Consignation as a mode of extinguishing an obligation
Dear PAO, I rented out a commercial space with a fixed contract of 5 years and with a monthly rental of P35,000. Recently, the property owners refused to accept my rental payments because they wanted to terminate our lease contract. No valid reasons were provided by them as to why they want to terminate our […]
Government program supporting young musical artists
Dear PAO, I am a senior citizen and former public servant retiring here in the Philippines after years of being abroad. Since my return, I’ve noticed the diversity and immense talent in the local music scene, especially among the younger generation, like that of my grandson. Seeing their talent and potential, I wonder if there […]
DNA testing as a way of determining paternity
Dear PAO, The biological father of my child refuses to recognize our child as his own. He, likewise, refuses to provide for support despite repeated demands. I challenged him to undergo a DNA testing to determine whether he is the father of my child or not, but he refuses arguing that he cannot be compelled […]
Guidelines in the conduct of physical inventory of seized drugs
Dear PAO,My friend Jess was arrested in the act of selling prohibited drugs. One bystander who saw the incident relayed to me that when Jess was placed under arrest, the arresting officer took the prohibited drugs from the hand of Jess and immediately placed them inside his pocket. The other officer at the scene handcuffed […]
Interest on loan should be in writing
Dear PAO, I loaned my neighbor P200,000, payable within six months. We also verbally agreed that there would be an interest of 1 percent per month. After six months, I demanded payment of both the principal loan and the interest that we agreed upon. However, she refused to pay the interest, saying she would only […]
Environmental Compliance Certificate is not a permit to operate
Dear PAO, My sister, an overseas Filipino worker, is planning to build a resort on her property. She is aware of the various environmental regulations and permits we need to secure. One important requirement relayed to us is the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), which we are willing to comply. Since my sister will be investing […]
Paraffin test is unreliable | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, My brother was shot by Mark. Luckily, he survived the attack. The only pieces of evidence we have against Mark are the CCTV footage from the crime scene and the paraffin test conducted by the police. The investigator informed me that the paraffin test yielded a negative result, and he seemed concerned when […]
Will done via video recording
Dear PAO, My husband died three years ago without leaving a written last will and testament. However, years before his death, he made a video recording expressing how he wished the business we had established two years ago before our marriage would be bequeathed. Can this video recording be considered his last will and testament, […]
Presence of defendant but absence of his lawyer during pre-trial
Dear PAO, I just want to inquire on behalf of my friend’s father. He is a defendant in a civil case, but his lawyer is currently in the hospital. He was informed of the date of the pre-trial hearing, and he plans to attend, but he is unsure if his lawyer will be able to […]
Can obedience be considered as an exempting circumstance for charges of dishonesty in work dismissal cases?
Dear PAO, Some of my colleagues were charged with serious misconduct for allegedly falsifying their time cards. From what we know, one of the reasons for the alleged falsification was due to my co-employees’ obedience to our superior instructing them to go to various places to accompany the latter in his private affairs. Having said […]