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.
Unbearable Conditions Defining Constructive Dismissal in the Workplace
When employer hostility becomes unbearable, an employee may be constructively dismissed. The Supreme Court explains the test and remedies.
When a Father's Acts Are Crimes: Rape and Lascivious Conduct Under Philippine Law
A father's conviction for qualified rape and sexual abuse of his minor daughter, explaining the legal distinctions and penalties.
Deceptive Recruitment Estafa AND THE Promise OF Overseas Employment
When a fake recruiter promises overseas jobs, both illegal recruitment and estafa can apply. The Supreme Court explains the rules.
Inconsistent Positions and Agency Liability: Protecting Overseas Workers From Deception
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling holds recruitment agencies and their officers solidarily liable for overseas workers' claims, rejecting inconsistent defenses as deception.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for homicide, and clarifies the rules on incomplete self-defense and voluntary surrender.
Satisfaction of Judgment Moots Litigation: Lessons from Jacinto v. Gumaru
When a judgment debt is fully paid, the case ends and passes beyond review. Learn the rule and its practical effects.
Lease Agreements and Inheritance: What Tenants Should Know About Property Transfers
A lessee's occupancy does not create a vested right to buy property. Learn the limits of tenant rights when ownership changes.
Mortgaging Co-Owned Property: Limits on a Co-Owner's Authority
A co-owner cannot mortgage or encumber the entire co-owned property without the consent of all other co-owners. This article explains the limits of a co-owner's authority under Philippine law.
Ill-Gotten Wealth, Close Association with Marcoses, and Asset Recovery: A Legal Primer
Learn how Philippine courts define "ill-gotten wealth," prove close association with the Marcoses, and recover assets under sequestration laws.
Reconstitution of Lost Title: Supreme Court Clarifies Rules on Lost Owner's Duplicates
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may grant reconstitution of lost titles and what evidence suffices under Republic Act No. 26.
Fraternity Violence and Eyewitness Identification: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld convictions for fraternity violence based on positive eyewitness identification despite masks and chaotic circumstances.
Nepotism in Government Appointments: Abstention Is Not a Cure
The Supreme Court rules that a commissioner's abstention from voting does not cure a nepotistic appointment in the Civil Service Commission v. Cortes case.
Restitution After Judgment Modification: Fairness in Executed Judgments
When the Supreme Court reduces damages after properties have been sold at execution, how are parties made whole? The Eserjose case explains restitution rules.
Finality of Judgment and the Fresh Period Rule: Timely Appeals in Philippine Civil Procedure
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the fresh period rule and finality of judgment principles in Eserjose v. Allied Banking Corporation.
Falsification of Public Documents: Balancing Expert Testimony and Due Process
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how NBI expert reports and due process rights interact in falsification preliminary investigations.
Probationary Employment: When a Job Description Can Define Clear Regularization Standards
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a job description and duties suffice as reasonable standards for probationary employee regularization and dismissal.
Chain of Custody Lapses in Drug Cases: When Acquittal Becomes the Only Option
Explore how the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with RA 9165 procedures.
Redundancy vs Retrenchment: Protecting Employees From Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between redundancy and retrenchment, and the rules employers must follow to avoid illegal dismissal.
Unraveling Implied Trusts Protecting Family Interests in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court explains implied resulting trusts in family property disputes, clarifying prescription, parol evidence, and ownership rights.
Chain of Custody and Drug Evidence Admissibility in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody—explaining marking, inventory, and photo requirements under RA 9165.
Seafarers Disability: Prolonged Incapacity Trumps Fit-to-Work Certification
A company doctor's fit-to-work certification does not defeat a seafarer's permanent total disability claim when incapacity exceeds 120 days.
Tax Refund vs Tax Credit: Execution Requirements in Local Tax Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a writ of execution is needed for tax refunds or tax credits in local tax disputes.
The Vital Chain Ensuring Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts treat lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs, explained through People v. Yable.
Finality of Judgments: The Binding Effect of Unchallenged Court Orders
A Supreme Court ruling on how an unchallenged labor decision becomes final, binding, and bars re-litigation of the same issues.