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.
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Indigency and Access to Courts: Balancing Constitutional Rights with Procedural Rules
The Supreme Court clarifies when counsel's negligence binds clients and why procedural rules on appeals remain jurisdictional.
Relaxation of Appeal Bond Requirements in Labor Disputes: Balancing Access to Justice and Protection of Labor
Supreme Court clarifies when the NLRC may relax appeal bond rules in labor cases, balancing employer access to appeal with worker protection.
Procedural Rigidity vs Substantial Justice: Navigating the Rules of Court in COA Appeals
A Supreme Court ruling on Fortune Life Insurance clarifies why strict compliance with Rule 64 deadlines and proof of service requirements is mandatory in COA appeals.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal: How It Extinguishes Criminal Liability in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains how an accused's death pending appeal extinguishes criminal liability, and why drug offenses carry no civil liability.
Presumption of Regularity in Drug Possession Cases and the Effect of an Accused's Death on Appeal
The Supreme Court explains how the presumption of regularity supports drug convictions, and why an accused's death pending appeal can moot a case.
Ejectment Appeals: No Trial De Novo and the Boundary Dispute Rule
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ejectment appeals, boundary disputes, and why RTCs cannot conduct trial de novo.
Deportation and Due Process: Ensuring Fair Proceedings for Resident Aliens
The Supreme Court clarifies deportation procedures, appeal remedies, and due process rights for resident aliens facing removal from the Philippines.
Missed Appeal Deadlines in Agrarian Cases: When Negligence Costs the Right to Appeal
The Supreme Court rules on missed appeal deadlines in agrarian disputes, explaining when a motion for reconsideration suspends the period and why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal.
Death Before Final Judgment Extinguishes Criminal and Civil Liabilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an accused who dies pending appeal has both criminal and civil liabilities extinguished.
Navigating SEC Appeals: Understanding the Scope of Review and Due Process
The Supreme Court clarifies when appellate courts may relax procedural rules and the limits of certiorari review in labor appeals.
Judicial Conduct Upholding Impartiality AND Adherence TO Procedural Rules IN Court Proceedings
The Supreme Court reinstates NLRC dismissals, emphasizing strict compliance with procedural rules in labor appeals and the finality of judgments.
Procedural Rigidity vs Substantial Justice: Navigating NLRC Rules on Appeal
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when procedural lapses before the NLRC can—and cannot—be excused in labor appeals.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: How Objections Are Waived
The Supreme Court affirmed a drug conviction despite police lapses in handling evidence, ruling that chain-of-custody objections cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.
Procedural Errors in Agrarian Reform: Why the Right Appeal Matters
A Supreme Court ruling shows why landowners appealing DAR decisions must use Rule 43, not certiorari under Rule 65.
Quashing Motions: The Remedy Lies in Trial and Appeal, Not Certiorari
When a motion to quash is denied, the accused must proceed to trial and appeal later—certiorari is not the remedy.
Strict Deadlines in VAT Refund Claims: The 120+30 Day Rule and Its Exceptions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the mandatory 120+30 day periods for VAT refund claims, and the BIR ruling that temporarily allowed premature judicial appeals.
PhilHealth Claims Disputes and Procedural Rules: Lessons from Zarsona Medical Clinic v. PhilHealth
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on PhilHealth claims, procedural compliance, and the importance of substantial justice in administrative appeals.
Surety Bonds and Execution Pending Appeal: What Lawyers Should Know
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when execution pending appeal may run against a surety and how far the bond covers damages.
Execution Pending Appeal and Surety Liability: The Imminent Danger of Insolvency Standard
When can a judgment be executed before appeal is final? The Supreme Court clarifies the "good reasons" standard and a surety's exposure on an injunction bond.
Duty Free Philippines v. BIR: The Perils of Skipping the CTA En Banc on Appeal
A direct appeal to the Supreme Court from a CTA Division ruling is fatal. Learn the correct appellate route under R.A. 9282.
Execution Pending Appeal and Surety Liability: Lessons from Centennial Guarantee v. Universal Motors
Explaining when Philippine courts allow execution pending appeal and how a surety's liability on an injunction bond is limited.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal Extinguishes Criminal Liability in Rape Case
Supreme Court explains how an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal and civil liability ex delicto.
Indispensable Parties: Due Process in Criminal Appeals Before the CA
The Supreme Court rules on why the People must be impleaded in certiorari petitions before the Court of Appeals.
Duplicate Originals as Evidence: When Photocopies Are Admissible in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when duplicate originals are admissible evidence, reversing the Court of Appeals' exclusion of invoices in a collection case.