Amicus Curiae

Filipino passengers whose overseas travel is deferred by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) may now seek reimbursement of certain travel expenses under BI Memorandum Circular No. 2026-001, which took effect on 13 September 2026. The Circular sets out the eligibility requirements and procedure for reimbursement claims arising from deferred departures during immigration inspection.

History offers a strong lens for understanding modern concerns about Artificial Intelligence (AI). For example, in the 19th century, textile workers destroyed weaving machines and automated looms to oppose what they saw as unfair labor practices and factory mechanization.

On 24 August 2026, following its required publication, the Rule on the Civil Forfeiture of POGO-Related Assets (“the Rules”), takes effect. The Rules set out the judicial process for forfeiting property and other assets connected with prohibited POGO activities and mark a significant development in the government’s efforts to dismantle illegal POGO operations.

The rapid growth of financial technology has transformed how credit is offered, evaluated, released, and collected. Borrowers can now complete the lending cycle through a mobile phone, without visiting a physical office. While this development has widened credit access, it has raised concerns involving excessive charges, misleading disclosures, unauthorized disbursements, data misuse, and abusive collection practices.

I recently spoke with a friend who works as an information technology expert for a mobile communications company. Our discussion turned to artificial intelligence (AI) and its ability to create music. Today, anyone can generate a song simply by entering a prompt into an AI application. Within seconds, the system can produce a composition tailored to the user’s preferred theme and style, often at minimal cost.

In this increasingly globalized age, love transcends boundaries and distance no longer
confines human connection. In matters of the heart, citizenship may at first seem
irrelevant. In matters of law, however, nationality carries significant legal consequences,
particularly under Philippine immigration and citizenship laws.

Can a company assert ownership and exclusivity over a single letter?
The Supreme Court tackled this issue with nuance in the case of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC (formerly Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.), v. Oceanic Empire Limited, promulgated on 28 January 2026.

The new Konektadong Pinoy Act (KPA), which took effect on 23 August 2025, marks a significant shift in how the Philippines approaches digital infrastructure.
Positioned as a comprehensive framework for data transmission and connectivity, the new law and implementing rules and regulations (IRR) aims to dismantle longstanding structural barriers in the telecoms sector while accelerating universal internet access. As with any transformative reform, its promise is matched by the complexity of its implementation.

At the core of Republic Act No. 12234 or the Konektadong Pinoy Act (KPA), which took effect on 14 September 2025, is the policy objective of expanding digital connectivity while promoting fair competition and efficient use of spectrum resources. The KPA and its implementing rules and regulations contemplate future reforms in spectrum allocation, pricing, and utilization, as telecommunications technologies continue to evolve.

In today’s digital age, a person’s identity has become one of the most valuable assets he or she can own. Because of the rise of social media, artificial intelligence, and the content creator economy, a person’s identity now carries significant commercial value, creating opportunities for endorsements and business ventures.