⚖️ Can Your Husband Stop Giving Financial Support if You Pursue a VAWC Case?

 

✅ Short Answer: No, he is not legally allowed to stop supporting you or your child.

Under Philippine law, particularly RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004), financial support is a legal obligation, regardless of whether or not you pursue a VAWC case.

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📌 Relevant Laws and Provisions

🔹 Article 195 & 196 of the Family Code

These articles state that parents are obliged to support their children, and spouses are obliged to support each other (unless annulled/separated legally with final orders affecting support).

🔹 RA 9262 – Section 5(e)

It is considered an act of economic abuse when a person:

“Deprives or threatens to deprive the woman or her child of financial resources, the right to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property owned in common…”

So, refusing support or deliberately withholding money because you filed a VAWC case is a punishable act under the same law.

🔹 RA 9262 – Section 8

You may ask for a Barangay Protection Order (BPO), Temporary Protection Order (TPO), or Permanent Protection Order (PPO), which can legally compel him to provide financial support, especially for your child’s needs.

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⚠️ What Happens if He Refuses to Give Support?

He may be charged with:

• Violation of RA 9262 (Economic Abuse)

• Contempt of court if a TPO/PPO is issued and violated

• Criminal liability if proven to deliberately deprive you or your child of support

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🧑‍⚖️ Real-Life Case Examples (Philippines)

📍 People v. Marasigan (G.R. No. 195209, July 23, 2014)

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a husband who failed to support his children and wife after repeated demands. The Court considered his actions as economic abuse under RA 9262 and ruled that the obligation to support continues even if there is marital conflict or a pending case.

📍 Estrada v. People (G.R. No. 230751, March 27, 2019)

The Court ruled that even sending insufficient support when clearly able to provide more constitutes psychological and economic abuse. The woman in this case had also filed for VAWC, and the husband was still required to provide support.

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💡 How to Protect Yourself If You File the Case

1. Include Support in Your Protection Order

   • You can request immediate financial support in your TPO/PPO filing.

   • The court may issue a provisional support order, compelling him to give a certain amount monthly.

2. Document Everything

   • Save receipts, chats, or proof of him threatening to stop support.

   • If he withholds it after the case is filed, this strengthens your case for economic abuse.

3. Coordinate with DSWD or PAO

   • They can help you enforce the financial support provision or help file a separate petition for child support if needed.

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🟩 Final Note

Filing a VAWC case does not remove his responsibility to financially support you or your child.

Instead, stopping support out of revenge is an additional offense that can be charged on top of the physical or psychological abuse you’re already reporting.