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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Upholding the Electorate's Will When Technicalities Give Way to True Representation
When a proclamation rests on an incomplete canvass, it is null and void. The Court explains why.
Perfecting Appeals: Timely Payment of Docket Fees in Philippine Courts
Filing a notice of appeal is not enough—docket fees must be paid on time or the appeal fails. Learn the rules from La Salette College v. Pilotin.
Mootness in Property Disputes: When Satisfied Judgments Make Court Intervention Unnecessary
When execution is completed and titles transferred, a property dispute becomes moot. Learn from Baggenstos v. Court of Appeals.
Documentary Stamp Tax: When Unstamped Documents Are Still Admissible in Court
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether unstamped documents like letters of credit and surety agreements can be admitted as evidence in court.
Loan Agreements and Real Estate Mortgages: The Necessity of Actual Fund Transfer
A loan is perfected only upon actual delivery of funds. Checks that are never cashed do not complete a loan or its mortgage.
Courts Discretion in Appointing Successor Administrator Pending Appeal
Explains when courts may issue letters of administration to a successor before an appeal is perfected, citing Macky v. Angeles.
From Part-Time to Full-Time Regular Employment: Protecting Workers' Rights
Philippine Airlines v. Pascua clarifies when part-time workers become regular full-time employees entitled to complete benefits under Philippine labor law.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Incomplete Cross Examination Leads TO Acquittal
Explore how incomplete cross-examination and weak circumstantial evidence led the Supreme Court to acquit in a rape-homicide case.
Agency LAW When A Letter OF Authority Binds A Corporation
Dangerous Drugs Act: Delivery Completes the Crime Regardless of Payment
In People v. Rodriguez, the Supreme Court ruled that delivering illegal drugs completes the crime of sale even without payment.
Drug Sale Consummation Delivery Trumps Payment Under the Dangerous Drugs Act
In People v. Rodriguez, the Supreme Court ruled that delivery of illegal drugs completes a drug sale even without payment. Learn the rules.
Justice Delayed IS Justice Denied Upholding Timely Disposition OF Cases IN Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court rules on illegal dismissal, retirement age, and the importance of timely case disposition in Ondevilla v. Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Collective Bargaining: When Partial Agreements Do Not Make a CBA
Supreme Court clarifies that partial agreements in conciliation do not constitute a completed CBA; parties must still negotiate in good faith.
Personal Liability in Corporate Obligations When Signing Blurs the Line
When do corporate officers become personally liable for company debts? A Supreme Court ruling on trust receipts and letters of credit provides clear guidance.
Agrarian Disputes: Why Regular Courts Yield to DARAB in Tenancy Cases
A criminal acquittal does not let regular courts award civil damages tied to an agrarian dispute—DARAB holds exclusive jurisdiction.
Safeguarding Due Process: The Right to a Complete Preliminary Investigation
When an incomplete preliminary investigation leads to a warrant of arrest, the Supreme Court steps in to protect the accused's right to due process.
Compromise Agreements Upholding Party Autonomy IN Contract Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that rescission of a contract for sale of real property requires judicial or notarial act, not mere letter.
Rescinding a Land Sale in the Philippines: Why a Letter Is Not Enough
Philippine law requires a judicial or notarial act to rescind a sale of immovable property—even with an automatic rescission clause.
Breach of Trust: When a Lawyer's Actions Lead to Ethical Misconduct
When a lawyer solicits a client's letter then uses it against them, the Supreme Court says it is misconduct.
Judicial Ethics: Why a Judge Was Reprimanded for Letting His Wife Access Court Records
The Supreme Court reprimanded a judge for allowing his wife access to confidential case records, underscoring judicial impartiality and ethics.
Untimely Intervention Final Judgments AND Third Party Claims IN Property Disputes
A sheriff's delayed attachment annotation let defendants sell property to a third party—what this administrative case teaches.
Co-Terminous Employment and Security of Tenure in Government Contractual Positions
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that co-terminous government employees serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated before project completion.
Mutual Negligence Determining Liability IN Expired Letters OF Credit
Academic Freedom vs Civil Service Rules: UP Wins Faculty Retention Case
Supreme Court rules UP's academic freedom lets it retain a professor despite AWOL, overriding CSC's automatic separation directive.