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.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Become a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and why using Facebook raises the penalty.
Unlawful Detainer vs. Accion Reivindicatoria: Key Differences in Philippine Property Law
Learn the difference between unlawful detainer and accion reivindicatoria in Philippine property law, and when each legal action applies.
Navigating Docket Fee Challenges: Ensuring Jurisdiction in Philippine Courts
Learn how the Supreme Court protects the right to speedy disposition of cases and prevents inordinate delay in preliminary investigations.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Falsifying the PDS and CSC Jurisdiction Over Exam Anomalies
The Supreme Court affirms dismissal for dishonesty when a police applicant cheats on exams and lies in the Personal Data Sheet.
When Presiding Officers Are Not Liable for Local Government Disallowances
The Supreme Court clarifies when a vice-governor as presiding officer may be held personally liable for a disallowed local government fund.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: Lessons from the Ong Case
The Supreme Court partly grants former Sandiganbayan Justice Ong's plea for judicial clemency, restoring benefits and lifting reemployment ban.
Navigating the Fine Line: Gross Inexcusable Negligence in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's acts amount to gross inexcusable negligence under the Anti-Graft Law, using a sequestered corporation case.
Certiorari Timelines in the Philippines: Lessons from Republic v. Heirs of Borja
The Supreme Court clarifies the 60-day rule for filing certiorari petitions and when extensions may be allowed.
Understanding Apparent Authority: How Corporate Actions Bind Agreements in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a corporation is bound by an officer's acts under the doctrine of apparent authority.
Service of Summons and Due Process: A Philippine Property Dispute Lesson
The Supreme Court nullified a property ruling because summons was served at the wrong address, violating due process. Learn the rules.
Overlapping Land Titles in the Philippines: Priority of Registration and Legal Remedies
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier registered title prevails. Learn the rules and remedies in Philippine property disputes.
Understanding the Limits of Government Financial Subsidies: Insights from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when government financial subsidies are lawful and when they become ultra vires acts requiring refunds.
Navigating Employee Dismissal: Just Cause and Procedural Due Process in the Philippines
Learn the two-part test for lawful dismissal in the Philippines—substantive just cause and procedural due process—from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Court Employee Liability for Unauthorized Pamphlet Distribution: A.M. No. 2019-11-SC
A Supreme Court employee was held liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for facilitating unauthorized pamphlet distribution to justices' offices. Learn the rules.
Understanding Dislocation Allowances Legal Insights AND Implications FOR Government Employees
The Supreme Court ruled on incentive allowances for government employees, clarifying limits under Philippine law on additional compensation.
Understanding Judicial Impartiality: Bias and Inhibition in Philippine Election Protests
The Supreme Court clarifies the standards for judicial inhibition in election protests, explaining what bias truly means and why rulings must not be mistaken for prejudice.
Judicial Authority and Bank Liquidation: Understanding the Limits of Court Intervention
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when judges overstep their authority in bank liquidation proceedings, and the consequences of doing so.
Prosecutorial Authority and Criminal Jurisdiction: The Villa Gomez Doctrine
The Supreme Court clarifies when a prosecutor's lack of authority to file an Information affects a trial court's jurisdiction over a criminal case.
Lawyer Disbarred for Fabricating Annulment Decision: Lessons on Attorney Misconduct
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer who fabricated a court decision in a client's marriage annulment case, highlighting ethical duties and consequences.
Navigating Accountability in Government Procurement: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling on CNA incentives clarifies when government employees must refund disallowed funds and how special funds may be spent.
Understanding Evident Bad Faith in Graft Cases: Insights from Philippine Jurisprudence
The Supreme Court clarifies the element of evident bad faith in Section 3(e) R.A. 3019 cases and the crucial rule on variance of the mode of commission.
Lawyer's Duty to Account for Client Funds: A Case of Trust and Misappropriation
When a lawyer fails to account for client funds, the Supreme Court steps in. Learn the rules on fiduciary duty and the penalties for misappropriation.
Administrative Liability in Philippine Public Service: Duty, Misconduct, and the Safekeeping of Court Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between simple and gross neglect of duty, and grave misconduct, in the dismissal of two court employees over missing drug evidence.
Prescription and Speedy Disposition in Philippine Criminal Cases: Key Insights
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the prescriptive period for graft cases begins and what constitutes inordinate delay.