A TPO is an emergency court order under RA 9262 (VAWC Act) that protects women and children from an abusive partner within 24 hours of application. It prohibits the abuser from contacting or approaching the victim and can be issued ex parte.
A Temporary Protection Order is a court-issued order under Republic Act No. 9262 (Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, 2004) designed to provide immediate protection to women and children experiencing abuse from an intimate partner or family member. Key features: **Ex parte**: The court can issue a TPO without requiring the abuser to be present or notified, based solely on the victim's application and supporting evidence. **Speed**: The court must act on a TPO application within 24 hours. This is designed to remove immediate danger before a full hearing. **Contents**: A TPO typically prohibits the respondent from: contacting the victim; going near the victim's home, school, or workplace; possessing weapons; and may order the respondent to leave the shared home. **Duration**: A TPO lasts 30 days. After a hearing (where both parties appear), the court may convert it into a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) which is indefinite. **Who can apply**: The woman or child victim, or any person on her behalf (police, social worker, guardian, relative). Applications are filed at the Regional Trial Court — Family Court branch or MTC. **Filing is free**: No filing fees are charged for TPO applications under RA 9262.
A woman receives death threats from her husband after she says she wants to separate. She goes to the Family Court and applies for a TPO with her sworn statement and screenshots of the threatening messages. The judge issues the TPO within 24 hours, ordering the husband to leave the house and stay 100 metres away from her.
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