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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Navigating the Chain of Custody: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits drug sale accused over unjustified lapses in the Section 21 chain of custody rule, stressing strict compliance.
Binding Counsel When Attorney Negligence Impacts Client Rights IN Philippine LAW
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a client is bound by counsel's negligence and why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal.
Laches and Jurisdiction: When Delaying a Challenge Can Validate an Invalid Forum
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on laches, jurisdiction, and forum challenges in labor disputes, with practical takeaways for employers and employees.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Strict Compliance or Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police failed to justify missing witnesses during inventory, reaffirming the chain of custody rule.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Banquilay Means for Buy-Bust Evidence
The Supreme Court affirms a drug sale conviction, clarifying that minor chain of custody lapses do not automatically invalidate seized evidence.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Missing Witnesses Can Overturn a Conviction
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to explain missing DOJ and media witnesses during inventory.
VAT Refund for Tourists Upheld: Supreme Court Rules on Equal Protection in Taxation
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the VAT refund law for foreign tourists, ruling it does not violate equal protection.
Law Firm Partnerships Have Legal Personality: Saludo v. PNB Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that law firm partnerships are juridical entities with legal personality, separate from their partners.
Compromised Evidence Acquittal Due to Unjustified Deviations in Drug Chain of Custody
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to justify deviations from the mandatory chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Possession vs Ownership: Resolving Church Property Disputes in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, physical possession—not ownership—determines who has the better right to church property.
Work-Related Injury: Defining Course of Employment in Seafarer Disability Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer death benefits, work-related illness presumption, and employer duties under POEA-SEC.
Seafarers' Rights: Employer's Duty to Provide Post-Repatriation Medical Care
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on a seafarer's disability claim, the mandatory third-doctor rule, and the employer's duty to provide post-repatriation medical care.
Unjust Enrichment Claims and the Burden of Proving Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unjust enrichment claims, evidentiary rules for private documents, and notarized affidavits in civil cases.
Treachery Defined: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Premeditated Attacks Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, affirming a conviction and explaining how the attack's suddenness deprives victims of defense.
Oral Sales Agreements Transfer Property and the Limits of Rescission
When does an oral deal to sell land transfer ownership? The Supreme Court clarifies the line between a sale and a contract to sell, and when rescission is allowed.
Navigating Water Rights: Upholding Property Rights Amidst Natural Easements
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of natural water easements and property rights in this dispute over subdivision flooding and liability.
Upholding Contractual Freedom: Injunctive Relief and the Limits of Exclusivity in Lottery Operations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when injunctive relief fails absent a clear legal right, using the PCSO-PGMC lottery lease dispute.
Quasi-Delict Claims Need No Reservation: Supreme Transport Ruling Explained
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that quasi-delict counterclaims may proceed without reservation in criminal cases, subject only to the ban on double recovery.
R.A. 10951 Penalty Adjustment: How Final Theft Convictions Can Be Modified and Inmates Released
The Supreme Court clarifies how R.A. 10951 modifies penalties in final theft convictions, remanding cases to trial courts for possible early release.
Upholding Client Loyalty: Ethical Boundaries in Attorney Representation Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for two years for representing conflicting interests, committing forum shopping, and neglecting clients.
Fiscal Autonomy vs COA Oversight: PhilHealth CARAGA Benefits Case
Supreme Court clarifies that GOCC fiscal autonomy does not override COA audit power over disallowed benefits.
Finality of Election Decisions: Untimely Appeals and Mootness in Barangay Disputes
The Supreme Court explains why an untimely certiorari petition and a moot issue doomed a barangay election protest appeal.
Procedural Lapses in Filing Fees Do Not Erase Civil Liability in Swindling Cases
Supreme Court clarifies that underpayment of docket fees based on clerk assessment does not bar recovery of damages in estafa cases.
Docket Fees and Jurisdiction: When Good Faith Prevails in Civil Suits
The Supreme Court clarifies when underpaid docket fees do not defeat jurisdiction, applying the good faith exception from Manchester and Sun Insurance.