Ateneo de Davao Legal Advocacy Works

The Ateneo de Davao Legal Advocacy Works (AdDLAW) is a service-oriented and student-based organization in the Ateneo de Davao College of Law, geared towards promoting human rights and public interest through legal advocacy.

AdDLAW advocates are well rounded law students dedicated to academic excellence and social responsibility, embodying the Atenean values of Magis and Cura Personalis.

Join the ranks of like minded volunteers here at ADDLAW by scanning the qr code below or clicking on the link 🌻🌞🌼

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSeru1t7891XlU9jLuAv7YsMPlJw9tIsbUiCph3f6AUY2J3vdQ/viewform?usp=send_form

Congratulations AdDLAW graduates! We are always here to support you on your journey ahead! ☀️

After extensive review by the Gamemakers, the final results of last night's harrowing GAME NIGHT are in!

🏆 Congratulations to our top players who have showcased remarkable skill and dedication throughout the game. Your hard work has truly paid off! 🥇🥈🥉

Join us tonight at Arrupe Hall for an evening of brain-teasing fun! 🧠

Can you crack the code behind our trivia clues? Don't miss out on the excitement! 🤔💡

🏹🔥 Calling all tributes! Here are some reminders to ensure a thrilling and unforgettable game night 🔥🏹

We cordially invite you to join our Annual Game Night at Arrupe Hall this Saturday! Registration starts at 3:00 PM.

🔥🏹 May the odds be ever in your favor! 🏹🔥

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 🎄

Christmas came early for the CICLs in Children’s Village, Bahay Pag-asa last December 10, 2023.

ADDLAW is very thankful to the newest members (Batch Hirang) of our organization for making this event a successful one.

ADDLAW Installation and Thanksgiving Night ✨

Thank you for the feature, SunStar Davao ☀️

This story and more in today's copy which is available at any Davao Central Convenience store, or a newsstand near you. You can also read it in its true printed format from anywhere in the world at http://epaper.sunstar.com.ph.

There is nothing greater than the heart of a volunteer. 💛

Last November 5, 2023, ADDLAW "Batch Hirang" conducted a legal aid seminar for the women of Talikala Inc. where we addressed critical legal aspects concerning the protection of women from online discrimination, harassment, and exploitation.

The seminar focused on empowering attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the legal landscape, ensuring that women are equipped to assert their rights and seek justice.

Let us continue working together towards a society where everyone is protected and empowered under the law. 💛⚖️

December 08, 2023, was a momentous occasion as AdDLAW "Batch Hirang" hosted a seminar shedding light on the impactful strides made by the Department of Agriculture's Livelihood Programs in supporting agriculture and livestock practices among Indigenous People, with a particular focus on their farms.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Asst. Director, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI, Marie Ann Constantino, for her valuable presence and shared knowledge as Resource Speaker during our program for the Callawa Indigenous People Farmers Association entitled "ADBOKASIYANG LEGAL PARA SA MGA MAGSASAKA NG BARANGAY CALLAWA," held at Sitio Mariagas, Barangay Callawa, Davao City.

Let's continue sowing the seeds of positive change together! 🌾💚💛

Every wish already found its generous giver! 🌞

We will be receiving the gifts every 3-5pm at the Supreme Student Council - Ateneo de Davao University College of Law Office until December 15 (Friday). 💛✨

P.S. We still gratefully welcome donations in both cash and kind 🫶

Spread the joy this season! 🎄✨

Extend your kindness to the sick and senior citizen PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty) by participating in our "Grant-a-Wish" project.

Let's come together to make the holidays brighter. ☀️

This holiday season, let's come together to spread joy and make a difference in the lives of Persons Deprived of Liberty(PDL). 💛

Our "Grant a Wish" project aims to fulfill the heartfelt wishes of PDLs, making their Christmas dreams come true. Every small gesture counts and your support can make a significant impact!

To participate in the gift-giving initiative, please follow these steps:

1. Select an item from the wishlist on the Christmas Tree located on the 2nd floor of D Bldg.

2. Don't forget to indicate the “code" (as provided by the wishlist) in your chosen gift

3. Deliver your chosen gift to any AdDLAW Officer or the SSC Office located on the 2nd floor of D-Bldg between 3:00-5:00 PM.

4. Our team will ensure that the gifts are delivered to our PDLs.

Let's make this holiday season memorable for everyone. Together, we can create smiles, warmth, and love for those who deserve it most because there is nothing greater than the heart of a volunteer. 🤗💕

The Ateneo de Davao Legal Advocacy Works (AdDLAW) extends heartfelt congratulations to those who successfully passed the December 2023 Bar Examination, especially our esteemed AdDLAW Advocates.

May you continue to diligently and bravely pursue truth and justice, and may you remain dedicated volunteers for the betterment of our nation and its people.

Once more, congratulations to the newly licensed members of the Bar!

Last November 21 and 22, 2023, AdDLAW visited the Davao City Jail. The visitation aimed to inform Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) about their rights according to the 1987 Constitution and the GCTA law. Additionally, it sought to engage with the PDLs to understand their circumstances within the confines of the detention center.

On October 23, 2023, Batch Hirang conducted "PROYEKTONG LEGAL" with the Bagobo Klata Tribe. The project conducted aimed to bring legal services to the community, focusing on legal information and aid in relation to protecting indigenous rights, cultural preservation, preventive legal strategies, and access to justice.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to:
Atty. DN Abubakar Murray and Atty. Haru Rodriguez, as Legal Aid Lawyers; and

Community Partner Pia Duran for making this activity possible. Your contributions have played a key role in the success of our initiatives, and we appreciate your unwavering support.

Also, a big thank you to one of our AdDLAW advocates, Ram Sian, for assisting Batch Hirang throughout this activity.

To everyone who played a part in making Batch Hirang a reality, thank you for your time, dedication, and commitment. Together, we are making a meaningful impact, and we look forward to more shared successes in the future.

CALL FOR DONATIONS 📣📣📣

Rising Against Exploitation: Empowering Women's Legal Rights!

In a world sometimes blind to their struggles, we refuse to be silent. The Women Advocacy Group of Batch Hirang, aspiring members of ADDLAW, raise our voices against an alarming trend.

It's time to spotlight the exploitation of women in prostitution. Content creators misuse their images, and our fellow women bear the consequences.

Our mission is clear: Empower these women with legal knowledge. Join us to ignite change and secure justice, respect, and empowerment for all.

Your support will go a long way! Join us by donating through GCash at 09458300577, and together, we'll light the way forward!

CALL FOR DONATIONS 📣

Batch Hirang 2023 - Indigenous People Group will be conducting their Batch Project this coming October 23, 2023.

For donations, please see details below.

Thank you very much for your generosity. 💛

2nd Semester Applications are now open! ☀️

Scan the QR code below or go to bit.ly/45olZWa and fill out the application form to apply.

ADDLAW Bar Operations Salubong 💛☀️

Congratulations to our barristers! We are very proud of you. 💛

Best of luck, barristers!

Stay confident, stay strong, and let your legal brilliance shine! AdDLAW is rooting for you ☀️

CHIEF JUSTICE GESMUNDO: JUDICIARY E-LIBRARY TO USE AI TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE LEGAL RESEARCH

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo delivered the keynote address at the Silliman University Law Alumni Association's first grand alumni homecoming on August 26, 2023, at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

“AI could be the magnet that makes [legal] search faster and easier, to the benefit of the people that we ultimately serve.”

Chief Justice Gesmundo compared the current state of legal research to "looking for a needle in a haystack upon haystacks upon haystacks." As a result, technology must be maximized to improve the process. “Through natural language-processing—the same technology behind ChatGPT—we will install a search engine that will provide more accurate and reliable results; using machine learning, search algorithms will constantly self-improve based on the feedback of users.”

The proposed AI-enabled research tool is currently being refined. It is one of the projects included in the Supreme Court's Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI).

Another ongoing SPJI program mentioned by Chief Justice Gesmundo is the conversion of trial courts to electronic courts through the use of the much-improved eCourt version 2.0 software, which includes functions such as e-payments, which can now be done through the Judiciary Electronic Payment Solution (JePS), and e-filing, which began development under eCourt version 2.0 last July.

Other SPJI projects being implemented are:
1. the Philippine Judiciary 365;
2. Bar Applicant Registration Information System and Tech Assistance, or BARISTA;
3. the Philippine Judicial Academy Learning Management System;
4. the digitized Benchbook for Philippine Trial Courts; and
5. the Human Resource Information System and Financial Management Information System.

Read the full article here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/chief-justice-gesmundo-judiciary-e-library-to-use-ai-technology-to-improve-legal-research/

Last call for ADDLAW 2023 Merch Orders!

We will be closing the order link today 12:00MN! 🥴

If you haven't placed your merch order yet, you may place your orders 👇here👇 right now❗️❗️❗️
http://bit.ly/ADDLAW-Merch-2023

All proceeds will go to the ADDLAW Bar Operations and future ADDLAW Community Activities 😊

Truly, there is nothing greater than the heart of a volunteer ☀️☀️☀️

SC: ANTI-VAWC LAW APPLIES TO LE***AN COUPLES

The Supreme Court, in the case of Jacinto vs. Fouts (G.R. No. 250627, December 07, 2022) clarified that Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children (VAWC) Act, safeguards all women, including those in le***an relationships.

The Anti-VAWC Law includes physical, psychological, emotional, and economic violence and abuses against "against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship." Obviously, le***an and homosexual partnerships are included in the use of the gender-neutral term 'person' who has or has had a sexual or dating relationship with the woman.

Thus, the said law does not single out husbands and fathers as the only perpetrators for violations of R.A. No. 9262, as previously held in the 2013 case of Garcia vs. Drilon (G.R. No. 179267).

READ THE SC FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-anti-vawc-act-applies-to-le***an-relationships/

FULL TEXT OF G.R. No. 250627: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/68730

SC RULES IN FAVOR OF DISMISSED LAZADA RIDERS

“When the status of the employment is in dispute, the employer bears the burden to prove that the person whose service it pays for is an independent contractor rather than a regular employee with or without fixed terms.”

The High Court used a two-tiered test to determine whether Lazada and the petitioners had an employer-employee relationship: the four-fold test and the economic-dependence test.

“Under the four-fold test, four factors must be proven:

1. the employer’s selection and engagement of the employee;
2. the payment of wages;
3. the power to dismiss; and
4. the power to control the employee’s conduct, the most important factor.”

In the case of the Lazada riders, the Court determined that all four of the four factors in the four-fold test were present.

First, as evidenced by the contracts they signed, petitioners were directly employed by Lazada.

Second, as stated in the Contract, they received their salaries from Lazada, which paid them P1,200.00 per day of service.

Third, Lazada possessed the authority to dismiss the petitioners. According to their contract, Lazada has the right to terminate the agreement immediately if one of its material provisions is violated.

Finally, Lazada had control over the petitioners' means and methods of carrying out their work, as evidenced by the manner in which they carried it out. Lazada required the completion of a route sheet that kept track of the items' arrival, departure, and unloading times. In addition to the actual value of the item, the petitioners faced a P500.00 penalty if it was lost. They were also required to provide Lazada with trip tickets and incident reports.

The Court also determined that the petitioners were dependent on Lazada for their continued employment in this line of business because they were hired directly by Lazada after previously being engaged by a third-party contractor to provide services for Lazada. According to the Court, this demonstrates that the petitioners were economically dependent on Lazada for their livelihood.

Read full article here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-rules-in-favor-of-dismissed-lazada-riders/

Read full text of case here:https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2022/sep2022/pdf/gr_246892_2022.pdf