When friendships break over land and debt, the courts are there to cut through emotions and provide a fair, evidence-based decision.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano emphasized this during the ‘Case 2 Face’ segment of the legal advice show ‘Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda’ (CIA with BA) on March 2, 2025.
“Kaya sa Pilipinas, walang jury system [kundi] judge. Ang judge, walang pakialam sa sentimyento o anuman,” he said.
In the episode, the complainant is accusing her kumare’s son, Rodel, of illegally occupying her lot. She is asking that they vacate immediately and pay her P144,000 in rent for the past 12 years of their stay in her property.
She said she had only allowed her kumare’s house on her property, but Rodel countered that they had her permission from the beginning. He claimed she was only asking for rent now because they had been demanding that she pay her P120,000 debt to their mother.
Stepping in to outline the legal options, Senator Alan explained that the complainant could file an ejectment case, though the process would take time.
He then suggested a faster alternative: resolving the debt issue through small claims court. “Basta mababa sa P1 million, pwede kayong magsingilan sa korte,” he said.
But the complainant insisted on calling it quits. “Kung may utang ako sa kanila, may utang din y’ung anak. Mag-quits na lang kami para matapos na,” she said.
Seeing how opposing the two sides’ arguments were, Senator Alan recommended escalating the issue to a legal authority trained to decide based on evidence – the court.
Senator Alan and the program vowed to help the two parties navigate the legal process they decide to pursue.
And while the problem was not resolved during the program, King of Talk Boy Abunda said, “marami naman tayong napulot na aral.”
CIA with BA continues the legacy of the Cayetano siblings’ late father, Senator Rene Cayetano, who hosted the legal advice show ‘Compañero y Compañera’ on radio and television from 1997 to 2001.
CIA with BA airs every Sunday at 11 p.m. on GMA 7, with replays on Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. on GTV.
