Land Transfer and Titling

21/01/2026

Dear PAO, Is there a difference between a contract of suretyship and a contract of guaranty? My sister has asked me to sign as a surety for her loan, and the lending company gave me the option either to stand as surety or to act as my sister’s guarantor. Which option is more optimal in terms of my...

15/01/2026

02/01/2026

The Supreme Court (SC) has disbarred and dismissed from service a clerk of court for demanding money from a litigant to safekeep land titles and assist in a case. In a 22-page decision, the SC En Banc found the clerk of court of the La Trinidad, Benguet Regional Trial Court (RTC) guilty of grave mis...

29/12/2025

Dear PAO, My brother was caught by the guard while he was taking items from a store. The barangay said he should be charged with “frustrated theft” because he was not able to leave the store or enjoy the items. Is there really a crime of frustrated theft? Rambo Dear Rambo, No. Philippine law doe...

08/12/2025

Dear PAO, I was charged under a special law, but Congress thereafter passed a new law that changes the rules. My lawyer says the new law works in my favor. Can it apply to my case even though what I did happened before the new law existed? Ranya Dear Ranya, Yes. Under Article 22 of the Revised Penal...

29/11/2025

Dear PAO, I have a question regarding the money claims of my brother against the company where he worked for almost 20 years. He resigned involuntarily because the president and CEO told him that the company had suffered losses due to a lack of market demand and significant debts caused by a market....

10/11/2025

AS access to knowledge and information for educational purposes becomes easier with the influx of modern technology and digital solutions, ethical and administrative issues also rise. Maintaining academic honesty and integrity among teachers and students is crucial amidst the temptations of instant....

07/11/2025

MANILA, Philippines — The law against bouncing checks, or Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 (BP 22), was enacted to address the rampant issuance of bouncing checks. At that time, the circulation of bouncing checks had adversely affected confidence in trade and commerce. Because of this, Congress moved to cri...

01/11/2025

Dear PAO, My best friend who is an international flight steward for a certain airline developed a weight problem which prompted his employer to advise him to take an extended vacation to address it. Instead of losing weight, it was discovered that he had gained more. My best friend committed to losi...

23/10/2025

Dear PAO, May I be enlightened on how the existence of employer-employee relationships is determined or established? As between an alleged contract that says "You are not an employee" and the nature of work being rendered, which carries more weight? Michelle Dear Michelle, For brevity, permit me to....

23/10/2025

Dear PAO, My mother used to be married to another man. Shortly after they wed, they decided to separate but they never bothered to have their marriage declared null and void. They have been estranged ever since. Eventually, my mother met my father and although they could not tie the knot because of....

23/10/2025

Dear PAO, As per my noontime telenovela, I learned that a husband can legally kill his wife and her paramour if such husband caught them in the act of infidelity. Is there some legal truth in this? Jay Dear Jay, Your telenovela may have referred to Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), but th...