Atty. Michael De la Peña

04/02/2026

Official Statement - Dumangas

Our Office confirms that it is representing the family of the late Kimberly Demanawa and her child.

We respectfully ask the public to allow the family the space, dignity, and respect they deserve as proper legal processes take their course.

10/01/2026

How can you tell if your employer is using “project employment” to evade regularization?

Project Employment is lawful; for it to be valid, two elements must be present:

1. The duration and scope of the employment were specified at the time they were engaged.

2. There was indeed a project (kailangan meron talagang project).

Tandaan: Kapag ang trabaho ay necessary at desirable sa regular business ng kumpanya, at tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo, regular employee ka na sa mata ng batas kahit anong label pa ang gamitin ng employer.

16/12/2025

Is a Christmas bonus mandatory?

Under Philippine labor law, a Christmas bonus is not automatically required but it may become demandable if provided by contract, CBA, or long-standing company practice.
It is also separate from the mandatory 13th-month pay.

Knowing the difference protects both workers and employers. ⚖️

For general legal information only.

14/12/2025

Paano kung paulit-ulit kang pinapadalhan ng mapanirang-puri na mensahe sa social media, email, o text—may laban ka ba sa batas?

Repeatedly sending defamatory, reputation-attacking messages through social media, email, or other electronic platforms can amount to cyber libel, a crime under RA 10175 in relation to the Revised Penal Code.

Causing vs. People G.R. No. 258524. October 11, 2023

12/09/2025

Panahon na para magsalita.

10/07/2025

The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Elpidio Que v. Philippine Heart Center et al. crystallizes two pillars of medical malpractice jurisprudence in the Philippines: the precise contours of the “standard of care” and the exacting demands of informed consent.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Elpidio Que v. Philippine Heart Center emphasizes the importance of the “standard of care” and informed consent in medical malpractice. By absolving Dr. Ad…

26/06/2025

In cases of r**e, invoking the sweetheart defense is not a free pass it requires clear proof of consent.

In Toralde v. People (G.R. No. 264724), the Supreme Court underscores that it's the defense’s burden to establish consent.

Stay informed. Know the law.

Follow for more hot-off-the-bench rulings from the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

03/06/2025

25/05/2025

Huwag basta-basta pumirma sa kontrata ng utang.

📌 Basahin ang interest rate
📌 Unawain ang mga kondisyon
📌 Siguraduhing alam mo ang pinapasok mo

Dahil sa bandang huli, ang akala mong simpleng utang...
puwedeng maging pasanin habambuhay kung hindi mo binasa ang fine print.

📲 Follow mo na rin ang page para sa mas maraming legal tips na makakatulong sa’yo!

27/04/2025

Maraming salamat, Pope Francis.

13/04/2025

This week, we take a closer look at a significant ruling from the Supreme Court involving the protection of minors under our anti-trafficking laws.