Atty. Rob Gozun

15/01/2025

with its friend and client, the one and only Dudut - our beloved . His shows are all : Barangay LS FM of GMA7 (Top 1 Radio Station in Mega Manila), Papa Dudut Stories (Youtube with 1.81M+ subscribers - yung love saka yung horror [lagi kong naririnig kahit saan!]) and Talk to Papa (Top 1 Podcast in Spotify - Phillippines).

Atty. Rob Gozun
, Q.C.

09/01/2025

- Truth is not a defense in libel "every defamatory imputation is presumed to be malicious, even if it be true."

The provision states: "Every defamatory imputation is presumed to be malicious even if it be true, if no good intention and justifiable motive for making it is shown, except in the following cases: (1) a private communication made by any person to another in the performance of any legal, moral, or social duty." Libel, as defined under Article 353, has three elements: The imputation must be defamatory, it must have been given publicity, and it must be malicious. A fourth element may also be considered implicit in the provision, namely, that the victim of the libel must be identifiable. The defamatory character of the imputation is shown by the recitals thereof. No evidence aliunde need be adduced to prove it. With respect to the element of malice, the same is established (either by presumption or by proof. If nothing but the defamatory imputation itself is laid before the court, malice is presumed from it, and to overcome this presumption there must be a showing of good intention and justifiable motive. In other words, the burden is upon the defendants to overcome the legal inference of malice. Under the doctrine of qualified privilege, however, this burden does not arise, for the occasion on which the communication was made, that is, in the performance of a legal, moral or social duty, rebuts the inference. But this does not mean that malice may not at all be shown; it simply puts the burden of doing so on the prosecution. (People v. Monton, et. al., 1962, En Banc)

Are there still possible defenses? Yes. The exceptions.

Atty. Rob Gozun



*The article above is for educational purposes only, and must not be used as a substitute for a formal legal consultation. If you have any legal issue/s, always consult a trusted lawyer of your choice; as facts and circumstances of the case vary, the applicable laws, rules, and jurisprudence, may also vary.

05/01/2025

A GENTLE REMINDER: Be proud of yourself because you those days, semesters, challenges, which you thought at first you couldn't...

Give yourself some credit naman because you deserve it - you did well, you did okay, truth of the matter is, YOU ARE STILL HERE, ALIVE, BREATHING... And, with a hope for better tomorrows.

That hope in you, don't let it go. You musn't lose hope. Hold on to hope that whatever you are going through, just as before, YOU WILL SURPASS THE SAME and in the process, you become a better version of yourself. You never lose it in your journey, you just become better.

So please be reminded to be kind to yourself. Be. Kind. To. Yourself.

And ah! If you start being kind to yourself, you'd start to realize that others deserve kindness too. You'd a beacon of hope to yourself, and in one way or another, to others as well. (Hindi ba noong may pinagdaraanan ka, yung mga taong naging mabait sa iyo, kahit hindi nila alam na may pinagdaraanan ka ay nakatulong sila sa iyo? O, ganon din sana sa iba. Lahat ng tao may pinagdaraanan, iba ibang levels lang. So, be kind din as much as possible.)

Now, more on sa health & social aspect naman:

Kapag mabait ka sa sarili mo, mas madaling maging mabait sa iba. Bakit? Kapag harsh ka sa iba o lagi kang galit o iritado, ikaw ang unang naapektuhan hindi ba? Your health... Your well-being... Yung disposisyon mo nasisira. Naapektuhan ka negatively. So if you can be kind to yourself, sa totoo lang, hindi masyadong magni-negative. Take note, pwede namang magalit bilang tao pa rin tayo (pero, "be angry, but sin not" dapat nasa lugar pa rin kahit galit, you can be angry without spewing evil; and, don't break the law).

Yung galit mode, hindi dapat yan ang normal mode, para lang iyan sa mga karapat-dapat kang magalit na pagkakataon, hindi konting bagay, galit agad, you will spew bad effects sa health mo, and lahat ng tao mga tao sa paligid mo. Tumataas masyado ang cortisols kapag galit (stress hormone ito). Magkaka pimples ka, at bumababa ang immunity mo sa sakit.

Kapag nagalit ka naman, let it go agad. Na express mo na, hindi ba? So tama na. Let go. Be kind to yourself. Kung hindi ka mabait sa sarili mo, ikaw ang magsa-suffer. Be kind to yourself, and don't hold on to your anger.

Compassion. Minsan sa kalsado merong singit ng singit. Huwag na magalit, kesa ma road rage ka pa o maaksidente, use the technique of compassion. Ay, baka kaya nagmamadali, may hinahabol na deadline, o may dapat gawin kundi mawawalan siyang trabaho, etc. O kaya, masakit ang tyan, tinatawag ng kalikasan. O imbes na magalit ka, binigyan mo pa ng benefit of the doubt yung tao. Sayang kapag nagalit ka sa maliliit na bagay, masisira ang skin mo pati ang health mo.

Kung boss ka, imbes na magalit ka, have some compassion, i-clarify mo ang gusto mo, kawawa ang tao. Imbes na magalit ka, magturo ka. Kaya ikaw ang boss hindi ba. Lead. Don't be a tyrant. After giving much efforts kapag hindi talaga nag iimprove, o boss ka, be kind to your business, taggalin mo after due process. Pero wag mo awayin ang tao. Hindi maganda. Be kind to yourself, baka maatake ka pa kapag lagi kang galit sa trabaho.

Sa empleyado naman compassion din. Baka naman may pinagdaraanan si boss. Kesa mag self pity. Be kind to yourself, see it in a way na kaya ka napagalitan is to improve yourself, pakitang gilas ka. Do you work very well. Sikaping huwag mag negative. Kahit paano, siya pa rin ang nagpapa sweldo sa iyo. Baka under great pressure si boss. Ngayon, kapag sobra nanaman, unreasonable na, be kind to yourself, start finding a better place where you will be appreciated. When you find a better place, look back with kindness, and see that the previous job was not totally and bad, na suportahan ang pangagailangan mo at ng pamilya mo at that time, at kahit paano may natutuhan ka pa rin. Look at it as a training ground sa journey mo.

Kung teacher ka, ganyan din, huwag laging galit. Ituro sa estudyante ang dapat niyang gawin o maalaman. Tyagain mo. Do your best to practice compassion. Kung di talaga nag iimprove, doon mo pa lang siya ibagsak. Kung ibabagsak mo siya, may awa pa rin sa puso, para din sa kanya iyon. Hindi siya dapat pumasa kapag hindi nararapat. Wala kang guilt, walang anger, walang hate. Huwag ipahiya ang estudyante. Hindi maganda, be kind to yourself and to your image, ayaw mong sinusumpa ka ng mga tao.

A wise sage in the name of Siddhartha Gautama, once said:

"HOLDING ON TO ANGER IS LIKE GRASPING A HOT COAL WITH THE INTENT OF THROWING IT AT SOMEONE ELSE; YOU ARE THE ONE WHO GETS BURNED."

So, start being kind to yourself, it is good for your physical and mental well-being, it is good for others too.

Mas mamahalin ka ng tao. Mas rerespetuhin ka ng tao. Kapag mahal ka at nirerespeto ka ng tao, mas okay... Mas makikita mo yung kindness na nagsimula sa sarili mo, na nagra-radiate sa bait mo din sa iba, babalik sa iyo ito. Mas gagaan ang buhay mo.

It all starts from within.

Your dear mentor,

Atty. Rob Gozun

05/01/2025

: Lagi kong sinasabi na EDUCATION IS THE BEST INVESTMENT. It is the only investment which cannot be stolen nor diminished by anybody. Education is indeed a priceless TREASURE. This includes not just academic education but also real-life education; meaning, it includes the things you self-learn from experiences. This is the reason why you shouldn't feel bad or stressed when you are studying because YOU ARE NOT WASTING ANYTHING, INSTEAD, YOU ARE INVESTING TO THAT GREATEST WEALTH WHICH NOBODY CAN TAKE AWAY FROM YOU.

CAPS LOCKED YANG LAST PART PARA INTENSE.

Even the Scriptures say about aquiring knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 - “The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

So, listen to me - aral lang ng aral, magbubunga din yan.

Yung inaral mo, hindi mababawi sa iyo, hindi mananakaw sa iyo. Acquire it. Acquire it zealously!

At saka sa mga nag aabogado, aba, aral nang mabuti, para pag abogado na kayo, you can protect your clients to the utmost, within the bounds of Law and the Rules

Mag aral nang mabuti. Now na.

Your dear mentor,

Atty. Rob Gozun

02/01/2025

27/12/2024

: Every day, do something good for yourself. It's a form of self respect.

Every day, always make sure that you do something good for yourself without need of others doing it for you. If that's a good sleep, good food, or an ample relaxation, watch a feel-good movie, go to somewhere you feel comfortable and safe, bask in the emotions of gratitude or appreciation; it does not need to be anything material. It can be something so simple to make yourself feel that you are "worth it." You are worthy to be here, to be blessed. In your "me time," or "self-care time," start counting your blessings no matter how big or small.

Self-respect is necessary. Remember, self-care is a form of self-respect. If you do not give yourself the proper care you need, you may not be giving yourself the treatment it deserves. So, start respecting yourself more, by starting to take care of your well-being.

If for so many years you have inadvertently neglected yourself, start with something easy to make yourself feel worthy again, and time will come that degree of self respect will return to you and your life will be so much better that you will not believe how much happier and fulfilled than ever before.

If you have enough self-respect so much so that you have a healthy love for yourself, you will will able to give more respect and love to others. Nemo dat quod non habet. One cannot give what he does not have.

Indeed, we can only give what we have. So have lots - oh in great abundance - of what you wish to give!

You can do it!

Atty. Rob Gozun

25/12/2024

"I WILL SEE YOU IN COURT!" is not a statement that is actionable under civil law, nor does it fall under any of the threats punishable under criminal law.

Article 1335 (par. 4) of the Civil Code provides:

"A threat to enforce one's claim through competent authority, if the claim is just or legal, does not vitiate consent."

Moreover, the Supreme Court in Lee v. Court of Appeals, 1991, teaches us:

"In the light of the foregoing circumstances, petitioner's demand that the private respondent return the proceeds of the check accompanied by a threat to file criminal charges was not improper. There is nothing unlawful on the threat to sue."

Indeed, as a general rule, THERE IS NOTHING UNLAWFUL ON THE THREAT TO SUE, except when done with palpable bad faith. Ikaw na nga ang hihingi ng tulong sa tamang forum, ikaw pa ang masama? Hindi pwede. We are a civilized society and we must follow the RULE OF LAW (and procedures arising from these laws).

Where many unwary people seem to comfort themselves (and they seem to be comfortable with it) by stating to their enemies, "mag-ingat ka, paabangan kita," is more prevalent; "I will see you in Court" gives the impression that instead of putting the law into a person's own hands, he/she will resort to legal means to obtain justice. "Mag-ingat ka, paabangan kita" may constitute a crime (under the Revised Penal Code and/or Special Penal Law/s) and/or torts under civil law, as the case may be depending on the facts and circumstances; but, "I will see you in Court," as a rule, is not.

Huwag masyadong mainit ang ulo. Huwag mong i-threaten paabangan ang kaaway mo, baka ikaw ang makukulong at/o magbabayad ng multa.

I have always advocated (and I most certainly still do and will always do) bringing disputes in the proper forum/fora - of course, through legal means.

So yung question whether or not the simple statement "I will see you in Court" message or utterance per se could constitute a crime, when the person genuinely felt his/her rights were violated responded simply with IWSYIC, the latter should not be worried. It is not a crime, and it is not actionable under our Civil Code. Verily, a threat to sue is not actionable, as a rule.

However, take note, when done in bad faith, without any basis at all but just to vexate another, it falls under the exception. It must be done in good faith. Otherwise, pwede kang balikan dahil dito.

Lagi kong sinasabi: "Daanin sa Batas, huwag sa dahas - such is the Rule of Law."

Ano ang maganda kapag dinala sa korte? Daraan ito sa DUE PROCESS, mati-threshout ang issue/s in the proper forum where law and rules in relation to evidence reign supreme.

Yung nagdedemanda, kailangan handa siya na walang valid defenses and/or counterclaim/s ang dinemanda niya. Now, if it turns out na siya pala ang totoong guilty o may sala, good luck na lang...

Happy holidays! Sumingit lang kasi ang daming nagtatanong if "I will see you in Court" is actionable... As a rule, IT IS NOT.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Atty. Rob Gozun



*This post is for educational purposes only and must not be made as a substitute for a formal legal consultation. If you have actual case/s or legal concern/s, make sure to consult with your trusted attorney, as depending on the facts and circumstances, the applicable law/s may vary. Do not forget to verify whether or not the one you are consulting with is a real member of the Bar. As an added precaution, you may search the Supreme Court's "Lawyers List" to verify.

23/12/2024

Your dear mentor & attorney as a special member of TV5's - HARAPAN, with the one and only MS. KORINA SANCHEZ, as a special member of the respected . 👨‍⚖️🇵🇭⚖️⚡️ & the full episode to your dear relatives and friends to learn from the difficult plight of our dear fellow . We took part as a special member of the for several episodes.

Mahal na mahal natin ang show na ito dahil sa pamamagitan ng Face to Face, ay hindi lamang nakatutulong itong mag bigay impormasyon at solusyon sa problema ng maliliit nating mga kababayan kundi nabibigyang liwanag sa mata ng mga mas nakatataas sa lipunan ang mga problema at hinaing ng mga mas maraming Napaka-raming aral na mapupulot mula sa programang ito.

Bilang isang abogado, hangad natin na hindi lamang mga cliente natin ang matulungan natin, kundi pati na ang mga impormasyong legal na talaga namang mahalaga at mapapakinabangan ng milyong milyong Pilipino ay ma-ibahagi natin, kaya nagagalak po ang puso natin sa pagkakataong ito.

Ang problema ng mga kababayan natin ay marahil maituring ng iba na "maliit" lamang, pero masasabi ko na ang lahat ng problema, maari mang maliit sa ibang tao, ay malaki na para sa isang ordinaryong tao. Ang ay tumutulong at nakapag-bibigay solusyon sa mga problema na pinagdurusahan ng ating mga kababayan na mula sa publiko.

of is the highest rated program of its timeslot within the Philippines.

Watch the full episode: Link at the comment section below.
Don't forget to leave your heartfelt comments too!

Dalangin natin na lalo pang palawigin at pagpalain ang show na ito.

Atty. Rob Gozun

18/12/2024

: You don't always have to go forward, you can go upward, left or right; BUT NEVER GO BACKWARD. 💪

Leave the past with GRATITUDE. 🙏Live in the moment with gladness❤️, look forward to the FUTURE with EXCITEMENT🤩.

In life, you may take DETOURS of sorts if you need to, or desire so; but do not go backward. Also, life is about moving on. If you want to make life more meaningful - MOVE ON, YOU ARE NOT A TREE🌳. But when you move on, wag lang backward ang moving on.

Of course, when I say "backward," e yung "aatras kana talaga." You're throwing the towel away and that's it, you give up everything. Huwag mong gagawin iyon kasi wala tayong mapapala kung ganoon ang attitude natin. Go forward, up, left or right, but don't give up. Pwedeng magpahinga, mag detours at kung ano ano pa, pero walang sukuan.

Sa pangarap, WALANG SUKUAN - WALANG ATRASAN.

Your dear mentor,

Atty. Rob Gozun

16/12/2024

🏅❤️⚡️⚖️🇵🇭👨‍⚖️ - What an and to represent our dear client, my father, before the Honorable Court, in protecting my parents' vast hectares of prime real estate properties located at the very heart of Angeles City.

If in the case of Oposa v. Factoran, the great litigator Atty. Antonio Oposa, Jr., the father, had the honor to protect his children's rights under the law; likewise, for children like us, let us when due circumstances and facts provide, take the honor of protecting the rights of our beloved parents within the bounds of law.

Appearing counsels:
Atty. J. Robert Miranda Gozun - Lead Counsel
Atty. Earl Christian Trajano Pelagio - Co-counsel
Atty. Jarvin David Eusebio Resus - Co-counsel

Atty. Rob Gozun

13/12/2024

! 👨‍⚖️🇵🇭⚖️⚡️🎉 Of the unli messages I received today, this is one of the messages which really touched me (from a working law student who is also a mom [now also a lawyer!]) and made me remember all the many years of constantly helping law students pass their law school exams and the Bar.. Matagal tagal na din pa akong nakapag-bibigay inspirasyon sa mga nag-nanais maging abogado. Tulad nito, since day 1 ng kaniyang law school journey, meaning mayroon nang halos limang taon ang nakakaraan. Natatandaan ko pa ang sabi ko sa mga followers ko noon. YOU WANT TO BE A LAWYER? ENROLL NA. JUST DO IT! Tignan ninyo si Atty. A., abogada na! Mabilis ang panahon.

"May gagawin ka o wala, lilipas ang panahon, kaya mas maganda na may gawin ka na." Turo ito ng mommy ko (*shoutout to my dear mommy!) on being productive which I always share to everyone. Dapat ang tao, general rule, may ginagawa na productive, hindi pwedeng laging wala. Pwedeng magpahinga (oh! I love to rest when I know I have done well during the day [or night!]), but resting is already 1/3 of our life, which is sleep, aba kapag gising tayo, dapat as much as possible productive tayo. Merong mga power naps and resting periods throughout the day okay iyan (good for the health), pero dapat yung general na ginagawa natin, productive. Let us remember, lumilipas ang panahon.

Look at Atty. A., lumipas ang panahon when she braved law school, kahit siya ay working student at isang ina, hindi naging hadlang, ngayon ay abogada na siya!

Sa mga mentees ko at mga followers ko na pumasa today. I am so proud of you! Welcome to the sacred field of lawyering.

See you in Court - AS COUNSELS! Ayokong akusado kayo ha!

In my years of inspiring so many students at masterclasses, marami na tayong natulungang maging abogado/abogada, may nakapag-top pa nga! Ang pangarap, matutupad kung gagawin mo ang bahagi mo. Pray, believe, work hard, choose the right people to influence you.

God bless you, Atty. Aleli!

Atty. Rob Gozun

09/12/2024

of the respected "Harapan tagapayo" ("Trio Tagapayo"), of the esteemed "FACE TO FACE - HARAPAN with the Ms. - of " with the great Dr. Love Banaag and Dra. Camille. It is (*not "was" for I feel, up until now, the privilege and honored), the pleasure and honor to help solve, as its , real problems of our Fipilino people for several episodes... This program has a staggering rating of 42% viewership, meaning, in every 100 million watchers in the Philippines, 42 millions Filipinos are watching.

Atty. Rob Gozun

08/12/2024

A "STAR-STUDDED" YEARLY GATHERING OF LEGAL LUMINARIES. ⚡️⭐️🇵🇭⚖️👨‍⚖️🏅 CentralBooks - "The Home of the Best Legal Minds" and the largest publisher of legal materials in the Philippines is now on its year of providing the academic and legal communities with the best learning materials!🏅⚖️🇵🇭📚

Atty. Rob Gozun

04/12/2024

Ewan ko sa inyo. 🙄 Ang daming tanong. Ano iyan "DO YOU MISS MY BODY?" issue na iyan? Hindi ko alam... Puro kwento ng fans & followers - wala akong time magki tsismis. Halata ba ba hindi na ako halos makapag-video/reels/live, dahil I'm so busy with the actual practice? Miss ko na kayo. Pero ito lang ang masasabi ko in general, for academic purposes, bilang abogado in the active actual practice of Criminal Law and a humble published Criminal Law book author, sa romantic relationship issue na may commitment as to a monogamous relationship, at victim ang girl, kapag may conspiracy ng cheating tapos yung isang babae ay victim na pinaasa ni guy, at alam ni other girl na may express commitment si boy kay girl ng monogamous sila (not in a so-called "open relationship"), papasok iyan sa PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE (R.A. 9262). May kulong, silang dalawa, the boy who cheated and the girl who knew and participated in the cheating.

If the other girl, in true good faith and even with exercise of due diligence (emphasis supplied), relied on the the representations of the guy na totoong "open relationship" sila ni first girl, the other girl should be acquitted. Victim din siya for the guy's fraudulent representations.

So, in unmarried relationship na walang agreement to be monogamous (say, in the modern parlance, and they are in an "open relationship" - they agreed na open sila sa others), mahirap ang conviction ni boy at ni other girl. Walang reliance for a monogamous relationship e, hindi mari-reach ang proof beyond reasonable doubt with respect to emotional abuse. In other words, in an "open relationship," there is an express/implied consent to do that "ano" with another. How can there be psychological violence there where there is prior consent to do the "ano" with another?

Therefore, in unmarried relationships, kapag walang agreement na kayo lang talaga exclusively and at the same time you allow "open relationship/s," there should be no conviction under psychological violence. There should be reliance on the part of the woman based sa representation ng guy na sila lang talaga. Otherwise, walang psychological violence.

The VAWC LAW:

Section 3 of the VAWC - "Violence against women and their children" refers to any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, ###"

Pasok pati "sexual or dating relationship" lang, hindi kailangan na kasal bago ma commit ang VAWC on psychological abuse.

"Psychological violence" refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity. ###"

Notice the phrase "acts or omissions causing or likely to cause" and "such as but not limited to". Mayroong enumeration pero hindi exclusive ang list.

Psychological violence can come in various forms. In our example above, kung mayroong silang express na kasunduan at representation ni lalake na ang babae ay nagiisa lang at wala siyang ibang nakaka-talik, at meron pala, makikita na mo na IT IS NOT INFIDELITY PER SE, but the psychological abuse caused by such acts na nagcause ng ng emotional harm sa babae dahil NILOKO siya.

Therefore, kung may panloloko dahil may reliance ang babae sa sinabi sa kanya ng boyfriend niya na siya lang talaga (as in the case of expressly agreed na monogamous sila (exclusive), is that not shocking to the emotion of the woman? Yung woman dahil pinaasa na monogamous lang sila sinarado na niya ang sarili niya sa iba tapos tumatanda siya, gumugulong ang panahon, akala niya okay yung lalake, tapos yung lalake pala, all the way sa iba? Nasaan ang hustisya.

Gets na?

Look at how broad VAWC is, kahit nga mga babae na nasa illicit relationship relationship can seek refuge sa VAWC. Paano pa yung mga nasa monogamous relationships na hindi naman illicit?

The Supreme Court said: "The illicitness of a relationship a woman engages in does not diminish her dignity in any way. She will be protected just the same by the law that values her and her children’s dignity and guarantees full respect for their human rights." G.R. No. 187175, Cabañez v. AAA

Syempre kapag nasa illicit relationship naman, pwede din sila ma demanda ng tunay na original na asawa or girlfriend, as discussed above (apply by analogy), pero yung babae sa illicit relationship, pwede din siya mag demanda if there are other acts or ommissions ng guy na nagkaka emotional abuse siya, say for example minumura siya or tinatakot, etc. Pero hindi siya makakapag-habla on the ground na dalawa sila, unless HINDI NIYA ALAM, at again, niloko siya nung lalake.

So sa topic natin, ano ang KEYWORD na bakit papasok sa VAWC on emotional abuse? MAY PANLOLOKO na nagcause ng emotional harm sa babae.

(*Imagine mo naman yung emotional harm nung babae kahit hindi sila kasal, hindi lang na umasa siya at niloko siya, mapa-paranoid pa siya kung nagkasakit siya dahil yung lalake pala na sa isip niya sila lang, may iba pang nakaka-sex. Paano kung may sakit iyon? Taas ng HIV ngayon ha, saka other STIs! Yikes!)

Ganda ng batas diba.

Period.

Atty. Rob Gozun

04/12/2024

: HINDI NA BALENG SUMAMA ANG LOOB NG KAIBIGAN KAPAG HINDI MO PINAHIRAM, KESA SUMAMA ANG LOOB MO KESA HINDI KA BINAYARAN.

As a matter of policy, I do not loan to friends, but with extreme necessities or circumstances, I give reasonable donations, at times when circumstances allow, even higher than what they ask for. Hindi loan. Mahirap ang loan between friends, sayang ang friendship. Hindi dapat mabahiran ng pera ang pagkakaibigan.

Colatilla: Friends po ah (not online friends lang and definitely not strangers, but real offline friends lang ang pwede), huwag po kayong dudulog ng donation sakin kung hindi ko kayo offline true friends and not sufferings from extreme or emergency circumstances.

Kapag nagpa-hiram ka at hindi ka binayaran, on top ng sama ng loob mo (baka maatake ka pa dahil hindi marunong magbayad ang tunuring mong kaibigan), gagastos ka pa sa legal fees (mahal po ang mag-demanda, kahit small claims pa iyan, may gastos din) para lang maka-singil, so I strongly advise na, for purposes of maintaining healthy frienships, hindi healthy ang utangan. Bakit hindi na lang i-maintain ang moral support, hindi kailangan nang maging utangan ang kaibigan. Meron naman mga appropriate and legitimate loan providers.

Atty Rob Gozun

04/12/2024

- A GENTLE GUIDE TO BUSINESSMEN/WOMEN & THE GENERAL PUBLIC

1. VIOLATION OF SECTION 8 IS "MALA PROHIBITA." Hence, the mere act of offering/selling securities ("shares") without the necessary approval from the SEC is already an offense.

*Note: Ang bilin ko sa mga negosyante at may mga pangarap sa buhay, komunsulta kayo ng mahusay na abogado (specializing and in the active practice of both commercial and criminal laws) para matulungan kayo. Huwag kayong basta-basta nag o-offer ng investments sa publico, dahil tatamaan talaga kayo.

Sa totoo lang naglipana iyang "investment packages" na iyan (marami akong nakikita sa internet, kung ano anong mga offers "be co-owner of this and that," "invest now, join us!" which in my observation, hindi naman lahat "manloloko." For example, meron silang magandang negosyo at hindi nila alam na bawal ang ginagawa nila na mag solicit sa publico ng "investments" para lalo pang lumaki ang negosyo. But remember, hindi excuse ang hindi alam ang batas (Article 3 of the Civil Code), at hindi rin excuse ang good faith (mala prohibita not mala in se).

Therefore, if filed before the proper authorities, gugulong talaga ang kaso. Of course, there are legal defenses, but why subject yourself to such risk of being prosecuted (or convicted) if you, from the very start, organize your business and its ventures under the law?

Baka hindi selling/offering of securities ang paraan na nararapat para sa iyo, especially in cases na hindi pa pasado ang level ng company mo sa standards ng SEC. Huwag kang magmamadali.

There are so many other business structures/designs which are very well allowed by law na hindi papasok sa Section 8 in relation to Section 3 of the SRC. You can explore those before even attempting to think to sell/offer "investment contracts" to the public. Your good lawyer should guide you. We call this in the practice as "compliance risk assessment."

Kapag mayroon kayong business idea, bago ninyo ito i-execute, IT IS IMPORTANT for you to consult your trusted commercial and criminal law attorney to conduct a "compliance risk assessment." This important step ang madalas na naiiwan o isinasantabi ng mga negosyante at kapag malala na ang problema, doon sila hahanap ng abogado na tutulong sa kanila. There are times, critical na ang problema dahil sa lalim nito.

Tandaan: Bawal ng batas mag benta/offer ng securities. The law aims to protect the public from corporations na nagsasabing okay sila, pero hindi naman talaga, unviable or unsustainable ang kanilang negosyo. Along this line, nirereview muna ng SEC ang corporation at ang kapasidad nito bago sila bigyan ng permiso na gawin ito.

Sa totoo lang, in my observation, halos nagiging "kakambal" ng violation of SRC ang nagiging syndicated estafa. Bakit? Unsustainable or unviable ang negosyo pero these "investments" usually promise unbelievable and staggering income sa kahit kaninong gustong mag invest. Ito yung nagiging "syndicated estafa" sa dami ng kanilang naloloko.

Maniwala ka, kapag nakasuhan ng "syndicated estafa" (it is mala in se, therefore kung walang panloloko, pwedeng ma acquit) ang isa tao, para siyang yung kasabihan na "kamelyo na lalabas sa butas ng karayum," sa bigat ng kaso na iyan. While there may be legal defenses, it is not bailable, unless the evidence of guilt is not strong.

You would notice na iyong mga binibigyan ng approval ng SEC ay hindi ganoon ka "lucrative" ang returns. Why? Sustainability. Hindi pwedeng sobrang laki ng returns, babagsak talaga ang negosyo sa dami nitong pinapangakuan ng "instant riches."

Kaya, sa publico naman, mag-iingat kayo. Check ninyo sa SEC, may website sila, pwede din silang tawagan if you are to "invest" in a company offering "investments" to the public, if talaga bang approved sila.

2. To reiterate, is the lack of knowledge about the law, and excuse for the violator?

No. Article 3 of the Civil Code provides: "Ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith."

2.1. Now, a gentle reminder, even nakasuhan na ang tao, it is unfair for the public to readily and instantly brand them as criminals. They are entitled by no less than the Constitution to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Meaning, hanggat walang final and executory ang judgment of conviction, hindi pa matatawag na "kriminal" ang isang tao.

The accused is entitled by law, rules, and the Constitution to his/her competent legal defense. Malaking bagay ang magkaroon ang isang tao ng vigorous and very competent legal defense, dahil may pagkakataon na hindi naman talaga dapat makasuhan o ma-convict ang isang tao. For instance, in case of an alleged violation of Sec. 8 of the SRC, kapag hindi pasok sa section 3 ang nature ng contract, hindi siya dapat maparusahan sa ilalalim ng nasabing batas. This applies to all criminal laws, kapag hindi pasok doon, hindi dapat makasuhan at lalong lalo na ma-convict doon.

3. What are "securities?"

Section 3.1 of the SRC provides, to wit:

"Securities" are shares, participation or interests in a corporation or in a commercial enterprise or profit-making venture and evidenced by a certificate, contract, instruments, whether written or electronic in character. It includes:

(a) Shares of stocks, bonds, debentures, notes evidences of indebtedness, asset-backed securities;

(b) Investment contracts, certificates of interest or participation in a profit sharing agreement, certifies of deposit for a future subscription;

(c) Fractional undivided interests in oil, gas or other mineral rights;

(d) Derivatives like option and warrants;

(e) Certificates of assignments, certificates of participation, trust certificates, voting trust certificates or similar instruments

(f) Proprietary or nonproprietary membership certificates in corporations; and

(g) Other instruments as may in the future be determined by the Commission.

4. TAKE NOTE: Selling/offering of securities usually comes in the form of selling/offering to the public (*especially now, in social media) “investment Packages,” “Co-ownership packages,” or “shares in the business,” relative to their corporation, without necessary approval from the SEC.

5. The law requires prior approval, it provides:

"Section 8. Requirement of Registration of Securities.– 8.1. Securities shall not be sold or offered for sale or distribution within the Philippines, without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the Commission. Prior to such sale, information on the securities, in such form and with such substance as the Commission may prescribe, shall be made available to each prospective purchaser."

6. What are the penalties?

Section 73 provides:

Penalties. – Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Code, or the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission under authority thereof, or any person who, in a registration statement filed under this Code, makes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, shall, upon conviction, suffer a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than seven (7) years nor more than twenty-one (21) years, or both in the discretion of the court. If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association or other juridical entity, the penalty may in the discretion of the court be imposed upon such juridical entity and upon the officer or officers of the corporation, partnership, association or entity responsible for the violation, and if such officer is an alien, he shall in addition to the penalties prescribed, be deported without further proceedings after service of sentence.

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Nawa ay naka tulong.

Atty Rob Gozun
, Q.C.

🏢927 G/F Phoenix Bldg.,
Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
📲 0949 832 4274
☎️ (02) 7004-7106

*The article above is for educational purposes only, and must not be used as a substitute for a formal legal consultation. If you have any legal issue/s, always consult your trusted lawyer of your choice (preferably in the active practice of law and specializing in the field which you wish to consult about); as facts and circumstances of the case vary, the applicable laws, rules, and jurisprudence, may also vary.