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.
Possession Beyond Ownership: Constructive Possession in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains constructive possession in drug cases—control and dominion matter more than ownership. Learn the rules from Quelnan v. People.
Constructive Possession in Drug Cases: What Quelnan v. People Teaches
The Supreme Court explains constructive possession of illegal drugs and when a warrantless arrest is valid in drug cases.
Perfecting Your Appeal Understanding Jurisdictional Requirements IN Philippine Courts
A look at how the Supreme Court treats compromise agreements after a petition is denied, and what this means for litigants in the Philippines.
Navigating Forum Shopping: The Consequences of Concealing Related Cases in Habeas Corpus Petitions
The Supreme Court explains why filing a habeas corpus petition while concealing a related certiorari case amounts to forum shopping, with serious consequences.
Continuing SEC Jurisdiction Resolving Corporate Liquidation Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies SEC retains jurisdiction over pending corporate suspension and liquidation cases filed before June 30, 2000.
Attempted Rape With Homicide: Supreme Court Affirms Conspiracy, Treachery, Rejects Intoxication Defense
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction for attempted rape with homicide, explaining conspiracy, treachery, and why intoxication and lack of instruction defenses failed.
Defending Your Land Title: Understanding Indefeasibility and Prior Titles in Philippine Property Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects land titles from fraud claims, explaining indefeasibility and prior titles in Philippine property law.
Estate Settlement Venue and Remarriage After Foreign Divorce: Key Philippine Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies estate settlement venue means actual residence, and a Filipino divorced by a foreign spouse may remarry.
Fresh Period Rule for Appeals: The First Aqua Sugar Traders Case
The Supreme Court clarifies that a motion for reconsideration grants litigants a fresh 15-day period to appeal, applying the Neypes doctrine retroactively.
Missed Appeal Deadlines Understanding THE Fresh Period Rule IN Philippine Courts
Learn how the fresh period rule in Neypes v. CA changed appeal deadlines in Philippine courts, giving litigants a full 15 days after denial of a motion for reconsideration.
Binding Compromises: Why a Portion of Fort Bonifacio Meant All in Philippine Property Disputes
The Supreme Court ruled that BCDA validly owns Fort Bonifacio, allowing eviction of illegal occupants. A case on property rights and the Lina Law.
Valid Service of Summons in the Philippines When Personal Delivery to a Non-Resident Is Sufficient
Learn when Philippine courts consider summons validly served on a non-resident defendant found in the country, and what this means for jurisdiction.
Substituted Service of Summons in the Philippines: Ensuring Court Jurisdiction
Explaining when Philippine courts acquire jurisdiction over non-resident defendants through personal or extraterritorial service of summons.
Quashing an Information: Limits on Amendment and Filing New Charges in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a quashed information can be amended or refiled, explained in plain language.
Noise as Nuisance When Business Operations Disturb Neighboring Properties
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when business noise becomes a legal nuisance and why courts, not local governments, handle abatement cases.
Docket Fees and Dismissal: Balancing Procedural Rules With Substantial Justice
The Supreme Court affirms that appellate courts may relax procedural rules on briefs to serve substantial justice, not strict technicality.
Situs of Service Determines Income Tax Liability for Nonresident Aliens in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules that for nonresident aliens, income tax depends on where services are actually rendered, not where the payor resides.
Exclusive Venue Stipulations: When "Exclusively" Means What It Says
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a contractual venue stipulation is truly exclusive and binding on the parties.
When Public Duty and Private Conduct Collide: A Judge’s Venue Ruling Upheld
The Supreme Court affirms a judge’s dismissal of a case for improper venue, clarifying exclusive venue stipulations in loan contracts.
Military Discipline vs Civilian Courts: Jurisdiction Over Service-Connected Offenses
Supreme Court clarifies when military personnel face court-martial for service-connected offenses under RA 7055, citing the Oakwood mutiny case.
Understanding Extrinsic Fraud in Philippine Foreclosure Cases
Learn what extrinsic fraud means in Philippine foreclosure cases and why courts require it to annul final judgments.
Adverse Claims vs. Levy on Execution: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn when an adverse claim can defeat a levy on execution in Philippine property law, based on a 2006 Supreme Court ruling.
Bound by Your Lawyer’s Mistakes? Client Responsibility Under Philippine Law
Philippine courts generally hold clients responsible for their lawyers' negligence. Only gross negligence that deprives a client of due process warrants relief.
Valid Service of Summons on Corporate Secretary: Lessons from Millex v. Citystate
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when service of summons on a corporate secretary is valid and why belated objections fail.