New to Dumaguete but not Philippines. In dispute with landlord, need an attorney that specializes in tenant landlord law. Searching here, I see only title attorneys, real estate. Anyone recommend someone. Thanks.
I had a very short session with him because his advice was so good I really did not need his services but he was recommended by other here; Michael Miguel, close to Robinson Mall in new building. . Miguel Law Office Maybe others will have more complete input here regarding him.
May be easier to just post your problem here to get experienced advice. In the end here there aren't really any protections here that work for tenants and going after a bad landlord is going to generally cost you a lot more than you could possibly win back assuming they even paid which is an entire different problem. Further if your a foreign and its your name on the lease their is no public attorney to help at low or free cost as foreigners must hire private. Most private attorneys I have talked to on a few issues have wanted 20-25k down to simply take up your case before other stuff adds in.
Attorney Dorado in alleyway next to Bogarts. He is always busy, with both locals and foreigners. My wife and I have, and are still using him for real estate matters. Does not charge long nose prices. Make sure you go there early to avoid the queue. PS, he is also a qualified surveyor.
IMHO i too think that you should post your drama here after 8 years in the phils, from my experinces you are on a hiding to nothing, and we can give the benefit of our experiences, ( ANY HALF DECENT LAWYER, WILL THINK ITS HIS LUCKY DAY WHEN A FOREIGNER COMES TO SEE HIM), he will milk you for all your worth and you wont get satisfaction, he wil put your case at the bottom of the pile and just keep collecting do yourself a favour sit down, get your self some paper write down the pros and cons, and if the net result is tojust put it down to experience , (then do just that), surely if your renting the hit cant be that much no good will come to you
You can always go to the Hall of Justice, El Blanco Drive and ask to see an attorney there for advice before taking any legal action. Make sure you wear long trousers, sleeved shirt ans covered feet, otherwise you will not be allowed in.
Have you tried a meeting at the barangay? Usually you will be asked by the lawyer of this has happened before. They get three chances to appear before them,if they don't bother the barangay will issue you a paper to say this has been tried and failed etc.
In the Philippines judicial system the loser has to pay the lawyer/legal fees of the opposing party. If invstr were to win a case he would be rewarded damages and any legal fees. Also, there is a RA for renting/leasing: http://www.hudcc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/document/Republic Act No 9653.pdf We don't know why the OP is looking for a lawyer. He might very well have a solid case against the landlord. It is not uncommon for expats to actually win cases when they are on the right side of the law (maybe they will have to take it up a court level or two and dedicate the better part of a decade to the case, but justice can usually be found for anyone patient enough). It's also a bit inaccurate to say that "any half decent lawyer" is just waiting for an expat to walk in to rip them off.....I'm sure there are plenty of lawyers who do that but they probably aren't on the "half decent" side of their profession.
Michael Miguel's advice was to go to Dumaguete small claims court. I never had to do it because just the threat of going to court got the results I was looking for. Of coarse a small claims court judgement still has to be collected. My situation, which he said he had heard from three other people already that week, was in getting my rental deposit back. It may be wise to have a written lease contract(I was the only one of the four who had one) and become familiar with the Dumaguete small claims court procedures. SMALL CLAIMS - News around Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental, Philippines | The Negros Chronicle
