Social pension available for indigent senior citizens
Dear PAO, Our neighbor, who turned 60 a couple of months ago, is allegedly receiving a monthly pension of P1,000 as a senior citizen. My father, who is already 64, would like to avail himself of the same benefits as a senior citizen. However, since our neighbor is already bedridden, we could not get any […]
Termination of service due to disease and inefficiency
Dear PAO,I am an employer of a domestic helper. I recently found out that she has an incurable disease. Since then, I noticed that her illness is already affecting her performance of household chores. She usually stays in her room, where she rests and sleeps. Therefore, I am thinking about dismissing her, but I am […]
Requirements for validity of donation of real property
Dear PAO, I am an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who spent three decades working in a foreign country. I acquired five houses and lots, which I intend to use when I retire in the Philippines. My favorite nephew recently graduated from high school, and his parents want him to study in Metro Manila. Fortunately, I […]
Extension of probationary employment is allowed
Dear PAO, A BPO company hired me as a process associate. After six months, our team leader informed me that I did not meet the company’s qualifications for regularization. However, since my performance statistics were improving, the team leader offered to extend my probationary status by one more month, and I agreed. Can I be […]
Transferring students to a public school
Dear PAO, My children were previously enrolled in a private school, but due to the financial impact of the recent pandemic and the continued decline of our business, we were forced to transfer them to a public school. We even had to write a promissory note to the private school because we couldn’t settle the […]
When breach of promise to marry becomes actionable
Dear PAO, My ex-boyfriend and I have been together for eight years. Three years ago, he repeatedly promised me that he would marry me after the expiration of his contract at the agency where he was working. Last year, his contract was terminated. So, we started planning for our wedding. We already prepared our clothes, […]
Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse of Children
Dear PAO, Can the crime of trafficking in persons be committed if the alleged victim actually gave consent? In this connection, may I be informed of the elements of such crime? JadeDear Jade, To answer your question, allow me to lead your attention to our pertinent laws and jurisprudence. In this regard, Section 3 (a) […]
The effect of minority upon validity of marriage
Dear PAO, In 1991, I married my wife in Pampanga. During the celebration of our marriage, my wife was only 17 years old. Pardon my lack of knowledge, but I just recently learned that our laws consider the age of 18 years as the legal age. Therefore, technically speaking, my wife was a minor at […]
Married women may use their maiden surname in their passport
Dear PAO, My parents are married, but my father left my mother almost a decade ago. Since then, my mother has refrained from leaving the country because she does not want to use her passport, which bears my father’s surname. His abandonment has deeply affected her emotionally and psychologically, and even seemingly simple matters, like […]
Custody of minors: Child’s best interest will always prevail
Dear PAO: Five years ago, Jean and I had a custody battle over my illegitimate grandson. Unfortunately, I lost because the law grants parental authority over an illegitimate child to the mother. My son, who was the child’s father, has since passed away. Lately, I have heard that my grandson is being abused by his […]