Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
Treachery Defined: How Eyewitness Testimony Secures Murder Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies killing as murder and why a consistent eyewitness account outweighs an alibi defense.
Good Faith in Collective Bargaining: Philippine Rule on Fair Labor Practices
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies good faith bargaining duties, unfair labor practice, and when strikes are justified in CBA negotiations.
Beyond the Road: Field Personnel Status and Overtime Rights for Bus Employees in the Philippines
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that bus drivers and conductors are not field personnel, entitling them to overtime and service incentive leave pay.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Homicide Cases: What the Supreme Court Requires
Understand when self-defense fails in Philippine criminal law and how treachery qualifies a killing as murder, based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling.
Clerk of Court Notarial Authority: Scope and Limits in Philippine Legal Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that clerks of court may notarize only matters related to their official functions, not private pleadings.
Unpaid Purchase Price: When a Deed of Absolute Sale Is Void for Lack of Consideration
A deed of sale without actual payment is void from the start. Learn the Supreme Court's ruling and key lessons.
Navigating Factual Disputes: The Supreme Court's Stance on Appellate Review
The Supreme Court clarifies when appellate courts may review factual findings and correct arbitrary penalties in homicide convictions.
Intent to Kill in Philippine Law: How Courts Prove Homicide and Fix Penalties
Philippine courts explain how intent to kill is proven in homicide cases, and when penalty and damages must be corrected on appeal.
Construction Delays: Who Bears the Cost? Lessons from BF Corp v. Werdenberg
A Supreme Court ruling on construction delays clarifies how courts apportion liability and compute liquidated damages when both parties share fault.
Limits of a General Power of Attorney Authority to Sell Real Property in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a general power of attorney does not authorize an agent to sell real property without a special power of attorney.
Reinstatement Orders of Voluntary Arbitrators Are Immediately Executory—Even Pending Appeal
The Supreme Court confirms that reinstatement orders by Voluntary Arbitrators are immediately executory, even pending appeal, protecting workers' security of tenure.
Failure to Prosecute and Counterclaims: Lessons from Roasters Philippines v. Gaviola
When can a case be dismissed for failure to prosecute, and what happens to counterclaims? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules.
Mortgage Foreclosure Absence of Special Power to Sell Invalidates Extrajudicial Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court rules that extrajudicial foreclosure requires a special power to sell inserted in or attached to the mortgage deed, otherwise the proceedings are void.
Can Acquisitive Prescription Defeat a Torrens Title? The Dy v. Yu Ruling
The Supreme Court explains when long-term adverse possession can defeat a Torrens title, despite the system's guarantee of indefeasibility.
Acceptance Fee vs Attorney's Fee: What Clients Should Know
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between acceptance fee and attorney's fee in legal representation, and when a lawyer must return payments.
Barangay Settlement Enforcement: MCTC Jurisdiction and the 10-Day Rule
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified enforcement of barangay amicable settlements, including MCTC jurisdiction and the binding 10-day repudiation period.
Reconveyance Claims: Proving Ownership by Clear and Convincing Evidence
A look at Ibot v. Heirs of Tayco, where the Supreme Court clarified the burden of proof in reconveyance actions and the limits of Torrens title challenges.
Self-Defense vs. Criminal Intent: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and how treachery qualifies killing as murder, not homicide.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: When Falling Out of Love Is Not Enough
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between questions of fact and law in Article 36 nullity cases, and what evidence proves psychological incapacity.
Marital Rape Upholding A Wifes Bodily Autonomy AND Rejecting THE Implied Consent Theory
The Supreme Court affirms that marriage does not imply consent to sexual relations, upholding a wife's bodily autonomy and rejecting the implied consent theory.
Employer Liability for Vehicular Accidents: Proving Due Diligence in Hiring Drivers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies employer liability for driver negligence, emphasizing documentary proof of due diligence in hiring and supervision.
Burden of Proof in Cargo Claims: Insurers Must Prove Actual Damages to Recover Subrogated Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when temperate damages apply in cargo loss claims when actual damages cannot be proven with certainty.
PEZA Tax Exemption: Instrumentality of National Government and Real Property Tax
Supreme Court rules PEZA is exempt from real property tax as an instrumentality of the national government, clarifying local taxing limits.
Prevailing Medical Opinion Resolving Seafarer Disability Claims Under Poea SEC
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 120-day vs 240-day rule in seafarer disability claims under the POEA-SEC.