Maegan Aguilar Beaten Up by Her Live-In Partner: Her Legal Options

Maegan Aguilar, the daughter of the legendary Ka Freddie Aguilar,, was reportedly beaten up by her alleged live-in partner Ali when she tried to end their relationship on Saturday, November 8, 2014.

ABS-CBNnews.com said that the alleged incident was posted on the Facebook account of Maegan’s bestfriend Maria Silorio.

Considering that the alleged offender of Maegan was only her live-in partner, is she (Maegan) entitled of a protection provided in Republic Act Number 9262 or otherwise known as “Anti-Violence Against  Women and Their Children Act of 2004”?

As provided in R.A. No. 9262, violence against women and their children refers to any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman:

1. who is his wife;

2. who is his former wife;

3. with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship;

4. with whom he has a common child;

5. or against her children whether legitimate or illegitimate;

within or without the family abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

Based on the definition above, Maegan was considered as a woman with whom his live-in partner Ali whom Ali has or had a sexual relationship.  Hence, Maegan may file a case against her former live-in partner Ali for violating the provision of R.A. No. 9262.

Aside from filing a criminal case mentioned above, Maegan may avail of the Protection Order provided in the same law.

The relief granted in the Protection Order serves the purpose of safeguarding the victim from further harm, minimizing any disruption in the victim’s daily life, and facilitating the opportunity and ability of the victim to independently regain control over her life.

A protection order may be issued by the Barangay which is called a Barangay Protection Order (BPO) providing protection for a period of 10 days.

A petition in court for the issuance of a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) may be filed by Maegan.  While her petition is heard by the court, Maegan may avail of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) which would last for a period of 30 days. A TPO may be renewed for another 30 days until the petition for PPO is terminated.

Note:  All the pictures used herein are screenshots taken from the video posted on ABS-CBNnews.com.