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.
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Board Resolution Required for Corporate Legal Representation: United Paragon Mining v. CA
Corporate officers cannot file suits or sign verifications for a corporation without a board resolution authorizing them, as United Paragon Mining v. CA shows.
Ombudsman Jurisdiction Over GOCCs: The Original Charter Requirement
The Supreme Court limits Ombudsman jurisdiction over GOCCs to those with original charters, not corporations merely acquired by government.
Non-Retroactivity of BIR Rulings: The Benguet Case and Taxpayer Protection
Learn how the Supreme Court protects taxpayers from retroactive BIR rulings, based on the landmark Benguet Corporation case.
NPC Franchise Tax Case: Local Governments Can Tax Government Corporations
The Supreme Court ruled that provinces may impose franchise tax on government-owned corporations like NPC under the Local Government Code.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Corporation Can Be Bound by Unauthorized Acts
Learn when courts may hold a corporation liable for acts done under a trade name, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Ridgewood Estate, Inc. v. Belaos.
Valid Service of Summons on Corporations: Lessons from Aboitiz International Forwarders
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when service of summons on a corporate employee is valid and binds the corporation.
Public vs Private Entities: Defining Government Control Over Philippine Corporations
The Supreme Court's ruling in Veterans Federation of the Philippines v. Reyes clarifies when a corporation is public and subject to government control.
Corporate Autonomy and Employee Benefits: The PPA Hazard Pay and Birthday Gift Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations can grant employee benefits, using the PPA hazard pay and birthday cash gift case.
Bouncing Checks and Lawyer Discipline: When Professional Ethics Extend Beyond Legal Practice
A lawyer who issues bouncing checks for his corporation can be disciplined. The Supreme Court explains why.
Administrative Accountability: When Can You File a Complaint Against a Philippine Court Employee
Learn when a complaint against court personnel prospers or fails, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Mikrostar Industrial Corporation v. Mabalot.
Real Property Tax on Government Land: When the Beneficial User Pays
The Supreme Court explains when a government-owned corporation is the "beneficial user" of public land and must pay real property tax.
Corporate Residence and Venue: Where a Corporation Must Sue
The Supreme Court clarifies that a corporation's residence for venue purposes is its principal office stated in its Articles of Incorporation.
Duty Free Philippines v. Mojica: Civil Service, Not Labor Courts, Governs GOCC Employees
Employees of government-owned corporations with original charters must file dismissal cases with the Civil Service Commission, not the NLRC.
Estoppel and Foreign Corporations: Can a Philippine Company Deny a Foreign Firm's Right to Sue?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a local company is estopped from questioning a foreign corporation's capacity to sue after contracting with it.
Buying All Shares Does Not Transfer Corporate Property Ownership: Silverio v. Filipino Business Consultants
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: acquiring controlling shares of a corporation does not give a stockholder ownership or possession of corporate assets.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Clarifying Liability for Subsidiary Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a parent corporation may be held liable for its subsidiary's obligations, and when it cannot.
Can a Foreign Corporation Sue for Unfair Competition in the Philippines?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a foreign corporation not doing business locally can pursue unfair competition claims.
Corporate Assets and Execution: Exemptions for Juridical Entities in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why corporations cannot claim execution exemptions meant for natural persons.
Service of Summons on Corporations: Who Can Validly Receive It
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who may validly receive summons for a corporation, including management committee members under SEC supervision.
Forum Shopping Certificates and Corporate Authority: Who May Sign for a Corporation
A corporate plaintiff's certificate of non-forum shopping must be signed by a duly authorized person. The Supreme Court explains the rules.
When Redundancy Becomes Illegal Dismissal: Lessons from Lopez Sugar Corporation
The Supreme Court clarifies when a redundancy program is a valid management prerogative and when it becomes an illegal dismissal.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over Sequestered Assets: The Del Moral Ruling
Explaining when the Sandiganbayan can annul an RTC ruling affecting sequestered corporations, and what this means for PCGG cases.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over Sequestered Assets in Partition Disputes
When a sequestered corporation's property shrinks in a partition case, the Sandiganbayan—not ordinary courts—has jurisdiction to protect it.
Mootness Doctrine Resolving Disputes After A Corporations Dissolution
When a corporation dissolves mid-litigation, courts must decide if the case is moot. Learn the doctrine's application.