Tests to determine the validity of entrapment
Dear PAO, I am a police officer assigned at our station’s drug enforcement unit. In order to help curtail the continued proliferation of illegal drugs in our area of responsibility, our chief of police ordered us to plan an entrapment operation. Are there any guidelines to ensure that our entrapment operation is valid and within […]
Stealing government apparatus may be penalized with imprisonment
Dear PAO, My cousin’s live-in partner is being investigated for allegedly stealing an apparatus, which is supposedly part of the government’s risk reduction equipment used for weather monitoring. My cousin was informed that her live-in partner can be incarcerated for at least twelve years. Is this true, even if the stolen items are just small […]
Res gestae vs admission against interest
Dear PAO,While hanging out outside our house, I overheard our neighbors fighting. A few minutes later, I saw the wife rushing towards me, and asked for help, saying: “Kuya, tulungan n’yo po ako. Nasaksak ko asawa ko. Di ko sinasadya (I stabbed my husband. It was an accident).” Without hesitation, I proceeded to extend help. […]
Exclusive agreements with service providers
Dear PAO, I recently moved into a new condominium in Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, and I am planning to get a Wi-Fi connection because I need it for my job as a virtual assistant. When I asked the condominium administration about it, they informed me that they have an exclusive partnership with only one […]
Organs can be the subject of wills
Dear PAO, My father, who was a doctor, recently passed away. He left a last will and testament where he subjected his kidneys for donation to a hospital upon his death. Can human organs be subject of a donation through a last will? Please help me be clarified. Thank you. EJ Dear EJ, Through a […]
Use of substandard child restraint systems
Dear PAO, As a working single mother, I plan to get a car so that I can bring my five-year-old child with me on my way to work. My plan is to drop off my daughter at my parents’ house which is near my office, and then pick her up after work. However, I was […]
Transfer of employee not necessarily constructive illegal dismissal
Dear PAO, My friend was transferred to another branch of our company due to poor performance and issues he had at his previous branch. He had already received several warnings related to misfeasance at work before his transfer, but he did not improve. However, he is not amenable with the transfer. He feels that it […]
Apprehending a shoplifter without a warrant
Dear PAO, Someone shoplifted from my store the other day. I did not catch him in the act of stealing, and I only learned about it after reviewing my store’s CCTV footage of that day. If this person returns to my store, can I apprehend him? Please advise, as I really want to send this […]
Rationale for requiring prima facie case for paternity before DNA testing may be ordered
Dear PAO, My son was born as a result of my affair with Joshua. His birth was registered, but the local civil registrar refused to indicate the name of the father because my child was not recognized. I have been asking Joshua to recognize my son, but he refused and ignored the document denominated as […]
Application of the right against self-incrimination
Dear PAO, I am connected with a certain company primarily engaged in internet gaming. Unfortunately, anomalies involving this kind of industry recently made headlines, prompting the government to order the stoppage of the operations of these companies. Criminal cases were filed against the owners, officers, and workers. Some received subpoenas as witnesses, while others were […]