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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Inconsistent Testimony Does NOT Automatically Break Chain of Custody in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court rules that minor inconsistencies in witness testimony do not automatically break the chain of custody in drug cases.
Sheriff's P70,000 Demand and 6-Month Delay: Supreme Court on Unauthorized Fees in Writ Execution
Supreme Court rules sheriff liable for receiving P70,000 directly and delaying writ execution, explaining proper fee procedures under Rule 141.
Court of Appeals Erred in Dismissing Case Against Monzon: Jurisdiction Acquired Through Counsel
Supreme Court rules CA acquired jurisdiction over respondent through service to counsel of record, reversing dismissal order.
Unregistered Deeds vs Torrens Title: Who Wins Possession Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court rules registered owners or heirs beat unregistered deed holders in ejectment cases, citing Torrens title superiority.
Tolerance Ends Landowners Right Prevails Over Long Term Use In Property Dispute
Philippine Supreme Court rules that possession by mere tolerance does not ripen into ownership, and laches cannot bar a registered owner's right to recover property.
Moral Turpitude and Electoral Disqualification: Defining the Boundaries of Public Office Eligibility
The Supreme Court rules that libel is a crime involving moral turpitude, disqualifying a convicted candidate from public office under the Omnibus Election Code.
Union Officers' Failure to Act on Member's Appeal Is Unfair Labor Practice
Supreme Court rules union officers who ignore a member's appeal commit unfair labor practice violating the right to self-organization.
Union Members' Right to Due Process in Suspension and Expulsion Cases
Supreme Court rules union officers liable for unfair labor practices when they ignore members' appeals from suspension and expulsion.
Execution Pending Appeal: Moral Damages and Attorney's Fees Excluded
Supreme Court rules moral damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees cannot be included in execution pending appeal. Learn the rules.
The People's Choice Prevails: Upholding Electoral Will Over Procedural Technicalities in Candidate Substitutio
Supreme Court rules that a deceased candidate's substitute cannot be disqualified on technical grounds after the electorate has spoken.
Protecting Subdivision Open Spaces: HLURB Jurisdiction and Mortgage Validity
Supreme Court rules subdivision open spaces cannot be mortgaged or foreclosed, and HLURB has jurisdiction over such disputes.
Mortgage Validity: Restrictions on Property Rights vs Contractual Obligations
Supreme Court rules on whether NHA restrictions on a titled property invalidate a mortgage, and when borrowers can escape contractual obligations.
Overcoming Technicalities: Republic's Right to Recover Ill-Gotten Wealth
Supreme Court rules procedural lapses should not defeat the state's recovery of ill-gotten wealth, reversing Sandiganbayan dismissal.
When an Employer's Right to Discipline Becomes Abuse of Rights: PCIB v. Gomez
The Supreme Court rules on when an employer's disciplinary actions cross the line into abuse of rights, clarifying civil court jurisdiction over damages claims.
Conflicting Medical Reports: When a Seafarer Gets Full Disability Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court rules on conflicting company doctor reports, entitling seafarer to full permanent disability benefits under POEA-SEC.
Supreme Court: Selling Pirated Software Alone Is Copyright Infringement
The Supreme Court rules that merely selling pirated software constitutes copyright infringement under PD 49, reversing the Court of Appeals' restrictive reading.
Work-Related Skin Illness: Seafarer Wins Disability Benefits Despite Fit-to-Work Declaration
Philippine Supreme Court rules a seafarer with work-related skin illness can get disability benefits even if declared fit to work.
Breach of Contract: Upholding Banks' Right to Set Off Loans Against Deposits
Supreme Court rules banks may set off deposits against unpaid loans when valid hold-out agreements exist, reversing lower court rulings.
Final and Executory Labor Decisions Cannot Be Reopened on Grounds of Counsel Negligence
Supreme Court rules final labor arbiter decisions stand despite counsel negligence, explaining appeal bond rules and finality of judgments.
Buyers Right Prevails Enforcing Title Delivery IN Subdivision Sales
Supreme Court rules subdivision buyers who fully paid can compel title delivery despite later transfers to third parties.
Public Health Workers' Benefits: Balancing Magna Carta Rights and Budget Rules
Supreme Court rules on DBM-DOH and DBM-CSC circulars affecting hazard pay, subsistence allowance, and longevity pay for public health workers.
Clerk of Court Penalized for Gross Neglect in Handling Court Funds
Supreme Court rules a clerk of court's failure to remit collections and document cash bonds constitutes gross neglect of duty, not simple neglect.
Mortgage Foreclosure Absence of Special Power to Sell Invalidates Extrajudicial Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court rules that extrajudicial foreclosure requires a special power to sell inserted in or attached to the mortgage deed, otherwise the proceedings are void.
Surety Bonds and Indemnity: Why Renewal Disputes Don't Erase Contractual Liability
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a deed of indemnity authorizing bond renewals binds signatories even without separate consent to each renewal.