On 20 February 2019, the government passed Republic Act No. 11232, effectively revising the Corporation Code of the Philippines.

Presidential Decree No. 957 or the Subdivision and Condominium Buyers’ Protective Decree was implemented in order to protect subdivision and condominium buyers from developers, operators, and even sellers from reneging on their representations or obligations towards them.

Conducting due diligence is an essential step in ensuring the legitimacy, compliance, and financial soundness of real property acquisitions in the Philippines. This process protects investors from legal pitfalls, fraud, and regulatory violations.

Traffic accidents are not uncommon in Cebu City. The economic boom has made ownership of cars easier, and the city’s roads are unable to cope with the large volume of vehicles. The increase in car ownership, coupled with a challenging public transportation system, has led to an increase in vehicle ownership and, in turn, traffic congestion.

You might have heard of someone who received a text message, supposedly from a fiscal (prosecutor) or a clerk of court, informing them that a criminal case or cases have been filed against them for failing to repay their debt. The text message provides that they will be served a warrant of arrest if they will not settle their debt within a specified period of time.

What is a summons? Are summons from a Court received through text messages allowed?

Cebu is experiencing a remarkable economic boom which makes it increasingly favorable for new business enterprises. However, one roadblock is raising enough capital to kickstart a business.

Must police officers show a warrant of arrest during the time of arrest? Is the arresting officer in violation of Philippine laws if an arrest warrant is not presented during an arrest?

Adoption in the Philippines is a legal process governed by the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, aimed at providing permanent families for children whose biological parents are unable to care for them. The process involves strict eligibility requirements regarding who can adopt and who can be adopted.

What is a quitclaim? Why am I being asked to sign it? Is it safe to sign one?

In the current labor market in the Philippines, there has been an emergence of independent contractors. Thus, it is important to distinguish between an independent contractor and a regular employee.

A foreign adoption decree may be recognized in the Philippines by filing a Petition for Judicial Recognition of Foreign Adoption Decree before the Regional Trial Court (“RTC”) having jurisdiction over the Local Civil Registry Office (“LCRO”) where the Philippine birth certificate of the adopted child is registered.

Step-by-step guide on recognizing or acquiring dual citizenship for Filipino Americans.

A trade name is essential for business operations, but a trademark is crucial for protecting brand identity and preventing unauthorized use

Republic Act No. 9048, as amended by Republic Act No. 19172 provides that no entry in a civil register shall be changed or corrected without a judicial order, except for clerical or typographical errors.

All female workers in the private and public sectors, in the informal economy, who voluntarily contribute to the Social Security System, and national athletes are entitled to a one hundred five (105) days maternity leave with full pay in case of childbirth, or sixty (60) days with full pay in cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy.

Pursuant to Section 2 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 185, any natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship and who has the legal capacity to enter into a contract under Philippine laws may be a transferee of a private land to be used by them as their residence subject to limitations.

A family member can file a case on behalf of a victim of violence against women and children.

A real estate developer must obtain a license to sell or “LTS” before selling, disposing, or attempting to dispose of, for a valuable consideration a subdivision lot.

Section 109 of Presidential Decree No. 1529, or the Property Registration Decree, is the law applicable in petitions for issuance of new owner's duplicate certificates of title which are lost or stolen or destroyed.

The 2004 Notarial Rules require the physical or personal presence of the person/s who executed a document before the document can be notarized.

The applicant for a free patent recognizes that the land applied for belongs to the government. A patent, by its very definition, is a governmental grant of a right, a privilege, or authority.

DST stands for “Documentary Stamp Tax” which is a tax on documents, instruments, loan agreements and papers evidencing the acceptance, assignment, sale, or transfer of an obligation, right or property incident thereto. These physical documentary stamps are called “loose documentary stamps.”

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (“BIR”) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (“RMC”) No. 92-2024 prescribing the guidelines on the proper sale and affixture of loose documentary stamps to taxable documents.

Implied trusts are legal mechanisms that come into being by operation of law to ensure fairness by recognizing the true ownership of a property, even if the title is held by someone else.

Based on the Family Code of the Philippines, Filipinos are bound by laws relating to marriage, even if they are residing abroad. As a result, Filipinos cannot automatically dissolve their marriages in the Philippines through divorce obtained abroad.

Sole Proprietorship vs. One Person Corporation: how are they different and what should you do for your business? You may be considering starting a business on your own in Cebu without business partners. The choice of business structure is crucial to protect your interests.

The Supreme Court of the Philippines, in the exercise of its rule-making power, promulgated and approved A.M No. 24-02-06-SC, otherwise known as the “Rule on Family Mediation” (“Rule”) in a resolution dated 05 November 2024.

Have you lent someone money? Is he unable or unwilling to pay you back despite repeated demands and even after you tried to settle it amicably before the lupon of the barangay? Then you may want to file a small claims case against that person before the court to collect the money that they owe you.

The Writ of Habeas Data is a remedy available to any person whose right to privacy in life, liberty, or security is violated or threatened by an unlawful act of a public official or employee or of a private individual engaged in the gathering, collecting, or storing data or information regarding the person, family, home, and correspondence of the aggrieved party.

Being blacklisted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) means that a foreigner will not be allowed entry into the Philippines. This could be for a variety of reasons.

Under Philippine law, contracts or agreements are generally valid and binding, regardless of their form, whether written or verbal.

Article 299 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, provides that an employer may terminate the services of an employee who has been found to be suffering from any disease and whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his health as well as to the health of his co-employees.

In the Philippines. an adverse claim refers to a legal assertion of interest over a real property that conflicts with the rights of the registered owner.

Posting screenshots of a conversation or messages of another person, without his or her consent, may be considered a criminal offense under Philippine laws, specifically, the DData Privacy Act of 2012 (“DPA”) and Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Authorized causes are legitimate reasons that allow employers to terminate an employee's contract without attributing fault to the employee. These causes provide a legal framework for dismissal, ensuring that the process is fair and justified.

Renting a property in Cebu City involves signing a lease contract or a rental agreement, which is crucial for protecting both tenants and landlords.

Independent contractors, often referred to as freelancers, are governed by a distinct legal framework compared to traditional employees.

Authorized causes refer to legitimate grounds for terminating an employee's contract without it being attributed to their fault.

A National Bureau of Investigation (“NBI”) Clearance is a crucial document in the Philippines. Not only does it serve as a pre-requisite in employment, visa application, and even in securing business permits, but it also certifies that the individual does not have any pending criminal case/s filed with the NBI or a warrant at the time of issuance.

Before buying real property in Cebu, it is crucial to conduct basic due diligence on the property you wish to buy.

You might be interested in donating your land in Cebu to a family member or relative or friend out of your love for them or as part of your estate planning. You may also be interested to donate it to a government agency or unit in Cebu purely out of benevolence or to avail of tax deductions for charitable contributions.

We often encounter the terms copyright and trademark in business parlance; but how do these two legal terms relate to protecting one’s company logo?

Cebu City has become a prime location for real estate investment in the Philippines. You might be interested in buying or selling a parcel of land in Cebu.

Whether you own/manage a business in Cebu or an employee, it is best to be familiar with the termination of employment specific just causes for dismissal.

As a business owner, it is highly recommended that your business name, brand name, or names that are used on your services or goods be protected by applying for a trademark registration.

Cebu is experiencing a remarkable economic boom making it a premier destination for business and investment in the Philippines. This makes it increasingly favorable for new business ventures.

In the Philippines, it is common for aggrieved parties to send a demand letter to another party prior to filing a formal legal complaint before the courts.

The process of executing a Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate (“Deed”) can be particularly challenging, especially following the loss of a loved one.

Before purchasing property in Cebu, conducting thorough due diligence is crucial to identify potential risks such as double titling or non-registration.

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and when legal challenges arise, having the right support can make all the difference. At Padin Law, we are dedicated to guiding our clients through their legal journeys with expertise, empathy, and a commitment to justice.