For any foreign national living, working, or traveling in the Philippines, getting entangled in a local legal dispute or facing criminal allegations is an absolute worst-case scenario. If an arrest warrant is issued, your immediate priority is securing your temporary liberty. Under the Philippine Constitution, the right to bail is a fundamental protection—but in practice, […]

How the Philippine Data Privacy Act Affects Court Evidence and Case Build-Ups For foreign investors, expatriates, and international law firms operating in the Philippines, gathering evidence or tracing individuals for legal proceedings can be a major hurdle. A common strategy is to request records—such as a person’s registered address, immigration status, or police logs—directly from

Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Financial Support Laws Moving to or marrying in the Philippines brings massive life changes, but few foreigners anticipate how deeply local family laws can intertwine with criminal statutes. For years, an looming anxiety for many foreign residents was a harsh interpretation of Republic Act No. 9262 (the Anti-Violence Against Women and

Protecting IP in the Philippines: Why the Holistic Test Was Abandoned For foreign businesses and multinationals looking to protect their intellectual property (IP) in the Philippines, navigating local trademark disputes can feel like trying to hit a moving target. Historically, inconsistent judicial tests and shifting administrative classifications made IP enforcement unpredictable. However, a landmark En

SEC MC 10-2026: New Compliance Rules for One Person Corporations (OPC) Setting up a One Person Corporation (OPC) is one of the most popular paths for foreign investors, solo entrepreneurs, and expats looking to achieve 100% ownership of a business in the Philippines. Introduced under the Revised Corporation Code (RCC), the OPC structure offers the

New Philippines AEP Rules 2026: DOLE Centralizes Alien Employment Permits For foreign professionals, expatriates, and multinational companies operating in the Philippines, securing a legal right to work is a top operational priority. The primary document required for non-resident foreign nationals seeking gainful employment in the country is the Alien Employment Permit (AEP). Historically, foreign workers

Can You Be Convicted of Economic Abuse If Paternity Is Disputed? What the SC Says The State vigorously protects women and children from domestic violence and economic abuse under Republic Act No. 9262 (the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004). However, the law is not a blunt instrument to be wielded without

Philippine Extradition Rules: What Foreigners Need to Know (A.M. No. 22-03-29-SC) For foreign nationals living, working, or seeking refuge in the Philippines, understanding how the local legal system interacts with global law enforcement is critical. On November 10, 2025, the Supreme Court of the Philippines officially implemented A.M. No. 22-03-29-SC, a comprehensive and stringent set

Can a Woman Be Charged with VAWC Against Another Woman? TL;DR: Can a woman be criminally prosecuted for domestic violence against another woman in the Philippines? Absolutely. In the landmark En Banc decision of Roselyn Agacid y Dejanio v. People of the Philippines and Maria Alexandria Bisquerra y Nueva (G.R. No. 242133), the Supreme Court

Navigating Philippine Courts Remotely: The Supreme Court’s Updated Videoconferencing Rules for Foreigners For foreign investors, expatriates, or cross-border litigants, dealing with legal disputes in a foreign country can be a logistical nightmare. Traveling back and forth for brief court hearings wastes time, drains financial resources, and disrupts business operations. Recognizing these challenges, the Supreme Court