Conditional community quarantine classifications of provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent component cities (ICCs) in the Philippines for the period 1 to 15 June 2020, per IATF Resolution No. 40 dated 27 May 2020 [see revised classifications per Resolution No. 41 dated 29 May 2020].
Continue readingOn 27 May 2020, the House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill No. 6817, which proposes “An Act Prohibiting the Discrimination Against Persons who are Declared Confirmed, Suspect, Probably, and Recovered Cases of COVID-19, Repatriated Filipinos, Healthcare Workers, Responders, and Service Workers and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof”. The short title is “COVID-19-Related Anti-Discrimination Act.”
Continue readingWhen the lockdown is lifted and areas are no longer under any community quarantine, Accommodation Establishments will have to face the challenges of a New Normal. “New Normal” refers to the emerging behaviors, situations, and minimum public health standards that will be institutionalized in common or routine practices and remain even after the pandemic while the disease is not totally eradicated through means such as widespread immunization. In plain terms, New Normal means things will never be the same, and it is going to be extra challenging for owners or operators of Accommodation Establishments.
Continue readingCustody is an aspect of parental authority. The person who exercises parental authority over the child has custody over the said child. Parental authority and responsibility may not be renounced or transferred except in the cases authorized by law. There are different rules for the custody of legitimate and illegitimate children.
Continue readingBeing stopped in checkpoints is normal for workers going to work, and going home after work, in establishments allowed to operate during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). Here are three things that workers need to remember in dealing with checkpoints (explain these items in a respectful and composed manner).
Continue readingThe interplay of relationships in matters pertaining to marriage may result to challenges in enforcing rights in Philippine courts. In mixed marriages, wherein one of the spouses is a Philippine citizen and the other spouse is a foreigner, the Filipino spouse can file the appropriate petition in Philippine courts to have the foreign divorce decree recognized in the Philippines. This course of action is necessary to enable the Filipino to remarry; otherwise, the Filipino may be charged with bigamy. The alien spouse can remarry, pursuant to his/her national law, by reason of the divorce. [See also Mixed Marriages and Divorce]
Continue readingWHEREAS, under Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the President is authorized to direct the operation of establishments to carry out the declared national policy of mitigating the transmission of COVID-19;
Continue readingThere were discussions about a proposed law which seeks to penalize the refusal or failure of “any person” to pay “legal child support.” This refers to the proposed “Child Support Enforcement Act” (House Bill No. 6079 during the 16th Congress; House Bill No. 387 during the 17th Congress), which seeks to penalize the refusal or failure of “any person” to give legal child support without justifiable cause. While the proposed law covers “any person”, reading the provisions gives the impression that it basically threatens the father of the child with imprisonment in case of failure or refusal to give support.
Continue reading“Domestic partnership” can have two meanings under Philippine laws. It may refer to a domestic partnership in the context of corporations, or a domestic partnership in the context of marriage. The two concepts will be discussed below.
Continue readingOn 11 May 2020, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act (Republic Act No. 11235). The law/IRR is the subject of serious opposition from riders or motorcycle owners, but until the law/IRR is nullified by the court, or its implementation restrained, it is important to be aware of the pertinent provisions. Here are the salient points of the IRR:
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