Community service a mere privilege and not right of accused
Dear PAO, I filed a criminal case against Motit which was decided in my favor and he was penalized for arresto mayor. Now, he is claiming that he will not go to prison because he will ask the court for community service in lieu of imprisonment. He even bragged that the said community service is […]
Production of supporting documents in the issuance of a search warrant
Dear PAO, My son was arrested when several police officers implemented a search warrant in his house and allegedly found prohibited drugs and drug paraphernalia. We recently discovered that the supporting documents for the search warrant were not part of the court records. The court reasoned that they needed to protect the identities of the […]
What is needed in order for a native title to prevail?
Dear PAO, Adjacent to our barangay is a vast barren land. A few months ago, I observed that a number of individuals who claim to be members of an indigenous group occupied the said land. A certain Mark who belongs to the same group even built a tomb. He made it appear that the same […]
The New Philippine Passport Act of 2024
Dear PAO, I have adopted the surname of my husband in all of my public documents since we got married in 2020. However, after recently passing the board examinations, I realized that I want all of my documents to reflect my maiden name, especially in my passport. A friend of mine told me that she […]
Prescription period on loans without written contract
Dear PAO, Ten years ago, I had a friend who was just starting his business and needed money. I lent him P500,000. We never got the opportunity to make a written agreement because I had to travel abroad for work. I also did not have the chance to seek payment for the loan because we […]
Predatory lending practices: How ‘short-term, high-interest loans’ lead to cycle of debt
Dear PAO, Four months ago, I was unexpectedly laid off from work and have been actively looking for another job since. However, even that can be costly. Out of sheer desperation, I was compelled to borrow money from a microfinance company that offers quick and easy cash loans, certain that I would find new employment […]
Refusal to accept aquariums ordered upon delivery
Dear PAO,I’m a seller of made-to-order aquariums. Ordering from my store is straightforward — after a client places an order, I ask them to pay fifty percent (50%) of the price as deposit, with the remaining fifty percent (50%) to be paid upon delivery of the aquarium. The deposit is forfeited if they cancel their […]
Children prohibited to sit on front-row passenger seat
Dear PAO, While driving my 7-seater SUV along EDSA, I was apprehended because my 5-year-old son was sitting in the front passenger seat. I argued with the traffic enforcer because my son was wearing a seatbelt at the time. However, the traffic enforcer stated that my son should be seated in the back row seats […]
What is a floating status?
Dear PAO, I have been a loyal and hardworking security guard in a security agency since I was 19. However, I was no longer given a new assignment after the company where I was formerly assigned ceased operations. I was told that I was on a floating status. I tried looking for its meaning under […]
SC may review conviction that has attained finality
Dear PAO, Is there a possibility for the Supreme Court to still review a criminal case that has already attained finality, but there was gross negligence on the part of the lawyer of the accused? X was charged and subsequently convicted for Estafa. X claims that his private lawyer not only failed to present his […]