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.
Verbal Contracts in the Philippines: Are Oral Agreements Legally Binding?
Oral agreements can be legally binding in the Philippines, but proving them in court requires clear and convincing evidence. Learn the rules.
Accretion vs. Avulsion: How River Course Changes Affect Land Ownership in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law treats land gained or lost through river shifts—accretion, avulsion, and erosion explained with the Bagaipo case.
Reversion Rights After Expropriation: What MCIAA v. Chiongbian Means for Landowners
When government expropriation is unconditional, former owners generally cannot reclaim land even if the public purpose ends. Learn the rules.
Conspiracy in Philippine Law: How Group Actions Lead to Shared Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court explains when conspirators share equal blame for a crime, using a murder case where two brothers attacked one victim.
Lumber Transport in the Philippines: Private Land, Permits, and the Revised Forestry Code
A look at when transporting lumber from private land still requires DENR documents, and how courts compute penalties under the Forestry Code.
Lease Agreements in the Philippines: Why Written Consent Before Construction Matters
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in Bugatti v. Baguilat underscores the need for a perfected lease contract before construction begins.
Maintaining Workplace Decorum: Lessons on Grave Misconduct from the Philippine Supreme Court
A Supreme Court ruling on a belligerent employee shows why workplace decorum is non-negotiable in the Philippine public service.
Work-Related Heart Disease: Proving Your Employee Compensation Claim in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on work-related heart disease claims under PD 626, and what evidence employees need to prove compensability.
When Duty Turns Deadly: Examining the Limits of Police Use of Force in the Philippines
Philippine law allows police to use deadly force only as a last resort. This article explains the legal boundaries, justified homicide, and accountability.
Murder or Homicide: Understanding Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies killing as murder, using the Antonio v. People case as a guide.
Verbal Contracts in the Philippines: Why Written Agreements Win in Court
Verbal contracts are valid in the Philippines but hard to prove. Learn from Romago v. Court of Appeals why written agreements prevail.
Defining Jurisdiction: Courts vs Energy Regulatory Board in Overcharging Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that regular courts, not the ERB, hear disputes over electric overcharging and recovery of sums.
Lawyers Must Promptly Account for Client Funds: A Lesson from A.C. No. 5019
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for failing to promptly account for client funds, reaffirming the fiduciary duty under Canon 16.
State Immunity vs Personal Liability: Defining the Limits of Official Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies when public officials can be sued personally despite state immunity, using the Lansang v. Court of Appeals case.
Conspiracy and Individual Liability in the Rodel Quijon Murder Case
A look at how the Supreme Court applied conspiracy rules to hold a non-stabbing participant liable for murder in People v. Tolibas.
Power Rate Differentials: When Regulators May Favor Utilities Over Direct Consumers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ERB authority to set power rate differentials between utilities and direct industrial consumers.
Power Rate Differentials: ERB Authority to Protect Utility Companies Upheld
Supreme Court affirms ERB power to set rate differentials favoring utilities over direct industrial customers of NAPOCOR.
Gunpowder Residue and Witness Credibility: Evaluating Evidence in Philippine Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility, conspiracy, and treachery in murder convictions, explained through a 2000 Supreme Court ruling.
Ejectment and Your Business: Understanding Privity to Avoid Surprises
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a business can be bound by an ejectment case even if not named as a party-defendant.
Judicial Ethics: Dismissal of Judge for Sexual Harassment and Conduct Unbecoming
Supreme Court dismisses judge for sexual harassment, harassment of employees, and improper dealings with a litigant before his sala.
Proving Evident Premeditation in Murder Cases: What Philippine Law Requires
The Supreme Court explains when evident premeditation qualifies murder and why courts demand clear proof of deliberate planning before imposing the penalty.
Conspiracy and Mastermind Liability in Philippine Murder Cases: The Sanchez Doctrine
How Philippine courts hold crime masterminds liable for murder through conspiracy, even when they never appear at the crime scene.
Unlawful Aggression Is Key to Self-Defense Claims in Philippine Law
Understand why unlawful aggression is the foundation of self-defense in Philippine criminal law, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
When a Warrantless Arrest and Search Fail: Lessons from People v. Chua Ho San
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police searched his bag without probable cause, reaffirming constitutional protections.