Prohibition on information disclosure on communicable diseases
Dear PAO, I have been closely monitoring recent news about the diseases affecting our country. I am curious why the identities of the infected patients are not being disclosed. Perhaps it would greatly help the contact tracing of other possible close contacts if the identities of the patients are published. Is it legal to disclose […]
Public ridicule against persons with disabilities
Dear PAO, I was at the airport last week and witnessed a male passenger ridiculing a co-passenger who is a person with disability (PWD). The male passenger mocked how the PWD walked and laughed loudly with his friends. Everyone noticed, and the PWD quietly walked away, visibly ashamed. Isn’t this illegal? Mokie Dear Mokie, Persons […]
Burning of solid waste within own property is illegal
Dear PAO, Our neighbor keeps on burning their garbage in their backyard. When I confronted them about it, they said that it is allowed because they only burn within their property. Are they correct? Please help me be clarified. Thank you. Christine P Dear Christine P, As early as 2000, the Philippine government crafted policies […]
Excluded from absolute community of property
Dear PAO, My mom and dad got married in 2000, but unfortunately, my mom died in 2020. Recently, my dad talked to me and to my siblings, asking for our blessing because he wants to re-marry. I have no issue if he marries again. My only reservation is its possible effect on the properties obtained […]
Effects of legal separation | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, Josh and I got married in 2019. At first, we had a happy marriage. However, when he lost his job during the pandemic, he became an alcoholic and violent. Whenever his demands weren’t met, he would punch, kick, and even hit me with a stool. I researched and discovered that I could file […]
Adverse claim as remedy if landowner refuses to surrender certificate of title
Dear PAO, I bought a 500-square-meter lot in Bulacan for P500,000. The seller and I executed a deed of conditional sale, and we agreed that once I paid the full purchase price, he would surrender the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) of the land so that I could register it with the Register of Deeds. […]
Application for naturalization can be refiled
Dear PAO, I arrived in this country in 2001 as a refugee. I am really interested to acquire Philippine citizenship, so I have been asking about the naturalization process. My friend told me that, as a refugee, my naturalization would be automatically granted. However, an immigration officer informed me that my application might be denied […]
Labor protection for tinderas in sari-sari store
Dear PAO, I am currently employed as a “tindera” in a sari-sari store, and I believe that I was illegally dismissed by my employer. Can I file a complaint against my employer for illegal dismissal? Am I also entitled to money claims like back wages, separation pay, salary differentials and other benefits? Paulene Dear Paulene, […]
Employer’s liability for negligence of employee driver
Dear PAO, My friend was about to leave his house for work when he was hit by the van of his neighbor, which was then driven by the latter’s driver. According to my friend, he was stepping out of their gate when, all of a sudden, the van backed up and hit him, causing him […]
Maternity leave available even without the benefit of marriage
Dear PAO, My sister is about to give birth to her first child. She has been a utility worker in a private company for three years, and her SSS contributions are properly paid. While my sister and her boyfriend feel happy and blessed for the birth of their child, her boyfriend feels anxious. He worries […]