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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Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: How Group Actions Can Lead to Equal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy, group liability, and when co-accused share equal criminal responsibility.
Pilot Error or Master's Fault: Understanding Liability in Compulsory Pilotage Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on who bears liability when a vessel grounds on a compulsory pilotage channel.
Vague Dates in Rape Informations: When Approximate Time Is Enough
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether vague dates in rape informations violate the accused's right to be informed, and why approximate time suffices.
Donation Inter Vivos vs Mortis Causa: Philippine Law on Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to distinguish donation inter vivos from mortis causa, and when donations become irrevocable.
Eyewitness Testimony vs Alibi: Key Principles in Philippine Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification, alibi, and treachery in murder and frustrated murder cases.
Extraordinary Inflation and Lease Rentals: What Singson v. Caltex Means for Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when extraordinary inflation justifies adjusting contract rentals under Article 1250 of the Civil Code.
Philippine Supreme Court Disciplines Court Employee for Disrespectful Conduct in Workplace
The Supreme Court fined a court employee P5,000 for shouting at and humiliating a co-worker during office hours, reaffirming strict standards of decorum in the judiciary.
Maintaining Workplace Decorum: Lessons on Grave Misconduct from the Philippine Supreme Court
A Supreme Court ruling on a belligerent employee shows why workplace decorum is non-negotiable in the Philippine public service.
Loan Restructuring and Surety Release: Key Protections for Guarantors in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when loan restructuring releases a surety from liability, and what guarantors must know about their rights.
Forged Documents in Property Deals: How Due Diligence Can Protect You
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on forged special power of attorney in property mortgage—what buyers and lenders must know about due diligence.
Parol Evidence Rule: When Prior Agreements Can Modify a Contract
Philippine Supreme Court explains when prior negotiations can alter a written contract under the parol evidence rule.
Eyewitness Testimony vs Alibi: Why Positive Identification Convicts in Philippine Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why positive eyewitness identification outweighs alibi in murder cases, and when treachery qualifies the crime.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Why Minor Inconsistencies Don't Always Matter in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court explains why minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony do not destroy credibility, especially in incestuous rape cases.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: Understanding Collective Liability in Philippine Law
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how conspiracy makes every participant liable for robbery with homicide, even if only one stabbed the victim.
Justice Delayed IS Justice Denied: Judicial Delay and Accountability in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judicial delay shows why judges must decide cases promptly—and the consequences when they don't.
Proving Work-Related Illness Claims: Substantial Evidence Standard in Philippine Employee Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies substantial evidence standard for work-related illness compensation claims under P.D. 626, as amended.
Entrapment vs Instigation: How Philippine Courts Test the Validity of Drug Busts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between valid entrapment and invalid instigation in drug cases, using a marijuana buy-bust case as guide.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Medical Exam Not Indispensable in Philippine Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling medical examination is not indispensable and clarifying damages for multiple counts of rape.
Breach of Trust When a Father's Authority Masks Sexual Abuse in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape by a father, moral ascendancy as intimidation, and proper penalties.
Exclusive Distributorship Breach: Key Lessons from Bayer vs. Bompat
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on exclusive distributorships: breach, compulsory counterclaims, storage fees, and damages explained for businesses.
Homicide vs Robbery With Homicide: Distinguishing Intent and Proving the Crime
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when robbery with homicide stands, when it falls to homicide, and how intent to gain is proven in carnapping.
Extrajudicial Contract Rescission in the Philippines: Reclaiming Property Without Court Intervention
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a party may extrajudicially rescind a contract and retake property, and when court action becomes necessary.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Robbery Homicide Cases: A Philippine Supreme Court Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts weigh eyewitness testimony, alibi, and treachery in murder cases, using People v. Bergonio.
Indispensable Parties in Philippine Property Disputes: Why Mortgagees Aren't Always Necessary
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a mortgagee is not an indispensable party in property disputes, explained in plain language.