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.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Integrity Over Strict Compliance
The Supreme Court clarifies that substantial compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 suffices when the drug's integrity and evidentiary value are preserved.
Tolerance and Land Ownership: How Permissive Use Impacts Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how possession by mere tolerance cannot ripen into ownership through prescription or adverse possession.
Movable or Immovable: How Mortgage Agreements Define Property in Foreclosure
A Supreme Court ruling on whether machineries are movable or immovable property in mortgage foreclosures, explained in plain language.
Corporate Reorganization, Presidential Alter Ego Doctrine, and Security of Tenure Limits
Supreme Court clarifies when government corporate boards may reorganize, reassign officers, and drop employees for poor performance without violating tenure.
Judicial Accountability vs Erroneous Judgments: Protecting Judicial Independence in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judicial accountability, erroneous judgments, and the constitutional protection of judicial independence.
Trust Receipt vs. Loan: When a Security Agreement Becomes a Debt
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a trust receipt arrangement is actually a loan, affecting liability and criminal exposure.
Ballot Image Integrity and Electronic Evidence in Philippine Election Protests
Supreme Court ruling on ballot images as electronic evidence in election protests under RA 9369 and the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
When Is a General Manager Considered a Corporate Officer? Philippine Jurisprudence
Explore how Philippine law defines corporate officers, and when a general manager may be considered one, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Unlocking VAT Refunds: The Transitional Input Tax Credit Principle in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that prior tax payment is not required to claim the 8% transitional input tax credit under the NIRC.
Military Jurisdiction Retirement Does NOT BAR Court Martial Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on military jurisdiction, retirement, and court martial proceedings explained for lay readers.
Forfeiture of Net Profits in Legal Separation: Protecting Children's Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies forfeiture of guilty spouse's net profits in legal separation, protecting children's inheritance rights.
Enforced Disappearance and State Complicity: The Amparo Writ's Core Requirement
The Supreme Court clarifies that a writ of amparo requires proof of state involvement in enforced disappearances, not just evidence that a person is missing.
Escheat Proceedings: Banks Must Notify Depositors Before Dormant Funds Are Transferred to the State
Philippine Supreme Court rules on banks' duty to notify depositors before dormant funds are escheated to the state, protecting depositor rights.
Court Employee Reprimanded for Disrespectful Conduct Toward a Judge
A Supreme Court ruling reminds court personnel that discourtesy toward judges violates the Code of Conduct and diminishes public trust.
Attempted Estafa in the Philippines: Proving Intent to Defraud and Penalties
Learn how Philippine courts prove intent to defraud in attempted estafa cases, the elements of the crime, and the applicable penalties under the Revised Penal Code.
Speedy Justice in Ejectment Cases: Understanding Summary Procedure Timelines in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court enforces strict timelines in ejectment cases under the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure, using a 2012 administrative case as a guide.
Accountability in Public Office: Understanding Malversation of Public Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the elements of malversation of public funds and why restitution does not erase criminal liability for accountable officers.
Malicious Mischief in the Philippines: Intent, Property Damage, and Road Rage Cases
Learn how Philippine courts prove malicious mischief under the Revised Penal Code, and why intent matters in road rage property damage cases.
Liability in Maritime Charters: Who Pays When the Ship Goes Down
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who bears liability when a chartered vessel sinks, applying the Civil Code over the Code of Commerce.
The Power of Compromise: How Philippine Courts Uphold Settlement Agreements
Philippine courts honor settlement agreements as binding contracts. Learn how compromise agreements are enforced and when they can be set aside.
Final Judgments in Philippine Courts: Supervening Events and the Doctrine of Immutability
Learn how the Supreme Court defines supervening events and why final judgments in the Philippines are generally immutable and unalterable.
Confidentiality Rules for Court Personnel: Lessons from a Legal Researcher's Misconduct Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when court personnel breach confidentiality and why even "harmless" disclosures to litigants constitute misconduct.
Managerial Employees and Overtime Pay in the Philippines: The Clientlogic Case
Who counts as a managerial employee exempt from overtime pay? The Supreme Court's Clientlogic ruling clarifies the test.
SSS Death Benefits: Does Legal Separation Bar a Spouse’s Claim?
Legal marriage alone does not guarantee SSS death benefits—surviving spouses must prove actual dependency, especially after separation.