Abuse committed after relationship ended will not absolve the perpetrator
Dear PAO, My ex-boyfriend, Jose, keeps on abusing me even after we ended our relationship. I told him to stop calling and sending demeaning or threatening messages; otherwise, I will file a case for VAWC against him. He just laughed and claimed that such law will not apply since we are already separated. He claims […]
Noise from school: Actionable nuisance or mere inconvenience?
Dear PAO, An influencer recently went viral for her remarks about the noise of “hindi cute na bata” in a public place. While I do not condone hate toward children, I am experiencing a similar problem. In my case, our house is located near a private elementary school. During school activities, the noise becomes excessively […]
Recognition of foreign adoption in the Philippines
Dear PAO, I am a Japanese citizen who adopted the legitimate child of my Filipina wife while we were living in Japan. Can such adoption be recognized in the Philippines and reflected in his birth certificate? Takeshi Dear Takeshi, Yes, the adoption decree obtained in a foreign country can be recognized here in the Philippines […]
Consequences of non-observance of procedural due process on employee termination
Dear PAO, I own a small laundry shop here in the Metro. I only have two employees—one of whom I had to let go last month because of her excessive absences. For context, for the month of January of this year alone, said employee had already incurred 12 absences. This ongoing pattern of unauthorized absenteeism […]
Judicial settlement as an alternative when heirs’ whereabouts are unknown
Dear PAO, My friends and I jointly purchased a condominium unit with the intention of converting it into an Airbnb investment. Unfortunately, one of our co-owners passed away in a car accident. He was not married and had been abandoned by his family; his only known relative is an estranged father whose whereabouts are unknown. […]
Schools may validly refuse the reenrollment of students with negative records
Dear PAO, My nephew, a high school student who is enrolled in a private school, has been involved in several gang-related altercations within the campus. As a result, he was subjected to disciplinary action several times. The school principal informed his parents that he will no longer be allowed to enroll for the upcoming school […]
Non-payment of contributions does not bar access to PhilHealth benefits
Dear PAO, I was recently hospitalized. Prior to my confinement, I had already registered and obtained a PhilHealth ID, but I have not made any contributions. Upon my discharge, can the hospital still deduct PhilHealth benefits from my bill? -Rowen Dear Rowen, Yes. As a rule, the hospital may still apply or deduct PhilHealth benefits […]
Are taxi drivers regular employees or independent contractors?
Dear PAO, I hope you can give guidance on my concern. My father has been a taxi driver for a taxi company for the past 30 years. He is set to retire next month on his 60th birthday. However, the taxi company said that he is not entitled to retirement since he is just an […]
Criminal case no hindrance to taking of Bar exam
Dear PAO, I am now in my senior year as a law student and plan to take the Philippine Bar Examinations as soon as I graduate. However, my ex-girlfriend, upon learning of my plan to take the Bar, recently filed a VAWC case against me under Republic Act 9262. May I know whether the case […]
Self-help eviction illegal in the Philippines
Dear PAO, A tenant in my apartment complex has not paid over three months’ worth of rent. Whenever I try to knock on his door to demand payment, he pretends that he is not at home, even though I can clearly hear his television from the outside. Our lease contract clearly states that a default […]