. Matagal ko na pong kasama sa bahay ang lalaking yon at kilala ko na kung anong ugali meron sya. Kahit nagtatrabaho sya pero ni minsan di pa sya nag aabot sa akin kahit pambili man lang ng pagkain at pagmay sakit ang bata ako po ang gumagastos para sa check up at gamot (6 months po kasing wala pang sahod ang sister ko kaya ako po ang ngsusuport sa mag-ama). Nitong huli lang po nagkapera sya pero mas inuna pa bumili ng mamahaling mobile phone kaysa ibili ng gatas ang anak nya, vitamins o ipa check up man lang kasi may ubo at sipon. Natatakot po kasi kami na baka mas lalo nyang pabayaan ang bata pagwala na sa poder ko. Please help me po kung ano ang dapat gawin kung sakaling iinsist ng ama na isama yong bata next week paglumipat na sya ng tirahan.

 

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Adelaimar C Arias-Jose
is a Legal expert in the Philippines
Since nasa iyo ang physical custody ng bata, lamang ka. Kaya, huwag mong ipaubaya ang bata sa ama. Kung gusto mo, sabihan mo ang sister mo to send you a signed letter giving you instructions not to hand over her daughter to the father because of his financial inability to support their daughter. Then, you can execute an affidavit stating your sister's wishes and the fact that you are the one spending money for your niece's support. Bring the affidavit to the barangay, ipa-blotter mo ito sa barangay para mayroon kang proof sa iyong pag-tangan sa bata. Kasi, baka ikaw naman ay idemanda ng brother-in-law mo ng kidnapping or serious illegal detention dahil sa ayaw mong ibigay sa kanya ang bata.
Then, if you have the financial means, it would be best if you asked the court to declare you as legal guardian of the child in the absence of your sister and in the face of your brother-in-law's inability to support his child or exercise parental responsibility (kung halimbawa lagi siyang wala kaya't hindi niya inaasikaso ang bata, hindi inaalagaan, etc. kahit doon siya sa bahay ninyo nakatira din).

It is best to get a lawyer who can advise you kasi, I am only relying on the facts that you have provided. I cannot really advise you thoroughly over the internet.

About the author

Adelaimar C Arias-Jose

I am a graduate of the UP College of Law. Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines since 1995. I am currently involved in private practice in criminal, civil and labor law.
Profession: Lawyer
Adelaimar C. Arias-Jose
Office Address: #34 St. Michael Street
Philippines , Manila , Makati
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