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.
Contempt and Corporate Audits: The Boundaries of Court Orders and Stockholder Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when court-ordered corporate audits and contempt citations stand—and when they become moot.
Annulment of Judgment: The High Bar for Overturning Final Decisions in the Philippines
Philippine courts rarely overturn final convictions. This case explains the strict standards for credibility, treachery, and finality of judgments.
Church Disaffiliation and Corporate Rights: Balancing Religious Freedom and SEC Jurisdiction
A local church's right to disaffiliate from a national church body, and the SEC's jurisdiction over religious corporations, explained.
Judicial Accountability: Judge Fined for Gross Ignorance of the Law Over Inaction on Pending Case
A judge was fined P10,000 for gross ignorance of the law after failing to act on a contempt petition for years, underscoring judicial accountability.
Falsification of Official Documents: Upholding Integrity in Public Service
Supreme Court ruling on sheriff's DTR falsification underscores that public office is a public trust and dishonesty merits severe penalties.
Enforced Disappearance and State Complicity: The Amparo Writ's Core Requirement
The Supreme Court clarifies that a writ of amparo requires proof of state involvement in enforced disappearances, not just evidence that a person is missing.
Litis Pendentia vs. Separate Causes of Action: A Philippine Civil Law Primer
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when two suits involve the same cause of action, distinguishing litis pendentia from separate proceedings.
Age Discrepancies in Statutory Rape: Reassessing Penalties Under Special Laws and the Revised Penal Code
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a child victim's age determines whether an offender is charged with statutory rape or sexual abuse under RA 7610.
When a Lease Isn't a Lease: Clarifying Rights in Market Stall Agreements
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the distinction between leasehold rights and ownership of improvements in market stall transactions under Philippine law.
Self-Defense Claim Fails Without Unlawful Aggression in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction, holding that self-defense requires proof of unlawful aggression, which was absent when the victim was unarmed and attacked suddenly.
Automated Elections Public Bidding vs Comelec Discretion in Purchasing the AES for the 2013 Elections
Supreme Court upholds Comelec's exercise of option to purchase PCOS machines for 2013 elections, ruling no new public bidding was required.
Escheat Proceedings: Banks Must Notify Depositors Before Dormant Funds Are Transferred to the State
Philippine Supreme Court rules on banks' duty to notify depositors before dormant funds are escheated to the state, protecting depositor rights.
Foreshore Land and Private Ownership: Clarifying Property Rights in the Philippines
A 2012 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that foreshore land belongs to the State, not private owners, and explains why the petition failed.
Breach of Trust: Employer May Dismiss for Misconduct Despite Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an employee's acquittal in a criminal case does not bar dismissal for loss of trust and confidence.
Misleading the Court and Defying Suspension Orders: A Lesson in Legal Ethics
A lawyer's suspension from practice is not a mere suggestion. Learn how the Supreme Court disciplined a lawyer for misleading the court and appearing while suspended.
Equitable Mortgage Claims: Proving Intent Beyond Bare Allegations
Supreme Court clarifies when a sale is presumed an equitable mortgage under Article 1602, stressing evidence over allegations in property disputes.
Court Employee Reprimanded for Disrespectful Conduct Toward a Judge
A Supreme Court ruling reminds court personnel that discourtesy toward judges violates the Code of Conduct and diminishes public trust.
When Prescription Stops: Filing Complaints with Prosecutors Under Special Laws
The Supreme Court clarifies that filing a complaint with the prosecutor's office interrupts prescription for special laws like BP 22.
Navigating Overlapping Lawsuits: Forum Shopping and Litis Pendentia in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts penalize forum shopping and litis pendentia through the Supreme Court ruling in Yap v. Court of Appeals.
Attempted Estafa in the Philippines: Proving Intent to Defraud and Penalties
Learn how Philippine courts prove intent to defraud in attempted estafa cases, the elements of the crime, and the applicable penalties under the Revised Penal Code.
When Police Break the Chain of Custody: Acquittal in Drug Possession Cases
The Supreme Court acquits two drug possession convicts after a lone officer broke chain-of-custody rules, reaffirming that proof beyond reasonable doubt cannot rest on presumption of regularity.
Corporate Veil Piercing: Directors Held Liable for Fraudulent Misrepresentation in Syndicated Estafa
Supreme Court ruling on when corporate directors can be held criminally liable for estafa despite the separate juridical personality of corporations.
Refusal to Obey and Dismissal: Lessons from Realda v. New Age Graphics
When can an employer fire a worker for refusing overtime? The Realda case explains just cause, due process, and nominal damages.
Quorum Quandaries: When Does a Presiding Officer Count in Local Governance
The Supreme Court clarifies when a vice-mayor counts for quorum in local sanggunian sessions under the Local Government Code.