Testimony of a child witness may be given weight despite tender age
Dear PAO, My 8-year-old niece was abused by X, who lives a few houses away from their house. According to my niece, she was playing by herself in front of their house when, out of nowhere, X pulled her to a corner lot and started kissing her neck and cheeks. He allegedly tried kissing her […]
Psychological abuse penalized under Republic Act 9262
Dear PAO, My sister and 10-year-old twin nephews have been suffering emotionally because of the incessant refusal of my brother-in-law, my sister’s estranged husband, to provide support, even if he has more than enough means to provide for them. I want to help them by filing a complaint for psychological violence under Section 5(i) of […]
Earnest efforts toward a compromise between family members
Dear PAO,I want to file a petition for legal separation against my husband since I caught him with another woman. I want to do this immediately, but my friend told me that we have to at least attempt to compromise before I can file a case. Is this true?Liz Dear Liz,The Constitution itself protects the […]
Temporary/special permit of chemists | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, Prior to being a registered chemist here in the Philippines, my friend had a pending case before the Supreme Court assailing his conviction for violation of Art. 334 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, or the crime of concubinage. Last week, he received a copy of the certificate of finality from […]
Patient’s right to informed consent
Dear PAO, I used to spend most of my weekends motocrossing or dirt biking. Unfortunately, in one of our trainings, I committed a critical mistake which fractured my jaw. The surgeon suggested using a metal plate to be fastened to my jaw in order to immobilize my mandible. I agreed. However, since the operation required […]
The doctrine of res ipsa loquitor
Dear PAO, Last month, a tumor was discovered in my niece’s brain, which necessitated her undergoing brain surgery. During the operation, she suffered hypothermia. Consequently, the designated anesthesiologist allegedly ordered the application of a water bag. Unfortunately, the water bag ruptured, which resulted in third-degree burns to some parts of my niece’s body. Is the […]
Cooling off period only applies in legal separation
Dear PAO, May I know the meaning of the so-called cooling-off period in legal separation cases? Does it also apply to declarations of nullity in marriage cases? Glo Dear Glo, The cooling off period in legal separation cases is the mandatory period of six months, which must elapse before such a case is tried, and […]
Cyber libel is punishable by fine or imprisonment
Dear PAO, My brother was accused of cyber libel. He was found guilty and ordered to pay a certain amount as a fine. The private complainant told us that he intends to question the decision because cyber libel is punishable by imprisonment, and the fine imposed may be wrong. According to him, offenses under Republic […]
Dismissal due to serious illness
Dear PAO, My husband suffered some sort of depression and was advised to seek medical advice by the company. At the company’s expense, he was referred to several doctors to assess his mental condition. Accordingly, the psychiatric report diagnosed him to be suffering from Schizophrenia, which is incurable within a period of six months. I […]
Who may solemnize marriage? | The Manila Times
Dear PAO, I work as a seafarer, and my fiancée and I plan to marry each other this month before I travel back to work. I also heard that our ship captain can marry us. Is this true? We wish to get married immediately and want to know who can officiate marriages. Timothy Dear Timothy, […]