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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Forest Charges and Tax Refunds: Jurisdiction and Prescription in Philippine Tax Law
A 2019 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that forest charges are internal revenue taxes, so refund claims must go to the CIR within two years.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: Strict Chain of Custody Protects Liberty
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused due to broken chain of custody, reaffirming that strict compliance with Section 21 protects liberty.
Chain of Custody Gaps Lead to Acquittal in Drug Case: Lessons for Prosecutors
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused due to broken chain of custody, clarifying the strict rules under RA 9165.
Seafarer Disability Benefits: Work-Related Injury Under the CBA Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability benefits, work-related injuries, and CBA vs POEA-SEC compensation rules.
Credibility of Victim Testimony in Rape Cases Overcomes Defense of Denial
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, holding that a victim's credible, positive testimony prevails over the accused's bare denial.
Doubt in Eyewitness Testimony: When Unreliable Identification Overturns a Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court acquits a murder convict, ruling that unreliable eyewitness identification and inconsistent testimonies create reasonable doubt.
Safeguarding Integrity: Strict Enforcement of Chain of Custody in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to police lapses in the chain of custody rule, reinforcing strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Warrant of Arrest: Judge's Discretion vs Executive Review in Philippine Criminal Procedure
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on the distinction between executive and judicial determination of probable cause in warrant issuance.
Reasonable Doubt and Acquittal in Drug Cases: The Price of Procedural Lapses
Why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect when police broke Section 21 chain-of-custody rules.
City of Manila v. Prieto: Strict Limits on Local Government Expropriation Powers
Supreme Court rules local governments must strictly comply with legal requirements before exercising delegated eminent domain powers.
Probable Cause vs Due Process: Independent Judicial Assessment in Arrest Warrant Issuance
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between executive and judicial probable cause in arrest warrant issuance, and the limits of due process in preliminary investigation.
Safeguarding Individual Rights The Indispensable Chain of Custody in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police broke the chain of custody, underscoring why Section 21 safeguards matter.
Former Judge's Conflict of Interest: Ethical Limits After Leaving the Bench
Supreme Court clarifies Rule 6.03 on former judges and government lawyers accepting cases they previously handled.
Upholding Union Rights Substantial Compliance Prevails In Labor Disputes
Supreme Court rules substantial compliance with procedural rules protects union rights in labor disputes, prioritizing justice over technicalities.
Substantial Compliance in Labor Disputes: Upholding Workers' Rights Despite Procedural Lapses
The Supreme Court rules that substantial compliance with procedural rules protects workers' rights in labor disputes, reversing a dismissal on technical grounds.
Supreme Court Upholds Ombudsman's Dismissal of Graft Charges Over Lahar Quarrying
The Court explains when it will not interfere with the Ombudsman's probable cause findings, even where injury to a landowner may exist.
When Drug Evidence Handling Holds Up: Lessons From a Shabu Possession Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling shows how proper chain of custody over seized drugs can defeat an acquittal bid in Philippine drug cases.
The Limits of Mandamus: When Courts Can Compel Government Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts can compel government action, explaining the limits of mandamus in government contract negotiations.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Broken Links Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquitted two accused in a drug case after police broke the chain of custody rule. Learn the safeguards.
Government Lawyer's Suspension for Neglect of Duty and Improper Conduct Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a government employee's oversight becomes simple neglect versus conduct prejudicial to the service.
Financial Abuse as Psychological Violence: Supreme Court Upholds VAWC Protection for Wives
The Supreme Court rules that a husband's denial of financial support can constitute psychological violence under RA 9262, affirming a conviction.
Limits of Mandamus: DepEd Not Compelled to Collect Loan Payments for Private Lenders
Supreme Court rules DepEd cannot be compelled by mandamus to collect and remit teacher loan payments for private lenders.
Ancestral Land Disputes: When Regular Courts, Not NCIP, Have Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies that the NCIP's jurisdiction over ancestral land disputes is limited to parties from the same indigenous group.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Individual Liberties
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to secure required witnesses during inventory, reinforcing the chain of custody rule.