The Philippines, an archipelago perpetually exposed to the whims of tropical cyclones, has long been a battleground against the relentless forces of nature. In recent years, the nation has witnessed an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of typhoons, a trend exacerbated by the accelerating pace of climate change.

The Philippines recognizes intellectual and industrial property as vital to the development of its domestic and creative activity. The enactment of R.A. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines bolsters the protection of these rights through Trademark, Copyright, and Patent.

Living in a densely populated city, a resident might find that proximity may sometimes breed contempt. A person’s actions can affect their immediate neighbors. In fact, one of the most common conflicts of subdivision board meetings is the occurrence of abscission—that is the falling or shedding of various tree parts—from one property to the nuisance of another.

Land, particularly in the Philippines, is one of the safest investments as it rarely depreciates, and its value can sometimes grow at an exponential rate. Many individuals buy this type of property with the intent of buying low and selling high later without ever using them. But as with any investment, it has risks. For example, if they are left unattended for long periods, property owners may find that something is built, planted, or sown upon their land.

In Philippine society, the father is supposed to be the breadwinner of the family – the supposed haligi ng tahanan or pillar of the household. But is it really just the father that has the obligation to support?

Sometimes parents are met with the burden of choosing between taking care of their children or providing for their family. Oftentimes, it is the woman who is asked to stay at home and take care of the children. What happens then when a woman, who is not financially independent, is deprived of support by the partner or husband?

“Magpapanotaryo lang naman, bakit ganyan na ang presyo? Sa kanto, ₱50 lang per document. Ang taas naman ng 1% ng transaksyon!” (It’s just notarization, why is the price like that? Across the street, it’s just ₱50 per document. 1% of the value of the transaction is exorbitant!).

That is a frequent response legitimate notaries public (notaries, for short) get when they give quotations for their services.

And what’s this matter about notaries and why is legitimate notarization important?

We know that any person who shall contract a second or subsequent marriage before the former marriage has been legally dissolved can be found guilty of the crime of bigamy. (Art. 349, Revised Penal Code). But what happens to the partner of the bigamist?

Is marital infidelity considered violence against women and children?

Yes, it can be.

As stressed in the recent case of XXX v. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 250219, 01 March 2023. The names of the characters in this case were redacted by the Supreme Court.

With the lifting of travel restrictions and the end of the pandemic, families have started traveling again. However, with the recent influx of complaints of inconvenience during immigration, it would be good to know the following rules regarding minors traveling abroad.

Viral videos showing road rage incidents have been circulating online, wherein motorists are seen in physical or verbal altercations. Sometimes, they are armed with a gun, about to pull the trigger. Although no laws punish road rage, per se, there are laws that punish the circumstances surrounding these road rage incidents.

In a recent Supreme Court Decision penned by Associate Justice Mario Lopez, fathers are allowed to apply for protection and custody orders under the VAWC Law against mothers who committed acts of violence against their child.

There is no question that over the years, household pets have evolved from merely serving as defenders of the home to being treated as members of the family. As such, it would be natural for owners to want to protect their beloved pets from any and all kinds of harm. Thankfully, laws such as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 have enumerated the ways in which their furry friends could be protected from danger.

Contracts have become indispensable tools for anyone who has negotiated or engaged in a transaction. They are necessary to bind the parties involved, as contracts protect their interests and serve as a record of what they agree upon. But is a contract still valid and enforceable if it was orally agreed upon?

The new domestic adoption law removes the judicial process of adopting Filipino children. Instead, adoptive parents may now administratively apply for adoption through NACC, a new quasi-judicial agency under the DSWD, which aims to simplify and accelerate the process of adoption in the country.

Due to recent pronouncements, the topic of fathers evading their responsibility to provide child support has generated a discussion among members of the community. But is the failure to provide, already grounds for imprisonment?

Clerical or typographical errors committed in writing, copying, transcribing or typing of an entry in certificates of land titles are not unheard.

In Article 415 of the Civil Code, the term “real property”, also referred to as “immovable property”, includes land, buildings, roads, constructions adhered to the soil, trees, plants while they are attached to the ground, machinery for an industry which may be carried on inside a building or land, and analogous or similar properties.

To start the process of estate planning, you must take an inventory of everything that you own.

As part of our efforts to make legal knowledge more accessible, we are launching a special series on the topic of estate planning.