Dear PAO

Philippines

Columnist at The Manila Times

PAO Chief. Doctor of Social Development. Attorney of the People. Defender of the marginalized and oppressed

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Articles

Failure to meet sales quota by regular employees

5 days ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,I have just been regularized as a real estate sales associate. During my probationary period, I met the company-enforced productivity standards by offering condominium units, mostly to my relatives and friends, to meet my monthly sales quota. However, now that I am a regular employee, I have difficulty selling and finding prospective clients outside my circle of family and friends. I fear that I might be unable to meet our monthly sales quota in the coming months.
Earning college degree without going through traditional schooling methods

6 days ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,I am 31 years old and currently hold a high school diploma. I have been working as a chef for seven (7) years now in an American-themed restaurant in Makati City. I am planning to apply for a higher position in my company's chain of restaurants, however, the next level position requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field. What advice can you give me in relation to my interest in applying for a higher position?
Restrictions imposed by the homeowners' association are legally binding

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,I am an owner of a piece of land inside a subdivision. The property has been up for sale for more than ten years. There were interested buyers at first, but when they visited the property, they questioned the limitation on the number of floors allowed for construction and the ban on vehicles on the main road during nighttime. Some of the potential buyers wanted to use the property for commercial purposes and intended to construct a five-story building.
Buyer in good faith only applies to registered land

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,I am not familiar with the history of the land which my parents are claiming from Kumags. The latter allegedly said that he owns the land because he bought the same from Mark. Kumags presented a deed of sale of unregistered land to prove the transaction. My father told Kumags that Mark cannot sell the land to him because he is not the owner.
The Ridjo Doctrine, a legal principle formulated for the protection of the consuming public

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,I have been renting out my condominium unit since 2018. Since then, I have not been in the possession of the said unit, and my lessee has been using it as a 24/7 fitness center. To my surprise, I received a letter from the electric company demanding a total amount of P800,000 representing back charges in electricity bill.
Service Recognition Incentive and Productivity Enhancement Incentive of govt employees

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,I have been a public school teacher since 2011. I was on sick leave starting August 1, 2024 until January 30, 2025. From August to November 2024, I was receiving my salary but after I used up all my leaves, I did not receive my salary starting December 2024. Aside from that, I did not receive the cash gifts and bonuses, like PEI and SRI. I contacted our HR regarding this, but they said I am not entitled to those incentives. Please enlighten me on this. Thank you.
Aggravating circumstance of superior strength does not mean numerical superiority

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,My brother and Mark quarreled. The two exchanged punches until my brother fell to the ground. Mark seized the opportunity. He retrieved a bolo from his motorcycle and hacked my brother three times, even if the latter was no longer fighting back. Fortunately, my brother survived. Some of my relatives are encouraging us to proceed with the filing of an appropriate criminal case against Mark.
Access to personal information of public officers and employees in government office

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,Sometime last month, I visited a public hospital for a health consultation, to which I was prescribed and given free medicines. I asked the hospital staff for the name of the public doctor who attended to me. However, the staff said that she cannot divulge the name of the doctor as it is a violation of the Data Privacy Act. Is she correct? Register to read this story and more for free. Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience.
Operation of backhoes is included in anti-distracted driving law

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,There is an ongoing construction project in a private compound near the main intersection of our town. This project has been ongoing for more than a year now and has caused severe traffic congestion on the highway, as backhoes are placed on the public road. Some residents have already raised complaints due to the traffic and the unreasonable delay in finishing the project, not to mention the seemingly negligent operation of their backhoes.
Doctrine of processual presumption in relation to support

2 weeks ago | manilatimes.net | Dear PAO

Dear PAO,I married a foreigner and we have an 18-month-old son. However, our marriage bond ended when we obtained a divorce decree in Holland. My foreigner husband agreed to provide monthly support to our son. But when my son and I arrived in the Philippines, my husband never gave support. My ex-husband returned to the Philippines because he contracted another marriage.