Application for naturalization can be refiled
Dear PAO, I arrived in this country in 2001 as a refugee. I am really interested to acquire Philippine citizenship, so I have been asking about the naturalization process. My friend told me that, as a refugee, my naturalization would be automatically granted. However, an immigration officer informed me that my application might be denied […]
Labor protection for tinderas in sari-sari store
Dear PAO, I am currently employed as a “tindera” in a sari-sari store, and I believe that I was illegally dismissed by my employer. Can I file a complaint against my employer for illegal dismissal? Am I also entitled to money claims like back wages, separation pay, salary differentials and other benefits? Paulene Dear Paulene, […]
Employer’s liability for negligence of employee driver
Dear PAO, My friend was about to leave his house for work when he was hit by the van of his neighbor, which was then driven by the latter’s driver. According to my friend, he was stepping out of their gate when, all of a sudden, the van backed up and hit him, causing him […]
Maternity leave available even without the benefit of marriage
Dear PAO, My sister is about to give birth to her first child. She has been a utility worker in a private company for three years, and her SSS contributions are properly paid. While my sister and her boyfriend feel happy and blessed for the birth of their child, her boyfriend feels anxious. He worries […]
The Doctrine of Res Ipsa Loquitur
Dear PAO, My uncle was hospitalized and underwent an operation. Unfortunately, he was paralyzed after the procedure. My aunt is unsure if there was negligence on the part of the surgeon. She is contemplating filing a complaint, but she is worried that she may not have any evidence to prove such negligence. Someone told her […]
Seeking assistance of PAO for nullification of marriage
Dear PAO, My friend, who used to work as an OFW, no longer has any income and is now back in the Philippines. He wants to seek assistance from your office for the filing of a petition for nullification of his marriage because he cannot afford the services of a private lawyer. How would he […]
What is parental and filial privilege in giving testimonies?
Dear PAO, My aunt recently received a subpoena to testify in a petition filed against her stepdaughter for the deletion of the surname “Perez” from her certificate of live birth. However, my aunt does not want to testify. From my research, I learned that the court cannot compel my aunt to testify because she is […]
Demurrer to evidence in criminal cases
Dear PAO, I filed a criminal case for estafa against a former handler of an “investment scheme” who promised that my investment would generate certain earnings in a short period of time. However, after we presented our witnesses and evidence, I received an order from the court dismissing my case due to the demurrer to […]
Assessed value of realty involved that ordains which court shall acquire exclusive jurisdiction over real action
Dear PAO, May I know the rule on jurisdiction for civil cases involving real property or land? I was told that the value of the land determines which court has jurisdiction. If that is the case, how should we determine the value of the land for purposes of jurisdiction if the property is covered by […]
Is one absolutely excused from liability if there is a fortuitous event?
Dear PAO, I saw the problem of Z, a passenger of a public utility bus involved in a road accident, in an online video. Z claims that he suffered bodily injuries, among others, due to the accident and wants to file a case against the bus owner. Allegedly, the representative of the bus company told […]