Suspension of payment on condominiums
Dear PAO, I purchased a pre-selling condominium unit here in Metro Manila in 2021. At that time, I was promised that the unit would be turned over by September 2024. A year has passed, and yet, the condominium building is still far from completion. I decided to stop paying my monthly installment because the developer […]
Rent control for residential units with monthly rental rate of P10,000 and below
Dear PAO, I am a 28-year-old government employee and have been renting the same room near my office for the past four years. My monthly rent is P4,000. Recently, my landlord informed me that he will be increasing my monthly rental fee. I respectfully requested that the increase be deferred to a later time, but […]
Reversion to normal work hours a valid exercise of management prerogative
Dear PAO, At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, our company shifted to a four-day compressed workweek arrangement, supposedly to help contain the spread of the virus. The company consulted us regarding the proposed changes and almost every employee consented to it because we deem it more convenient to render ten hours of work for […]
What is a ‘hot pursuit’ arrest?
Dear PAO, Isn’t a warrant of arrest necessary before a person accused of a crime can be lawfully arrested? That was what we were taught in school back in the day. But I recently read online that a person may be arrested without a warrant if it is done during a “hot pursuit.” Please excuse […]
Tenant’s right of redemption over agricultural land sold to a third party
Dear PAO, My father and I have been the long-standing tenants of an agricultural land owned by the Ventura family. The said family promised that if they will sell their land, they will first offer it to us. However, sometime last month, I discovered that the land was sold to another buyer. Can we nullify […]
Public Utility Jeepneys are not exempted from emission testing
Dear PAO, I read an article last time regarding the exemption of the vintage vehicles from the Clean Air Act. I would like to know whether old jeepneys are also exempted from emission testing? I often see jeepneys which emit thick black smoke in our roads here in the Metro. Thank you. Macario Dear Macario, […]
Job description as cashier does not automatically constitute qualified theft
Dear PAO, My sister was a carpark cashier at a mall parking lot. Last year, she was accused and later on charged with qualified theft after she was allegedly caught in possession of cash amounting to P800 during the routine frisking and bag inspection after duty. Her employer claimed that since employees were not allowed […]
Minimum retirement benefits when there’s no collective bargaining agreement
Dear PAO, I am 62 years old and I have worked for the same employer for the last 32 years. When I submitted my resignation letter last week, my employer informed me that I will not be receiving any retirement benefits because the company does not have an official retirement policy. Additionally, my contract does […]
No senior citizen discount for travel tax
Dear PAO, My family traveled to Japan during the Holy Week. I was with my husband, our three-year-old daughter, and my parents, who are both senior citizens. Before our boarding passes were issued, the airline staff instructed me to pay the travel tax at a separate counter. I was shocked to learn that the total […]
A legitimated child cannot be relegated to illegitimate
Dear PAO, My daughter was born before my marriage to my wife, but she was legitimated as a consequence of our marriage. Unfortunately, as the years passed, we experienced a steep decline in our emotional connection. In one of our daily regular tiffs, she disclosed her intent to nullify our marriage. I also […]