Mediation for Harmony: The New Rule on Family Mediation (A.M. No. 24-02-06-SC)

The family is often widely regarded as the foundation of society, serving as a fundamental social institution that shapes both individuals and communities. Émile Durkheim in The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912) identifies the family as a primary social institution
essential for social cohesion and moral regulation. This is acknowledged by the 1987 Philippine Constitution, specifically Section 1 of Article XV, which recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation and mandates the State to strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development. Accordingly, the family influences nearly every aspect of a Filipino’s life, from emotional support systems and social norms to broader patterns of economic development.