Amicus Curiae

As we begin a new year, most corporations would have to go through the usual process of electing their directors or trustees and officers. Previously, meetings were mostly in-person, but such proved to be difficult, if not unsafe, given the pandemic and the prohibition of large in-person gatherings that came with it.

Online retail and other e-commerce services are now a mainstay of Philippine commerce. The exponential rise and consequent prevalence of online purchases are partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns that have constrained the everyday consumer to stay at home. This holiday season, Shopee, an e-commerce platform, reported that its “12.12” Christmas sale broke records with around 12 million products sold in the first 24 minutes of the sale.

Undeniably, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of everyone. Yet, among those who have been affected to a much greater degree are contractual workers, who, during these uncertain times, earnestly hope for the regularization of their jobs. Amid the crisis, the issue on the security of one’s tenure becomes more relevant.

With the Philippine economy battling a raging pandemic, there is a great imperative to help business entities weather the crisis by easing the process of doing business. Cognizant of this, the Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA) issued Memorandum Circular No. 6 Series of 2020 which provides for the guidelines on the issuance of permits and licenses under the “new normal.”

The Philippines prides itself on its tropical weather, pristine beaches, thousand islands, scenic natural wonders, delicious local cuisine, and hospitable people, making it one of the most sought-after travel destinations for tourists looking for recreation and relaxation. For these same reasons, the country makes for an appealing retirement haven not only for Filipino citizens but foreign nationals as well.

One thing that has thrived during this pandemic is online shopping. While e-commerce platforms were already a booming industry before the pandemic, their appeal has steadily increased since because of the convenience and safety they provide. Indeed, the words “Add to Cart” are now very familiar to us in our daily lives.

On Oct. 23, the Honorable Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Silvestre H. Bello, signed Department Order No. 215 Series of 2020 (DO No. 215-20) entitled, “Rule Amending Section 12 of Rule I, Rules Implementing Book VI of the Labor Code on Suspension of Employment Relationship.”

Often quoted in cases involving searches and seizures is the principle that “a man’s home is his castle.” This principle finds its roots in the Constitutional right of all citizens to be secure in their homes and to privacy.

At the start of the second quarter of this year, however, many Filipino households have been forced by circumstance to set up “home offices” as a measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift towards this new normal however may have blurred the lines between home and “business premises.”

Currently, around 90,000 businesses*, including 6% of micro, small and medium enterprises**, remain closed due to the more than six-month community quarantine imposed in the National Capital Region and several provinces to prevent the ongoing spread of COVID-19.*** Meanwhile, poverty incidence rate is expected to increase next year, at a range of 15.5% to 17.5%, due to the continuing national emergency.****

As the country continues to confront different issues brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) is addressing the challenges in the basic education for the school year 2020-2021 through its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) under DepEd Order No. 012, s. 2020.