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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Pipeline Operators as Common Carriers: Tax Exemption Under the Local Government Code
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether pipeline operators qualify as common carriers exempt from local business taxes under the Local Government Code.
Foreign Divorce and Inheritance Rights in the Philippines: Citizenship and Marital Validity
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on foreign divorce, citizenship, and inheritance rights of a surviving spouse in intestate succession.
Cashier Negligence and Liability: Safeguarding Public Funds in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on cashier negligence and accountability for lost public funds, with rules on safekeeping and COA relief.
Partition Without Prior Estate Settlement: Heirs' Rights Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on heirs' right to demand partition of inherited co-owned property without prior estate settlement proceedings.
The Client Is Bound by Counsel's Negligence: Vicarious Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a client is bound by counsel's actions, including negligent mistakes, and the limits of that rule.
Enforcing Partition Decisions Ensuring Heirs Receive Their Fair Share of Inherited Property in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on execution pending appeal in partition cases, protecting heirs' shares of inherited property.
Decoding Loan Agreements: How Ambiguity Can Invalidate Penalty Clauses in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how ambiguous penalty clauses in loan agreements, especially contracts of adhesion, are construed against the drafting bank.
When Can You Annul a Final Court Decision in the Philippines? Know the Limits
Philippine courts rarely annul final judgments. Learn the two legal grounds—lack of jurisdiction and extrinsic fraud—from a Supreme Court ruling.
Regularization After Probation: Security of Tenure for Philippine Employees
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when probationary employees become regular employees entitled to security of tenure under the Labor Code.
Employer Liability in Philippine Vehicular Accidents: Due Diligence and Negligence Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer liability for driver negligence in vehicular accidents, covering due diligence and contributory negligence defenses.
Credibility Counts: How Philippine Courts Decide Self-Defense Claims in Murder Cases
Philippine courts weigh credibility heavily when accused persons invoke self-defense in murder cases. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Payroll Evidence in Philippine Labor Disputes: Ensuring Fair Hearings for Employers
A Supreme Court ruling on payroll evidence in labor disputes, protecting employers' right to present original documents for fair hearings.
Valid Service of Summons in Revival of Judgment Cases: Jurisdiction Lessons from Arcenas
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when substituted service of summons is invalid in revival of judgment actions, and why courts must acquire jurisdiction over the defendant.
Timber License Boundary Disputes: Why Accurate Surveys Are Non-Negotiable
A Supreme Court ruling on timber license boundary disputes shows why precise surveys and strict compliance with agreements are critical for logging companies.
Limits of Local Government Reclamation: Pasay City Ordinance and Foreshore Lands
Supreme Court ruling on the limits of local government reclamation powers under RA 1899, clarifying what counts as foreshore lands.
Finality of Administrative Decisions: Why Timeliness Matters in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why final and executory administrative decisions cannot be reopened, and the importance of reglementary periods.
When Employers Are Liable for Employee Negligence: The MMTC Bus Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer vicarious liability for employee negligence, damages for death of a minor, and proof required.
Voluntary Resignation vs. Constructive Dismissal: When Management Prerogative Is Not Harassment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an employee's resignation is voluntary, and why management directives are not necessarily harassment.
Philippine Bail Petitions: Why Orders Denying Bail Must Detail Prosecution Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: bail denial orders must summarize prosecution evidence. Learn the rule from Aleria v. Velez.
Decoding Stray Votes: How Philippine Courts Uphold Voter Intent in Elections
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on stray votes, nuisance candidates, and the primacy of voter intent in election canvassing.
Successor Liability in Philippine Labor Law: Enforcing Judgments Against Transferee Companies
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on enforcing labor judgments against successor companies that assume liabilities of the original employer.
Unshaken Testimony: How Philippine Courts Weigh Eyewitness Accounts in Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on six counts of murder explains why minor inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony do not destroy credibility.
Illegitimate Childrens Inheritance Rights IN THE Philippines A Case Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on oral donations, co-ownership, and prescription in estate partition disputes.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: Why Fair Procedure Matters Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why employers must follow procedural due process in termination cases, not just have valid grounds.