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.
Bank Not Subsidiarily Liable Without Clear Obligation: Prudential Bank v. Abasolo
Supreme Court rules a bank is not subsidiarily liable for a loan officer's alleged promises absent a clear obligation or written request.
Single Act Multiple Crimes Complex Crime of Murder and Attempted Murder Defined
Explaining the complex crime rule when one act kills several and wounds others, citing People v. Barde.
Upholding LLDA Authority Enforcing Environmental Standards in Laguna de Bay
Supreme Court affirms LLDA's power to impose fines for effluent violations, reinforcing environmental enforcement in Laguna de Bay region.
Transparency in Elections: The Right to Review Source Codes for Automated Election Systems
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC must make AES source codes available for independent review under R.A. 9369.
Conspiracy and Credibility in Philippine Homicide Cases: Key Lessons from Bug-atan v. People
How Philippine courts weigh co-conspirator testimony, conspiracy evidence, and credibility in homicide and murder cases.
Reinstatement Rights of Police Officers After Acquittal: The Roaquin Case
When can a discharged police officer demand reinstatement and back pay after acquittal? The Supreme Court explains in Calinisan v. Roaquin.
Arraignment Delay Denied: Why Speedy Trial Rights Trump Second Motions for Reconsideration
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a second motion for reconsideration may be denied to protect the accused's right to speedy trial.
Annulment and Parricide: The Prejudicial Question Rule Explained
When a marriage annulment case can—and cannot—suspend a criminal case for parricide under Philippine law.
Security of Tenure vs Academic Standards: The St. Mary's Academy Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on premature dismissal of teachers who failed the LET, balancing security of tenure with professional regulation.
Survival of Actions: Property Rights Prevail After Death in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when lawsuits survive a party's death, focusing on property rights versus personal actions under Rule 3.
Unjust Enrichment: Security Agency Must Return Illegally Garnished NFA Funds
Supreme Court rules security agency must return P8.4M garnished from NFA under a void writ of execution, citing unjust enrichment.
Water Districts as GOCCs: Reaffirming Government Control and Audit Authority
The Supreme Court reaffirms that water districts are government-owned or controlled corporations with special charters, settling tax and audit questions.
Certiorari as Remedy for Questioning Acquittal Based on Grave Abuse of Discretion
The Supreme Court clarifies when certiorari may question an acquittal and why errors of judgment remain barred by double jeopardy.
Navigating the Chain of Custody: How Procedural Lapses Can Overturn Drug Convictions in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, and what Section 21 of RA 9165 requires.
Cityhood Laws and the Constitutional Criteria for Creating Philippine Cities
The Supreme Court struck down 16 cityhood laws for violating the Constitution's requirement that city creation follow Local Government Code criteria.
Grave Abuse of Discretion Standard in Sandiganbayan Certiorari Petitions
Explore how the Supreme Court defined grave abuse of discretion in certiorari petitions against the Sandiganbayan, citing the Barrera market stall case.
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Documentary Evidence vs Simple Denial
In illegal dismissal cases, the employer bears the burden of proving valid termination with substantial evidence—not the employee.
When Final Judgments Clash: Upholding the Anti-Graft Law and Defining Usurpation of Judicial Functions in the
A provincial adjudicator ignored a final Court of Appeals ruling, leading to a landmark conviction under the Anti-Graft Law and a clarifying ruling on usurpation of judicial functions.
Res Judicata and Land Ownership: When a Criminal Ruling Does Not Bind a Civil Case
A criminal conviction for theft does not automatically settle land ownership in a separate civil case. Learn how res judicata applies.
Implied Admission in Philippine Law: Navigating Requests for Admission in Civil Cases
When does a failure to respond to a Request for Admission trigger implied admission? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits under Rule 26.
Contract to Sell Default: When Sellers Can Cancel and Keep the Property Off the Market
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a buyer's failure to pay installments in a contract to sell justifies cancellation by the seller.
Job Evaluations and Employee Entitlements: Clarifying the Scope of Management Prerogative
Supreme Court clarifies that union security clauses cannot justify dismissal for exercising the right to self-organization during the freedom period.
Union Security Clauses and Employee Rights: Lessons from PICOP Resources
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when union security clauses justify dismissal and how employee rights to self-organization are protected.
Acquittal in Murder Case and Civil Liability: The Garces v. Hernandez Ruling
When an acquittal rests on weak prosecution evidence, the court may rule that no civil liability arises. Learn the rules.