Text of the provision
Art. 211. The father and the mother shall jointly exercise parental authority over the persons of their common children. In case of disagreement, the father's decision shall prevail, unless there is a judicial order to the contrary. Children shall always observe respect and reverence towards their parents and are obliged to obey them as long as the children are under parental authority.
(311a)
Family Code of the Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, approved July 6, 1987. The Code took effect on August 3, 1988 (Republic v. Orbecido III, G.R. No. 154380, October 5, 2005). Reproduced in full.
What this article means
Parental authority belongs to both parents jointly — father and mother stand on equal footing over their common children. The article adds a tie-breaker: in case of disagreement, the father's decision prevails, but only until a court orders otherwise, so a parent who disputes a decision can seek judicial review.
The duty runs the other way too: children owe their parents respect and reverence, and must obey them while under parental authority.
Related provisions
- Article 212 — who exercises authority when a parent is absent or dead.
- Article 225 — the parallel joint guardianship over the child's property.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on Article 211 will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.