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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Chains Unbroken Safeguarding Rights In Drug Possession Cases Through Strict Evidence Protocols
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession accused over a broken chain of custody, stressing strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Revival of Judgment Prescription and Compliance in Banking Disputes
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on the 10-year prescription period for reviving judgments, applied to a banking dispute.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: How Courts Fix Fair Market Value
Philippine Supreme Court explains how courts determine just compensation in expropriation cases, including the standards and interest rules.
Failure to Comply with Drug Evidence Safeguards: Ramos v. People and the Chain of Custody Rule
A Supreme Court ruling shows why strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165 is vital in drug cases.
Upholding Redemption Rights: The Validity of an Irrevocable Power of Attorney in Land Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on irrevocable power of attorney, land redemption, and compromise agreements in Philippine civil law.
Filiation and Estate Administration: Clarifying the Scope of DNA Evidence in Determining Heirship
The Supreme Court clarifies when DNA test results may—and may not—be used to remove a special administrator in estate proceedings.
Sibling Disputes and Court Filings: When Family Code Conciliation Rules Apply
The Supreme Court clarifies when Article 151 of the Family Code requires earnest efforts before family members can sue each other.
Custody Rights of Illegitimate Children: Balancing Maternal Preference and the Child's Best Interests
The Supreme Court clarifies when an illegitimate father may seek custody, and the limits of the tender-age presumption under Article 213.
Strict Compliance with Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ramos v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession accused due to unjustified deviations from Section 21's witness requirements, reaffirming strict chain of custody rules.
Solicitor General's Oversight Role Key in Government Representation and Due Process
Supreme Court clarifies OSG's supervision over deputized counsel and the due process limits in government litigation.
Plunder, Bail, and Preliminary Attachment: Key Rulings from the Revilla Case
The Supreme Court clarifies bail standards, conspiracy liability, and preliminary attachment in plunder cases under RA 7080.
Condominium Foreclosure: When Does a Corporation Have Authority to Foreclose?
Supreme Court clarifies when a condominium corporation may extra-judicially foreclose a unit for unpaid assessments under the Condominium Act.
Investment House Liable to Investor for Money Market Placement Default
Supreme Court holds investment house liable to investor for defaulted money market placement, clarifying lender-borrower relationship and damages.
Voice Recognition as Valid Identification in Rape Cases: Protecting Victims and Ensuring Justice
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on voice identification, clarifying force, intimidation, and victim credibility standards.
Land Title Registration Proving Ownership AND Alienability FOR Public Land Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land title registration, ownership proof, and alienability requirements for public land claims.
Ombudsman Appeals and Procedural Rules: When Technicalities Yield to Substantial Justice
The Supreme Court reminds appellate courts that procedural lapses should not defeat the merits of an administrative appeal, especially when a government employee's dismissal is at stake.
VAT Refund Claims: Proving Zero-Rated Sales of Services with Official Receipts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that VAT official receipts are indispensable to substantiate zero-rated sales of services in refund claims.
Good Faith Belief in Ownership Defeats Qualified Theft Charge
Supreme Court acquits spouses of qualified theft, ruling that honest belief in ownership negates intent to steal.
When Sudden Attacks Don't Always Mean Treachery: Reassessing Criminal Liability in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a sudden attack constitutes treachery in murder cases, and why self-defense claims fail without proof of unlawful aggression.
Judicial Accountability: When a Judge’s TRO Error Is Not Gross Ignorance of the Law
Explaining when a judge’s erroneous TRO is excusable oversight versus gross ignorance of law, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in OCA v. Alaras.
Eyewitness Testimony and Alibi Defense: Credibility in Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification against alibi and denial in murder prosecutions, explained through a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Missing Witnesses Mean Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over missing inventory witnesses, explaining the chain of custody rule under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Reasonable Doubt and the Chain of Custody Rule in Drug Possession Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession accused due to unjustified gaps in the chain of custody, reaffirming the presumption of innocence.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug and Firearm Cases: When Broken Chain of Custody Means Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police break the chain of custody, safeguarding the constitutional right to be presumed innocent.