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.
Foreclosure Publication Rule: Why Missing the Notice Voids the Sale
Failure to publish a foreclosure notice under Act No. 3135 is a jurisdictional defect that invalidates the sale, as Baclig v. Rural Bank of Cabugao shows.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: When a Dismissed Judge Can Be Forgiven
The Supreme Court explains the rules on judicial clemency and when a dismissed judge may recover retirement benefits.
Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Court Clerk for Theft of Court Funds
Court personnel who steal from court collections face dismissal, forfeiture of benefits, and disqualification from public office.
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.
Grave Misconduct vs. Simple Neglect: When Can Philippine Officials Be Dismissed?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public official may be dismissed for grave misconduct and how substantial evidence shapes administrative cases.
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.
Supreme Court Acquits Drug Suspects: Strict Chain of Custody Still Required
The Supreme Court acquitted two drug suspects because police failed to justify why the inventory was not done at the arrest site. Learn the rule.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Broken Link Leads to Acquittal
When police skip the required on-site inventory without justification, the chain of custody breaks and drug convictions may be overturned.
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.
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.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and when ICT use raises the penalty.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Choice of Law Clauses in Cross-Border Contracts: The Standard Chartered Ruling
How Philippine courts resolve conflicting choice-of-law clauses in cross-border contracts, explained through the Standard Chartered Bank v. Philippine Investment Two ruling.
Online Libel Penalties in the Philippines: Fine or Imprisonment After Soliman
The Supreme Court clarifies that online libel may be punished with fine only, not just imprisonment, and explains how to compute the penalty.
Lawyers as Dummies in Land Deals: Ethical Breach and Unauthorized Practice
SC suspends lawyer for two years for helping a corporation circumvent free patent rules and for practicing law while mayor.
When Media Interviews Can Lead to Indirect Contempt: The ABS-CBN v. Ampatuan Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies the sub judice rule and when media interviews of witnesses may constitute indirect contempt.
Perpetual Disqualification: When Does It Take Effect in Philippine Law?
The Supreme Court clarifies when the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office takes effect under Philippine law.