JUDICIAL PROCESS: RULE ON DOMESTIC ADOPTION
A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC in relation to R.A. 8552
FILING OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION
by the adoptive parents with the
Family Court of the province or city
where the prospective parents reside.
ISSUE ORDER OF HEARING if the
petition is sufficient in form and in
substance containing the registered
name of the adoptee in the birth
certificated and the names by which
the adoptee has been known,
petition’s purpose, complete name
which adoptee will use if petition is
granted and the date and place of
hearing
PUBLICATION OF ORDER OF HEARING
PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION of
child and home study reports by the
social worker, social service office of
the LGU, child-placing or child-caring
agency, or the DSWD (if such reports
had not been attached to the petition
due to unavailability at the time of
filing)
SOCIAL WORKER TO VERIFY with the
civil registry the real identity and
registered name of the adoptee, and
establish that the child is legally
available for adoption and to conduct
counselling sessions with the
biological parents on the matters of
adoption
Petition shall be verified, accompanied with certification of non-
forum shopping and specifically state at the heading of the
initiatory pleading whether it contains an application for change
of name, rectification of simulated birth, voluntary or
involuntary commitment of children, or declaration of child as
abandoned, dependent or neglected.
 Contents of petition (Sec 7, A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC
 Petition also seeking rectification of simulated birth
(Sec. 8, A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC)
 Adoption of a foundling, an abandoned, dependent or
neglected child (Sec. 9, A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC)
 Petition also praying for change of name (Sec. 10, A.M.
NO. 02-6-02-SC)
 Annexes to the petition (Sec. 11, A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC)
 Date and place of hearing shall be set within 6 months
from the date of the issuance of the order.
 In case of application for change of name, the date set
for hearing shall not be within 4 months after the last
publication of the notice nor within 30 days prior to an
election.
 Copies of order of hearing may be furnished to the
OSG, DSWD, and adoptee’s biological parents, if
known. Notice to the OSG is mandatory if change in the
name of the adoptee is also prayed for.
A copy of the order of hearing shall be published before date of
hearing at least once a week for 3 successive weeks in a
newspaper of general circulation in the province or city where
the court is situated.
 If adoptee’s birth is not registered, social worker must
register the adoptee and secure a certificate of
foundling or late registration.
 Case study on the adoptee shall establish that child is
legally available for adoption and the documents are
valid and authentic.
 Case study of the adopter shall ascertain his/her
genuine intentions and that the adoption is in the best
interest of the child.
 If the social worker finds that there are grounds to
deny the petition, he shall make proper
recommendation to the court, furnishing a copy to the
petitioner.
HEARING upon satisfactory proof that
the order has been published and
jurisdictional requirements have been
complied with.
The court shall give the adopter
SUPERVISED TRIAL CUSTODY of the
adoptee for at least 6 months
SOCIAL WORKER’S REPORT ON THE
RESULT OF THE TRIAL CUSTODY
DECREE OF ADOPTION is issued if the
STC is satisfactory to the parties and
the court is convinced from the trial
custody report and the evidence
adduced that the adoption shall
redound to the best interests of the
adoptee and no opposition has been
interposed to the petition.
ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF
FINALITY upon expiration of 15-day
period to appeal (Sec. 16, A.M. NO. 02-
6-02-SC)
ADOPTER TO SUBMIT A CERTIFIED
TRUE COPY OF THE DECREE OF
ADOPTION AND THE CERTIFICATE OF
FINALITY TO THE CIVIL REGISTRAR
 Petitioner and adoptee must personally appear and
the former must testify before the presiding Judge of
the court on the date set for hearing.
 Court shall verify from the social worker and determine
whether the biological parent has been properly
counselled against making hasty decisions caused by
strain or anxiety to give up the child; ensure that all
measures to strengthen the family have been
exhausted and ascertain if any prolonged stay in his
home will be inimical to his welfare and interest.
 Lawyer presents jurisdictional facts
 If no opposition, there will be an ex-parte presentation
of evidence
 If there is an opposition to the petition, the
presentation of evidence of the parties will ensue.
 Parties are expected to adjust psychologically and
emotionally to each other and establish a bonding
relationship.
 STC monitored by the social worker of the court,
DSWD, social service of LGU, or child-placement and
child-caring agency.
 Temporary parental authority is vested in the adopter
 Court may reduce the period or exempt the parties for
the best interest of the adoptee. Alien adopted must
complete the 6-month STC subject to exceptions under
Sec. 15, A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC.
 If the child is below 7 yo and is placed with the
prospective adopter through a pre-adoption
placement authority, the latter shall enjoy al the
benefits to which biological parent is entitled from the
date the adoptee is placed with them.
 The decree takes effect as of the date the original
petition was filed even if the petitioners die before its
issuance.
 The decree shall state the name by which the child is to
be known and registered.
 Submitted to the Civil Registrar where the child was
originally registered within 30 days from receipt of the
certificate of finality.
 In case of a change of name, the decree shall be
submitted to the Civil Registrar where the court issuing
the same is situated.
AT THE CIVIL REGISTRAR:

 Annotation of the decree on

the adoptee’s birth certificate
within 30 days from receipt of
the certificate of finality
 If the adoptee is a foundling, the court shall order the
 Issuance of birth certificate
Civil Registrar where the foundling was registered, to
without notation that it is new
annotate the decree of adoption on the foundling
or amended certificate and a new birth certificate shall be ordered
 Sealing of original birth prepared by the Civil Registrar in accordance with the
certificate which can be decree.
opened only upon order of
the court which issued the
decree of adoption
 Submission of proof of
compliance within 30 days
from receipt of the decree.
 FLOWCHART: INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION
A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC in relation to R.A. 8043

FILING OF VERIFIED PETITION TO

ADOPT a Filipino child by a foreign
national or Filipino citizen  Contents of the petition ( Sec. 30, A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC)
permanently residing abroad with the  Annexes (Sec. 31, A.M. NO. 02-6-02-SC) must be
Family Court or RTC having written and officially translated in English.
jurisdiction over the place where the  Application shall be in accordance with the
requirements as set forth in the IRR promulgated by
child resides or may be found or with the Board.
the Inter-Country Adoption Board,
through an intermediate agency,
whether governmental or an  Only a child legally available for adoption may be the
authorized and accredited agency, in subject of inter-country adoption.
the country of the prospective
adoptive parents.

If filed with the court, after finding that the petition is sufficient in form and substance and a proper case for
inter-country adoption, it shall immediately transmit the petition to the Inter-Country Adoption Board for
appropriate action.

ICAB to review and process applications and conduct family selection or matching the prospective adoptive child
with an applicant

Upon approval of matching proposal, notice shall be given to the concerned foreign adoption agency.

After the applicant has accepted the matching proposal, the ICAB shall issue a Placement Authority. The applicant
is assessed for pre-adoptive placement fees or costs.

The governmental agency or the authorized and accredited agency in the

SUPERVISION OF TRIAL country of the adoptive parents which filed the application for inter-
CUSTODY country adoption shall be responsible for the trial custody and the care of
the child. It shall also provide family counseling and other related services.
The trial custody shall be for a period of six (6) months from the time of
placement. Only after the lapse of the period of trial custody shall a decree
of adoption be issued in the said country a copy of which shall be sent to
the Board to form part of the records of the child.
ISSUANCE OF DECREE OF
ADOPTION
 Issued only after the lapse of the period of the trial
custody
 Issued in the country of the adoptive parents
 A copy of which shall be sent to the Board to form part
of the records of the child.
I. DOMESTIC ADOPTION
-It is a juridical act, a proceeding in rem, which creates between two persons a
relationship similar to that which results from legitimate paternity and filiation.

PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION

-Adoption statutes, being humane and salutary, hold the interests and welfare of the
child to be of paramount consideration. They are designed to provide homes,
parental care and education for unfortunate, needy or orphaned children and give
them the protection of society and family, as well as to allow childless couples to
experience the joys of parenthood.

 IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
o CHILD- person below 18 years of age at the time of filing of the petition
o CHILD LEGALLY AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION-child who has been voluntarily or
involuntarily committed to the Department or to a licensed child –placing or caring
agency, freed of parental authority of his biological parents, or in case of rescission
of adoption, guardian or adopter/s
o FOUNDLING-refers to a deserted or abandoned infant or child whose parents,
guardian or relatives are unknown
o ABANDONED CHILD- one who has no proper parental care or guardianship or
whose parents have deserted him for a period of at least 6 continuous months and
has been judicially declared as such
o DEPENDENT CHILD- one who is without a parent, guardian or custodian or one
whose parents, guardian or other custodian for good cause desires to be relieved
of his care and custody and is dependent upon the public for support.
o NEGLECTED CHILD- one whose basic needs have been deliberately not attended
to or inadequately attended to, physically or emotionally, by his parents or
guardian.

 WHO MAY ADOPT

FILIPINO CITIZEN ALIEN GUARDIAN

 Legal age  Any alien  Guardian with
 In possession of full possessing the respect to the ward
civil capacity and same qualification after the
legal rights for Filipino termination of the
 Not convicted of nationals guardianship and
crime involving  Must be living in clearance of his
moral turpitude the Philippines for financial
 Emotionally and at least 3 accountabilities
psychologically continuous years
capable of caring for prior to the filing of
children the petition and
 In position to give maintains
support residence until the
 Must be 16 years decree of adoption
older that the  Certified to have
adoptee legal capacity by
his consul
  His gov’t allows the
adoptee to enter
his country as his
adopted child
EXN to age restriction: EXN to alien qualification
 If adopter is the  Adopter is a former
biological parent of Filipino who
adoptee adopts a relative
 Of adopter is the w/in 4th civil
spouse of the degree
adoptee’s parents  Adopter adopts the
 If the adopter is the legitimate child of
sibling of the his Filipino spouse
adoptee  One who is married
to a Filipino citizen
and seeks to adopt
jointly a relative
within the 4th civil
degree

GENERAL RULE: Husband and wife jointly adopts

EXCEPTION:

1.) One spouse seeks to adopt the legitimate child of one spouse by the other
spouse.

2. One spouse seeks to adopt his own illegitimate child: Provided, however, that the other
spouse has signified his consent

3.) The spouses are legally separated from each other

 WHO MAY BE ADOPTED

o Any person below 18 years of age who has been voluntarily committed to the
department or judicially declared available for adoption.
o The legitimate child of one spouse by the other spouse.
o An illegitimate child, by a qualified adopter to raise the status of the former to that
of the legitimacy
o Person of legal age regardless of civil status, if, prior to adoption, he has been
considered as adopters own child since minority
o Child whose adoption has been previously rescinded
o Child whose biological or adoptive parents have died: Provided, that no
proceedings shall be initiated within 6 mos. From the time of death of said parents
o Child not otherwise disqualified by law or these rules
  CONSENT

Consent and notice requirement is necessary to protect the natural parental relationship
from unwarranted interference by interlopers, and to insure the opportunity safeguard the best
interest of the child.

Whose consent is needed?

 Adoptee, if 10 years of age or over;

 Biological parents of the child, if known, or the legal guardian or the proper
government instrumentality which has legal custody of the child;
 The legitimate and adopted children who are ten years of age or over of the
adopters and adopter, if any;
 Illegitimate children who are ten years of age or over of the adopter who are living
with the said adopter and the latter’s spouse if any; and
 The spouse, if any, of the person adopting or to be adopted.

 EFFECTS
o Sever all legal ties between the biological parent/s and the adoptee, except when
the biological parent is the spouse of the adopter;
o Deem the adoptee as a legitimate child of the adopter; and
o Give adopter and adoptee reciprocal rights and obligations arising from the
relationship of parent and child, including but not limited to:
o (i)The right to choose the name the child is to be known
o (ii) The right of Adopter and adoptee to be legal and compulsory heirs of
each other. BUT THE RELATIONSHIP IS LIMITED SOLELY TO THE ADOPTER
AND ADOPTED DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE RELATIVES OF THE ADOPTING
PARENTS.

 PROCEDURE
o CASE STUDY
 no petition for adoption shall be set for hearing unless a licensed social
worker of DSWD or any child-caring facility has made a case study of the
adoptee, his or her biological parents and adopters
 the study shall establish that the adoptee is legally available for adoption
o SUPERVISED TRIAL CUSTODY
 No petition shall be granted until the Adopter/s have been given by the
court a supervised trial custody for at least 6 mos. Where the adoptee and
adopter shall establish a bonding relationship.
 Court may reduce the period if it finds the same to be in the best interest
of the adoptee, However alien adopter/s MUST COMPLETE THE 6 mos.
TRIAL
o DECREE OF ADOPTION
 The decree shall order the ff:

 Clerk of court will issue to the adopter a certificate of finality upon

expiration of the 15 day reglementary period to appeal
  Adopter will submit a certified true copy of the decree and
certificate of finality to the civil registrar where the child was
originally registered
 Civil registrar will:
o Annotate on the adoptee’s original certificate of birth or
certificate of foundling the decree of adoption within 30
days from the receipt of the certificate of finality
o Issue a new Certificate of birth which shall show the name
of the child, sex, date of birth, citizenship, name of the
adoptive parents, and other
o Seal the original Certificate of birth in the civil registry
records
o Submit to the court proof of compliance

 VENUE
Family court where the prospective adoptive parents reside

 RECISSION OF ADOPTION
o Who files?
o Adopted who is at least 18 years of age;
o With the assistance of the DSWD if the adopted child is still a minor
o Legal guardian or counsel if the adopted is over 18 years of age but
is incapacitated.
o Grounds
o Repeated physical and verbal maltreatment despite having
undergone counseling
o Attempt on the life of the adoptee
o Sexual assault or violence
o Abandonment or failure to comply with parental obligation
o When to file?
o GR: Within 5 years after reaching the age of majority
o EXN: if adoptee was incompetent at the time of adoption, petition
should be filed within 5 years after recovery from such incapacity
o Effects
o Parental authority of the biological parent of adoptee, if known, or
legal custody of DSWD is RESTORED if adoptee is still a minor
o Reciprocal rights and obligation of the adopter and adoptee are
EXTINGUISHED
o Succession rights REVERT to their status prior to adoption, but
vested rights acquired prior to rescission are respected
o Court shall order the civil registrar where the adoption decree was
registered to CANCEL the new birth certificate of the adoptee and
REINSTATE the original birth or foundling certificate.
 WHAT THE PETITION MAY INCLUDE
o Prayer for change of name
o Rectification of simulated birth
o Declaration that child is a foundling, abandoned, dependent or
neglected.
o CHANGE OF NAME
o Petition shall state the following:
 o Registered name of the child
o Aliases or other names which the child has been known
o Full name by which the child is to be known

II. The Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995

 IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
o Inter-country adoption refers to the socio-legal process of adopting a Filipino
child by a foreigner or a Filipino citizen permanently residing abroad where
the petition is filed, the supervised trial custody is undertaken, and the decree
of adoption is issued outside the Philippines.
o Child means a person below fifteen (15) years of age unless sooner
emancipated by law.
o Authorized and accredited agency refers to the State welfare agency or a
licensed adoption agency in the country of the adopting parents which
provide comprehensive social services and which is duly recognized by the
Department.
o Legally-free child means a child who has been voluntarily or involuntarily
committed to the Department, in accordance with the Child and Youth
Welfare Code.
o Matching refers to the judicious pairing of the adoptive child and the
applicant to promote a mutually satisfying parent-child relationship.
o Inter-Country Adoption Board acts as the central authority in matters relating to
inter-country adoption. It shall act as the policy-making body for purposes of carrying
out the provisions of this Act, in consultation and coordination with the Department
of Social Welfare and Development, the different child-care and placement agencies,
adoptive agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations engaged in child-care
and placement activities.

 Inter-Country Adoption should be the Last Resort.

 Thus, all possibilities for adoption of the child under the Family Code have been
(a)exhausted and that inter-country adoption is (b) in the best interest of the child.
 Towards this end, the Board shall set up the guidelines to ensure that steps will be taken
to place the child in the Philippines before the child is placed for inter-country adoption:
 However, the maximum number that may be allowed for foreign adoption shall not
exceed six hundred (600) a year for the first five (5) years.

 COMPOSITION OF THE INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION BOARD

1. Secretary of the Department as ex officio Chairman, and

2. Six (6) other members to be appointed by the President for a non-renewable term of six (6) years:
Provided that there shall be appointed:
 one (1) psychiatrist or psychologist,
 two (2) lawyers who shall have at least the qualifications of a regional trial court judge,
 one (1) registered social worker, and
 two (2) representatives from non-governmental organizations engaged in child-caring and
placement activities.
  The members of the Board shall receive a per diem allowance of One thousand five hundred
pesos (P1,500) for each meeting attended by them: Provided, further, That no compensation
shall be paid for more than four (4) meetings a month.

 POWERS AND FUNTIONS OF THE BOARD

1. to prescribe rules and regulations as it may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act, after consultation and upon favorable recommendation of the different agencies concerned
with the child-caring, placement, and adoption;

2. to set the guidelines for the convening of an Inter-country Adoption Placement Committee which
shall be under the direct supervision of the Board;

3. to set the guidelines for the manner by which selection/matching of prospective adoptive parents
and adoptive child can be made;

4. to determine a reasonable schedule of fees and charges to be exacted in connection with the
application for adoption;

5. to determine the form and contents of the application for inter-country adoption;

6. to institute systems and procedures to prevent improper financial gain in connection with adoption
and deter improper practices which are contrary to this Act;

7. to promote the development of adoption services, including post-legal adoption services,

8. to accredit and authorize foreign private adoption agencies which have demonstrated
professionalism, competence and have consistently pursued non-profit objectives to engage in the
placement of Filipino children in their own country: Provided, That such foreign private agencies are
duly authorized and accredited by their own government to conduct inter-country adoption: Provided,
however, That the total number of authorized and accredited foreign private adoption agencies shall not
exceed one hundred (100) a year;

9. to take appropriate measures to ensure confidentiality of the records of the child, the natural
parents and the adoptive parents at all times;

10. to prepare, review or modify, and thereafter, recommend to the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Memoranda of Agreement respecting inter-country adoption consistent with the implementation of this
Act and its stated goals, entered into, between and among foreign governments, international
organizations and recognized international non-governmental organizations;

11. to assist other concerned agencies and the courts in the implementation of this Act, particularly
as regards coordination with foreign persons, agencies and other entities involved in the process of
adoption and the physical transfer of the child; and

12. to perform such other functions on matters relating to inter-country adoption as may be
determined by the President.

WHO MAY BE ADOPTED (SEC 8)

Only a legally free child may be the subject of inter-country adoption. In order that such child
may be considered for placement, the following documents must be submitted to the Inter-
country Board:
 1. Child study;

2. Birth certificate/foundling certificate;

3. Deed of voluntary commitment/decree of abandonment/death certificate of parents;

4. Medical evaluation /history;

5. Psychological evaluation, as necessary; and

6. Recent photo of the child.

 WHO MAY ADOPT

An alien or a Filipino citizen permanently residing abroad may file an application for inter-country
adoption of a Filipino child if he/she:

1. is at least twenty-seven (27) years of age and at least sixteen (16) years older than the child to be
adopted, at the time of application unless the adopter is the parent by nature of the child to be adopted
or the spouse of such parent:

2. if married, his/her spouse must jointly file for the adoption;

3. has the capacity to act and assume all rights and responsibilities of parental authority under his
national laws, and has undergone the appropriate counseling from an accredited counselor in his/her
country;

4. has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

5. is eligible to adopt under his/her national law;

6. is in a position to provide the proper care and support and to give the necessary moral values and
example to all his children, including the child to be adopted;

7. agrees to uphold the basic rights of the child as embodied under Philippine laws, the U.N.
Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to abide by the rules and regulations issued to implement the
provisions of this Act;

8. comes from a country with whom the Philippines has diplomatic relations and whose government
maintains a similarly authorized and accredited agency and that adoption is allowed under his/her
national laws; and

9. possesses all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications provided herein and in other
applicable Philippine laws.

 FAMILY SELECTION/MATCHING
o No child shall be matched to a foreign adoptive family unless it is satisfactorily shown that
the child cannot be adopted locally.
o The clearance with the copy of the minutes of the meetings, as issued by the Board, shall
form part of the records of the child to be adopted.
o When the Board is ready to transmit the Placement Authority to the authorized and
accredited inter-country adoption agency and all the travel documents of the child are
 ready, the adoptive parents, or any one of them, shall personally fetch the child in the
Philippines.

 PRE-ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT COSTS

The applicant(s) shall bear the following costs incidental to the placement of the child;

1. The cost of bringing the child from the Philippines to the residence of the applicant(s) abroad,
including all travel expenses within the Philippines and abroad; and

2. The cost of passport, visa, medical examination and psychological evaluation required, and other
related expenses.

 The fees, charges, and assessments collected by the Board in the exercise of its functions shall
be used solely to process applications for inter-country adoption and to support the activities of
the Board.

 PROCEDURE
1. all possibilities for adoption of the child under the Family Code must first be
(a)exhausted and that inter-country adoption is (b) in the best interest of the child
before resorting to inter-country adoption. (LAST RESORT)

2. An application to adopt a Filipino child shall be filed either:

a. with the Philippine Regional Trial Court having jurisdiction over the child, or

b. with the Board, through an intermediate agency, whether governmental or an

authorized and accredited agency, in the country of the prospective adoptive parents,
c. which application shall be in accordance with the requirements as set forth in the
implementing rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Board.

3. Supporting documents for the application, written and officially translated in English.

a. Birth certificate of applicant(s);

b. Marriage contract, if married, and divorce decree, if applicable;

c. Written consent of their biological or adoptive children above ten (10) years of age, in the

form of sworn statements

d. Physical, medical and psychological evaluation by a duly licensed physician and

psychologist;

e. Income tax returns or any document showing the financial capability of the applicant(s);

f. Police clearance of applicant(s);

g. Character reference from the local church/minister, the applicant's employer and a

member of the immediate community who have known the applicant(s) for at least five

(5) years; and

h. Recent postcard-size pictures of the applicant(s) and his immediate family;

 4. TRIAL CUSTODY
- The governmental agency or the authorized and accredited agency in the country of the
adoptive parents which filed the application for inter-country adoption shall be responsible
for the trial custody and the care of the child
- The trial custody shall be for a period of six (6) months from the time of placement. Only
- A progress report of the child's adjustment during the trial custody, shall be submitted by
the adopting parent(s) and shall submit to the governmental agency or the authorized and
accredited agency, which shall in turn transmit a copy to the Board,.
- The progress report shall be taken into consideration in deciding whether or not to issue the
decree of adoption.

 The Department of Foreign Affairs shall set up a system by which Filipino children sent abroad
for trial custody are monitored and checked as reported by the authorized and accredited inter-
country adoption agency as well as the repatriation to the Philippines of a Filipino child whose
adoption has not been approved.

5. DECREE OF ADOPTION
- Shall be issued only after the lapse of the period of trial custody
- It will be issued in the country of the adoptive parents
- A copy of which shall be sent to the Board to form part of the records of the child.

DOMESTIC ADOPTION INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION

DEFINITION OF CHILD Any person below 18 years of age Any person below 15 years of
age unless sooner emancipated
by law
KIND Judicial Adoption Extrajudicial Adoption
PROMULGATION Feb 25 1998 June 7 1995
WHO MAY BE o Any person below 18 A Legally free child
ADOPTED o Legitimate child of one  Any child who has been
spouse, by the other spouse voluntarily or
o Illegitimate child by a involuntarily committed
qualified adopter to raise his to the DSWD as
status dependent, abandoned
o Person of legal age, that is or neglected
considered as adoptee’s
child since minority
o Child whose adoption has
been previously rescinded
o Child whose parents are
dead
o Child not otherwise
disqualified by law
WHO MAY ADOPT o Any Filipino citizen o Any alien
o Any alien o Filipino citizen
o guardian permanently residing
abroad
 PUBLICATION Once a week for three consecutive No publication
weeks in a newspaper of general
circulation
WHAT THE PETITION o Prayer for change of name Only petition for adoption
MAY INCLUDE o Rectification of simulated
birth
o Declaration that the child is
a foundling, abandoned,
dependent or neglected
child
SUPERVISED TRIAL At least 6 mos, within the At least 6 mos, within the
CUSTODY Philippines Philippines
COURT THAT ISSUES Family court Foreign court
THE DECREE