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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Navigating Accomplice Liability in Philippine Criminal Law: Degrees of Participation Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a person is an accomplice rather than a principal, and why treachery and evident premeditation must be proven beyond doubt.
Principals vs Accomplices: Degrees of Participation in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains the difference between principals and accomplices in Philippine criminal law, and how courts determine each participant's liability.
Delayed Reporting in Rape Cases: Why Philippine Courts Trust Victim Testimony
Philippine courts uphold rape convictions despite delayed reporting when victims offer credible reasons. Learn the legal principles from People v. Cano.
CBA Arbitral Award Retroactivity in the Philippines: Meralco v. Secretary of Labor Explained
Learn the rule on retroactivity of CBA arbitral awards from Meralco v. Secretary of Labor, including the six-month period and hold-over principle.
Quantum Meruit in Government Contracts: What Contractors Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies when contractors can recover payment from the government and the limits of the quantum meruit principle.
Rape by Induction: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains how a person who induces another to commit rape can be held liable as a principal by induction.
Orchestrating Death: Conspiracy and Accountability in Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows how a hacienda overseer who ordered killings was held liable as a principal under conspiracy doctrine.
Agrarian Reform Landowners Retention Rights Prevail Over Tenant Emancipation Patents
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how landowner retention rights under agrarian reform interact with tenant emancipation patents.
Wage Order Obligations: Contractor and Principal Liability in Security Service Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when security agencies can recover wage order increases from principals under solidary liability rules.
Torrens System vs Fraudulent Land Titles: Priority of Registration Determines Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court rules that earlier registered titles prevail over later ones, even if both cover the same land. Learn the key principles.
No Work, No Pay: Defying a Lawful Transfer Order Justifies Wage Denial
Employees who defy a lawful transfer order cannot claim wages under the "no work, no pay" principle, as the Supreme Court ruled in AKELCO v. NLRC.
Accomplice vs Principal in Murder Cases: Key Distinctions Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a person is a principal rather than an accomplice in murder, and how complex crimes apply to multiple shootings.
Reformation of Contracts in the Philippines: Navigating Unforeseen Events and Economic Shifts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on contract reformation, fortuitous events, and extraordinary inflation in lease agreements. Learn key legal principles.
What Constitutes Inducement to Commit a Crime: Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court explains when words or orders amount to "inducement" making one a principal by induction, using a kidnapping case.
Conspiracy and Criminal Liability in the Philippines: Accomplice vs Principal Liability
Understanding Philippine criminal liability through People v. Sarabia, explaining self-defense, treachery, and the distinction between accomplice and principal liability.
Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Courts: Key Principles from People v. Agunos
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness credibility in rape cases, from the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Agunos.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: When Presence Means Principal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in robbery with homicide makes all participants liable as principals, even without direct participation in the killing.
Upholding Child Testimony: Key Principles in Philippine Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions based on credible victim testimony, explaining key evidentiary principles in Philippine criminal law.
Understanding Real Party in Interest in Philippine Contract Law: Agents' Rights and Limitations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when agents may sue on contracts made for principals, and the limits of their rights under Civil Code.
Exhausting Administrative Remedies: A Key Principle in Philippine Labor Disputes
Why skipping the appeal to the Labor Secretary doomed a union's election protest before the Supreme Court.
When Family Disputes Meet the Courtroom: Understanding Compulsory Compromise in the Philippines
A look at how Philippine courts handle family disputes, using the Alitagtag rape case to explain legal principles and procedures.
Retroactive Application of Laws: How Courts Ensure Fair Justice When Laws Change
Philippine courts apply laws prospectively, but exceptions exist. This article explains retroactivity principles through a 1999 rape case.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Supreme Court Clarifies Labor Law Distinction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a worker is an independent contractor's employee rather than the principal company's regular employee.
Holdover Principle Criminal Intent Key Lessons From Lecaroz v Sandiganbayan for Public Officials
The Supreme Court explains holdover doctrine and criminal intent in Lecaroz v Sandiganbayan, a landmark case for Philippine public officials.