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.
Ejectment Suits: Registered Ownership vs. Co-Ownership Claims in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, registered ownership prevails over co-ownership claims, but only for possession purposes.
Rape by Intimidation: Upholding Victim Credibility in Domestic Abuse Cases
SC affirms rape conviction based on victim's credible testimony, rejecting the sweetheart defense and clarifying force and intimidation standards.
Unexplained Wealth and Due Process: Montemayor and Public Service Integrity
A look at Montemayor v. Bundalian, where the Supreme Court upheld a public official's dismissal for unexplained wealth and clarified due process in administrative cases.
Supreme Court Dismisses Judge for Gross Immorality in Extramarital Affair Case
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child, while suspending him from law practice for three years.
Easement by Prescription: Why Permissive Use Never Ripens Into a Right-of-Way
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why tolerated use of land cannot create an easement by prescription, and when prescriptive periods for compensation begin.
Finality of Judgment: Clarification vs. Modification of Court Orders
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a final judgment may be clarified without violating the doctrine of immutability of judgments.
Compulsory vs Permissive Counterclaims: When Court Fees Are Not Required in Loan Disputes
Learn when a counterclaim in a loan dispute is compulsory and exempt from docket fees, based on a 2003 Supreme Court ruling.
Ejectment vs Ownership: When Courts Decide Possession in Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that claims of ownership do not strip municipal trial courts of jurisdiction over ejectment cases.
Age Limits and Security of Tenure: Navigating Employment Rights in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how age limits in service contracts interact with security of tenure and constructive dismissal claims.
Witness Credibility and Its Decisive Role in Philippine Murder Convictions
How Philippine courts assess witness credibility in murder cases, explained through People v. Pacuancuan and practical lessons for litigants.
Perfecting a Sale vs. Transfer of Ownership: Forged Documents and Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when ownership transfers in a sale, and why forged documents cannot defeat a registered owner's title.
Murder Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Witnesses and Civil Damages in People v. Pacuancuan
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on witness credibility, clarifies damages for death by treachery in People v. Pacuancuan.
Judicial Efficiency Mandate: Undue Delay in Resolving Appeals Warrants Fine
A judge's 106-day delay in transmitting appeal records constitutes gross inefficiency, warranting a P11,000 fine under Rule 140.
Competency of Witnesses: Testimony of Persons with Mental Retardation in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a person with mental retardation can be a competent witness in rape cases if able to perceive and relate facts.
When Can a Corporate President Bind the Corporation? Lessons from Inter-Asia v. Asia Industries
A corporate president can bind the corporation even without board authority under apparent authority. Learn the rules from this Supreme Court case.
Corporate Officers' Apparent Authority and Breach of Warranties in Stock Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on corporate president's apparent authority to bind company and breach of warranty claims in stock purchase agreements.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification and Use of Deadly Weapon Establish Guilt Beyond Reasonable Dou
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that the victim's positive identification and the use of a knife prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Judge Dismissed for Extramarital Affair: Gross Immorality in the Judiciary
Supreme Court dismisses judge for extramarital affair and child with another woman, ruling infidelity is gross immorality warranting removal from the bench.
Regular Employment vs Fixed-Term Contracts: Protecting Employee Rights in Termination Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a fixed-term contract cannot defeat regular employment status and security of tenure protections.
Incestuous Rape: Broad Complaint Dates and Victim Credibility in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court affirms an incestuous rape conviction, ruling that inexact complaint dates are allowed and a young victim's credible testimony suffices.
Parental Authority and Child Abuse: Defining the Limits of Incestuous Rape
In incestuous rape cases, the victim's minority and relationship to the offender must be proven beyond reasonable doubt for the death penalty to apply.
Balancing Technical Rules and Substantial Justice in Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on liberal construction of verification and non-forum shopping rules in labor cases.
When Advertising Costs Become Capital Expenditures: Lessons from CIR v. General Foods
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when large advertising expenses are deductible business costs or capital outlays for goodwill.
Advertising Expenses and Tax Deductions: Ordinary vs. Capital Outlay in the Philippines
Philippine tax law on advertising deductions: when a colossal ad spend becomes a capital outlay, not an ordinary expense.