Licensing and payment of royalties for performance of copyrighted songs
Dear PAO, As an owner of a bar and restaurant, I want to confirm if there is really a need to get a license and pay royalties for playing music in my establishment. I have a live entertainment band that performs popular foreign and local songs in my bar every night, and we also have […]
Property donated by relative may still be subject to donor’s tax, documentary stamp tax
Dear PAO, I got married to my now-husband two (2) months ago. As a wedding present, my parents gifted us with a lot in Cavite. The title of the property is still under my parents’ names. Will the transfer be subject to tax? How do we transfer the title of the lot to my name? […]
Grace period under the ‘Bayanihan To Heal as One Act’
Dear PAO, I secured a car loan from a reputable bank sometime in 2019. I religiously paid all of the monthly installments except for the months of April 2020 and May 2020, as I remember having read online that all monthly payments falling due within the period of the enhanced community quarantine were waived by […]
Deed of donation executed, but owner still wants the payment of rent
Dear PAO, The owner of a lot donated a portion of his property to me. He executed a deed of donation, which led us to build a structure on it. This document required us to refrain from building a fighting cock cage on the property within 10 years and that doing so would immediately revoke […]
Intimacy does not justify intrusion in a spouse’s privacy
Dear PAO, I married Mark out of love. Aside from his good looks and stable job, he also possesses all the traits which a woman can dream of in a man. Our marriage went smoothly for several months, but he began to be resentful whenever he saw me conversing with a male person. He even […]
Keeping in good faith in payment of loan
Dear PAO, I obtained multiple loans from a lending institution. The loans have different due dates or maturities. I already started paying my first loan and have been religiously complying with my obligations. Last month, I was lucky that I accumulated extra income from my personal transactions, so I went to the creditor in order […]
Work-related injury sustained by a seafarer
Dear PAO, I have a brother who is currently working as a seafarer. He was repatriated last month due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which he sustained while playing on board the vessel during a company-sanctioned sports tournament. The injury required surgery and several physical therapy rehabilitation sessions. My brother tried to file for […]
Falsifying indigency for Malasakit Centers is a crime
Dear PAO, I know a person who falsified his indigency status to avail the services of the government for free medical bills through the Malasakit Center in our locality. I am just curious, who are qualified as beneficiaries of Malasakit Centers and what is the consequence of falsifying one’s indigency to avail of government benefits? […]
Civil liability of parents for crimes committed by their minor children
Dear PAO, My 14-year-old son, who is still a minor, was involved in a commotion last night. He was one of the individuals accused of conspiring with others to hit and punch the victim. The victim suffered serious physical injuries. However, my son is just a minor, I believe he cannot be held criminally or […]
Concept of third party adverse possessor
Dear PAO, The only proof that I bought a house and lot from a subdivision developer is an unnotarized deed of sale. The developer mortgaged the property. The same was foreclosed extra-judicially because of non-payment of debt and sold in public auction. The buyer is now applying for a writ of possession. My friend told […]