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.
Double Jeopardy in the Philippines: When an Acquittal Becomes Final
Philippine law protects acquitted persons from retrial through double jeopardy. Learn the rule, its narrow exceptions, and key case law.
Forcing Title Surrender After a Property Sale: What the Law Says
Learn when courts can compel a certificate of title's surrender under the Property Registration Decree, and the key difference between its relevant provisions.
Acquittal Due to Lack of Proof: Examining the Elements of Estafa and Theft in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts distinguish estafa from theft, and why the prosecution must prove every element beyond reasonable doubt.
PAO Conflict of Interest Rule Upheld: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
The Supreme Court upheld Section 22, Canon III of the CPRA, limiting conflict of interest imputation among PAO lawyers. Learn the implications.
Disbarment for Defrauding Clients: Lessons from Dizon v. Trinidad-Radoc
When lawyers fabricate cases and misappropriate client funds, the Supreme Court does not hesitate to impose the ultimate penalty of disbarment.
When Is a Seafarer's Injury Work-Related? The Arguilles Case Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when an off-duty injury on board a vessel is compensable, applying the bunkhouse rule and POEA-SEC standards.
Property Dispute Jurisdiction: Assessed Value of the Contested Area, Not the Whole Lot
Philippine courts decide property dispute jurisdiction by the assessed value of the specific area in question, not the entire property. Learn the rule.
Jurisdiction and Due Process: When Courts Cannot Act Without Serving Notice
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts acquire jurisdiction over respondents and why proper service of notice is essential to due process.
Attorney Disbarment When Online Conduct Violates Professional Ethics in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when government lawyers face disbarment for official acts under new CPRA guidelines.
Final and Executory Judgments: The Doctrine of Immutability in Philippine Courts
Once a judgment becomes final and executory, courts cannot revisit it. Learn the doctrine of immutability, its exceptions, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Chain of Custody Breach Warrants Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Supreme Court acquits drug suspects where inventory was done at PDEA office, not arrest site, without justification.
Co-Owner’s Lease Without Consent: Rights of Heirs and Lessees Explained
Can one co-owner lease shared property without the others’ consent? The Supreme Court explains the limits, the lessee’s rights, and the remedies for non-consenting heirs.
Election Transparency and Citizen Access to the Automated Election System in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of citizen access to the automated election system, including ballot printing, SD cards, and transmission data.
Falsification of Public Documents: When Is a Signature Just a Signature
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a signature on public documents constitutes falsification, and the distinction between mere signatures and legal falsification.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Insights from the Supreme Court's Facebook Post Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and when ICT use raises the penalty.
Proving Online Abuse: Social Media Evidence in VAWC Cases
Supreme Court clarifies how to prove authorship of social media posts in VAWC cases and raises penalties when ICT is used.
Government Contracts: When Is a Deal Manifestly Disadvantageous?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government contract is "manifestly and grossly disadvantageous" under Section 3(g) of the Anti-Graft Law.
Ancestral Land Claims in Baguio City: CALCs Are Not Proof of Ownership
The Supreme Court clarifies that Certificates of Ancestral Land Claim do not confer ownership over Baguio City lots, which remain governed by the city charter.
SEC Fraud Liability: When Projected Completion Dates Are Not Untrue Statements
Supreme Court clarifies that forward-looking statements in SEC registration filings are not automatically fraudulent misrepresentations under the Securities Regulation Code.
Robbery by Extortion: When Law Enforcement Crosses the Line
Police officers who demand money to drop charges commit robbery by extortion. The Supreme Court explains why.
Reviving Accountability: Condonation Doctrine and Preventive Suspension in Philippine Governance
Supreme Court clarifies the condonation doctrine and preventive suspension rules for public officers facing administrative and criminal liability.
Untrue Statements in Securities Registration: The Caliraya Springs Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when a projected completion date in a securities registration statement becomes an actionable untrue statement under the Securities Regulation Code.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Proving Employment Status in Illegal Dismissal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts distinguish independent contractors from regular employees in illegal dismissal disputes, emphasizing the burden of proof on claimants.
Condonation Doctrine: Limits on Administrative Liability for Re-elected Officials
The Supreme Court clarifies the condonation doctrine's scope, applying it only to elected officials re-elected before April 12, 2016.