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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Parental Authority and Rape: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
A father convicted of raping his 13-year-old daughter. The Supreme Court explains why denial, alibi, and a retraction letter failed to overcome credible testimony.
Local Government Representation Legal Officers Exclusive Authority
Supreme Court clarifies that local government units must be represented by their legal officers, not the OSG, in court cases.
Checks and Balances: Authority and Liability in Loan Agreements
When a pre-signed blank check is used to secure a loan without the signer's authority, who bears liability? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Mortgaging Co-Owned Property: Limits on a Co-Owner's Authority
A co-owner cannot mortgage or encumber the entire co-owned property without the consent of all other co-owners. This article explains the limits of a co-owner's authority under Philippine law.
Revoking Contracts Baguio Citys Parking Dispute AND THE Limits OF Local Authority
The Supreme Court rules on contract revocation, local government authority, and contempt in the Jadewell parking dispute.
Contempt of Court: Balancing Due Process and Judicial Authority
Explore how the Supreme Court balances due process with judicial authority in contempt cases, ensuring fairness and order.
Land Conversion and NHA Authority: Security of Tenure vs Public Interest
A Supreme Court ruling on land conversion, NHA resettlement acquisitions, and tenant rights under agrarian reform laws.
FDA Authority Upheld: Validity of Bioavailability Testing Circulars for Drug Registration
Supreme Court affirms FDA's power to issue BA/BE testing circulars for drug registration, clarifying administrative rule-making authority.
Expired Permits and Regulatory Fines: NTC Authority Over Broadcast Operations
A broadcaster's expired provisional authority and NTC fines explained: the Supreme Court clarifies administrative penalties, prescription, and temporary permits.
Parental Authority and Rape: When Rubbing the Penis Is Not Consummated Rape
A father's conviction for rape is modified by the Supreme Court, which distinguishes sexual assault from consummated rape and attempted rape.
Tenancy Rights: Landowner's Consent Required for Valid Leasehold Agreement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that tenancy requires landowner consent; a mortgagee or possessor cannot install tenants without authority.
Estate Inventory Disputes: Probate Courts' Provisional Powers on Inclusion of Properties
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on probate courts' authority to provisionally determine ownership for estate inventory inclusion.
Corporate Authority VS Apparent Conduct WHO Bears THE Risk IN Unauthorized Transactions
Elections and Financial Regulations: Analyzing the Limits of Comelec's Authority
The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to Comelec's money ban resolution as moot, leaving key constitutional questions unanswered.
Attorney Fined for Disrespect and Non-Compliance with Court Orders
Supreme Court fines lawyer P5,000 for disobeying court orders and using intemperate language in pleadings, reminding attorneys of their duty to respect judicial authority.
Rape and Abuse of Authority: Protecting Minors From Stepparental Abuse in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a stepfather for qualified rape, reinforcing legal safeguards for minors against abuse by stepparents and common-law spouses.
Lawyer Suspended for Court Disrespect and MCLE Non-Compliance
Supreme Court fines lawyer for disrespecting court orders and using intemperate language in pleadings, reminding lawyers of their duty to uphold judicial authority.
Parental Authority vs Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, moral ascendancy, and the weight of a victim's credible testimony in criminal cases.
Local Government Authority vs Property Rights: Valid Ordinance Enforcement
Supreme Court clarifies when local ordinances are presumed valid and enforceable, balancing municipal authority against property rights claims.
Secretary's Certificate as Proof of Corporate Authority in Philippine Litigation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a secretary's certificate suffices to prove corporate authority to file pleadings, and the duties of plaintiffs in pre-trial.
Agency and Authority: When a Deed Does Not Mean a Done Deal in Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a deed of sale is void without proper agency authority under the Civil Code.
Jurisdictional Boundaries When Agrarian Disputes Fall Under DAR Secretarys Authority
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when DARAB lacks jurisdiction over CLOA cancellation cases and why the DAR Secretary must resolve them.
Limits of Authority: When a Verbal Agreement Doesn't Guarantee Land Sale
Supreme Court ruling on COSLAP jurisdiction, Torrens title, and why long occupation of government land does not create ownership rights.
Co-Owner's Unauthorized Sale: When a Verbal Deal Binds Only the Seller's Share
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a co-owner's verbal sale of inherited property is valid and what buyers must prove about an agent's authority.