Unson, III v. Araneta · G.R. L-52242

Petitioner: Unson, III
Respondent: Araneta
Citation: G.R. No. L-52242
Court: Supreme Court
Decided: November 17, 1980

Child custody dispute between separated spouses over their 8-year-old daughter Maria Teresa Unson

Summary

The Supreme Court decided a child custody dispute between separated spouses Miguel Unson III and Edita Araneta over their 8-year-old daughter Maria Teresa. The father sought certiorari to challenge a trial court order returning custody to the mother. The Court found that the mother's living arrangement with her brother-in-law, who had fathered her two other children and suffered from mental illness, created an immoral environment harmful to the child's development. Applying the paramount criterion of the child's physical, educational, social and moral welfare, the Court awarded custody to the father and limited the mother to visitorial rights. The decision emphasized protecting children from unwholesome influences during their formative years and demonstrated the Court's willingness to make moral judgments in custody determinations.

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Pablo-Gualberto v. Gualberto V G.R. Nos. 154994 156254 G.R. No. 154994
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Child Custody and Parental Authority in the Philippines

By the Intellegal Editorial Board · November 17, 1980

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