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.
When Is a Consignee Liable for Freight? The MOF v. Shin Yang Rule
A consignee named in a bill of lading is not automatically liable for freight charges. The Supreme Court explains when liability attaches.
Good Faith and Land Titles: Resolving Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court balances Torrens titles against good faith in ownership disputes, and why buyers must investigate suspicious circumstances.
Good Faith vs Torrens Title Resolving Land Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a Torrens title or a deed of sale prevails in land possession disputes.
Retroactivity of Laws and Vested Rights in Bank Liquidation: PDIC v. Stockholders of Intercity Bank
When can a new law apply to an ongoing bank liquidation? The Supreme Court explains the rule on retroactivity and vested rights.
When Is a Statement an Admission? Lessons from a Prawn Feed Dispute
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a written statement counts as an admission and when corporate officers can be held personally liable.
Preventive Suspension of Public Officials: Due Process and Unexplained Wealth in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Ombudsman may preventively suspend public officials and what due process requires in unexplained wealth cases.
Perfecting Appeals: The Jurisdictional Requirement in Estate Proceedings
Why filing both a notice of appeal and record on appeal is jurisdictional in estate cases, and what happens when a party fails to perfect an appeal.
Contempt of the COMELEC: The Scope of Its Quasi-Judicial Power Explained
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to cite for contempt even when acting through fact-finding task forces, clarifying the scope of its quasi-judicial authority.
Presidential Warranties vs. State Sovereignty: The PICOP Timber License Case
The Supreme Court ruled presidential warranties on timber licenses are not contracts, and state sovereignty over natural resources prevails.
Untangling Rescission: Prescription Periods in Philippine Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the four-year prescriptive period for rescission of a sale starts, using the Quirong v. DBP case.
Unlawful Termination of NPC Employees: Reinstatement Rights and Corporate Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies reinstatement rights for illegally dismissed NPC employees and limits PSALM's liability in execution.
Habeas Corpus for Child Custody: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court clarifies when habeas corpus applies to child custody disputes and why courts must hold a trial, not just produce the child.
Custody Rights and the Child's Welfare: Reassessing Habeas Corpus in Family Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that habeas corpus in child custody cases aims to determine rightful custody, not just produce the child.
Foreclosure Notice Requirements: BPI v. Puzon on Posting, Publication, and Presumption of Regularity
Supreme Court clarifies notice requirements in extrajudicial foreclosure, upholding sale where publication was made and presumption of regularity applied.
Just Compensation Land Valuation Under Agrarian Reform Requires Independent Judicial Assessment
Philippine Supreme Court rules trial courts must independently determine just compensation in agrarian reform cases, not merely adopt DARAB valuations.
Misconduct vs Termination: Balancing Employee Rights and Employer Prerogatives
A seafarer's dismissal for a positive drug test is upheld, but the Court awards nominal damages for lack of due process.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Murder Conviction
How the Supreme Court affirmed a murder conviction, ruling that credible eyewitness identification outweighs the inherently weak defense of alibi.
Parol Evidence Rule and Commitment Fees: Norton Resources v. All Asia Bank
When a written contract is clear, courts will not look beyond its four corners. The parol evidence rule explained.
Due Process, Jurisdiction, and Provisional Remedies in Philippine Criminal Law
A look at Villamor v. People on due process, jurisdiction, and provisional remedies in Philippine criminal procedure.
Accountability for Group Actions: Establishing Conspiracy in Criminal Law
Understand how Philippine courts determine conspiracy in criminal cases, when group liability attaches, and why mere presence or evasion of arrest does not equate to guilt.
Mining Rights and State Control: The Limits of Exploration Permits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on exploration permits, vested rights, and state control over mineral reservations under the Mining Act.
Illegal Dismissal, Retirement Age, and Employee Benefits: Key Lessons from Ondevilla v. Colegio de San Juan de
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on constructive dismissal, optional retirement, and CBA benefits for managerial employees in this Philippine labor case.
GSIS Held in Contempt for Delaying Payment of Permanent Total Disability Benefits Under RA 8291
Supreme Court cites GSIS for indirect contempt for delaying payment of a member's permanent total disability benefits under RA 8291.
Liberty vs Military Authority: Balancing Rights in the Philippine Armed Forces
Supreme Court ruling on a general's preventive suspension and arrest, clarifying due process and injunctive relief in military discipline cases.