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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Corporate Control vs Government Sequestration: Defining Jurisdiction in Intra-Corporate Disputes
When a sequestered corporation faces an intra-corporate dispute, which court has jurisdiction? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules.
Judicial Ethics: Court Employee Cannot Buy Litigated Property
Court employees must avoid acquiring property in litigation, even outside their court's jurisdiction, to uphold judicial integrity.
When a Deceased Defendant Is Named in a Collection Case: Jurisdiction and Solidary Liability Rules
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies what happens when a defendant dies before a collection suit is filed, and how solidary obligations affect the case.
When DARAB Lacks Jurisdiction: Res Judicata and Limits on Agrarian Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that not every sale of agricultural land falls under DARAB jurisdiction, preventing endless litigation.
DARAB Jurisdiction and Land Sale Nullification: Key Lessons from a 2013 Ruling
When can the DARAB nullify a land sale? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of its jurisdiction in this 2013 ruling.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and COA Audit Jurisdiction Over GSIS Transactions
Supreme Court rules GSIS must exhaust COA remedies before court action; special audit teams validly constituted.
Retirement Bars Administrative Action: Jurisdictional Limits in Philippine Law
When a judge retires before an administrative complaint is filed, the Court loses jurisdiction to penalize him. This article explains the rule.
Voluntary Submission to Jurisdiction: When Active Participation Trumps Defective Summons
Defective summons doesn't defeat jurisdiction if a defendant voluntarily appears and seeks affirmative relief, as Optima Realty v. Hertz shows.
Disqualification of Candidates: COMELEC’s Authority and Due Process Rights
The Supreme Court nullified COMELEC’s disqualification of a candidate, ruling the en banc acted without jurisdiction and violated due process.
Jurisdiction Defined: Mixed Questions of Law and Fact in Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when an appeal raises mixed questions of law and fact, and why jurisdiction depends on the nature of the issues raised.
CSC Jurisdiction Over Administrative Cases Against State University Officials
Supreme Court rules CSC shares original jurisdiction with state university boards of regents over administrative cases filed directly by any complainant.
Concurrent Jurisdiction: The CSC's Role in Disciplining State University Personnel
The Supreme Court clarifies that the CSC shares original jurisdiction with state university boards of regents over administrative cases against school officials.
Defining Manager Expands Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over Graft Cases Involving Government Owned Corporations
Supreme Court clarifies that narrowly, citing a dictionary definition that referred to one who has charge of a corporation and control of its businesses or branch establishments. The Supreme Court, ho
Jurisdiction Over OFW Disciplinary Cases: POEA vs NLRC Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that the NLRC has no appellate jurisdiction over POEA disciplinary action cases against OFWs; appeals go to the Labor Secretary.
POEA Jurisdiction Over Seafarer Disciplinary Cases: NLRC Has No Appellate Review
Supreme Court clarifies that appeals from POEA disciplinary action cases against seafarers go to the Labor Secretary, not the NLRC.
Family Court Jurisdiction and the Accused’s Right to a Valid Arraignment
When a case is filed in the wrong court, the proceedings are void—including the arraignment. The Supreme Court explains why.
Military Jurisdiction Retirement Does NOT BAR Court Martial Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on military jurisdiction, retirement, and court martial proceedings explained for lay readers.
Integrity Under Scrutiny: Why Honesty in Your Judicial and Bar Council Application Matters
A Supreme Court ruling on procedural deadlines and jurisdiction, and what it means for integrity in JBC applications.
Defining Agrarian Disputes When Land Ownership Claims Fall Outside DARAB Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies that ownership disputes over land, absent tenurial arrangements, are not agrarian disputes and belong to regular courts.
Electoral Jurisdiction: When COMELEC’s Authority Ends and HRET Begins
The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary between COMELEC and HRET jurisdiction over election disputes involving proclaimed congressmen.
Church Disaffiliation and Corporate Rights: Balancing Religious Freedom and SEC Jurisdiction
A local church's right to disaffiliate from a national church body, and the SEC's jurisdiction over religious corporations, explained.
Torrens Title vs Claim of Inheritance: Resolving Land Ownership Disputes
When does a Torrens title prevail over a claim of inheritance? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules in land disputes.
Jurisdiction Over Subdivision Disputes: HLURB vs RTC in Enforcement Actions
Ortigas v. CA clarifies when HLURB has exclusive jurisdiction over subdivision disputes and when the RTC handles local government enforcement cases.
Condominium Disputes: HLURB Jurisdiction and Indispensable Parties Explained
When do condominium owner complaints belong before the HLURB? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction and the need to implead the condominium corporation.