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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Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Proving Your Case Even Without a Termination Letter
Illegal dismissal can be proven even without a termination letter. Learn the rules from a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Legal Remedy in Philippine Courts
Learn when to file certiorari versus appeal in Philippine courts, using a Supreme Court ruling on labor cases as a guide.
Land Ownership in the Philippines: Why Possession Isn't Always Nine Tenths of the Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when lengthy possession of public land cannot ripen into private ownership, and why free patents prevail.
Final Judgment IS Final: Navigating Lawyer Negligence and Execution in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on final judgments, lawyer negligence, and execution of writs in Philippine courts—what litigants need to know.
When Courts May Reopen a Criminal Case After Evidence Is Closed
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a trial court may reopen a criminal case after the parties have rested, and the limits of that discretion.
When Philippine Courts Can Decide Ownership in Ejectment Cases
Learn when Philippine courts can decide ownership in ejectment cases, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Torres Vda. de Cruz v. Court of Appeals.
Lost Your Election Protest? Understanding Pre-Proclamation Controversies in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when election protests must be filed, and why pre-proclamation cases end after proclamation.
Heirship First, Claim Later: Proving You're an Heir Before Filing Property Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why heirs must first be declared in special proceedings before filing property reconveyance cases.
The Unwavering Credibility of Child Testimony in Statutory Rape Cases: A Philippine Jurisprudence Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape: a child victim's credible testimony alone can sustain a conviction, even without force or intimidation.
Demolition Orders in the Philippines: Enforcing Tenant Eviction Judgments
Learn how Philippine courts enforce eviction judgments through demolition orders, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Buñag v. Court of Appeals.
Tax Assessment Waivers: Why the BIR Commissioner's Signature Is Crucial
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why waivers of the tax prescription period require the BIR Commissioner's signature to be valid.
Maximize Tax Credits: Sales Tax on Packaging Materials vs. Miller's Tax in the Philippines
Learn when sales tax on packaging materials can be credited against miller's tax, based on a key Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Validating Foreclosure Sales: Due Process and Property Rights in Philippine Law
A 1999 Supreme Court ruling explains when extrajudicial foreclosure sales are valid despite claims of defective notice, low price, or holiday sale.
Grave Misconduct in the Judiciary: Why Court Personnel Must Never Receive Money From Litigants
A Supreme Court ruling reminds all court employees that receiving money from litigants—even for alleged delivery to a lawyer—is grave misconduct.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction When Graft Cases Against Local Officials Fall Under Anti Graft Court
Explains when the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over graft cases involving local officials, using the Supreme Court ruling in Rodrigo v. Sandiganbayan.
Writ of Preliminary Attachment: Abuse of Discretion and Judicial Misconduct
A look at a Supreme Court ruling on a judge and sheriff fined for improper issuance of a writ of attachment and misconduct.
Certiorari Not a Substitute for Appeal: Lessons from Asian Trading v. Court of Appeals
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal, and the limits of due process claims in demurrer cases.
Filing Deadlines vs Public Interest: SC Ruling on Foreshore Land Reversion
Supreme Court ruling on whether the OSG's late appeal brief should be excused when foreshore land reversion involves public interest.
Dismissal of Court Cases for Lack of Prosecution: When Is It Justified in the Philippines
Philippine courts may dismiss cases for lack of prosecution, but only for valid reasons. Learn the rules and limits from a Supreme Court ruling.
Due Process in Labor Disputes: Why Ignoring Deadlines Can Cost Employers Dearly
A Supreme Court ruling shows why employers must respect due process and deadlines in labor cases, or face costly consequences.
Misconduct vs Initiative: Navigating Employee Discipline and Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a supervisor's irregular acts constitute grave misconduct or mere initiative, and the limits of dismissal as a penalty.
Exercising Your Option to Purchase: Timeliness and Good Faith in Philippine Lease Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on option-to-purchase clauses in lease contracts, timeliness of exercise, good faith, and fair market value pricing.
The Weight of Witness Testimony: Understanding Murder Convictions in Philippine Courts
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony against alibi in murder cases, explained through a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Tenancy Disputes and Jurisdiction: Courts vs. Agrarian Reform Boards
Understanding when courts or DARAB have jurisdiction over agrarian disputes, based on a recent Supreme Court ruling.