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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Buyer Beware Due Diligence and the Importance of Lis Pendens in Philippine Property Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling on lis pendens, due diligence, and buyer protection in Philippine real estate transactions.
Equitable Mortgage vs Pacto de Retro Sale: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a sale with right to repurchase is actually an equitable mortgage, protecting property owners from unfair transactions.
Equitable Mortgage vs. Sale With Right to Repurchase: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a "sale with right to repurchase" is actually an equitable mortgage, protecting borrowers from unfair foreclosure.
Court Personnel Extortion: When Demanding Money for Court Records Is Gross Misconduct
A Supreme Court ruling on a court interpreter who extorted money from a litigant shows how the judiciary polices its own and what conduct merits dismissal.
Local Autonomy vs Legislative Power: Safeguarding Citizen Approval in City Reclassification
Supreme Court ruling: downgrading a city's status without a plebiscite violates the Constitution and local autonomy.
Condition Precedent in Philippine Contracts: Ensuring Clear Title Before Purchase
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a buyer's obligation to purchase depends on the seller's prior compliance with a condition precedent.
Navigating Corporate Officer Dismissals: NLRC vs SEC Jurisdiction in the Philippines
Learn when corporate officer dismissals fall under SEC jurisdiction rather than the NLRC, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Union Motors v. NLRC.
Ombudsman's Limits: When Can the Ombudsman Order Payment of Back Wages
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the Ombudsman's power to order payment of back wages and limits of its jurisdiction.
Surety Bonds and Customs Liabilities in the Philippines: Understanding Importer Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on surety bonds, customs duties, and importer liability when re-export obligations are breached.
Reelection as Condonation: When Past Misconduct Is Forgiven Under Philippine Law
Philippine law on reelection as condonation of past misconduct, explained through the 1999 Supreme Court ruling in Garcia v. Mojica.
Philippine Separation Pay: When Business Closure Is Not Enough to Avoid Labor Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when business closure does not exempt employers from separation pay obligations under Article 283 of the Labor Code.
Philippine Land Registration: Why Imperfect Titles Need Perfect Proof
A Supreme Court ruling on land registration shows why tax declarations and possession alone cannot confirm imperfect titles over public land.
Credibility of Rape Victim Testimony: Philippine Jurisprudence on Child Witnesses
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a rape victim's credible, categorical testimony prevails over alibi and denial in criminal cases.
Lost Your Labor Case Appeal? The Fatal Flaw of a Missing Appeal Bond in the Philippines
Learn why failing to post an appeal bond on time is fatal in Philippine labor cases, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Consent Is Key: Understanding Rape and the Burden of Proof in Philippine Law
A 1999 Supreme Court ruling clarifies consent, force, and intimidation in rape cases. Learn the legal standards and practical lessons.
Breach of Trust and Estafa: The Crucial Role of Demand in Philippine Law
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling in Barrameda v. Court of Appeals on estafa through misappropriation, the elements of the crime, and the importance of demand.
Navigating Bail in the Philippines: A Judge’s Error and Your Rights
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge’s bail error clarifies the strict rules for posting bail and releasing an accused in the Philippines.
Missed Deadline Dismissed Case Understanding THE 60 Day Certiorari Rule IN Philippine Labor Disputes
Learn how the 60-day certiorari rule works in Philippine labor cases, including how motions for reconsideration affect the deadline, from a Supreme Court ruling.
Ensuring Fair Retirement Benefits for Government Employees with Work-Related Illnesses
Supreme Court ruling on permanent total disability benefits for government employees who retire early due to work-related illnesses.
Permanent Total Disability Claims: Protecting Retirees' Right to Full Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on permanent total disability benefits for retired government employees, explained in plain language.
SK Election Disputes: Court Jurisdiction After Proclamation Explained
Learn when courts, not election officers, handle SK election disputes after proclamation, based on a 1999 Supreme Court ruling.
Breach of Trust: When Philippine Employers Can Terminate Employees for Loss of Confidence
Philippine law allows employers to dismiss employees for loss of trust and confidence. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Spousal Violence and the Law: Understanding Parricide in the Philippines
A 1999 Supreme Court ruling explains the crime of parricide, its elements, penalties, and how courts determine guilt in spousal killing cases.
Earnest Money Perfected Contracts Understanding Philippine Property Sale Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on earnest money, contract perfection, and rescission in property sales explained in plain language.