Transferring students to a public school
Dear PAO, My children were previously enrolled in a private school, but due to the financial impact of the recent pandemic and the continued decline of our business, we were forced to transfer them to a public school. We even had to write a promissory note to the private school because we couldn’t settle the […]
When breach of promise to marry becomes actionable
Dear PAO, My ex-boyfriend and I have been together for eight years. Three years ago, he repeatedly promised me that he would marry me after the expiration of his contract at the agency where he was working. Last year, his contract was terminated. So, we started planning for our wedding. We already prepared our clothes, […]
Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse of Children
Dear PAO, Can the crime of trafficking in persons be committed if the alleged victim actually gave consent? In this connection, may I be informed of the elements of such crime? JadeDear Jade, To answer your question, allow me to lead your attention to our pertinent laws and jurisprudence. In this regard, Section 3 (a) […]
The effect of minority upon validity of marriage
Dear PAO, In 1991, I married my wife in Pampanga. During the celebration of our marriage, my wife was only 17 years old. Pardon my lack of knowledge, but I just recently learned that our laws consider the age of 18 years as the legal age. Therefore, technically speaking, my wife was a minor at […]
Married women may use their maiden surname in their passport
Dear PAO, My parents are married, but my father left my mother almost a decade ago. Since then, my mother has refrained from leaving the country because she does not want to use her passport, which bears my father’s surname. His abandonment has deeply affected her emotionally and psychologically, and even seemingly simple matters, like […]
Custody of minors: Child’s best interest will always prevail
Dear PAO: Five years ago, Jean and I had a custody battle over my illegitimate grandson. Unfortunately, I lost because the law grants parental authority over an illegitimate child to the mother. My son, who was the child’s father, has since passed away. Lately, I have heard that my grandson is being abused by his […]
Duties of caregivers in the Philippines
Dear PAO, My nephew wants to become a caregiver, and I am willing to support him financially for his training, as his parents are minimum wage earners. But, I would like to know what the duties of caregivers are under the law. There seems to be a common misconception in our province that caregivers are […]
Cash incentive for senior citizens ages 85, 90 and 95 years old
Dear PAO, Is there a law granting a cash incentive to Filipinos who reach 80? As far as I know, one needs to be 100 years old to receive a generous cash incentive from the government, but my nephew told me that he came across a news clip about such a benefit. If there is, […]
Rights of a landowner in case of encroachment
Dear PAO, My friend and I purchased a 300-square-meter (sqm) lot. Based on our agreement, we will divide the property equally; she will be entitled to 150 sqm, and I will be entitled to the other 150 sqm. Before the partition, she asked for permission to begin the construction of her house on our co-owned […]
The relation of carrier and passenger persists even after passenger alights from vehicle
Dear PAO, Last Sunday, JE and his family took a bus from Cubao to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Upon reaching their destination, they disembarked, but JE returned to get their baggage. Unbeknownst to him, his youngest son followed. When JE attempted to re-enter the bus, it accelerated, resulting in his son’s tragic death. The bus company […]