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.
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.
Mortgagee in Good Faith in the Philippines: What Jimenez v. Jimenez, Jr. Means for Property Owners
Learn how the mortgagee in good faith doctrine protects lenders and foreclosure buyers in the Philippines, explained through the Jimenez case.
One-Year Prescription Period for Insurance Claims: The Alpha Plus Ruling
Learn how the Supreme Court's Alpha Plus ruling clarifies the one-year prescription period for insurance claims and why timing matters.
Reassignment Orders and Insubordination: What Public Employees Must Know
Public employees must comply with reassignment orders even while appeals are pending. The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of insubordination.
Proving Land Is Alienable and Disposable: Key to Philippine Land Registration
Learn the strict proof required to register land in the Philippines, from the Supreme Court's ruling in Republic v. PNP.
Proving Tolerance in Unlawful Detainer: A Landmark Lesson from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proving tolerance in unlawful detainer cases. Learn the key evidence rules for ejectment disputes.
Special Administrators in Estate Cases: Residency Matters More Than Citizenship
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that residency, not citizenship, determines who may serve as special administrator in estate proceedings.
Protecting Conjugal Property from a Spouse’s Personal Debts: Cordova v. Ty Explained
Can creditors seize conjugal property for one spouse’s personal debt? The Supreme Court’s ruling in Cordova v. Ty explains the limits.
Subrogation and Carrier Liability in Maritime Claims: The C.V. Gaspar Case
How the Supreme Court applied subrogation and extraordinary diligence to hold carriers liable for damaged cargo in maritime transport.
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.
Theft by Misappropriation of Found Property: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine law punishes keeping found property as theft. Learn the finder's duties and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Co-Ownership and Property Rights in the Philippines: The Racho Case on Consent
The Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners may sell inherited property and why consent of all heirs is required before partition.
Teacher Misconduct and Child Abuse: When Dismissal Is Justified in the Philippines
When does teacher misconduct justify dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of compassionate justice in child abuse cases.
Reasonable Doubt and Acquittal: Inconsistent Testimonies in Philippine Homicide Cases
How inconsistent prosecution testimonies can create reasonable doubt and lead to acquittal in Philippine homicide cases, as shown in Balina v. People.
Robbery Under Philippine Law: When Taking and Intent to Gain Are Complete
The Supreme Court in Poquiz v. People clarifies when robbery is consummated—the moment of taking, not recovery. Learn the elements and practical implications.
Force and Intimidation in Rape Cases: Lessons from People v. Licaros
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Licaros clarifies how force and intimidation are proven in rape cases, emphasizing the power of a victim's credible testimony.
Proving Illegal Dismissal: The Burden of Substantial Evidence in Philippine Labor Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court defines the employee's burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases, based on the Jarabelo ruling.
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.
Robbery with Rape and Grave Threats: Key Lessons from People v. Bueza
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how credible testimony can prove robbery with rape and grave threats, even without physical injuries.
Proving Legitimate Filiation: Key to Winning Philippine Inheritance Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in Bernardo v. Fernando clarifies what evidence proves legitimate filiation for inheritance claims.
The Sweetheart Defense in Philippine Rape Cases: What the Supreme Court Teaches Us
The sweetheart defense cannot justify rape. Learn what the Supreme Court ruled and why consent matters in Philippine law.
Simulated Contracts in the Philippines: When a Deed of Sale Is Void
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a simulated deed of sale is void. Learn the rules on genuine intent in property transactions.
Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases: What People v. XXX Means for Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that a relative's moral ascendancy can substitute for force or intimidation in proving qualified rape.
Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
A 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies how moral ascendancy can replace force or intimidation in rape cases involving relatives.