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 Liability vs Individual Responsibility: Clarifying Boundaries in Contractual Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies when a bank-assignee of receivables becomes liable to condominium buyers, distinguishing joint from solidary liability.
UCPB Liability as Assignee in Real Estate Development: What Buyers Should Know
Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bank-assignee of receivables becomes liable to condominium buyers for a developer's failure to complete a project.
Insanity Plea Under Scrutiny: The Fine Line Between Confusion and Criminal Responsibility
The Supreme Court clarifies when confusion amounts to insanity exempting an accused from criminal liability, and when it does not.
Eyewitness Reliability and Positive Identification in Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness reliability and positive identification in murder cases, and when an accused's death extinguishes criminal liability.
Extinguishment of Criminal Liability: How Death Before Final Judgment Impacts Guilt and Civil Obligations
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal liability and affects civil damages.
Conspiracy in Rape Cases: Expanding Liability Beyond the Accused's Own Act
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy in rape cases makes each accused liable for all acts committed by their co-conspirators.
Insanity Defense AND Criminal Liability Establishing THE Burden OF Proof
Electrical Utility Liability: Negligence in Infrastructure Management
When an electric utility's haphazardly relocated posts and wires cause a fire, the utility—not the property owner—bears liability for damages.
Insanity Defense Clear Proof Required For Exemption From Criminal Liability In The Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that the insanity defense requires clear and convincing proof of cognitive impairment at the time of the crime.
When Self-Defense Fails: Liability for Homicide and Attempted Homicide in a Family Brawl
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense and defense of relatives fail, and how liability is determined absent conspiracy in a family brawl.
PAGCOR Tax Liabilities Clarifying Income and VAT Exemptions Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies PAGCOR's tax liability: 5% franchise tax on gaming income, income tax on related services, and VAT exemption.
Familial Abuse of Power When Parental Authority Becomes Criminal Liability
Explore the legal boundaries of parental authority, when discipline crosses into criminal liability, and the Supreme Court's guidance on familial abuse.
PAGCOR Tax Ruling Clarifies Income Tax, VAT, and Fringe Benefit Liability
Supreme Court ruling clarifies PAGCOR's tax liability: 5% franchise tax on gaming income, income tax on related services, and FBT obligations.
Chain of Custody and Damages: Lessons from the Sprite Bottle Case
A Supreme Court ruling on product liability, chain of custody of evidence, and when moral and exemplary damages may be awarded in quasi-delict cases.
Estate vs Individual Liability: Who Can Be Sued in Debt Recovery Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an estate can be sued and the limits of dismissing cases against individual defendants.
Diminished Liability Understanding Homicide Conviction In Spontaneous Altercations
The Supreme Court explains when spontaneous fights reduce homicide liability, and when treachery still qualifies murder despite provocation.
Reliance on Subordinates: When Public Officials Avoid Liability for Disallowed Funds
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public official can invoke the Arias doctrine to avoid personal liability for disallowed government funds.
Timely Claims and Limited Liability: Arrastre Operator Obligations in Cargo Damage Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when cargo damage claims against arrastre operators are timely filed and how liability limits apply.
Syndicated Estafa Liability and Investor Protection Under Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms syndicated estafa conviction under PD 1689, clarifying liability of corporate officers and investor protection.
Supreme Court Ruling on Government Procurement and Public Officer Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's procurement violations constitute gross neglect of duty rather than grave misconduct.
Mental Health at Sea: Employer Liability for a Seafarer's Bipolar Disorder
A Supreme Court ruling on when a seafarer's bipolar disorder is compensable under the POEA contract and what employers must prove to avoid liability.
Accountability for Acts: Criminal Liability in Robbery with Homicide
The Supreme Court clarifies when each participant in a robbery becomes liable for homicide committed on the occasion of the robbery.
When Approving Loans Doesnt Equal Liability Protecting Officials From Unfair Disallowances
Estafa Corporate Liability vs Personal Liability in Loan Agreements
When is a corporate officer personally liable for estafa in a loan deal? The Supreme Court clarifies the line between criminal fraud and civil debt.