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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Excluding Heirs in Estate Partition: A Guide to Philippine Succession Law
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved a quieting of title case involving excluded heirs, tax declarations, and property partition in Philippine succession law.
Understanding Treachery in Murder Cases: Key Insights from Philippine Jurisprudence
Learn how Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases, with insights from People v. Santiago on qualifying circumstances and penalties.
Understanding Grave Misconduct: The Impact of Drug Use on Public Employment in the Philippines
Explore how drug use constitutes grave misconduct in Philippine public service, its legal basis, and consequences for government employees.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: What the Supreme Court's Majingcar Ruling Means
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may allow plea bargaining in drug cases and the prosecutor's role in the process.
Due Process and Finality of Judgments: A Landmark Philippine Case Analysis
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on due process, finality of judgments, and annulment in Thomas v. Trono.
Promissory Estoppel in Philippine Employment: When Employer Promises Bind
A Supreme Court ruling shows how employer assurances on retirement benefits can bind companies under promissory estoppel. Learn the key lessons.
Understanding Government Contract Disallowances: Detailed Engineering and Quantum Meruit
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COA disallowances for overestimated embankment materials in government road projects and the limits of quantum meruit.
Sheriff Misconduct and Religious Bias: A Landmark Philippine Administrative Case
A sheriff's excessive force and Islamophobic justification lead to a one-year suspension and a strong rebuke from the Supreme Court.
Employee Termination for Unauthorized Absences: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Case
Learn how Philippine courts handle employee termination for unauthorized absences and what employers must prove to avoid illegal dismissal claims.
Withdrawing a Resignation: When Retraction Before Acceptance Is Valid
Can an employee retract a resignation before the employer accepts it? The Supreme Court explains the rules in Vergara v. ANZ Global Services.
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.
Ensuring Chain of Custody Integrity: The Key to Successful Drug Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, highlighting the strict requirements under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Understanding Lawyer Negligence Duties AND Consequences IN Philippine LAW
The Supreme Court explains when a lawyer's negligence violates the Code of Professional Responsibility and the penalties that follow.
Resignation vs. Dismissal: Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Employee Rights
The Supreme Court explains when resignation bars an illegal dismissal claim and when procedural due process still matters.
When Presiding Officers Are Not Liable for Local Government Disallowances
The Supreme Court clarifies when a vice-governor as presiding officer may be held personally liable for a disallowed local government fund.
Understanding Lawyer Negligence: Protecting Your Legal Rights and Interests
When a lawyer fails a client, the consequences can be severe. Learn what constitutes lawyer negligence and how the Supreme Court protects clients' rights.
Understanding Freeze Orders Protecting Assets AND Upholding DUE Process IN THE Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts issue freeze orders to protect assets and why due process remains essential in asset preservation cases.
Understanding Treachery in Murder Cases: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Decision
A look at how Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases, using People v. Pereira to explain the rules on qualifying circumstances, self-defense, and damages.
Determining Employee Status: The Fine Line Between Employment and Partnership in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when workers are employees, not partners, and the legal consequences for dismissal in the Philippines.
Probate Notices: Personal Notification of Known Heirs Is Mandatory in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that publication alone is not enough; known heirs must receive personal notice in probate proceedings.
Lawyer Client Trust: Fiduciary Duties and Misconduct in Property Transactions
When a lawyer fails to account for client funds in a property transfer, the Supreme Court explains the fiduciary duty and consequences.
Government Contract Disputes: Documentation and Due Process in Graft Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on graft liability shows why documentation and due process are critical in government procurement and contract implementation.
Client Money and Bouncing Checks: A Lawyer’s Fiduciary Duty After Bernasconi v. Demaisip
A Supreme Court ruling on lawyer suspension clarifies the strict fiduciary duty to account for client funds and the consequences of issuing bouncing checks.
Tax Exemption Challenges and the CTA's Exclusive Jurisdiction Over BIR Issuances
Learn why the Court of Tax Appeals, not regional trial courts, has exclusive jurisdiction over tax exemption cases and BIR revenue issuances.