The President signed on 23 December 2020 Republic Act No. 11517 or “An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing and Issuance of National and Local Permits, Licenses and Certifications in Times of National Emergency” (“RA 11517“).   RA 11517 covers all agencies of the Executive branch, including departments, bureaus offices, commissions, boards, councils,

The Department of Energy (“DOE”) has issued a moratorium on the endorsement of greenfield coal-fired power projects to improve the sustainability of the Philippines’ electric power supply. The moratorium took effect on 27 October 2020 and was issued to aid in the implementation of the Department’s policies aiming to improve energy sustainability, reliability, and flexibility

The Philippine Intellectual Property Office (“IPOPHL”) has amended the Revised Rules of Mediation and the Rules of Procedure for IPOPHL Mediation Outside Litigation (“Mediation Outside Litigation Rules”), through Memorandum Circular No. 2020-047, Amendments to the Revised Rules on Mediation (“MC 2020-047”) and Memorandum Circular No. 2020-048, Amendment to the Rules of Procedure for IPOPHL Mediation Outside of

The Supreme Court has approved the Guidelines on the Externship Program of Law Student Practitioners under Rule 138-A (“Externship Guidelines”), amending Bar Matter Nos. 1552 and 1552-A and OCA Circular No. 75-2016 or the Guidelines for On-the-Job Training and Legal Apprenticeship Program for College and Law Students in the Supreme Court, Other Collegiate Appellate Courts,

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act”, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Memorandum Circular No. 35 dated 28 December 2020 (“MC 35-2020”) providing relief to licensed financing companies (“FCs”), lending companies (“LCs”), and accredited microfinance NGOS (“MF-NGOS”) in the form of the staggered booking of provision

The Supreme Court recently confirmed that, when an addressee controverts and categorically denies the receipt of registered mail matter, specifically tax assessments, the sender bears the burden of proving actual receipt by the addressee.   In Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. T Shuttle Services, Inc., G.R. No. 240729 (24 August 2020), the Commissioner on Internal

The Intellectual Property Office (“IPO”) issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-045 on 04 December 2020, amending Rule 601 of Memorandum Circular No. 17-010, otherwise known as the “Trademark Regulations of 2017”. Rule 601 of the Trademark Regulations of 2017, which prioritizes the examination and registration of certain marks, was amended by adding subparagraph (i) which reads:

In a recent decision, the Supreme Court upheld a trial court finding that marital infidelity may constitute psychological violence and thus be punishable under Section 5(i) of Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (“Anti-VAWC Act”) .   The Supreme Court found Jaime Araza guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation

In Domingo v. Civil Service Commission, G.R. No. 236050 (17 July 2020), the Supreme Court dismissed the administrative complaint against a government employee for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, which was initially filed after she participated as a resource speaker and disseminated government information materials without

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines issued on 22 September 2020 Memorandum Circular No. 2020-041 or the Revised Uniform Rules on Appeal in the Office of the Director General which amends Office Order No. 12-2002 or the Uniform Rules on Appeal.   The Revised Uniform Rules took effect fifteen (15) days after publication, on