Homeowner-lessor’s right to use the association’s facilities
Dear PAO, I am a homeowner in an exclusive subdivision. I have been paying the annual dues regularly until 2021, when I eventually decided to lease it out to my friend. The lease period is five years, and annexed to our contract is a document in which I expressly authorize the lessee to be a […]
Rights of a lessee regarding improvements he/she introduced on leased premises
Dear PAO, I entered into a lease contract over a parcel of land for a period of seven years, renewable upon the agreement of the parties. I made renovations and improvements to the land. There is no provision in our contract regarding whether I will be reimbursed. Will I be able to claim a reimbursement […]
Increased penalty for perjury | The Manila Times
Dear PAO,My friend has a brother who recently died and left behind some properties. That brother had a sickly daughter and had no other relatives except for my friend. Despite knowing this, and in order to obtain the properties that his brother left behind, my friend willfully executed an affidavit, swearing under oath that he […]
Industrial partners versus employees | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, My husband and I have been serving as storekeeper and caretaker, respectively, at a private beach resort. For our services, we are paid certain amounts plus commissions on the harvest of the fishpond, rentals of the cottages, and sales of the store. A few years later, the owner said the business was losing […]
Insanity defense requires three-way test
DEAR PAO, My son, who is suffering from a mental illness, hacked his cousin to death. Before the incident, my son attempted to commit suicide on many occasions. Also, he is suffering from insomnia and cannot recall his actions, even the most recent ones. Most of us observe that when we have a conversation with […]
Difference between jurisdiction and venue
Dear PAO,Is venue different from jurisdiction? I often hear lawyers talk about the venue and where to file the case, but I also sometimes hear them say that the court has no jurisdiction over it. Are these words interchangeable?Mily Dear Mily,Please be informed of the Supreme Court’s ruling in People of the Philippines v. Angelo […]
Use of maiden name for banks
Dear PAO, I went to a local bank to open a savings account. I declared in the form I filled out that I am married but still use my maiden name. The bank insisted I write my husband’s surname on my application form before transacting with them. Can the bank impose the use of my […]
Restrictions on tobacco advertising | The Manila Times
Dear PAO,I have minor children who are fond of watching shows on television. There are times when they enjoy watching commercials in between the shows. As a parent, I want to make sure that they will not be able to watch anything on TV pertaining to vices, such as smoking or using tobacco products. Is […]
Death extinguishes criminal liability and may as well extinguish civil liability
Dear PAO, Is the liability of a person for a crime that he committed extinguished once he dies? My friend filed a criminal case for rape and received a favorable decision in court, but the accused filed an appeal. While on appeal, the accused died of cardiac arrest. My friend was informed by his lawyer […]
Error in month of birth may be corrected
Dear PAO, My sister is set to retire next year, but it was only recently that she learned about the error in her date of birth. She was born on April 20, 1965. As far as she knows, all of her records state that date as her date of birth. But when she got hold […]