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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Extortion Under the Color of Authority: Understanding Simple Robbery in the Philippines
When court employees demand money to perform official duties, they commit simple robbery. The Supreme Court explains why in Peralta v. People.
Employee Misconduct and Termination: Understanding Just Cause in the Philippines
When does employee misconduct justify termination in the Philippines? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on serious misconduct and just cause.
Acquisitive Prescription and Partition: Understanding Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn how acquisitive prescription and partition work in Philippine property law through a recent Supreme Court ruling on family inheritance disputes.
3G Frequency Allocation and the NTC's Regulatory Discretion: Lessons from Next Mobile v. NTC
The Supreme Court affirms the NTC's broad discretion in allocating 3G frequencies, clarifying the limits of judicial review over technical regulatory decisions.
Protecting Children When a Stepfather's Actions Constitute Lascivious Conduct Under RA 7610
The Supreme Court clarifies when a stepfather's lewd acts against his common-law wife's child constitute lascivious conduct under RA 7610, not mere acts of lasciviousness.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Understanding Consent and the Role of Minority
The Supreme Court clarifies when rape becomes qualified and how minority and relationship must be alleged and proven in Philippine criminal cases.
Financial Abuse Under VAWC: Why Intent Matters in RA 9262 Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that financial abuse under RA 9262 requires proof of intent to cause emotional anguish, not just denial of support.
Third-Party Claims in Labor Disputes: Protecting Assets from Wrongful Levy
Learn how the Supreme Court protects third-party asset owners from wrongful levy in labor dispute executions, and the proper remedies available.
When Can DAR Disqualify an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary? The Balucan Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies who may file to disqualify an agrarian reform beneficiary and why landowners are not real parties-in-interest.
When Tax Assessments Are Not Required: Civil Liability in Philippine Tax Evasion Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a formal BIR tax assessment is not required to hold taxpayers civilly liable in criminal tax evasion cases.
Withholding Tax on Compensation: Effective Rates and Penalties Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on using effective tax rates for withholding tax on compensation and the proper imposition of penalties.
Redemption Rights: Can You Redeem Property Without Being the Registered Owner?
Supreme Court clarifies that buyers with unregistered deeds can redeem tax-delinquent property within the one-year period under Section 261 of the Local Government Code.
Family Home Protection in the Philippines: Understanding Execution Exemptions
When is a family home exempt from execution in the Philippines? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of this protection.
Land Title Registration in the Philippines: Navigating Ownership Complexities
The Supreme Court clarifies how RA 11573 affects land registration applications, shortening the possession period to 20 years before filing.
Contract of Sale vs Contract to Sell: What Buyers and Sellers Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between a contract of sale and a contract to sell, and when rescission is proper.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Medical Abandonment and Its Consequences in the Philippines
When a seafarer fails to complete required medical treatment and re-evaluation, the right to disability benefits may be forfeited. The Supreme Court explains.
Psychological Incapacity and Expert Testimony: What Zamora v. Zamora Means for Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a psychological assessment report is not indispensable in nullity cases—totality of evidence is what matters.
Deportation and Undesirability in the Philippines: Exhausting Administrative Remedies First
The Supreme Court explains why a foreign national facing deportation must exhaust administrative remedies before seeking judicial relief.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Witness Credentials Matter
The Supreme Court acquits three drug suspects, stressing that insulating witnesses' identities and credentials must be proven, not just presumed.
Graft and Corruption: When Does a Procurement Irregularity Become a Crime in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when procurement irregularities amount to graft under Section 3(e) of RA 3019, requiring proof of corrupt intent.
When Is Deadly Force Justified in the Philippines? Police Use of Force Rules
Philippine law on police use of force, deadly force standards, and what the Supreme Court says about justified shootings.
Lemon Law or Consumer Act: Choosing the Right Remedy for Defective Vehicles in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that buyers of defective brand-new vehicles may choose between the Lemon Law and the Consumer Act.
Easements and Eminent Domain in the Philippines: MMDA’s Limits After Diamond Motor
The Supreme Court limits MMDA’s power to impose easements, balancing flood control with private property rights and just compensation.
Election Propaganda on Private Property: COMELEC's Power to Regulate Free Speech
The Supreme Court clarifies when COMELEC may regulate privately-owned election materials, balancing free speech with election regulation.