Duran & Duran-Schulze Law

  • Home
  • Duran & Duran-Schulze Law

Duran & Duran-Schulze Law Duran & Duran-Schulze Law ("DDS") is a law firm located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines.

We are a full-service law firm in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, Philippines, specializing in Corporate and Business Law, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, Property Law, Philippine Visa, and Immigration Law. We specialize in providing comprehensive legal services tailored to meet the needs of diverse clients. Our legal practice area include:

✅ Corporate Law (Contract Drafting,

Corporate Housekeeping, Mergers and Acquisitions, Trademark Licensing, etc.)
✅ Litigation (Family Law, Real Property and land Dispute, Estate and Probate, etc. )
✅ Special Projects (Petition for Citizenship, Trust and Estate Planning, Australian Visa)
✅ Philippine Visa/Immigration Laws (Work Visa, Stay Visa, Invest Visa, Other Immigration Assistance Services)

📍 Office Address: Unit 1210 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 2,
26th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 1634

📱 Cellphone No.: +63 917 194 0482
☎️ Landline No.: (02) 8478 5826
📧 Email Address: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.duranschulze.com

Is the adopter’s children’s consent still required under the new law?While the ruling still referenced the Domestic Adop...
22/05/2026

Is the adopter’s children’s consent still required under the new law?

While the ruling still referenced the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998 (R.A. 8552), the Supreme Court (SC) also noted the enactment of the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act (R.A. 11642), which effectively repealed the former and amended related adoption laws, including R.A. 8043, R.A. 11222, and R.A. 10165.

One of the salient features of R.A. 11642 is the creation of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an agency attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The NACC now exercises original and exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving alternative child care, including declarations that a child is legally available for adoption, domestic administrative adoption, adult adoption, and foster care under R.A. 10165, among others.

As a result, domestic adoption in the Philippines has transitioned from a lengthy judicial proceeding into a more streamlined and predominantly administrative process.

On the matter of consent, Article 23(c) of R.A. 11642 continues to require the written consent of the adopter’s legitimate and adopted children who are at least ten (10) years old, if any.

Likewise, Article 23(d) requires the written consent of the adopter’s illegitimate children who are at least ten (10) years old, provided that they live with the adopter or are under the adopter’s parental authority, as well as the consent of their spouse, if any.

Children below ten (10) years old, however, are only required to be counseled and consulted, and are not required to execute written consent.

If you need legal assistance with domestic adoption in the Philippines, you may contact our family lawyers at [email protected].








What are the SEC reportorial requirements?SEC reportorial requirements are corporate filings that domestic stock and non...
22/05/2026

What are the SEC reportorial requirements?

SEC reportorial requirements are corporate filings that domestic stock and non-stock corporations, including One Person Corporations (OPCs), must comply with to maintain good standing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The General Information Sheet (GIS) is an annual report containing the corporation’s ownership, directors, officers, and other corporate details, which must be filed via eFAST within 30 days after the annual meeting.

The Audited Financial Statements (AFS) consist of audited and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-received financial statements that corporations above the PHP 3 million threshold must file within 120 days after the fiscal year-end.

The Unaudited Financial Statements (UFS) consist of unaudited financial documents that corporations below the PHP 3 million threshold must file with a Statement of Management’s Responsibility (SMR) within 120 days after the fiscal year-end.

The Appointment of Officers Form is an SEC form that OPCs must file in lieu of the GIS within 20 days from incorporation or within 5 days from any change in officers.

The Application for Release of Bond is a request form filed by OPCs for the release of the Treasurer’s surety bond after appointing a separate Treasurer.

The Hierarchical and Applicable Relations and Beneficial Ownership Registry (HARBOR) filing discloses the persons who ultimately own and control the entity and must be updated within 7 days from any change.

Lastly, compliance with SEC Memorandum Circular No. 28-2020 requires corporations to designate official email addresses and mobile numbers for receiving SEC notices and processes.

If you need assistance with corporate filings or corporate secretarial services, email our corporate lawyers at [email protected].









How does R.A. 9225 grant dual citizenship?Under the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003 (R.A. 9225), al...
21/05/2026

How does R.A. 9225 grant dual citizenship?

Under the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003 (R.A. 9225), also known as the Philippine Dual Citizenship Act, natural-born Filipinos who become naturalized citizens of another country may retain or reacquire their Philippine citizenship.

Natural-born Filipinos who acquire foreign citizenship after the effectivity of R.A. 9225 retain their Philippine citizenship upon taking the required oath, thereby superseding the automatic loss rule under Commonwealth Act No. 63.

Meanwhile, natural-born Filipinos who acquired foreign citizenship before the law took effect, and consequently lost their Philippine citizenship under C.A. No. 63, may also reacquire their Philippine citizenship.

Under Section 4, the unmarried legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted children below eighteen (18) years of age of those who reacquire Philippine citizenship shall likewise be deemed citizens of the Philippines.

Thus, R.A. 9225 allows natural-born Filipinos to enjoy dual citizenship by retaining or reacquiring Philippine citizenship while maintaining foreign nationality.

For legal consultation and inquiries on the retention or reacquisition of Philippine citizenship, email us at [email protected].







What is constructive dismissal?In Bacani, et al., vs. Fiber Textile Manufacturing Corp. (FMC), et al., G.R. No. 271518 (...
21/05/2026

What is constructive dismissal?

In Bacani, et al., vs. Fiber Textile Manufacturing Corp. (FMC), et al., G.R. No. 271518 (09-30-2025), the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that an employer’s unilateral imposition of reduced workdays and a worker rotation scheme amounts to constructive dismissal.

The SC held the company liable after it reduced the workers’ 6-day workweek to only 2 to 3 days and imposed a work rotation without their consent due to alleged economic difficulties, emphasizing that mere notice does not constitute consent.

But what exactly is constructive dismissal?

Constructive dismissal is a form of illegal dismissal.

In Gan vs. Galderma Philippines, Inc. and Veneracion, G.R. No. 177167 (01-17-2013), constructive dismissal is defined as quitting or cessation of work because continued employment is rendered impossible, unreasonable or unlikely, such as when there is a demotion in rank or a diminution of pay and other benefits.

It exists if an act of clear discrimination, insensibility, or disdain by an employer becomes so unbearable on the part of the employee that it could foreclose any choice by him except to forego his continued employment.

In other words, there is an involuntary resignation due to the harsh, hostile, and unfavorable conditions set by the employer.

If you need legal assistance with labor and employment matters, our employment litigation lawyers may be reached at [email protected].







Does your organization need to register a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. No. 10173) pr...
20/05/2026

Does your organization need to register a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?

The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. No. 10173) protects personal data and requires certain organizations to register with the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

As part of these compliance requirements, organizations may be required to appoint and register a Data Protection Officer (DPO).

A DPO is a person appointed and registered with the NPC to oversee the data protection activities of a Personal Information Controller (PIC) or Personal Information Processor (PIP) and ensure compliance with data privacy laws.

Under NPC Circular No. 2022-02, DPO registration is mandatory for PICs and PIPs that employ at least 250 persons, process sensitive data of at least 1,000 individuals, or handle data likely to pose risks to the rights and freedoms of data subjects.

To effectively perform these responsibilities, a DPO must be a qualified employee with sufficient knowledge, training, resources, and understanding of data privacy and the organization’s data processing operations.

Moreover, DPO registration with the NPC may be completed manually or online through the National Privacy Commission Registration System (NPCRS).

If you need assistance with Data Privacy Compliance, including DPO Registration, email our corporate lawyers at [email protected].







Is your corporation compliant with SEC GIS filing requirements?A General Information Sheet (GIS) is an annual reportoria...
20/05/2026

Is your corporation compliant with SEC GIS filing requirements?

A General Information Sheet (GIS) is an annual reportorial document, attested to by the Corporate Secretary, that officially records a corporation’s current structure, officers, directors, and shareholdings for SEC monitoring purposes.

Under Section 177(b) of the Revised Corporation Code (R.A. 11232), domestic and foreign corporations doing business in the Philippines are required to submit a GIS annually or within the SEC-prescribed period.

Stock and non-stock domestic corporations must file within 30 days from the date of the actual annual stockholders’ or members’ meeting, while foreign corporations must file within 30 days from the anniversary date of their SEC license.

In lieu of the GIS, One Person Corporations (OPCs) must file the SEC Form for Appointment of Officers within 20 days from incorporation or within 5 days from any change in officers.

Pursuant to SEC MC No. 03-2021 and MC No. 09-2026, corporations must file their GIS through the SEC’s Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST) using authorized filer accounts.

Failure to comply with GIS reportorial requirements may result in fines, delinquent status for repeated violations, and eventual revocation of the certificate of incorporation.

If you need assistance with GIS filing or corporate secretarial services, email our corporate lawyers at [email protected].










Can transs*xuals legally change their name and s*x in the civil registry following s*x reassignment surgery?In Silverio ...
20/05/2026

Can transs*xuals legally change their name and s*x in the civil registry following s*x reassignment surgery?

In Silverio vs. Republic, G.R. No. 174689 (10-19-2007), the Supreme Court (SC) denied a trans*xual’s petition to change his name and s*x on birth certificate after a s*x reassignment, citing the absence of legal basis under Philippine law.

The petitioner, Rommel Jacinto Dantes Silverio, underwent s*x reassignment surgery in Bangkok, Thailand, and later filed a petition before the Regional Trial Court of Manila to change his first name to “Mely” and his s*x entry from male to female on his birth certificate.

The RTC granted the petition, but the Court of Appeals (CA) reversed the ruling upon the Republic’s petition, through the OSG, holding that no Philippine law authorizes the change of name and s*x entries in the civil registry on the basis of s*x reassignment surgery.

The SC affirmed the CA’s decision and denied the petition, ruling that s*x reassignment is not a legally recognized ground for altering the s*x entry in a birth certificate and that changes of first name remain subject to the requirements and limitations under R.A. 9048.

If you need legal assistance with a judicial change of name, email our litigation lawyers at [email protected]







Can you change your surname if it causes ridicule and embarrassment?In Republic vs. Court of Appeals and Maximo Wong, G....
19/05/2026

Can you change your surname if it causes ridicule and embarrassment?

In Republic vs. Court of Appeals and Maximo Wong, G.R. No. 97906 (05-21-1992), the Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the Court of Appeals (CA) decision allowing Maximo Wong to change his adoptive Chinese surname, Wong, back to Alcala after finding that it caused ridicule, embarrassment, social isolation in his Muslim community, and difficulties in business, while holding that such a change of surname neither revoked the adoption nor affected legal rights, capacity, or succession.

Maximo Wong, who had been adopted by naturalized Filipino spouses, filed a petition under Rule 103 to change his surname. He alleged that his adoptive surname negatively affected his social and business relationships.

His adoptive mother supported the petition and even executed an affidavit confirming the embarrassment caused by the surname and clarifying that the name change would not affect the adoption or his inheritance rights.

Both the trial court and the CA granted the petition after finding that the requirements under Rule 103 had been satisfied and that no prejudice would result to the State or third parties.

The Solicitor General, appearing for the Republic, argued that the claims of ridicule and isolation were unsubstantiated and insufficient to justify abandoning the adopter’s surname, citing the provision under Article 365 of the Civil Code (R.A. 386), which requires an adopted child to bear the adopter’s surname.

The SC rejected the argument, holding that Article 365 was not an absolute bar to judicial change of name under Rule 103, and that changing the surname did not revoke the adoption or affect legal rights and succession.

If you need legal assistance with a judicial change of name, email our litigation lawyers at [email protected]







What rights do illegitimate children have under the Family Code?Under Article 176 of the Family Code (E.O. 209), as amen...
19/05/2026

What rights do illegitimate children have under the Family Code?

Under Article 176 of the Family Code (E.O. 209), as amended by R.A. 9255, illegitimate children may use their father’s surname if the father expressly recognizes them through a record of birth or admission of paternity in a public document or private handwritten instrument. However, the use of the father’s surname remains optional, not mandatory.

Illegitimate children are also entitled to support and legal protection, while sole parental authority and custody generally remain with the mother under Article 176.

The successional rights of illegitimate children remain distinct from those of legitimate children. Under Article 176, the legitime of each illegitimate child is limited to one-half (1/2) of the legitime of a legitimate child.

Article 992 of the Civil Code (R.A. 386) also bars them from inheriting ab intestato (without a will) from the legitimate relatives of their parents.

However, in a landmark ruling of Aquino vs. Aquino, G.R. No. 208912 (12-07-2021), the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that illegitimate children may inherit from grandparents and other direct ascendants through the right of representation, emphasizing that “accidents of birth” should never justify discrimination.







What happens when a person commits a crime while suffering from insanity?Under Article 12 of the Revised Penal Code, ins...
18/05/2026

What happens when a person commits a crime while suffering from insanity?

Under Article 12 of the Revised Penal Code, insanity constitutes an exempting circumstance that absolves a person from criminal liability, unless the act was committed during a lucid interval.

In People of the Philippines vs. ###, G.R. No. 273354 (10-29-2025), the Supreme Court (SC) reversed a mother’s conviction for parricide after finding that she was suffering from schizophrenia when her 5-year-old daughter died after both fell from a bridge into a river.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) had earlier convicted her and imposed the penalty of reclusion perpetua, which the Court of Appeals (CA) subsequently affirmed.

In its decision, the SC gave significant weight to the testimony and mental status examination reports of psychiatrists from the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), which established that the accused was incapable of appreciating the nature and wrongfulness of her acts at the time of the incident.

Citing People v. Paña, the SC reiterated the three-fold test for insanity as an exempting circumstance: first, the insanity must exist at the time of the commission of the crime; second, it must be medically established; and third, it must render the accused incapable of appreciating the nature, quality, or wrongfulness of the act.

Although exempted from criminal liability, the accused was still held civilly liable and ordered to pay PHP 75,000 in civil indemnity and PHP 200,000 in moral, exemplary, and temperate damages.

The SC likewise directed her immediate transfer to the NCMH for treatment, subject to release only upon order of the RTC and recommendation of her attending physician.






Be mindful of your non-verbal gestures—they may cross the line into grave threats under the law.In Israel vs. People of ...
18/05/2026

Be mindful of your non-verbal gestures—they may cross the line into grave threats under the law.

In Israel vs. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 265736 (11-19-2025), the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that non-verbal threatening gestures with criminal intent may be considered grave threats under the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

The case involved a Belgian architect engaged by fellow Belgian business partners for a construction project. After disputes arose over alleged construction defects, a civil case for damages was filed against him.

During one encounter, he allegedly pointed his fingers at the complainant's head as if pulling a gun trigger and drew his fingers across his neck as if threatening to behead her.

He was convicted of grave threats by a trial court, which the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed.

He then sought relief from the SC, arguing that he had no criminal intent when he performed the acts, and that Article 282 of the RPC does not cover pure non-verbal gestures.

While the SC acquitted him after finding that the criminal intent was not proven, it disagreed with his other argument, ruling that grave threats may likewise be committed through non-verbal gestures.






Address


Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 05:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:00 - 12:00

Telephone

+6324785826

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Duran & Duran-Schulze Law posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Duran & Duran-Schulze Law:

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Law Practice?

Share