The Law Offices of Ian Ll. Macasinag & Associates

Relevant provisions of the 2000 Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure have been deemed repealed on July 16 upon the promulgation of the 2024 Department of Justice – National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) Rules on Criminal Investigation and Inquest Proceedings, embodied in DOJ Department Circular No. 015, s. 2024.

Under the new rules, all prosecutors are now empowered to lead criminal investigations and ensure sufficient case build-up before filing in court. The required quantum of evidence has also been elevated from probable cause to prima facie evidence with a reasonable certainty of conviction, thereby declogging court dockets and jails.

In its En Banc Resolution dated 30 May 2024, the Supreme Court, recognizing the authority of the DOJ to promulgate its own rules on preliminary investigation, ruled that a repeal of affected provisions in Rule 112 is warranted. This is without prejudice to the Court’s promulgation of such rules as needed and consistent with the 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules.

“The 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules are transformative as they institutionalize the executive and inquisitorial nature of preliminary investigations,” said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on July 10 during the signing of the rules in Malacañang.

The 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules shall take effect on August 1, 2024, after 15 days following the completion of its publication in two newspapers of general circulation pursuant to Article 2 of the Civil Code.

Words by: Carlo Sales and Georgina Silva |thebarrister

https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-issues-guidelines-in-the-prosecution-of-criminal-actions-for-tax-law-violations/?fbclid=IwAR2NuCQ0XYShH8JOwDL5j9fKFbWUCkTniUW6ce0PKXHGH5hRmsgUs72w7c8_aem_AcmKjccB0nnqI1yzlXbFgkMGs_WFtKnHyLGvLGNTVv2D_zHkXlbRHtNssV5GYvpFki0

SC Issues Guidelines in the Prosecution of Criminal Actions for Tax Law Violations - Supreme Court of the Philippines SC Issues Guidelines in the Prosecution of Criminal Actions for Tax Law Violations November 21, 2023 An assessment for deficiency taxes is not a prerequisite for collection of the taxpayer-accused’s civil liability for unpaid taxes in the criminal prosecution for tax law violations. Thus ruled the...

📢 The Office of the 2023 Bar Chair has announced that the Oath Taking & Roll Signing Ceremonies shall be held on December 22, 2023 (Friday) at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Stay tuned for further announcements, and make the necessary logistical preparations ahead.

As a general rule, the client is bound by the negligence of his counsel. The only exception is when the negligence of the counsel is so gross, reckless, and inexcusable that the client is deprived of his day in court.

SC Recalls Entry of Judgment Convicting Accused After Negligent Lawyer Fails to Appeal |

To deprive an accused, who relied in good faith on his or her counsel, the right to appeal is a violation of the right to due process.

Thus ruled the Supreme Court’s Third Division in a Decision, penned by Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, granting the Petition for Review on Certiorari filed by Rodrigo O. Conche and recalling the Entry of Judgment issued by the Court of Appeals (CA). The Court also directed the CA to give due course to Conche’s appeal and elevate the records of the case for this purpose.

The Court, in granting Conche’s petition, stressed that the accused’s right to be heard, expressly provided in the Constitution, is critical to protecting the right to due process. The Court also held that while the right to appeal is merely statutory, it is nevertheless an essential part of our judicial system, and thus must be afforded to every party. The Court further ruled that even if a judgment had become final executory, it may still be recalled, and the accused afforded the opportunity to be heard by himself/herself and counsel.

In the present case, the Court found that the lawyer’s gross negligence and misrepresentations denied Conche his right to due process, specifically his rights to appeal and to be assisted by effective counsel.

Read more at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-recalls-entry-of-judgment-convicting-accused-after-negligent-lawyer-fails-to-appeal/.

Avoid paying hefty penalties to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by availing of their Amnesty Program.

Have you submitted your corporation’s email addresses and mobile phone numbers to the SEC?

Pursuant to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 28, Series of 2020, all corporations, partnerships, associations, and individuals registered with the SEC are required to designate their official email addresses and mobile phone numbers, and submit them to the Commission using the forms annexed to the circular.

Registered corporations at the time of the issuance of MC 28 were given until November 11, 2021 to comply submit their reports. Meanwhile, newly registered corporations must comply within 30 days from the issuance of their certificate of registration, license, or authority.

Non-compliance with MC 28 will result in a penalty of P10,000. If your corporation failed to file its MC28 report within the prescribed time, grab the chance of paying a lower penalty through the SEC Amnesty Program until September 30, 2023 only.

Landmark Decision from the Supreme Court, on copyrighted music, published today.

1. Off the Grill restaurant should have obtained a license from FILSCAP and paid the necessary fees, for (a) allowing live bands to play copyrighted music; and (b) playing recorded copyrighted music in its premises.

2. Filing a duplicate of the document assigning the rights to copyrighted musical works is permissive and not mandatory upon the author or the assignee (such as FILSCAP). Assignees cannot be compelled to file a duplicate copy of the document evidencing the assignment, and have the deeds or agreements published in the IPO Gazette before their rights can be invoked or enforced.

3. Under the Berne Convention, the enjoyment of rights protected by copyright "shall not be subject to any formality; such enjoyment and such exercise shall be independent of the existence of protection in the country of origin of work." The purpose of registration is to protect subsequent purchasers or mortgagees for value and without notice, since in principle, it is similar to the filing and recording statute pertaining to chattel mortgages.

4. As the assignee, FILSCAP has the right to demand compensation for the playing or performance in public of copyrighted musical works under its catalogue in establishments or other venues, when infringement is being committed due to the absence of a license and payment of fees.

5. The Court acknowledges that FILSCAP, by authority of the deeds/agreements, represents the owners or holders of copyrighted musical works under its catalogue. As the assignee, FILSCAP is tasked to monitor and issue licenses to persons, businesses, establishments, and the like which are interested to play or perform these musical compositions. Although it seems trivial or outrageous to collect fees for this purpose especially when almost everything is readily accessible to the listening public, the copyright owners are still entitled to be compensated for their creative work. There is no question that they invested time, creativity, talent, and effort in the creation and development of their compositions. Thus, assigning FILSCAP to pursue their intellectual property rights on their behalf should not be taken against FILSCAP, as it is acting not merely for its own benefit, but for the copyright owners' as well. Still, FILSCAP's monitoring, licensing, and its other functions should all be exercised within reasonable, proper, and just means.

COSAC, Inc. v. Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Inc., GR 222537, 28 Feb 2023

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Paki-basa na lang po ang comments section, kung may mga tanong tungkol sa Decision, at kung paano naman ang mga small-time establishments at bands. Baka po mas mabigyang linaw. Salamat!

The Law Offices of Ian Ll. Macasinag & Associates is looking for two (2) paralegals who are either enrolled as law students or a Juris Doctor.

Interested applicants may send their CV to [email protected]. Kindly indicate “Paralegal Applicant” as the subject of the email.

Thank you!

Bicol College School of Law is back with another empowering event!

Get ready as the Barangay Legal Caravan returns, and this time it's heading to Barangay San Francisco, Sto. Domingo, Albay!

Join us on July 1, 2023, from 8 am to 4 pm, as our dedicated law students, together with experienced supervising lawyers, offer FREE LEGAL SERVICES to those in need. We aim to make legal services accessible to all who are interested.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to avail of our free legal assistance!

Mark your calendars now and be a part of this transformative event. Spread the word and let everyone know!

The Supreme Court reiterates that Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children (VAWC) Act, protects all women, including women in le***an relationships.

The Court in Sandra Jane Gagui Jacinto vs Maria Eloisa Sarmiento Fouts, GR No. 250627 fated December 7, 2022 held:

“VAWC may likewise be committed ‘against a woman with whom the person has or had a s*xual or dating relationship.’ Clearly, the use of the gender-neutral word ‘person’ who has or had a s*xual or dating relationship with the woman encompasses even le***an relationships.”

Read Full Text: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/250627-sandra-jane-gagui-jacinto-vs-maria-eloisa-sarmiento-fouts/?fbclid=IwAR1n2iK0x9KUqzGOvtok-C2p7j2ZuOVc_TcJNeb1EjH63IoxprYNykFfLss

250627 Sandra Jane Gagui Jacinto Vs. Maria Eloisa Sarmiento Fouts – Supreme Court of the Philippines The Supreme Court of the Philippines respects your privacy, and your data privacy rights, as well as employs reasonable measures to protect your personal data in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA), its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and the various issu...

𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

A lawyer shall uphold the dignity of the legal profession in all social media interactions in a manner that enhances the people’s confidence in the legal system, as well as promote its responsible use.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲

A lawyer shall have the duty to understand the benefits, risks, and ethical implications associated with the use of social media. (Section 36, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀

A lawyer shall ensure that his or her online posts, whether made in a public or restricted privacy setting that still holds an audience, uphold the dignity of the legal profession and shield it from disrepute, as well as maintain respect for the law. (Section 37, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

A lawyer shall not knowingly or maliciously post, share, upload or otherwise disseminate false or unverified statements, claims, or commit any other act of disinformation. (Section 38, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀

A lawyer shall not create, maintain or operate accounts in social media to hide his or her identity for the purpose of circumventing the law or the provisions of the CPRA. (Section 39, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀

A lawyer shall not reveal, directly or indirectly, in his or her online posts confidential information obtained from a client or in the course of, or emanating from, the representation, except when allowed by law or the CPRA. (Section 40, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗗𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮

A lawyer, who uses a social media account to communicate with any other person in relation to client confidences and information, shall exert efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure or use of, or unauthorized access to, such an account. (Section 41, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮

A lawyer shall not communicate, whether directly or indirectly, with an officer of any court, tribunal, or other government agency through social media to influence the latter’s performance of official duties. (Section 42, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻; 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

Pursuant to a lawyer’s duty to society and the legal profession, a lawyer may provide general legal information, including in answer to questions asked, at any fora, through traditional or electronic means, in all forms or types of mass or social media

A lawyer who gives legal advice on a specific set of facts as disclosed by a potential client in such fora or media dispenses Limited Legal Service and shall be bound by all the duties in the CPRA, in relation to such Limited Legal Service. (Section 43, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁

A lawyer shall exercise prudence in making posts or comments in social media that could violate the provisions on conflict of interest under the CPRA. (Section 44, Canon II of CPRA A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC)

100% passing rate for the paralegals of The Law Office of Ian Ll. Macasinag & Associates.

Congratulations soon-to-be Atty. John Lomerio, Atty. Gabriel Naparato, Atty. Dianne Bisoña and Atty. Martin Macasinag!

SC: Firing an employee just for marrying co-worker illegal, discriminatory The decision marks the end of the 10-year legal battle of a female bank employee who was terminated because she married her co-worker, while her husband was allowed to...

‘VERY DANGEROUS’

LOOK: Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen expresses concern over the spam messages that now contain mobile subscribers’ names and warns against leaking of information.

SC: Musicians can collect royalty for radio play in commercial sites In a legal victory for the country’s music industry and advocates of intellectual property protection, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and

📣 2022 BAR EXAMINATIONS 📣

The Supreme Court in Bar Bulletin No. 4, S. 2022 has extended the submission of applications for the 2022 Bar Examinations up to August 15, 2022.

: AQUINO v. AQUINO (G.R. Nos. 208912 and 209018 • 07 December 2021 [Date Uploaded: 07 July 2022] • En Banc • Leonen, J.)

SC Revisits ‘Iron Curtain Rule’ in Succession Law, Upholds Best Interest of the Child

Children, regardless of their parents’ marital status, can now inherit from their grandparents and other direct ascendants by right of representation.

In a Decision penned by Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the Court En Banc reinterpreted Article 992 of the Civil Code, which prohibits nonmarital children from inheriting from their siblings who are marital children, as well as “relatives of [their] father or mother[.]” The Decision used the terms “marital” and “nonmarital” to replace the terms “legitimate” and “illegitimate” when referring to the children, as the latter terms are pejorative terms when used to describe children based on their parents’ marital status.

This case involves a woman who claims to be the nonmarital child of a man who died before she was born. After her alleged paternal grandfather died, she asserted her right to represent her deceased father—a marital child—in inheriting from her grandfather’s estate.

However, in previous cases, the Court had interpreted Article 992 as barring nonmarital children from inheriting from their grandparents and other direct ascendants, as they are covered by the term “relatives.” The Supreme Court had called this prohibition the “iron curtain rule,” inferred from a perceived hostility between the marital and nonmarital sides of a family.

Now, the Court reexamined the iron curtain rule, finding that Article 992 “should be construed to account for other circumstances of birth and family dynamics. Peace within families cannot be encouraged by callously depriving some of its members of their inheritance. Such deprivation may even be the cause of antagonism and alienation that could have been otherwise avoided.”

The Court also recognized that nonmarital children primarily suffer the consequences imposed by laws, despite the status being beyond their power to change. Some children may be nonmarital because their parents choose not to marry; in 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that, from 2007 to 2016, there was 14.4% decline in registered marriages in the country. Other children may be nonmarital because one or both of their parents are below marriageable age. In 2017 alone, 196,478 children were born to mothers 19 years old and under, and 52,342 children were sired by fathers 19 years old and under. There are also children who are nonmarital when their mother was a survivor of s*xual assault who did not marry the perpetrator; or when one parent dies before they can marry the other parent.

Departing from regressive conjectures about family life in favor of the best interests of the child, the Court abandoned the presumption that “nonmarital children are products of illicit relationships or that they are automatically placed in a hostile environment perpetrated by the marital family.”

The Court ruled that grandparents and other direct ascendants are outside the scope of “relatives” under Article 992. “Both marital and nonmarital children, whether born from a marital or nonmarital child, are blood relatives of their parents and other ascendants.” Thus, a nonmarital child’s right of representation should be governed by Article 982 of the Civil Code, which does not differentiate based on the birth status of grandchildren and other direct descendants.

The two amici curiae appointed by the Court, Dean Cynthia Del Castillo and Professor Elizabeth Aguiling-Pangalangan, also contributed insights on the Civil Code, Family Code, and jurisprudential treatment of nonmarital children.

However, because of factual issues with the nonmarital child’s claim of filiation, the Court remanded the case to the Regional Trial Court and ordered it to receive further evidence, including DNA evidence. It emphasized that DNA testing is a valid method of determining filiation in all cases where this is an issue.

| Media Release by the Supreme Court Public Information Office dated 31 March 2022

Read full text here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/28508/

READ: Bicol workers get P55 hike in daily wage

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board V issued Wage Order No. RBV-20 granting a PhP55 wage increase in two tranches, PhP35 upon the effectivity of the Wage Order and another PhP20 on 01 December 2022 bringing the new minimum wage rate in the Bicol region to PhP365 for all sectors.

The last Wage Order in the region took effect on 21 September 2018.

Also, the Board issued Wage Order No. RBV-DW-02 granting a monthly increase of PhP1,000 for chartered cities and first-class municipalities and PhP1,500 for other municipalities, bringing the new monthly wage rate for domestic workers in the region to PhP4,000.

Full article: https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/bicol-workers-get-p55-hike-in-daily-wage/

Citing concerns about free speech and data privacy, President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed a bill that would have required individuals to register their ownership of a SIM card and use their real names when creating social media accounts.

READ: https://www.rappler.com/nation/duterte-vetoes-sim-card-social-media-registration-bill/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

A reminder from Justice Leonen:

If you make it, prepare for humility and the knowledge that this is merely a beginning. Serve our people.

If you don’t make it, accept it as a challenge. Know that there can be more for you. Persevere.

All the best for everyone.

Honor and Excellence.

SC, Australian Government to Work Together on Judicial Reforms

March 28, 2022

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Steven J. Robinson, AO met on Friday, March 25, 2022, to discuss judicial reforms and how the Philippine Judiciary faced head on the COVID-19 health crisis to ensure an uninterrupted, effective, and efficient delivery of justice.

During Ambassador Robinson’s courtesy call on the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices at the Supreme Court Session Hall, Chief Justice Gesmundo shared with him the Supreme Court’s vision of a technology-driver Judiciary.

The Chief Justice shared, among others, that the Court would be pilottesting its Judiciary Electronic Payment Solution (JEPS) in 20 first level courts nationwide. This means that the payment of fees in selected trial courts nationwide, not only for small claims cases, can now be made online. The JEPS aims to make the assessment and payment of legal fees and other collections of the Judiciary more convenient by providing the litigants, their counsels/representatives, and persons requesting for clearances, certifications, and other services from the court the option to pay online through major banks as conduits.

Chief Justice Gesmundo also mentioned Justice Real Time: A Strategic Plan for Judiciary Innovations 2022-2026, a policy document which aims to describe and lay down the clear guiding principles, definite workplan and portfolio of projects, and reasonable target outcomes that will support the comprehensive and integrated reform initiatives in the Philippine Judiciary for the period of 2022 to 2026.

The Chief Justice also shared that the Supreme Court posted a 110% clearance rate in Judicial Cases for the year 2021. It can be recalled that based on data provided by the Office of the Clerk of Court En Banc and the Division Clerks of Court, the Court had a total case output of 3,975 judicial cases from January 2021 to December 20, 2021, which meant a clearance of 110%.

Clearance rate is the rate of total disposed cases vis-à-vis new cases (Total Case Output/New Cases). A one-hundred percent clearance rate means that the Court’s total case output is equal to the number of incoming new cases and is “keeping up” with the new cases filed. This is significant because at one hundred ten percent, this shows that the Court has succeeded in decreasing its backlog of cases. At the start of the year 2021, there were a total 8,391 pending judicial cases.

With 3,603 new cases and one (1) reinstated case, the total case input was 11,995 (8,391 pending cases as of December 31, 2020; 3,603 new cases; 1 reinstated case). With the disposal of 3,975 cases, there are now only 8,020 pending judicial cases as of December 20, 2021. Thus, dividing 3,975 (total case output) by 3,603 (new cases) would equal to a 110% clearance rate for judicial cases. Likewise, the Chief Justice shared how the Court faced head on the COVID19 pandemic to protect its employees by establishing an Emergency Care Unit at the SC-CA Building last year. He also mentioned the Court’s partnership with the 2 Philippine National Red Cross and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB) for the use and availment of the temporary isolation and quarantine facility at DLS-CSB in Taft, Manila for judicial employees who were sick with COVID-19 and working in the ‘National Capital Region (NCR) Plus’ bubble.

He also underscored the conduct of videoconferencing hearings to ensure that the wheels of justice turn continuously in an effective and efficient manner.

Chief Justice Gesmundo expressed his gratitude to the Australian Government for being one of the developmental partners of the Supreme Court in some of its judicial reform projects.

For his part, Ambassador Robinson said that he feels “very honored” on his first occasion to the Supreme Court, and thanked Chief Justice Gesmundo for assembling a group of Associate Justices and dignitaries to conduct a fruitful discussion. The Ambassador affirmed the Australian government’s commitment to support the Court’s reform programs.

In 2018, the Sandiganbayan and the Australian Embassy launched the Sandiganbayan Modernization and Transparency Initiative. The Australiansupported program includes a fiscal management and procurement law workshop, and the court calendar digitization. Through this program, the Sandiganbayan will improve its efficiency, competency, and transparency in its hearings.

Chief Justice Gesmundo was joined by Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Justice Mario V. Lopez, Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr. in welcoming Ambassador Robinson. Also present were Philippine Judicial Academy Chancellor (Ret.) Justice Rosmari D. Carandang, Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, Assistant Court Administrator and Chief of Public Information Office Brian Keith F. Hosaka, Deputy Clerk of Court and Judicial Reform Program Administrator Laura C.H. Del Rosario, and Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Technology Officer Jed Sherwin G. Uy.

Ambassador Robinson was accompanied by Mr. Thanh Le, Development Counsellor; Mr. Paul Harrington, Development First Secretary; Mr. Pablo Lucero, Portfolio Manager; Ms. Ria Go Tian, Senior Program Officer; Ms. Andie Fidelino, Research Officer; Atty. George Carmona, Judicial Reform Specialist; and Atty. Damcelle Cortes, Local Context Specialist.

It was the second time that the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court were paid an in-person courtesy visit by a diplomat this year, following the easing of protocol restrictions in the National Capital Region. Last month, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava paid a courtesy call on the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Court. Minimum health protocols such as physical distancing and wearing of marks were observed during these visits.

A DOSE OF LAW | Sweet 16: Increasing the age of s*xual consent

Published 28 March 2022, The Daily Tribune

Age of consent finds relevance in light of the principle that a person of tender age is presumed not to possess discernment and is incapable of giving intelligent consent to s*xual acts.

Dean Nilo Divina discusses the recently signed Republic Act No. 11648 which raised the age of s*xual consent from 12 to 16 years old to further shield minors from r**e and other acts of s*xual abuse.

Read it here: https://bit.ly/3qIuo5k

*x **e

Converting to Islam to marry a second spouse is bigamy, SC rules The Supreme Court rules that the spouse in the subsequent marriage is also guilty of bigamy