MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 10, 2026 — The Court of Appeals (CA) has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to take custody of the three-year-old son of Gateway Motors executive Michael Ryan C. Goho, following a habeas corpus petition filed by his estranged wife, Mikko Joy Tan-Goho.

In a resolution issued on January 30, the CA’s Third Division granted Mikko Joy’s petition and ordered the NBI to present the child, Mattheo Elon Tan Goho, before the Family Court of Makati City. The appellate court stressed that the Makati court must promptly resolve the custody case, emphasizing that the child’s welfare remains the highest priority.

Public interest in the case grew after veteran commentator Victor Agustin drew attention to the ruling through his Money-Go-Round Facebook page. Agustin shared details from the court resolution, including a timeline stating that Mattheo was flown from Cebu to Makati City on November 26, 2024. Three days later, on November 29, Goho allegedly sent Mikko Joy a text message expressing his intent to end their marriage and keep custody of their son.

At the time, Mikko Joy was pregnant and reportedly unable to travel to Manila to see Mattheo. She was able to reunite with her son only on March 6, 2025, two days after giving birth to their daughter. Since then, custody of Mattheo has remained with his father in Makati City, prompting Mikko Joy to file the habeas corpus petition.

Michael Ryan Goho serves as executive vice president of Gateway Motors Group, a Cebu-based automotive conglomerate founded in 2004. The company has expanded into what it describes as the largest multi-brand car dealership network in the Philippines, operating more than 100 branches nationwide and representing 21 vehicle brands. 

Gateway Motors manages vehicle sales, servicing, and parts distribution for brands such as Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Nissan, MG, Honda, Peugeot, Subaru, and BMW. The group is chaired by Markane Goho, with Raymund Basubas as president and Michael Goho as EVP.

Legal experts noted that a writ of habeas corpus is a legal remedy used to challenge unlawful detention, including situations where one parent restricts the other from exercising custody rights. The CA ruling highlights the judiciary’s role in intervening in family disputes, including those involving prominent business families.

The Makati Family Court is expected to hear arguments from both parties in the coming weeks, with the child’s welfare remaining the primary concern. Observers said the decision could serve as a precedent for similar custody disputes, reflecting the courts’ readiness to act swiftly when a child’s rights are involved.

Custody Battles Are Power Battles in Disguise

Child custody cases are often framed as private family disputes, but they can quickly become contests of leverage. When one parent controls location, access, and timing, custody becomes less about parenting and more about who can dominate the situation.

The Court of Appeals order signals that institutions are willing to intervene when a child’s presence is treated like a bargaining chip. Habeas corpus is not just a legal tool, it is a reminder that even parental authority has limits when it restricts a child’s right to stability and a parent’s right to access.

This case also exposes how wealth and mobility can tilt the playing field. If one parent can move a child across cities and delay resolution, how equal is custody law in practice for families without power, lawyers, or influence?

Image from Victor Agustin Facebook