Source: https://attorney.org.ph/legal-news?start=80
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 01:01:24+00:00

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The advent of technology such as social media made it easy for rumor mongers and mud-slingers to spread lies and deceptions resulting in tainting an individual's reputation and dignity. These days, destroying a person can be done effortlessly, thanks to a plethora of social media platforms. Fortunately, these acts do not go unpunished because crimes against honor are penalised as stated under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. Whether spoken or written, a person who intends to dishonor or discredit a person is held liable for the crime of libel or slander. So, what are the nature and gravity of these crimes?
Art. 353. Definition of libel. — A libel is public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.
Art. 355. Libel means by writings or similar means. — A libel committed by means of writing, printing, lithography, engraving, radio, phonograph, painting, theatrical exhibition, cinematographic exhibition, or any similar means, shall be punished by prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods or a fine ranging from 200 to 6,000 pesos, or both, in addition to the civil action which may be brought by the offended party.
Art. 356. Threatening to publish and offer to present such publication for a compensation. — The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine from 200 to 2,000 pesos, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who threatens another to publish a libel concerning him or the parents, spouse, child, or other members of the family of the latter or upon anyone who shall offer to prevent the publication of such libel for a compensation or money consideration.
Art. 357. Prohibited publication of acts referred to in the course of official proceedings. — The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine of from 20 to 2,000 pesos, or both, shall be imposed upon any reporter, editor or manager or a newspaper, daily or magazine, who shall publish facts connected with the private life of another and offensive to the honor, virtue and reputation of said person, even though said publication be made in connection with or under the pretext that it is necessary in the narration of any judicial or administrative proceedings wherein such facts have been mentioned.
Children being taken for a ride on a motorcycle can be witnessed on public roads. Some are wearing a protective gear such as a helmet but others simply wrap their arms around the driver's waist. On May 19, small children are prohibited from riding motorcycles. This rule is in accordance with the Republic Act No. 10666 or the Children's Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015.
If you are driving a two-wheeled motorcycle, you are no longer allowed to take your children along public roads. This is because drivers will be exposing small children to danger with the sight of fast-moving vehicles and traffic. However, exemptions still apply. The law does not apply to cases of transporting a child to obtain immediate medical attention.
SEC. 5. Exception. – Notwithstanding the prohibition provided in the preceding section, this Act shall not apply to cases where the child to be transported requires immediate medical attention.
SEC. 6. Penalties. – Any person who operates a motorcycle in violation of Section 4 of this Act shall be fined with an amount of three thousand pesos (P3,000.00) for the first offense; five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the second offense; and ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the third and succeeding offenses.
Violation of these provisions beyond the third time shall result to automatic revocation of the offender’s driver’s license.
(d) The increases or adjustment shall only become effective fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
SEC. 8. Qualifying Circumstances. – If, in violation of the provisions of this Act, death shall have resulted or serious or less serious injuries shall have been inflicted upon the child or any other person, a penalty of one (1) year imprisonment shall be imposed upon the motorcycle rider or operator of the motorcycle involved without prejudice to the penalties provided under Act No. 3815, otherwise known as “The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines”, as amended.
Most workers work for 5 to 6 days a week or 8 hours a day as required by the Labor Code of the Philippines.
This has been a common practice, but a new bill aims to compress the work week from 6 days to 4 days. However, with the compressed work week, this will require employees to work more than 8 hours a day. There are mixed reactions regarding this proposition. To some, it is a good idea considering the fact that longer rest days allow you to spend some quality time with your family. To others, this is a disadvantage because compressed work week means longer hours at work.
House Bill 5068 is waiting for 2nd and 3rd readings. Once the bill passes it will be enacted into a law.
Have you ever been into an embarrassing situation where someone has challenged you to a fight in a public place? This is considered as serious disturbance of public order. Another instance in this crime is committed is when someone fires a gun within a public building's premise. However, when somebody was hurt, the person is liable for the crime of reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries.
Art. 153. Tumults and other disturbance of public orders; Tumultuous disturbance or interruption liable to cause disturbance. — The penalty of arresto mayor in its medium period to prision correccional in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding 1,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any person who shall cause any serious disturbance in a public place, office, or establishment, or shall interrupt or disturb public performances, functions or gatherings, or peaceful meetings, if the act is not included in the provisions of Articles 131 and 132.
The penalty next higher in degree shall be imposed upon persons causing any disturbance or interruption of a tumultuous character.
The disturbance or interruption shall be deemed to be tumultuous if caused by more than three persons who are armed or provided with means of violence.
The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any person who in any meeting, association, or public place, shall make any outcry tending to incite rebellion or sedition or in such place shall display placards or emblems which provoke a disturbance of the public order.
The penalty of arresto menor and a fine not to exceed P200 pesos shall be imposed upon these persons who in violation of the provisions contained in the last clause of Article 85, shall bury with pomp the body of a person who has been legally executed.
4. Any person who shall print, publish, or distribute or cause to be printed, published, or distributed books, pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets which do not bear the real printer's name, or which are classified as anonymous.
These days, multitasking answers the demands of modern living. Everyone is caught juggling different tasks at the same time. So little time, so much to do. However, there are exceptions to the rule. Would you still prefer to multi-task when you know it can pose a threat to your safety?
When you are multitasking, your effort becomes divided as well. For one task, you can devote 100% of your effort to produce excellent results, but multitasking makes it a challenge to obtain the same result. For instance, texting or calling while driving redirects some of your attention to your mobile phone. When you are on the road, anything that will require you to look away from the road or use your other hand to reply to a text message will challenge your safety.
Texting while driving is an accident waiting to happen. If you cannot avoid using your mobile device, make sure it is hands-free. Hands-free communication device allows you to keep your eyes on the road.
The new law requires drivers to follow rules and regulations under Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving ACt.
According to Romeo Vera Cruz, executive director of Land Transportation Office (LTO) drivers are prohibited to use their device even during the temporary stop.
While there are apps such as Waze that assist drivers in getting from point A to point B, law enforcers are serious about implementing the new law. The device should not cause any distraction to the driver even if they are used for navigation purposes.
Last week, bar exam results filled the news and social media. Many celebrated for the hardwork has finally paid off. Indeed, the preparation for the bar exam starts on day one in law school.
Being keen on Philippine law is a must as you will be required to familiarize yourself with Civil law, Criminal Law, Labor law, etc. While you need to undergo a tedious process to become a lawyer, there are people who prefer to take a shortcut.
Some of you might be scratching your head, wondering if there really is a shorter route to becoming a lawyer. Well, there is, but it can land you in jail just like what happened to Noel Maracuelo, who is a ship captain by profession.
Maracuelo was arrested for introducing himself as a lawyer to Kirby Magdadaro. The latter was tricked into believing that Maracuelo was indeed a law practitioner. Magdadaro has a pending real estate case in Liloan Municipal Circuit Trial Court. Unfortunately, the case was dismissed and when Magdadaro sought for legal opinion from another lawyer, it was discovered that the pleadings were marred by errors.
NBI investigation was conducted as Magdadaro already paid an amount of P30,000. Investigators found out that Maracuelo was not listed in the roll of attorneys. It was also discovered that the attorney's identification number was owned by another lawyer. Marcuelo was arrested during an entrapment operation.
Maracuelo is criminally liable for violating the Revised Penal Code including falsification of document and estafa.
Abortion refers to the killing of the child before birth. However, if a child is killed after birth, it does not necessarily mean that the individual will be charged for the crime of murder. This is because there is also a crime called infanticide. This is committed when the child is less than 3 days of age or less than 72 hours. It is also interesting to note that the penalty imposed for infanticide is the same as that of murder.
On the other hand, if a child who is more than 3 days old and was killed by his/her mother, father or any of his/her ascendants, the individual will be charged for the crime of parricide. Homicide or murder will be charged to the individual if he/she has no relationship with the child killed.
Art. 255. Infanticide. — The penalty provided for parricide in Article 246 and for murder in Article 248 shall be imposed upon any person who shall kill any child less than three days of age.
1. The penalty of reclusion temporal, if he shall use any violence upon the person of the pregnant woman.
2. The penalty of prision mayor if, without using violence, he shall act without the consent of the woman.
3. The penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if the woman shall have consented.
Art. 257. Unintentional abortion. — The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum and medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall cause an abortion by violence, but unintentionally.
Art. 258. Abortion practiced by the woman herself of by her parents. — The penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods shall be imposed upon a woman who shall practice abortion upon herself or shall consent that any other person should do so.
Art. 259. Abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of abortives. — The penalties provided in Article 256 shall be imposed in its maximum period, respectively, upon any physician or midwife who, taking advantage of their scientific knowledge or skill, shall cause an abortion or assist in causing the same.
Any pharmacist who, without the proper prescription from a physician, shall dispense any abortive shall suffer arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding 1,000 pesos.
An individual can be held legally liable for the crime of estafa for issuing bouncing checks. Estafa and bouncing checks law have similarities, but they also have their own distinctions. It is essential to know both concepts as they will help you determine which one to file when a crime is committed. Batas Pambansa BLG. 22 defines law on issuance of a check without sufficient funds.
AN ACT PENALIZING THE MAKING OR DRAWING AND ISSUANCE OF A CHECK WITHOUT SUFFICIENT FUNDS OR CREDIT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Death benefits refer to the cash benefit, which is paid as monthly pension or lump sum to the deceased member's primary beneficiaries. The primary beneficiaries can be the legitimate dependent spouse, dependent legitimate, legally adopted and illegitimate children of the SSS member who are not yet 21 years of age. In the event the primary beneficiaries cannot claim the benefit, the dependent parents will serve as the secondary beneficiaries. In the absence of secondary beneficiaries, any other individuals indicated in the member's records will be the beneficiary.
A member who had paid 36 monthly contributions before their death will be granted monthly pension. The primary beneficiaries will be entitled to the monthly pension in the event of the member's death.
The beneficiaries can also obtain a lump sum amount of the member who had paid less than 36 monthly contributions before their death. Even the secondary beneficiaries are also entitled to a lump sum benefit.
How is retirement benefit computed?
lumpsum amount - granted to a retiree who has not paid the required 120 monthly contributions. It is equal to the total contributions paid by the member and by the employer including interest.
The monthly pension is paid for not less than 60 months.
the monthly pension computed at the time when the member actually retires.
The legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted, and illegitimate children, conceived on or before the date of retirement of a retiree will each receive dependents' allowance equivalent to 10 percent of the member's monthly pension, or P250, whichever is higher.
Only five minor children, beginning from the youngest, are entitled to the dependents' allowance. No substitution is allowed.
If there are more than five dependents, the legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted children shall be preferred.
The dependents' allowance stops when the child reaches 21 years old, gets married, gets employed, or dies. However, the dependents' allowance is granted for life for children who are over 21 years old, if they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental defect that is congenital or acquired during minority.
The retiree-member has the option to receive the first 18 months' pension paid out in lumpsum, but discounted at a preferential rate of interest to be determined by the SSS. The member shall start receiving his pension on the 19th month, and every month thereafter. This option for advance payment shall be exercised only when filing the first retirement claim. It is only the advanced pension payments that are discounted on the date of payment; the dependent's allowance and 13th month pension are excluded from the advanced 18-month pension amount.
The monthly pension is paid thru the member's designated bank thru which he wishes to receive his pension benefits under the "Mag-Impok sa Bangko" program. This became mandatory effective September 1,1993.
Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will send the member a notice voucher indicating when to withdraw the benefit from the bank.
All retiree pensioners prior to the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 are automatically considered members of PhilHealth and, along with their legal dependents, are entitled to PhilHealth hospitalization benefits. On the other hand, retirees effective March 4,1995 up to the present will be entitled to PhilHealth hospitalization benefits only if they have contributed 120 monthly Philhealth/Medicare contributions. The counting of 120 monthly contributions shall start in 1972, when the Medical Care Act of 1969 started implementation.
A copy of the DDR print-out indicating the type of claim is retirement in nature and the effectivity date of the pension, or in its absence, a copy of retiree-pensioner certification issued by SSS shall be required. They need to register under Philhealth for the issuance of a Philhealth ID card for non-paying members.
Upon the death of a retiree pensioner, the primary beneficiaries shall be entitled to 100 percent of the monthly pension, and the dependents to the dependents' allowance.
If the retiree pensioner dies within sixty (60) months from the start of the monthly pension and has no primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lumpsum benefit equivalent to the total monthly pensions corresponding to the balance of the five-year guaranteed pension period, excluding the dependents' allowance.
In case the retiree-member who is less than 65 years old resumes employment or self-employment, the monthly pension shall be suspended and the member shall again be subjected to compulsory coverage.
If the retiree-member is 65 years old and older, he can resume employment or self-employment without prejudice to his monthly pension and without need for compulsory coverage.
Applications for death benefit are filed at any SSS branch or representative office. You can also watch our How-To video for a more detailed instruction.

References: Art. 353

Art. 355

Art. 356

Art. 357

Art. 153

Art. 255

Art. 257

Art. 258

Art. 259