Abandonment per se may not be ground for termination of tenancy relationship
Dear PAO, My parents are cultivating an agricultural land owned by a certain family. Our family started to till the land when I was still young, and I am now 26 years of age. Recently, an heir of the landowner came and demanded from my parents to vacate the property. According to the heir, my […]
The object of penalizing adultery is not principally for vindication of husband
Dear PAO, My friend Arjon accused his wife and Tanos of adultery. The case is already pending before the court when Arjon eventually reconciled with his wife. Arjon desires that the case be dismissed but he was told that it may not happen without the concurrence of the prosecutor. Arjon was devastated because of this. […]
Sufficient proof to establish status of land as alienable and disposable
Dear PAO, Our family would like to inquire about the requirements needed in proving that the land we are applying for judicial confirmation of title is alienable and disposable. I believe there is a new law which superseded the former requirements in proving that a certain land is alienable and disposable. Can you please enlighten […]
Denial of treatment due to HIV status is illegal
Dear PAO,I was rushed to the hospital just this week because of a knee injury. On the Emergency Admission Form, I was required to disclose my HIV Status where I was reactive. Thereafter, the doctor explicitly denied my treatment because he claimed that they cannot treat me. I was given no other explanation and I […]
Sexual Abuse Shield Rule | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, Can the accused in a child sexual abuse case raise the past sexual activity of a victim as a defense? Lilibeth Dear Lilibeth, Sexual abuse cases are often difficult for victims, especially minors, to pursue due to fear, stigma, and the possibility of being shamed or discredited in court. The Supreme Court pronounced […]
Obligation to provide support for family rests on both spouses
Dear PAO, My wife and I have been living separately since 2009. We have three children together, two of whom are still in school. I work as a seafarer, and my estranged wife works in a bank. While we both earn a decent amount of money to support our children, my estranged wife has been […]
Routine stop and limited warrantless search of vehicles are considered legal
Dear PAO, My girlfriend was stopped and requested to surrender her vehicle for inspection at a police checkpoint, without a search warrant. Does a warrantless search at checkpoints violate the constitutional right of a person against unreasonable searches and seizures? Piolo Dear Piolo, The general rule is that no arrest, search, and seizure can be […]
Conditions for entitlement under the GSIS Act of 1997
Dear PAO, I have been currently employed in a government agency for more than 25 years and counting. I am now 58 years old, and the increasing frailty of old age has already taken a toll on my health. From time to time, I suffer from severe headaches, coughs and colds. Considering my circumstances, can […]
Manning agency cannot legally withhold employee’s Philippine passport
Dear PAO, I am a sea-based OFW who disembarked in October 2024. Shortly thereafter, I surrendered my travel and employment documents, including my passport, to the manning agency with the expectation that they will process the renewal of my US visa. Two weeks later, I was informed that my contract will not be renewed. When […]
Supervisory employees prohibited from joining collective bargaining unit of rank and file
Dear PAO, I am employed as a supervisor in a factory. Currently, there is a labor union composed of the rank-and-file employees in our company. I want to know whether I could join the said labor union considering that I am not a member of any union right now. Kristoff Dear Kristoff, First and foremost, […]