𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐖 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄 - 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞

23/09/2026

𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐒.

Appeared before the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City today for a civil case.

The weather was far from cooperative. Heavy rain poured over the city, making the trip to court a little more difficult than usual. But days like this also remind us that the practice of law does not always happen under convenient circumstances.

Always grateful for the privilege to practice law, to represent our clients, and to continue doing the work and carrying the responsibility that come with this profession.

21/09/2026

Successfully processed the filing of a case involving alleged violations of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 (BP 22), or the Bouncing Checks Law, before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities of Lapu-Lapu City. ⚖️

Having a valid claim does not automatically mean that a case will prosper. How a case is filed matters.

The proper court must have jurisdiction. The correct procedure must be followed. Filing requirements must be complied with. Supporting documents and evidence must be properly prepared. Most importantly, applicable periods and deadlines must be carefully observed.

18/09/2026

𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

Earlier today, Atty. Abelardo C. Quilaton Jr. was interviewed live by Jun Salde of Bombo Radyo Philippines to discuss the recent school shooting incident and the broader legal and social responsibilities surrounding the safety of our children in schools.

The discussion focused on an important question: When threats involving fi****ms place students and school communities at risk, who bears responsibility?

Atty. Quilaton discussed the respective roles of schools, the Department of Education (DepEd), parents, and fi***rm owners in preventing incidents and protecting students.

Schools have a responsibility to maintain reasonable security measures, establish clear emergency protocols, take credible threats seriously, and communicate promptly with parents and authorities. DepEd, for its part, plays a critical role in setting and enforcing safety policies and ensuring that schools are adequately prepared to respond to security threats.

Parents likewise have an indispensable role. Awareness of a child's behavior, activities, access to dangerous objects, and online interactions can be crucial in identifying warning signs before they escalate.

For licensed gun owners, fi***rm ownership carries serious responsibilities. Fi****ms must be properly secured and kept inaccessible to unauthorized persons, particularly minors. Responsible ownership does not end with obtaining a license. It includes ensuring that a fi***rm does not become accessible to someone who may use it to harm himself or others.

The discussion emphasized that school safety cannot rest on one institution alone. Prevention requires coordination among schools, government agencies, law enforcement, parents, communities, and responsible fi***rm owners.

When children are involved, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Law. Responsibility. Community.

16/09/2026

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞, 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫.

While the duty of a lawyer is to represent the client faithfully and diligently within the bounds of law and legal ethics, there are moments when personal emotions inevitably come into the picture. In criminal cases, one cannot help but recognize the human consequences, not only for the complainant, but also for the accused and the families on both sides.

A lawyer advocates. A lawyer presents the evidence. A lawyer performs the duty entrusted to him.

The judgment ultimately belongs to the Court.

15/09/2026

The Supreme Court reminds us of a fundamental rule in criminal law.

The (SC) has ruled that appearing intoxicated, smelling of alcohol, or being found near empty liquor bottles is not, by itself, enough to establish a violation of the election liquor ban.

In a Decision written by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, the SC’s Third Division acquitted Mcgill Esquillo Omandam (Omandam), ruling that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he consumed alcohol during the prohibited period as stated under Section 261(dd)(1) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), or the “COMELEC liquor ban.”

Omandam was arrested on the eve of the elections after police responded to reports of rowdiness. Arresting officers said he appeared intoxicated, smelled of alcohol, spoke with a slurred voice, and moved groggily. The police also recovered two empty bottles of Tanduay Rhum near the scene.

The SC explained that the OEC prohibits the taking of intoxicating liquor during the election liquor ban, which covers the day before the election and election day. The prosecution has to prove that the accused actually consumed alcohol during that period.

In this case, however, none of the arresting officers saw Omandam drinking. The prosecution relied solely on circumstantial evidence.

While circumstantial evidence may support a conviction, the SC stressed that the circumstances taken together must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt and rule out any reasonable explanation of innocence.

The SC found that the prosecution failed to meet this standard. It based its case solely on observations of Omandam’s appearance and other unsupported circumstances.

The SC noted that the offense is not typically committed in secret and could have been easily verified through readily available means, such as field sobriety, breath analyzer, or chemical tests. However, the police did not conduct any of these, nor did they take photographs or videos to document Omandam’s alleged intoxication.

Although two empty liquor bottles were recovered, the police did not examine them for fingerprints or conduct forensic tests to determine whether Omandam handled them.

The SC ruled that these omissions undermined the accuracy and fairness of the investigation. Taken together, they cast doubt on the reliability and sufficiency of the circumstantial evidence.

Read more at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=173139

Read the Decision https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=173133

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution

08/09/2026

Simply sharing a few moments from our everyday life in the practice of law.

The past several days at Quilaton Law Office have been filled with client consultations, document reviews, preparation of pleadings and other legal documents, case updates and engagement, signing and notarization of documents, legal research, and the other routine work that comes with the practice of law.

Much of the time happens quietly inside the office like listening, reading, reviewing records, preparing documents, meeting deadlines, and attending to the matters that require our attention.

To our clients and everyone who recently visited the office, thank you for taking the time to see us.

Just another glimpse of the work, conversations, and ordinary moments that make up our days in the legal profession.

06/09/2026

⚖️ QUILATON LAW OFFICE JOINS THE USPF LAW BAR OPERATIONS SALUBONG

Today, Quilaton Law Office joined and assisted the Bar Operations of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) College of Law at the University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) Basak Campus, as we welcomed and celebrated the Bar takers after completing today’s examination.

The Salubong is always a special part of the Bar experience, a moment when the pressure of the examination gives way, even for a while, to cheers, smiles, familiar faces, and the encouragement of the law school community waiting outside.

Today was about celebrating our Bar takers, their courage to show up, the years of preparation that brought them here, and another examination day successfully completed.

To the USPF Law 2026 Bar Candidates, congratulations on making it through today! Rest, recharge, and prepare for the next one. Your professors, families, friends, fellow law students, alumni, and supporters are cheering you on every step of the way.

One exam day down. One Salubong to remember. One step closer to that “Atty.” ⚖️🇵🇭

Quilaton Law Office is proud to stand with the USPF Law community in celebrating our future lawyers.

See you at the next Salubong!

04/09/2026

𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓 𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐘 | 𝐋𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐍, 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 ⚖️

Appeared before the Liloan Municipal Circuit Trial Court today in connection with a criminal case, serving as private prosecutor under the direct control and supervision of the Public Prosecutor.

Different courtroom, different proceedings, but the same responsibility, to discharge the duties of counsel with respect for the judicial process and the rule of law.

Another day in the practice of law.

30/08/2026

🎙️ 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐲𝐨 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬, 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲.

Atty. Abelardo C. Quilaton Jr. was interviewed this afternoon by Bombo Radyo Philippines to discuss Philippine laws governing fi****ms and several current proposals involving fi***rm regulation, enforcement, and public safety.

Among the matters discussed was the proposal to impose stricter consequences on persons found in possession of loose or unlicensed fi****ms, including proposals to make certain fi****ms-related offenses non-bailable. The discussion touched on the constitutional right to bail, the gravity of fi****ms offenses, and the need for any legislative measure to remain consistent with constitutional safeguards and due process.

The interview also tackled the proposal to allow the Philippine National Police (PNP) to enter and inspect the homes of licensed fi***rm owners to determine whether fi****ms are being properly secured or kept in appropriate safety vaults. Such a proposal necessarily raises important legal questions concerning the responsibilities of licensed fi***rm owners, the right to privacy, and the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Also discussed were possible remedies and preventive measures that schools may consider in strengthening campus security, particularly in light of incidents involving fi****ms and violence in educational institutions. Security measures should not be limited to regulating the entry of parents, guardians, visitors, and outsiders. Schools may also review their internal security protocols involving students, access points, prohibited items, emergency response procedures, coordination with law-enforcement authorities, and other reasonable measures intended to protect everyone within the school community.

Public safety requires effective prevention and responsible enforcement. At the same time, measures adopted in the name of security must operate within the boundaries of the Constitution and existing laws. The continuing challenge is to find the proper balance between public safety, responsible fi***rm ownership, effective school security, and the protection of individual rights.

Thank you to Bombo Radyo Philippines for the opportunity to participate in the discussion and share a legal perspective on these timely issues.
****msLaw