Survey is immaterial in proving ownership over a land covered by Torrens Title
Dear PAO, I have a dispute with Juan regarding a certain land. He claimed that he was recovering the land of his father, which is covered by a title, and that includes a portion of my farmland. I presented my Torrens title to him to prove that the land was mine, but Juan claimed that […]
Owner of land has two options against builder in good faith
Dear PAO,I found out that the kitchen of my neighbor was constructed on a portion (15 square meters, more or less) of my unoccupied lot. I demanded the demolition of his kitchen, or else I would sue him. He offered to purchase the lot, claiming he built his kitchen in good faith. We agreed to […]
Refusal of a parent to subject her baby to newborn screening test
Dear PAO, I am pregnant, and I’m due to give birth in the coming days. My doctor spoke to me and explained that my baby would undergo newborn screening, which involves a procedure where blood has to be drawn from my child. I do not want to subject my child to screening because my religion […]
Contract of adhesion | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, My husband and I contracted a loan with a bank purposely to help finance our small merchandising store, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. As collateral, we mortgaged the land on which the store is located. In the succeeding years, we renewed our loan to increase the loan amount. However, the ready-made […]
VAWC victims may ask legal help from PAO
Dear PAO, Can a VAWC victim ask for legal help from your office? My friend is physically and economically abused by her former live-in partner, with whom she has a 5-year-old daughter. She has been contemplating filing a complaint against him, but she has no means to avail herself of the services of a private […]
Proof of possession is not limited to tax declaration
Dear PAO, My father intends to apply for the registration of the land which he bought from Jose. He wants to present the tax declaration from Jose as proof of possession, however, such evidence can only prove 16 years of possession, assuming it will be admitted. What are the requirements for land registration, and what […]
Testimony of a child witness may be given weight despite tender age
Dear PAO, My 8-year-old niece was abused by X, who lives a few houses away from their house. According to my niece, she was playing by herself in front of their house when, out of nowhere, X pulled her to a corner lot and started kissing her neck and cheeks. He allegedly tried kissing her […]
Psychological abuse penalized under Republic Act 9262
Dear PAO, My sister and 10-year-old twin nephews have been suffering emotionally because of the incessant refusal of my brother-in-law, my sister’s estranged husband, to provide support, even if he has more than enough means to provide for them. I want to help them by filing a complaint for psychological violence under Section 5(i) of […]
Earnest efforts toward a compromise between family members
Dear PAO,I want to file a petition for legal separation against my husband since I caught him with another woman. I want to do this immediately, but my friend told me that we have to at least attempt to compromise before I can file a case. Is this true?Liz Dear Liz,The Constitution itself protects the […]
Temporary/special permit of chemists | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, Prior to being a registered chemist here in the Philippines, my friend had a pending case before the Supreme Court assailing his conviction for violation of Art. 334 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, or the crime of concubinage. Last week, he received a copy of the certificate of finality from […]