There appears to be a misconception that all donations related the Philippines’ fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-2019) pandemic must be coursed through the government. There is no such rule. Donors may still choose the recipients of their donations.
Continue reading[The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier issued Labor Advisory No. 13 (full text), providing for guidelines on the payment of the double holiday pay on 9 April 2020 (Araw ng Kagitingan and Holy Thursday), regular holiday on 10 April 2020 (Good Friday) and special nonworking day on 11 April 2020. In a subsequent advisory, however, the Labor Secretary ordered the deferment of the payment of holiday pay and exempted certain companies by reason of the lockdown (added: ECQ effectively extended to 30 April 2020, per Memorandum dated 7 April 2020; further extended to May 15 for high-risk areas). The complete text of Labor Advisory No. 13-A is reproduced below.]
Continue reading[On 1 April 2020, the Department of Finance (DOF) issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Section 4 (aa) of Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”. Refer to the extended discussion or the latest BSP FAQ. Note the important changes introduced by IATF Resolution No. 33. See updated classifications. Here is the full text of the IRR.]
Continue readingThe Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers Program (TUPAD) is one of the programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which aims to contribute to poverty reduction and inclusive growth. It is a community-based (municipality/barangay) package of assistance that provides temporary wage employment for the displaced workers, unemployed and self-employed workers. (Added: This is now part of the social amelioration programs under the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1; see List of Social Amelioration Programs).
Continue readingSenior citizens are more vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), according to reports, and because of this, some groceries, supermarkets and other retail stores are not allowing senior citizens to enter and shop. This is addressed in a new circular issued by the Bureau of Trade and Industry (DTI). Memorandum Circular No. 20-09 (full text) enjoins all supermarkets, groceries, pharmacies and drug stores and other businesses to implement the following:
Continue reading[On 28 March 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Memorandum Circular No. 20-09, providing for exemption from lines or queues, a “Senior Only” shopping hour, and “Pagpapahalaga” Express Lane, in all supermarkets, groceries, pharmacies and drug stores, and other businesses authorized to continue business operations during the enhanced community quarantine. Here is the full text of MC 20-09.]
Continue readingThe enhanced community quarantine or lockdown imposed by the government to mitigate the contagion of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) brings to fore a number of laws which, on hindsight, could have been passed in anticipation of this kind of scenario. One is the 2019 law on public health emergencies. Another is the 2018 law on telecommuting, including alternative work-from-home arrangements.
Continue readingNo minimum capital stock is required for stock corporations under the Revised Corporation Code, except when specifically provided by law. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a matrix (accessed on 29 March 2020) of the required minimum paid-up capital (paid-up capital is the portion of the authorized capital stock which has been subscribed and actually paid), according to industry, for the registration of Philippine corporations. This covers foreign-owned domestic corporations, when not covered by the Negative List.
Continue reading[The “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act” (Republic Act No. 11469), already effective after having been published in the Manila Bulletin on 25 March 2020, granted temporary emergency powers to the President to help address the national emergency brought about by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The emergency powers provided in R.A. 11469 are not self-executory, but require the directive of the President. On 28 March 2020, the Executive Secretary, acting on behalf of the President, issued a Memorandum providing for the implementation of temporary emergency powers granted to the President. Here is the full text of the Memorandum.]
Continue readingSEC Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2020, containing “The Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9856, otherwise known as the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Act of 2009, was published at the PDI and Philippine Star, and filed with the UP Law Center, on 23 January 2020. The REIT Rules took effect on 7 February 2020. See Introduction / Salient Points. The full text is available by clicking the link to each item of the Table of Contents:
Continue reading