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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Attorney Conflicts of Interest: Lessons from Philippine Jurisprudence
Learn how Philippine courts handle attorney conflicts of interest, consent requirements, and ethical duties through key Supreme Court rulings.
COA Audit Power and Quantum Meruit: Lessons from Lotrim Construction v. COA
The Court upholds COA's power to determine overpayments under quantum meruit, and clarifies procedural bars to belated jurisdictional challenges.
Dismissal for Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct, and Breach of Public Trust in the Judiciary
The Supreme Court affirms the dismissal of a court employee for dishonesty, grave misconduct, and breach of public trust, underscoring the strict standards of conduct required of judiciary personnel.
Writ of Prohibition in Philippine Courts: Protecting Rights From Court Overreach
Learn how the Supreme Court defines the proper use of prohibition writs and protects non-parties from court orders exceeding jurisdiction.
Injunctions and Property Disputes: Understanding Court Jurisdiction in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle property disputes, injunctions, and jurisdiction—key lessons from Republic v. La'o.
DARAB Jurisdiction Covers Agrarian Disputes Beyond Landlord-Tenant Relationships
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction extends to all agrarian disputes, including joint production agreements under CARP, not just traditional landlord-tenant cases.
Service of Summons on Corporate Employees: What Aboitiz v. PCIC Teaches About Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies when service of summons on a corporate employee is valid and why a Rule 38 petition for relief is not a substitute for appeal.
Discernment of Minors in Philippine Criminal Law: Juvenile Responsibility Explained
A 12-year-old's rape conviction upheld by the Supreme Court, clarifying when minors act with discernment under Philippine law.
Philippine Mining Disputes: DENR Jurisdiction vs. Court Authority
When do Philippine courts, not the DENR, decide mining contract disputes? The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary in Asaphil v. Tuason.
Malversation of Public Funds in the Philippines: When Reimbursement Does Not Erase Liability
Failure to liquidate public funds can lead to malversation conviction even if the amount is later reimbursed. Learn the rules and key lessons from a Supreme Court case.
Docket Fees and Court Jurisdiction: The Sun Insurance Doctrine Explained
Learn how the Sun Insurance doctrine clarifies when deficient docket fees affect court jurisdiction, and when they merely create a lien on the judgment.
Beyond the Case Title: Why Complaint Allegations Dictate Court Jurisdiction in Philippine Ejectment Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that the allegations in a complaint, not its title, determine whether a case is for ejectment or collection of sum of money.
Navigating Philippine Warrants of Arrest: When Can a Court Act on Your Motion
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts can act on motions to quash warrants of arrest, distinguishing custody of law from jurisdiction over the person.
Conflict of Interest and Private Practice: Lessons from Lim-Santiago v. Sagucio
A disbarment case clarifies when a lawyer's past ties create a conflict and why government prosecutors cannot practice privately.
Protecting Client Confidences: Attorney-Client Privilege and Conflicts of Interest in the Philippines
A lawyer cannot represent opposing parties without full disclosure and written consent. This case explains the rule and its penalties.
Ejectment Actions and Agrarian Reform: When a Notice of Coverage Does Not Halt Eviction
A Notice of Coverage under agrarian reform does not automatically stop an ejectment case. Learn the rule from Pasco v. Pison-Arceo.
Gocc Labor Disputes: Jurisdiction and Corporate Veil in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Learn how Philippine courts decide illegal dismissal cases involving voluntary resignation, burden of proof, and corporate liability.
Quasi-Delict Damages and Court Jurisdiction: Filing in the Right Philippine Court
Learn how Philippine courts determine jurisdiction in quasi-delict damage claims, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Iniego v. Purganan.
Default Doesn't Mean Victory: Why Plaintiffs Still Need Evidence in Philippine Courts
A default order doesn't guarantee a win. Philippine courts still require plaintiffs to prove their case by preponderance of evidence.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: High Court Clarifies Social Media Evidence and Penalties
Supreme Court affirms conviction for online psychological abuse under RA 9262, sets guidelines on proving social media authorship, and raises penalty for ICT use.
Employer-Employee Relationship Is Key to Labor Jurisdiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why employer-employee relationship is jurisdictional in illegal dismissal cases and when corporate officers can be held liable.
Chain of Custody Is Key: How Mishandled Evidence Can Undermine Drug Cases in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling shows how poor court records management delays justice, and why drug cases demand stricter handling of evidence and dockets.
Philippine Election Law: When COMELEC Loses Jurisdiction to the HRET After Proclamation
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling in Planas v. COMELEC on when a candidate's proclamation divests COMELEC of jurisdiction in favor of the HRET.
Navigating DOLE Inspections: Employer Rights and Compliance in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies employer rights and obligations during DOLE labor inspections, emphasizing compliance, due process, and the Regional Director's jurisdiction.