What is a travel tax?
Dear PAO, According to recent news reports, Congress is seeking to abolish the travel tax. May I know what a travel tax is, who is required to pay it, and how much the travel tax amounts to? Inez Dear Inez, The answer to your question may be found in the pertinent provisions of Presidential Decree […]
Is it legal to impose forced leaves on employees?
Dear PAO, I am employed as a factory worker at a manufacturing plant located in Balagtas, Bulacan. Last month, all employees were informed of management’s decision to streamline the company’s operation due to low market demand. We were told that some of us would be placed on forced leave and a work rotation for two […]
Mere presence in casinos a ground for disciplinary action against government employees?
Dear PAO, I am a local government employee. My cousin, who is getting married next month, wants to hold his bachelor party at one of Manila’s top casinos. I am aware of the prohibition against gambling by government officials and employees, and I am just wondering whether the prohibition still applies even if I merely […]
The right of the accused to examine supporting documents of a search warrant
Dear PAO, My father was arrested based on a search warrant, but the court refused to give us copies of the documents and evidence that were used to get the warrant to protect the identities of the confidential informants and police witnesses. Doesn’t my father have the right to see those documents so he can […]
Can an imprisoned lawyer continue to practice law?
Dear PAO, My lawyer-cousin is handling my case pro bono. However, he was imprisoned because he is an accused in a criminal case. I cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Can I ask the court to temporarily release him during the scheduled trial dates? Mayach Dear Mayach, No, you cannot ask the court to temporarily […]
Psychological incapacity is a legal concept
Dear PAO, I married my husband after a short courtship. In the beginning, he was charming, loving, and attentive. But soon after the wedding, he would disappear for days without explanation, refuse to contribute to household needs even if he is employed, and would easily explode in anger whenever I ask for him to cooperate […]
Two teenagers set my dog on fire, but they will not go to prison?
Dear PAO, I love animals and offer my home to stray and abandoned dogs and cats. As of today, I have about 20 pets in my care. Last week, the children of my neighbor, two teenage boys, caught one of my dogs. They doused her with kerosene and set her on fire for a social […]
Who May File for a VAWC Protection Order
Dear PAO, I need your help. I am a landlord. My tenant is a mother with two young children. Her husband constantly yells and throws things around the house. He is jobless and frequently accuses her of infidelity. I heard him again this morning, and our neighbors often complain about his behavior. My parents check […]
A guard on floating status receives general return- to-work order
Dear PAO, I am a security guard on floating status. The agency I work for has been keeping me on this status for exactly six months. Yesterday, my agency sent me a return-to-work order, but it was a general one. It did not state any actual job assignment, client, time, or place. All it said […]
Grave threat can also be committed by way of hand gestures
Dear PAO, I have a neighbor who always looks down on me. His demeaning attitude started when I confronted him about his karaoke machine, which he would operate loudly until the wee hours of the morning. On one occasion as I was passing in front of his house, he made a hand gesture by pointing […]