Illicit relations with a married person may be the basis of a valid termination of employment
Dear PAO, I got romantically involved with a co-worker who happens to be married, and our relationship lasted for three years. When his wife found out, she reported the matter to our company, hoping that the both of us would be terminated from employment. Our company has yet to issue any memorandum regarding the issue, […]
Complainant for unsound real estate business must be buyers or homeowners
Dear PAO, I owned a parcel of land adjacent to a subdivision project. My property is a lowland, so I understand that run off waters coming from the adjacent project will naturally fall to my land creating a drainage issue. I talked to the manager of the project to address the issue, but the same […]
What is a ‘retaining lien’?
Dear PAO, I am about to engage the services of a private lawyer. We agreed that the legal fees will be paid after the resolution of the case. The lawyer explained that while he is not asking for any legal fees at the moment, he will be exercising his right to a “retaining lien” when […]
Abuse committed after relationship ended will not absolve the perpetrator
Dear PAO, My ex-boyfriend, Jose, keeps on abusing me even after we ended our relationship. I told him to stop calling and sending demeaning or threatening messages; otherwise, I will file a case for VAWC against him. He just laughed and claimed that such law will not apply since we are already separated. He claims […]
Noise from school: Actionable nuisance or mere inconvenience?
Dear PAO, An influencer recently went viral for her remarks about the noise of “hindi cute na bata” in a public place. While I do not condone hate toward children, I am experiencing a similar problem. In my case, our house is located near a private elementary school. During school activities, the noise becomes excessively […]
Recognition of foreign adoption in the Philippines
Dear PAO, I am a Japanese citizen who adopted the legitimate child of my Filipina wife while we were living in Japan. Can such adoption be recognized in the Philippines and reflected in his birth certificate? Takeshi Dear Takeshi, Yes, the adoption decree obtained in a foreign country can be recognized here in the Philippines […]
Consequences of non-observance of procedural due process on employee termination
Dear PAO, I own a small laundry shop here in the Metro. I only have two employees—one of whom I had to let go last month because of her excessive absences. For context, for the month of January of this year alone, said employee had already incurred 12 absences. This ongoing pattern of unauthorized absenteeism […]
Judicial settlement as an alternative when heirs’ whereabouts are unknown
Dear PAO, My friends and I jointly purchased a condominium unit with the intention of converting it into an Airbnb investment. Unfortunately, one of our co-owners passed away in a car accident. He was not married and had been abandoned by his family; his only known relative is an estranged father whose whereabouts are unknown. […]
Schools may validly refuse the reenrollment of students with negative records
Dear PAO, My nephew, a high school student who is enrolled in a private school, has been involved in several gang-related altercations within the campus. As a result, he was subjected to disciplinary action several times. The school principal informed his parents that he will no longer be allowed to enroll for the upcoming school […]
Non-payment of contributions does not bar access to PhilHealth benefits
Dear PAO, I was recently hospitalized. Prior to my confinement, I had already registered and obtained a PhilHealth ID, but I have not made any contributions. Upon my discharge, can the hospital still deduct PhilHealth benefits from my bill? -Rowen Dear Rowen, Yes. As a rule, the hospital may still apply or deduct PhilHealth benefits […]