Publications

The Value of a Signature

In 10 November 2020, the Supreme Court en banc promulgated its decision in Gomez v. People, effectively reshaping the tides of judicial policy. In Gomez, the Supreme Court discussed whether the absence of the City Prosecutor’s signature and approval in an Information constitutes a jurisdictional defect that may be raised as a ground for its quashal at any stage of the proceedings.

The Value of a Signature Read More »

The Significance of the Data Privacy Act in the COVID-19 Response

Perhaps never in the history of the Philippines have we been made to provide personal information as frequently as during this pandemic. Almost everywhere we go, we are required to have our contact tracing apps scanned or we may have to manually fill in some logbook or contact tracing sheets and provide our age, place of residence, e-mail address, contact number, and health and travel information.

The Significance of the Data Privacy Act in the COVID-19 Response Read More »

Revisiting the Labor Market Test

It has always been the policy of the Philippines to prioritize the welfare of Filipino workers in the country. Following the mandate of the Labor Code of the Philippines, employers may only engage the services of a non-resident alien upon a determination that there is no Filipino who is competent, able, and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired.

Revisiting the Labor Market Test Read More »

Image Rights in the Influencer Era

Over the past decade, we have seen the democratization of content creation as social media outfits like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter provide artists, vloggers, influencers, and content creators platforms to express themselves and build personal brands. Accordingly, as more and more consumers began seeking authenticity in the products and services they purchase, the advertising industry gravitated towards collaborating with content creators in marketing brands, giving birth to the era of influencer marketing.

Image Rights in the Influencer Era Read More »

CREATE and the VAT Passed on to Export Oriented Enterprises

The value-added tax (VAT) is only imposed if the goods or services are “destined” for local consumption. There is no VAT when they are meant for consumption abroad. Our system follows the so-called destination principle insulating exporters and export-oriented enterprises from paying VAT on their local purchases.

CREATE and the VAT Passed on to Export Oriented Enterprises Read More »

COVID-19: Occupational and Work-Related Disease

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it is already indubitable by now that the adverse impact is not only on the health and safety of the populace but their livelihood as well. The Philippines in particular, has imposed one of the longest, if not the longest, lockdowns and this has taken a heavy and serious toll on the economy.

COVID-19: Occupational and Work-Related Disease Read More »

The Legal 500 Comparative Guide on Public Procurement

Written in question and answer format, the Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide on Public Procurement provides an overview of public procurement procedures in various jurisdictions worldwide. The Firm’s Melissa G. Velarde, Maria Angeline L. Tayag, Michael Ryan Natividad, and Zyra Frances P. Aquilizan co-authored the Philippine chapter of the Guide.

The Legal 500 Comparative Guide on Public Procurement Read More »

The State of COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement by the Private Sector in the Philippines

The vaccination program in the Philippines is currently underway, but it seems that the
virus is spreading faster than the government can vaccinate its people. One of the
solutions proposed to ease the burden from the government and augment its current
efforts is to allow the private sector to procure and import vaccines directly from the
manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. However, the current Philippine
regulations on the sale and importation of vaccines makes this challenging.

The State of COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement by the Private Sector in the Philippines Read More »

The Exigency of Punishing Vax Line Jumpers

The surge in the COVID-19 cases in the country comes with an increase in the morbidity and mortality rate. To curb the devastating effects of the virus, one concrete solution is to vaccinate the populace against the SARS CoV-2 virus. The limited supply of the vaccines, however, led the National Government to come up with a Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines, listing the priority population groups who can first benefit from the vaccine rollout.

The Exigency of Punishing Vax Line Jumpers Read More »

This content is legally protected and covered by copyright. Copying of this content is prohibited.

How can we help you?