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.
Graft and Corruption: Navigating Local Government Contracts in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies direct bribery under the Revised Penal Code in a case involving Ombudsman officials and local executives.
Attractive Nuisance Doctrine and Negligence in Child Injury Cases
Supreme Court explains when a hotel pool with slides becomes an attractive nuisance and when res ipsa loquitur shifts the burden of proof.
COA Authority to Disallow Benefits Without Presidential Approval: PhilHealth Case
Supreme Court affirms COA's power to disallow PhilHealth benefits lacking presidential approval, but allows longevity pay under RA 11223.
Reconstitution of Lost Land Titles: Strict Rules Under RA 26 Explained
Lost your Torrens title? Judicial reconstitution demands strict compliance with RA 26. Learn the rules, evidence, and burden of proof.
Sula v. COMELEC: Supreme Court Upholds Cotabato City’s Inclusion in BARMM
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC’s conduct of the Bangsamoro plebiscite, upholding Cotabato City’s inclusion in BARMM as the people’s will.
Proving Social Media Authorship in VAWC Cases: The G.R. No. 274842 Guide
Supreme Court clarifies how to prove Facebook post authorship in VAWC psychological abuse cases and raises penalties for ICT use.
Protecting Children from Physical Abuse: The Scope of RA 7610 and the Need to Prove Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court clarifies when physical abuse of children falls under RA 7610 and why qualifying circumstances in rape must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Restrictions on Contractual Rights: The Necessity of Consent in Deed of Assignment
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when a deed of assignment of receivables is unenforceable against the obligor without written consent.
The Indefinite Assessment Seafarers Right To Disability Benefits Under Philippine LAW
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies seafarers' disability benefits when company doctors fail to issue timely final assessments.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in Labor Cases: The Toledo Construction Ruling
When courts ignore corporate structures to enforce labor judgments, protecting workers from fraudulent asset transfers and evasion.
Illegal Dismissal Claims Survive Employee's Death: Heirs May Substitute
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that illegal dismissal complaints are imbued with public interest, allowing heirs to substitute deceased complainants.
Understanding the One-Specific-Offense Rule for Search Warrants in Philippine Drug Cases
A defective search warrant covering multiple offenses voids seizures, even if the accused waives objections to arrest.
Land Ownership, Citizenship, and Caretaker Claims: Lessons from Morales v. De Guia
A caretaker's long possession of property does not ripen into ownership, and losing Filipino citizenship does not forfeit vested land rights.
Citizenship and Property Rights: Retaining Ownership After Naturalization in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that naturalized citizens retain ownership of property acquired before losing Filipino citizenship, protecting vested property rights.
Hot Pursuit Arrests and Drug Evidence: Lessons from Adoma v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, clarifying the rules on warrantless arrests and the chain of custody of seized items.
Oral Partition of Inheritance: Validity and Evidentiary Rules in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when oral partition of inherited land is valid, evidentiary requirements, and homestead patent limits on implied trusts.
Oral Partition of Inheritance: Proving Verbal Agreements in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when an oral partition of inherited property can override a written extrajudicial settlement, and what evidence is needed.
Who Can Appeal an Invalidated Appointment? CSC v. Binay Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies who may appeal a disapproved government appointment and why residency and education requirements matter in local posts.
Questioning a Search Warrant Is Not Obstruction of Justice: Fua v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a governor of obstruction of justice, ruling that questioning a search warrant's legality is a protected right, not a crime.
Balancing Technical Rules and Substantial Justice in Property Dispute Appeals
Supreme Court clarifies appellate review standards in property disputes, emphasizing substantial justice over technical procedural rules.
Seafarer Death Benefits: Prescription Periods and Proving Work-Related Death
Learn the strict rules on prescription and compensability in seafarer death benefit claims, based on a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Treachery and Intent in Philippine Homicide Convictions: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery and evident premeditation qualify killings as murder, and when they do not.
Bank Negligence and Fiduciary Duty: PNBS Responsibility to Depositors
When banks fail depositors, liability follows. This case clarifies the fiduciary duty and negligence standards for Philippine banks.
Proving Intimidation in Contracts: The Ortigas Land Dispute and the Burden of Proof
Philippine law presumes contracts valid. Learn how the Supreme Court requires clear evidence to prove intimidation or undue influence.