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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Perfecting a Sale vs. Transfer of Ownership: Forged Documents and Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when ownership transfers in a sale, and why forged documents cannot defeat a registered owner's title.
Corporate Officers' Apparent Authority and Breach of Warranties in Stock Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on corporate president's apparent authority to bind company and breach of warranty claims in stock purchase agreements.
Lease Renewal vs Implied New Lease: What Tenants and Landlords Should Know
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a lease renewal carries over all original terms—and when it doesn't.
Rape and the Absence of Consent: Force and Intimidation in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies statutory rape and sexual assault elements, emphasizing that force is presumed when the victim is under 12.
Regular Employment Status: Necessity of Work and Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when workers become regular employees based on necessity of work and security of tenure under Article 280.
Conspiracy and Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Direct Evidence in Robbery With Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy, hearsay, and extrajudicial confessions in robbery with homicide cases, explaining why the accused was acquitted.
Regular Employment vs Fixed-Term Contracts: Protecting Employee Rights in Termination Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a fixed-term contract cannot defeat regular employment status and security of tenure protections.
Pre-Trial Conferences and Dismissal of Cases: The Imperative of Preventing Unwarranted Delays
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that courts cannot dismiss cases merely for failure to submit a compromise agreement, and pre-trial conferences must proceed.
Upholding Judicial Accountability When Refusal to Execute a Final Judgment Constitutes Gross Misconduct
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling holds that a judge's deliberate refusal to execute a final judgment is gross misconduct, not mere ignorance of the law.
Rape Information Defects and Statutory Rape Convictions in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on defective rape informations, statutory rape elements, and penalties for common-law stepfathers.
When Ambush and Conspiracy Lead to a Complex Crime: Murder and Attempted Murder in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an ambush with conspiracy forms a complex crime of murder and multiple attempted murder under Article 48.
Balancing Technical Rules and Substantial Justice in Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on liberal construction of verification and non-forum shopping rules in labor cases.
Land Registration Rights vs Government Reservation: Balancing Private Claims and Public Welfare
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on res judicata in land disputes involving government reconveyance, private contracts, and public interest.
Res Judicata Bars Relitigation of Reconveyed Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a prior final judgment prevents a second lawsuit over the same reconveyed property.
When Advertising Costs Become Capital Expenditures: Lessons from CIR v. General Foods
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when large advertising expenses are deductible business costs or capital outlays for goodwill.
Instigation Is Not a Defense Against Valid Employee Dismissal for Drug Use
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether instigation by an employer can shield an employee from dismissal for using prohibited drugs at work.
Option to Buy: Exercising Rights Without Immediate Payment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an option to buy can be exercised without immediate payment, but only under specific conditions.
When Retirement Is Not Voluntary: Illegal Dismissal and Security of Tenure in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's "retirement" is actually illegal dismissal, protecting security of tenure.
Probationary Employment Due Process and Termination Standards in the Philippine Civil Service
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies probationary employee termination rules, due process requirements, and civil service tenure protections.
Labor Disputes vs Torts: When Claims Fall Outside NLRC Jurisdiction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that labor arbiters and NLRC lack jurisdiction over tort claims that do not arise from employer-employee relations.
Property Rights vs Due Process: When Forceful Eviction Is Illegal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: owners cannot forcibly eject occupants, even trespassers, without court order. Know your rights.
Rent Obligations Remain Lease Contracts Survive Land Ownership Changes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a change in land ownership cancels a lease contract and excuses unpaid rent.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi
Philippine Supreme Court affirms robbery-with-rape conviction, ruling that victims' positive identification outweighs alibi and that unconscious rape still constitutes the crime.
Defining Common Carriers When A Limited Clientele Doesnt Equal Private Carriage
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a shipping firm with a limited clientele can still be a common carrier under the Civil Code.