The Firm
Rooted in Philippine Law.
Driven by Justice for Every Filipino.
When Your Rights Are on the Line, Distance Should Never Matter.
Driven by Justice for Every Filipino.
Aquino and Co. Law Firm was founded to ensure every Filipino has access to trusted legal counsel— regardless of where they live or what they can afford to afford.
We serve individuals, families, and businesses across the Philippines, and we are committed to providing accessible, ethical, and competent legal service to all our clients.
we provide both onsite and virtual consultations, with the same standard of competence, ethics, and confidentiality.
Every case we take is governed by the same principle: your rights are non-negotiable, and our duty to protect them is absolute.
CPRA Compliant. Our practice is governed by the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC). No attorney-client relationship exists without a signed Retainer Agreement.
Fidelity to the Law
We practice within the bounds of the Philippine Constitution, applicable laws, and the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).
Confidentiality, Always
All consultations are protected by attorney-client privilege under Rule 130, Section 24(b) of the Rules of Court, and are handled in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173).
Accessible Legal Service
We serve clients in Isabela, across the Philippines, and Filipinos abroad accessible via onsite and online consultations.
Continuous Legal Learning
Our attorneys maintain full compliance with Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements under Bar Matter No. 850 and related Supreme Court issuances, ensuring up-to-date legal competence.
The Counsel Behind the Firm
Meet Your Attorneys
Atty. Glenn L. Aquino
Managing Partner & Lead Counsel
Philippine Bar Roll No. 67954
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IBP Chapter IBP Isabela Chapter · Member in Good Standing
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MCLE Compliance No. MCLE VIII-0017091/04-14-2028
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Admitted to the Bar Year 2017 · Supreme Court of the Philippines
Atty. Julie Belle A. Apolonio
Managing Partner & Notary Public
Philippine Bar Roll No. 65744
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IBP Chapter IBP Lifetime O.R No. 1036615 · Member in Good Standing
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Notarial Commission Commissioned Notary Public · RTC, City of Santiago · Commission No. 0348
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MCLE Compliance No. MCLE VII-0017090/04-14-2028
Atty. Lex T. Aquino, CPA
Managing Partner & Lead Counsel
Philippine Bar Roll No. 62950
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IBP Chapter IBP Isabela Chapter · Member in Good Standing
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MCLE Compliance No. MCLE VIII-00170975/04-14-2028
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Admitted to the Bar Year 2014 · Supreme Court of the Philippines
What We Handle
Our Legal Practice Areas
01
Civil Law
Civil Law
Civil Code of the Philippines (R.A. 386)
Covers disputes and transactions between private individuals and entities. We handle obligations and contracts, property disputes, collection of sums of money, damages, quasi-delicts, and civil liability arising from criminal acts.
02
Family
Family Law & Personal Status
Family Code (E.O. 209)
We assist clients with declaration of nullity of marriage, annulment of marriage, legal separation, recognition of foreign divorce, custody and support of children, adoption, guardianship, and correction of entries in civil registry records.
03
Property
Property Law & Land Titling
Civil Code · P.D. 1529 (Property Registration Decree)
We handle sale, donation, and transfer of real property, titling and registration with the Registry of Deeds, reconstitution of lost titles, quieting of title, ejectment and unlawful detainer, and land disputes before the DARAB and DENR.
04
Succession
Succession & Estate Settlement
Book III of the Civil Code
We handle testate and intestate succession, probate of wills, extrajudicial settlement of estate, judicial partition, estate tax compliance with the BIR, and transfer of inherited properties to heirs.
05
Criminal
Criminal Law
Revised Penal Code (Act 3815) · Special Penal Laws
We represent complainants and accused in cases involving theft, estafa and other forms of fraud, physical injuries, homicide and murder, libel and cyberlibel (R.A. 10175), violations of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (R.A. 9262), illegal drugs (R.A. 9165), and other criminal offenses before the prosecution, MTC, and RTC.
06
Labor
Labor Law & Employment
Labor Code (P.D. 442) · DOLE Issuances
We represent employees and employers in illegal dismissal, nonpayment of wages and benefits, constructive dismissal, regularization, DOLE complaints, NLRC proceedings, and labor arbitration.
07
Agrarian
Agrarian Law
R.A. 6657 (CARL) as amended by R.A. 9700
We assist landowners and farmer-beneficiaries in land valuation disputes before the SAC, exemption and conversion applications, DARAB cases, and agrarian reform compliance - a practice of particular importance to clients in Region II and the Cagayan Valley.
08
Corporate
Corporate & Business Law
Revised Corporation Code (R.A. 11232) · Civil Code on Partnerships
We assist in business registration with the SEC, drafting of articles of incorporation and by-laws, board resolutions and corporate housekeeping, dissolution and liquidation, and commercial contract drafting and review.
09
Notarial
Notarial Practice
2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC)
We notarize all classes of legal documents including deeds of sale, special powers of attorney, affidavits of all kinds, contracts, extrajudicial settlements, loan agreements, and all instruments requiring acknowledgment, jurat, copy certification, oath or affirmation, and signature witnessing.
10
Special
Special Proceedings
Rules 72-109 of the Rules of Court
We handle petition for change of name, petition for declaration of absence or presumptive death, petition for hospitalization of insane persons, settlement of estate of deceased persons, and other non-adversarial matters cognizable by the RTC.
11
Admin
Administrative Law & Government Transactions
HLURB/DHSUD · DARAB · NLRC · CSC · BOI · LRA · DENR
Representing clients before administrative bodies and quasi-judicial agencies. We also assist with permitting, licensing, and compliance with government regulatory requirements.
12
Tax
Tax Law
NIRC as amended by R.A. 11976 (Ease of Paying Taxes Act, 2024)
We assist clients with BIR compliance in property transfers (capital gains tax, documentary stamp tax, estate tax, donor's tax), tax mapping, application for tax exemptions, and representation in BIR assessments and disputes.
13
IP
Intellectual Property Law
R.A. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code)
We advise on trademark registration with the IPO, copyright protection, and basic IP contract review and enforcement.
14
ADR
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
R.A. 9285 (ADR Act of 2004)
We represent and assist clients in mediation, arbitration, and court-annexed mediation as alternatives to full litigation, helping resolve disputes faster and with less cost.
15
Docs
Legal Documentation & Contract Drafting
All types of legal instruments
Preparation and review of all types of legal instruments including contracts of lease, deeds of sale, memoranda of agreement, loan agreements, deeds of donation, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, and other transactional documents required in business and personal affairs.
We appear and advocate on behalf of our clients before all levels of courts and quasi-judicial bodies in the Philippines. Our representation covers the full lifecycle of a case — from filing of the initiatory pleading to final execution of judgment.
Courts and Tribunals We Appear Before
- Municipal Trial Court (MTC) and Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) — for small claims, ejectment, criminal cases within jurisdiction, and civil cases with assessed value within the threshold.
- Regional Trial Court (RTC) — for civil, criminal, family, and special proceedings cases beyond the MTC's jurisdiction, including family courts handling annulment, nullity, and custody matters.
- Court of Appeals (CA) — for appeals from RTC decisions, certiorari, and other special civil actions.
- Supreme Court — for petitions for review on certiorari and extraordinary remedies.
Quasi-Judicial and Administrative Bodies
- National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and Labor Arbiters — illegal dismissal, wage claims, and labor disputes.
- Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) — agrarian disputes, landowner-tenant conflicts, and valuation cases.
- Special Agrarian Court (SAC) — land valuation cases under CARL.
- Office of the Prosecutor — complaint-affidavit filing, counter-affidavit, preliminary investigation.
- Local Government Adjudication Bodies — barangay conciliation (Katarungang Pambarangay), local licensing, and permit disputes.
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) — assessments, protests, and tax compliance matters.
- Other agencies — HLURB/DHSUD, DENR, SEC, Civil Service Commission, and others as the matter requires.
What Legal Representation Includes
- Drafting and filing of all pleadings, motions, and submissions.
- Appearance at all hearings, pre-trials, and trials.
- Examination and cross-examination of witnesses.
- Preparation and presentation of evidence.
- Filing of appeals and special civil actions.
- Enforcement and execution of favorable judgments.
- Legal strategy, case assessment, and client updates throughout the proceedings.
We provide structured, confidential legal advice to individuals, families, and businesses who need to understand their rights, obligations, and legal options before or without going to court.
What a Consultation Covers
- Assessment of the legal merits and risks of your situation.
- Explanation of applicable laws, rights, and remedies in plain language.
- Identification of the proper legal remedy — whether litigation, administrative action, negotiation, ADR, or documentary compliance.
- Advice on the strength of evidence and what additional documents or proof are needed.
- Guidance on timelines, prescriptive periods, and deadlines that may affect your case.
- Cost and process overview so clients can make informed decisions.
Who Should Consult With Us
- Individuals involved in property disputes, family matters, or criminal complaints — whether as complainant or respondent.
- Business owners needing contract review, compliance advice, or guidance on corporate transactions.
- Heirs and family members navigating estate settlement and succession.
- Employees and employers dealing with labor issues, dismissal, or benefits disputes.
- Landowners and farmer-beneficiaries with agrarian questions.
- Anyone who has received a legal notice, demand letter, subpoena, or court order and needs to understand what it means and what to do next.
Consultation Format
- In-office consultation at our Santiago City, Isabela office. By appointment.
- Initial consultation subject to the firm's consultation fee in accordance with IBP minimum fee guidelines.
- Privileged and confidential — protected by attorney-client privilege from the moment of consultation.
We are a duly commissioned notary public under the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC), authorized to perform all notarial acts within our territorial jurisdiction.
Notarial Acts We Perform
- Acknowledgment — for deeds, contracts, and instruments where the signatory appears and acknowledges the document as a free and voluntary act. Used for deeds of sale, special powers of attorney, extrajudicial settlements, contracts of lease, loan agreements, MOAs, and other transactional documents. (Rule II, Sec. 1)
- Jurat — for affidavits and sworn statements where the affiant signs in the notary's presence and takes an oath as to the truth of the contents. (Rule II, Sec. 6)
- Oath and Affirmation — for oaths of office, sworn declarations, and affirmations under penalty of law. (Rule II, Sec. 2)
- Signature Witnessing — for confirming that a signature was affixed in the notary's presence. (Rule II, Sec. 14)
- Copy Certification — for certifying that a copy of a private document is accurate and complete. Note: PSA documents, titles, and publicly recordable instruments must be certified by the issuing agency, not by a notary. (Rule II, Sec. 4)
Documents Commonly Notarized
- Deed of Absolute Sale · Deed of Donation · Special Power of Attorney · General Power of Attorney
- Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate · Deed of Self-Adjudication · Contract to Sell · Contract of Lease
- Memorandum of Agreement · Loan Agreement and Promissory Note · Chattel Mortgage · Real Estate Mortgage
- Deed of Assignment · Affidavit of Loss · Affidavit of Discrepancy · Affidavit of Support · Affidavit of Cohabitation
- Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons · Affidavit-Complaint and Counter-Affidavit · Judicial Affidavit
- Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping · Secretary's Certificate and Board Resolution
- Partnership Agreement · Joint Venture Agreement · Pre-nuptial Agreement
- And all other instruments requiring notarization under Philippine law.
What Clients Must Bring for Notarization
- Personal appearance before the notary is mandatory — no document may be notarized in the absence of the signatory. (Rule IV, Sec. 2(b))
- At least one valid, current government-issued ID bearing your photograph and signature — such as a PhilSys National ID, passport, driver's license, PRC ID, GSIS/SSS ID, voter's ID, or senior citizen's ID. (Rule II, Sec. 12)
- The complete, filled-out, unsigned document ready for review — incomplete or blank documents cannot be notarized. (Rule IV, Sec. 6)
- All parties whose signatures require notarization must appear personally on the same occasion.
Notarial Fees
Fees are charged in accordance with the maximum schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court. A BIR-registered official receipt is issued for every notarial act. (Rule V, Secs. 1 and 5)
Get in touch
We Care for All Your Worries
Ready to secure the legal representation you deserve? Contact us today for a confidential consultation. We are here to guide you through the legal maze and provide the expert support you need to achieve your desired outcomes.
Visit Us
No. 4 Magsaysay Avenue, Victory Norte
City of Santiago, Isabela
City of Santiago, Isabela
Give Us a Call
0999-194-6052 TM / 0955-704-9350 TM
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