The importance of autopsy in establishing cause of death when outcome differs from intent
Dear PAO, My brother had a heated argument with our elderly neighbor over the noise from his music room. In the incident, my brother uttered words such as, “Matanda ka na pero hindi ka pa rin marunong makipagkapwa-tao.” Moreover, out of anger due to the relentless and aggressive words coming from the elderly neighbor, my […]
Kasambahay pre-employment requirements | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, I am applying for a job as a kasambahay with a prospective employer. After our initial meeting, I was asked to complete pre-employment requirements, such as a medical certificate, police clearance and birth certificate. However, I am worried because I do not have the money to secure these requirements. Are these documents required? […]
Taxable income of a non-resident Filipino citizen
Dear PAO, My aunt, Shiela, has been a Filipino immigrant living in the United States of America for over 10 years. She is now retired and receives a monthly pension of $2,000. Occasionally, she returns to the Philippines for short stays. Using her pension, she purchased three condominium units in Quezon City, which she is […]
Islamophobia cannot justify noncompliance with Republic Act 9165
Dear PAO, My father, who is the breadwinner of the family, was arrested by the police for allegedly selling dangerous drugs. After the arrest, he was immediately brought to the barangay hall for the marking and inventory of the seized drugs. According to the police, it cannot be done at the place of arrest because […]
An employee is allowed to leave company premises during meal breaks
Dear PAO, My uncle works as a company doctor in a manufacturing company, with his shift running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a regular meal break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. His residence is just a three-minute drive away from his workplace. Last Tuesday, he left the clinic around noon to have […]
Recovery of large amount of dangerous drugs
Dear PAO, Can police officers dispense with the requirement of insulating witnesses considering that large quantities of dangerous drugs were recovered from the scene of the crime? Busa Dear Busa, In People v. Lung Wai Tang, GR 238517, Nov. 27, 2019, penned by Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, the Supreme Court held that where the quantity […]
Prescription cannot work against an heir deprived of his lawful share
Dear PAO, My father married Tina five years after my mother’s demise. Last year, I discovered that in 2006, my father and his son with Tina executed an extrajudicial settlement dividing the properties acquired during my father’s marriage to my mother. I asked my father to give me my inheritance, warning him I would file […]
Electric distributors cannot automatically disconnect due to non-payment
Dear PAO, We live in a residential area in Bulacan. On June 17, 2024, we received our monthly billing from our electricity provider, which stated that payment was due by June 26, 2024. Unfortunately, we missed the payment on its due date. On June 27, 2024, we noticed that we did not have an electricity […]
Small claims | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, I have heard about the small claims procedure in civil cases, which supposedly covers claims not exceeding P1 million. I would like to know if I can file a claim under this procedure to recover my diamond, valued at P500,000. Such a claim arose from a contract of sale. Nikka Dear Nikka, The […]
Custody of a non-marital child upon the death of the mother
Dear PAO, My sister died, and she was survived by my 5-year-old nephew. My sister and my nephew’s father were never married. Upon learning of the death of my sister, the father signified his plan to take over the custody of my nephew from our parents — the maternal grandparents. The father argued that as […]