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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HLURB Jurisdiction in Subdivision Disputes: Residential Use vs Religious Worship
Supreme Court rules HLURB has jurisdiction over subdivision disputes involving residential use violations, including church operations in residential lots.
Mining Rights and State Control: Resolving Disputes in the Diwalwal Gold Rush Area
The Supreme Court rules on the Diwalwal gold rush dispute, clarifying state control over mineral resources and the roles of mining regulatory bodies.
Levy on Execution Prevails Over Prior Unregistered Sale: Suntay v. Keyser Mercantile
Supreme Court rules a registered levy on execution beats a prior unregistered sale, upholding the Torrens system's reliance on clean titles.
Missed Appeal Deadlines in Agrarian Cases: When Negligence Costs the Right to Appeal
The Supreme Court rules on missed appeal deadlines in agrarian disputes, explaining when a motion for reconsideration suspends the period and why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal.
PEZA Tax Exemption: Instrumentality of National Government and Real Property Tax
Supreme Court rules PEZA is exempt from real property tax as an instrumentality of the national government, clarifying local taxing limits.
Donor's Tax on Share Sales: Fair Market Value and Donative Intent
Supreme Court rules on donor's tax for share sales below book value, fair market value determination, and CTA jurisdiction.
Moral Turpitude and Falsification: Defining the Boundaries of Public Trust
The Supreme Court rules that falsification of a Personal Data Sheet is a crime involving moral turpitude, warranting dismissal from government service.
Solicitation by Court Personnel: Upholding Integrity in the Philippine Judiciary
Supreme Court rules on grave misconduct by court personnel who solicits money from litigants, reinforcing integrity standards in the judiciary.
Dismissal of Main Action Ends Intervenors' Claims in Prolonged Litigation
Supreme Court rules intervenors cannot continue prosecuting an action after the main case is dismissed for failure to prosecute, even if they are real parties in interest.
Corporate Membership Dues: Who Pays When Nominees Change
Supreme Court rules on whether golf clubs can charge new membership fees when corporate members replace their nominees.
Honesty in Public Service: Falsifying Employment Records Leads to Dismissal
The Supreme Court rules that concealing past administrative offenses in a Personal Data Sheet is gross dishonesty warranting dismissal from the Judiciary.
Work-Related Injury Death After Contract Compensable Claim
Supreme Court rules death benefits are payable when a seafarer's work-related injury causes death after contract termination due to medical repatriation.
Substantial Justice Prevails: Recantation and Forum Shopping in Health Insurance Claims
Supreme Court rules procedural technicalities yield to substantial justice in PhilHealth accreditation dispute involving recanted patient statement.
Theft and Dishonesty in Public Service: Consequences for Retirement Benefits and Re-Employment
Supreme Court rules on theft, dishonesty in public service, and how retirement does not erase administrative liability or preserve benefits.
Indispensable Parties: Due Process in Criminal Appeals Before the CA
The Supreme Court rules on why the People must be impleaded in certiorari petitions before the Court of Appeals.
Truth in Townsite Sales Misrepresentation Disqualifies Applicant Despite Denr Approval
Supreme Court rules misrepresentation in a Townsite Sales Application disqualifies an applicant, even if DENR initially approved it.
Fraudulent Land Titles: Possession Trumps Indefeasibility Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court rules that Torrens title indefeasibility cannot shield fraud when rightful owners remain in possession of the property.
Upholding Accountability Attorney Sanctioned FOR Misleading THE Court AND Obstructing Justice
Supreme Court rules on contempt jurisdiction, residual powers of trial courts, and ministerial duties of court officers in execution pending appeal.
Failure to Prove Monetary Obligation Justifies Dismissal With Prejudice in Small Claims Case
Supreme Court rules that failure to prove a claim by preponderance of evidence warrants dismissal with prejudice in small claims cases.
Ombudsman Removal Orders Are Immediately Executory Despite Appeal
Supreme Court rules Ombudsman removal orders execute immediately even pending appeal, reversing CA injunction in GSIS official's case.
Unlawful Detainer Rentals Reckoned From Demand to Vacate, Not Initial Occupation
Supreme Court rules rental arrears in unlawful detainer run from demand to vacate, not from start of tolerated occupation.
Employer Claims Against Employee for SSS Contributions: Labor Arbiter Jurisdiction
Supreme Court rules employer's claim for reimbursement of SSS contributions and damages against employee falls under Labor Arbiter jurisdiction.
Upholding Employee Rights NPC Employees Entitled TO Separation PAY Despite Corporate Restructuring
Supreme Court rules NPC illegally dismissed employees entitled to separation pay, backwages despite corporate restructuring under EPIRA.
Strict Compliance: The Mandatory Nature of VAT Refund Periods Under the NIRC
The Supreme Court rules that the 120+30 day periods for VAT refund claims are mandatory and jurisdictional, dismissing a belated judicial claim.