Daily Serving of Legal Matters

Since the announcement of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the Philippine National Police to halt its operation on war against drugs and shift the fight against illegal gambling, hundreds of suspected individuals were apprehended allegedly involved with illegal gambling nationwide. In General Santos City for instance, there are at least 4 suspects are brought before our office for inquest investigation.  There suspects are either violating Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1602 or Republic Act No. 9287. It might be noteworthy to consider because the police officers are doing their job as mandated by law, but, most, if not all, of the suspects apprehended belong to the poorest of the poor.  We are still waiting at the time when we would face suspects who are the financier of these illegal gambling games. This image is taken from google. The following are the gambling laws of the Philippines: PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1602 It amended the criminal provis...

Because there is a need to review the 1987 Philippine Constitution to ensure that it is truly reflective of the needs, ideals, and aspirations of the Filipino people, and to ensure that the mandate of the people, as expressed thereon, is responsive to the changing times, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed an Executive Order No. 10 on December 7, 2016 creating a Consultative Committee under the Office of the President which shall take effect immediately. Courtesy of Rex e-Store The Consultative Committee shall study, conduct consultations, and review the provisions of the 1987 Constitution including, but not limited to, the provisions on the structure and powers of the government, local governance, and economic policies. The Committee shall be composed of not more than twenty-five (25) members, including a Chairperson who shall preside over its deliberations.  The members shall, as far as practicable, represent the different sectors of the country...

Hours after Davao City's night market was blasted on September 2, 2016, Friday, which claimed 14 lives and injured more than 60 others, Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared a State of Lawlessness in the island of Mindanao.  A lot of people were clueless as to what the state of lawlessness is.  Some have speculated that it might be the same as the MARTIAL LAW.   image taken from www.youtube.com The 1987 Philippine Constitution, specifically in Section 18 of Article VII, provides the power of the President as a Commander-in-Chief to call for a state of lawlessness or lawless violence.  What is given in the constitution is not the state of lawlessness but a state of lawless violence.   Thus, "The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion." In essence, the armed forc...