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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Equality in Representation: Population Requirements for Legislative Districts in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Constitution does not require a 250,000 population minimum for provincial legislative districts.
Legislative Districts Population Disparity and the Right to Equal Representation
The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not require a 250,000 population minimum for provincial legislative districts, upholding RA 9716.
Competitive Bidding VS Reasonable Classification Constitutionality OF Procurement Restrictions
Ensuring Fair Representation: The Constitutionality of Legislative District Creation Based on Population
The Supreme Court struck down a law creating Malolos City's legislative district for failing the 250,000 population requirement and territorial contiguity rule.
Disbarment AND Impeachment Prioritizing Impeachment FOR Constitutional Officers
Reconstitution of Titles: Strict Compliance and Jurisdictional Requirements in Land Registration
The Supreme Court clarifies that petitions for reconstitution of lost Torrens titles require strict compliance with jurisdictional requirements under RA 26.
Probable Cause and Search Warrants: Safeguarding Property Rights in Seizures
The Supreme Court clarifies probable cause standards for search warrants, balancing law enforcement with constitutional property rights.
Party Expulsions and Due Process: When Can a Political Party Remove Members
The Supreme Court clarifies that political party expulsions are internal matters, not subject to constitutional due process requirements.
Supreme Court Upholds Judiciary’s Exclusive Power Over Legal Fees, Denies GSIS Exemption
The Supreme Court denies GSIS’s claim of exemption from legal fees, affirming the judiciary’s exclusive rule-making power under the Constitution.
Judicial Accountability: The Price of Delayed Justice in the Philippines
A judge's 17-month delay in deciding a case leads to a fine, underscoring the constitutional duty to resolve cases promptly.
Population Projections and Legislative Districts: The Malolos Case on Constitutional Compliance
The Supreme Court struck down RA 9591 creating Malolos' lone district, ruling that unreliable population projections cannot satisfy the 250,000 constitutional threshold.
Legislative District Creation Population Thresholds and the Limits of Projections
The Supreme Court struck down RA 9591 creating Malolos City's legislative district, ruling that unverified population projections cannot satisfy the 250,000 constitutional threshold.
Reorganization in Bad Faith: Protecting Security of Tenure in Government Employment
Explore how the Supreme Court shields government employees from bad-faith reorganizations, ensuring security of tenure remains a constitutional safeguard.
Prejudicial Question and Three-Term Limit in Barangay Elections: Monreal v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court explains when a constitutional challenge can suspend disqualification cases and how the three-term limit applies.
Presidential Warranty vs Constitutional Limits: Timber License Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that timber licenses and presidential warranties are not contracts protected by the non-impairment clause, upholding constitutional limits on natural resource exploitation.
COMELEC Contempt Power Upholds Investigative Authority for Fair Elections
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to punish contempt during fact-finding investigations, reinforcing its constitutional mandate to ensure honest elections.
Balancing Public Service and Political Rights: The Unconstitutionality of Automatic Resignation for Appointive
The Supreme Court strikes down the automatic resignation rule for appointive officials who file certificates of candidacy, upholding equal protection and political rights.
Judicial Reconstitution of Title: Proving Loss of Prior Source Documents
Supreme Court clarifies evidence needed for judicial reconstitution of lost titles under RA 26, applying Bercede guidelines.
Challenging Vagrancy Laws: The Supreme Court Upholds Article 202(2) of the Revised Penal Code
The Supreme Court upholds Article 202(2) on vagrancy, ruling it constitutional and not violative of due process or equal protection.
Citizenship by Election: Untangling the Complexities of Philippine Nationality Law
A look at how the Supreme Court handled a deportation case hinging on a father's belated election of Philippine citizenship under the 1935 Constitution.
VAT Refund for Foreign Tourists Upheld: Equal Protection and Taxation Rules Explained
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the VAT refund law for foreign tourists, explaining why the classification does not violate equal protection.
Upholding Election Law Amendments Ensuring Fair And Transparent Elections
The Supreme Court upheld RA 9369's constitutionality, affirming Congress's power to amend election laws for transparency, credibility, fairness, and accuracy.
Citizenship Threshold Ensuring Elected Officials Meet Constitutional Requirements
The Supreme Court clarifies that citizenship is a continuing qualification for House members, and only the HRET may judge such contests after proclamation.
Upholding Judicial Efficiency: Disciplinary Actions for Delayed Case Resolution in the Philippine Judiciary
The Supreme Court holds judges and clerks of court accountable for delayed case resolution, reinforcing the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.