Consignment of loan payment in court
Dear PAO, I incurred a loan from my friend with a monthly interest rate of 2 percent. I have been paying my monthly installment from January 2020 until February 2024. Per our agreement, I am supposed to pay the installment in cash at her residence. However, in March 2024, when I went to her house […]
No permit, no exam is now illegal
Dear PAO, My husband got involved in a motor vehicle accident, and he was unable to go to work for a prolonged period of time. Thus, we were unable to pay our daughter’s tuition on time. I’m afraid that she won’t be able to take her scheduled periodic and final exams since she won’t be […]
Defaulting buyer’s rights under the Maceda Law
Dear PAO, I agreed to buy an apartment unit, payable monthly for 10 years. I already paid one-and-a-half years’ worth of installments. However, recently, I was unable to pay due to financial constraints. The developer threatened to cancel our contract immediately. Are they correct? I would like to know what my rights are under the […]
Can a foreigner inherit private land in the Philippines?
Dear PAO, I am an American citizen, and I have a friend who is a Filipino citizen and included me as one of his heirs in his will. In the will, my Filipino friend gave me a parcel of private land in the Philippines. I would like to know if such a disposition is valid. […]
Refusal to undergo random drug testing
Dear PAO, We have a family business engaged in transporting passengers/commuters. Can refusal to undergo random drug testing be a valid ground for the dismissal of an employee? Lydia Dear Lydia, In the case of Kakampi and its Members, Victor Panuelos et al. v. Kingspoint Express and Logistic and/or Mary Ann Co, GR 194813, April […]
Issue of reasonableness of new rental may be resolved in ejectment, not in consignation
Dear PAO, My lease agreement with Lina is about to expire. She told me the lease may be renewed if the rent is increased to 200 percent. I offered a reasonable 50 percent increase, but Lina declined, and she demanded that I vacate the property after the expiration of our lease, or she would file […]
Section 10 (A) of Republic Act 7610 intends to punish with increased penalty crimes under Revised Penal Code
Dear PAO, An allegation was thrown against me for degrading the reputation of a teenage girl. The matter was brought before the barangay, however, the conciliation failed. When the barangay issued a certificate to file action, I was surprised that the offense indicated was for violation of Section 10 (a) of Republic Act 7610. I […]
Anti-Fencing Law | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, Someone is selling me a motorcycle for a much lower price than its suggested retail price (SRP), and it occurred to me that because of the low price of the motorcycle, it might have been stolen. Will I be violating the law if it turns out that the motorcycle was indeed stolen and […]
Sole witness as basis for conviction
Dear PAO, Can a conviction for the crime of murder be founded solely on the testimony of one witness? Markel Dear Markel, Please be informed of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of People of the Philippines v. Jimmy Apas y Balandra, GR 248873, Aug. 31, 2022, where the Supreme Court upheld the conviction […]
‘Sanglang-tira’ agreement vis-à-vis loan contract
Dear PAO, My husband’s officemate (V) borrowed from us, payable within a period of one year. To secure the payment of the loan, V executed a real estate mortgage (“Sanglang-Tira” Agreement) over a condominium unit. We also agreed that my husband and I will reside on the subject property for free, for the duration of […]