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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Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Attempted Murder Based on Insufficient Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a school principal of attempted murder, ruling that hearsay and unverified confessions cannot support a conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
Lawyer Fined P10,000 for Negligence in Handling Client's Replevin Case
Supreme Court fines lawyer P10,000 for negligence and dereliction of duty in handling a client's replevin case, citing Canon 18 violations.
Navigating Ombudsman Decisions Understanding Certiorari AND Supreme Court Jurisdiction
Losing Your Day in Court: Understanding the Strict Rules of Appeal in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that permanent injunctions cannot bar government banks from foreclosing mortgages, and explains the limits of moral damages.
Real Property Sale Obligations: Who Pays Registration and Capital Gains Tax
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on vendor obligations for registration expenses, eviction of occupants, and capital gains tax in property sales.
Victory Liner Liability: Breach of Contract of Carriage and Passenger Safety
Supreme Court ruling on common carrier liability for passenger death, negligence of counsel, and damages in breach of contract of carriage.
When Real Estate Disputes Belong in Regular Courts, Not HLURB
The Supreme Court clarifies when a lot sale dispute falls under regular court jurisdiction rather than HLURB's exclusive authority.
Overlapping Land Titles: Registration Date and Reconstitution Validity in Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts resolve conflicting land titles, weighing registration dates, reconstitution validity, and evidence of ownership.
Habeas Corpus and DNA Evidence: Limits of Post-Conviction Remedies in Paternity-Based Rape Cases
The Supreme Court explains when DNA evidence can—and cannot—challenge a final rape conviction through habeas corpus or new trial.
Upholding Compromise Agreements, HLURB Jurisdiction, and Contractual Obligations in Property Sales
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the HLURB has jurisdiction over property disputes and affirms that compromise agreements bind parties unless vitiated or void.
Perfecting Appeals: Timely Payment of Appeal Fees as a Jurisdictional Requirement in Philippine Election Law
Learn how timely payment of appeal fees is a jurisdictional requirement in Philippine election law, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Reconstitution of Titles: Substantial Compliance and Jurisdictional Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on what jurisdictional requirements apply in judicial reconstitution of lost titles under RA 26.
Good Faith Purchasers Prevail: Upholding the Integrity of Torrens Titles
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judicial reconstitution of lost titles clarifies jurisdictional requirements under Republic Act No. 26.
Moral Turpitude and Lawyer Disbarment: Issuing a Bouncing Check
A lawyer's conviction for issuing a bouncing check under BP 22 involves moral turpitude and warrants disbarment, the Supreme Court ruled.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Pollution Cases Belong to DENR, Not Courts
Supreme Court ruling on exhaustion of administrative remedies in pollution cases, affirming DENR Pollution Adjudication Board's primary jurisdiction.
Naturalization Hearings: Resetting Dates and Jurisdictional Requirements
The Supreme Court ruled that resetting a naturalization hearing to a date outside prohibited periods does not require republication of the notice when publication rules were met.
Curing Defective Summons: How Amended Complaints and Proper Service Establish Court Jurisdiction
Learn when defective summons can be cured by amended complaints and alias summons, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Judicial Discretion vs Neglect: Balancing Speed and Justice in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when appellate courts may disturb factual findings and how negligence is proven in quasi-delict cases under Philippine law.
Accountability on the Road: Determining Guilt in Group Violence
A look at how Philippine courts assign criminal liability when violence breaks out in a group, and what the law requires for a conviction.
Dismissal for Late Docket Fee Payment: Strict Timelines in Certiorari Petitions
Learn how late docket fee payment and wrong remedy choices can doom certiorari petitions, based on Mercado v. Court of Appeals.
Civilian Supremacy Prevails Military Court Jurisdiction Limited By Service-Connected Offenses
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies military court jurisdiction is limited to service-connected offenses, upholding civilian court authority over non-military crimes.
Execution Pending Appeal: When Can a Judgment Be Enforced Early
Learn the strict rules for discretionary execution pending appeal under Rule 39, and the consequences when a judge oversteps.
Perfecting Appeals THE Strict Timeline AND Exceptions IN Philippine LAW
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains the strict deadlines for appeals and the limited exceptions, guiding litigants on procedural compliance.
Judicial Overreach: When Courts Issue Injunctions Beyond Territorial Limits
Philippine Supreme Court disciplines judge for issuing injunctions beyond territorial jurisdiction, violating due process and contempt rules.