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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One Specific Offense Rule: Search Warrants and the Limits of General Warrants
The Supreme Court nullified a search warrant covering both the Securities Regulation Code and estafa, affirming the one-specific-offense rule.
Safeguarding Rights: The Importance of Procedural Compliance in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, emphasizing strict procedural compliance in drug cases.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: The Importance of Positive Identification and Credible Testimony in Sexual Assault C
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, underscoring that credible victim testimony outweighs alibi and denial in sexual assault cases.
Protecting Minors: Rape Conviction Upheld Based on Credible Testimony and Corroborating Evidence
The Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction built on a child victim's credible testimony and medical findings, stressing that hymenal laceration is not an element of rape.
Disallowance of Separation Benefits When Contractual Status Impacts Entitlement
Supreme Court affirms COA disallowance of separation pay for period when employee was contractual, but excuses good-faith refund.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Why Victim Testimony Prevails Over Resistance Myths in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, clarifying that lack of physical resistance does not negate rape and victim testimony suffices.
Challenging Forged Documents and Implied Admissions in Philippine Property Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when failure to respond to a request for admission does not result in implied admission, protecting property owners from forged documents.
Treachery and Witness Credibility: Examining the Conviction in People v. Condino
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction, explaining how treachery is established and why trial court findings on witness credibility are given high respect.
The Delicate Balance: Upholding Employee Rights in Loss of Trust Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that loss of trust and confidence cannot justify dismissal without proof of the employee's actual accountability.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Victim Credibility and Corroborating Testimony in Sexual Assault Cases
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a minor victim's credible testimony, corroborated by medical evidence, suffices for conviction.
Upholding Party Autonomy: Court Intervention in Arbitration Proceedings Under the ADR Act
Explore how the Supreme Court protects party autonomy in arbitration, limiting court intervention under the ADR Act of 2004.
Upholding Client Confidentiality Attorney Sanctioned FOR Representing Conflicting Interests
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that lawyers cannot buy client property or represent conflicting interests, voiding a transfer under Article 1491.
Corporate Rehabilitation Stay Orders: What They Mean for Property Claims
The Supreme Court explains how a stay order in corporate rehabilitation suspends all claims, including demands for specific performance of property sales.
Judicial Affidavit Rule and Contempt: Good Faith in Complying with Court Orders
When does using a corporate name violate an injunction? The Supreme Court clarifies that good faith compliance defeats indirect contempt.
When Doubt Benefits the Accused: Integrity of Evidence in Philippine Criminal Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on reasonable doubt, witness credibility, and the prosecution's burden in election-period weapon possession cases.
Denial of Child Support as Economic Abuse Under RA 9262: Key Lessons from Melgar v. People
The Supreme Court rules that withholding child support is economic abuse under RA 9262, even without proof of psychological anguish.
Economic Abuse and Deprivation of Support as a Continuing Offense Under RA 9262
The Supreme Court clarifies that depriving a child of financial support is a continuing offense and economic abuse under RA 9262.
Trademark Infringement and Contempt: When Corporate Names and Court Orders Collide
The Supreme Court clarifies that good faith compliance with an injunction order cannot be punished as indirect contempt, even if a corporate name contains a challenged mark.
Breach of Public Trust: Defining Misconduct and Dishonesty in Government Service
The Supreme Court affirms penalties against a former PCGG chairman for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Corporate Rehabilitation Tax Waivers and CTA Jurisdiction: Key Insights from Steel Corporation of the Philippi
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified CTA jurisdiction over tax waiver disputes arising from corporate rehabilitation under R.A. 10142.
Corporate Rehabilitation Tax Waiver: CTA Has Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Customs Duty Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that tax and customs duty disputes during corporate rehabilitation belong exclusively to the Court of Tax Appeals, not regular courts.
Breach of Trust in the Workplace: When an Employer's Dismissal of a Chief Accountant is Unjustified
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an employer's dismissal of a chief accountant for breach of trust is unjustified.
Breach of Contract and Estafa: Developer Liability for Unfulfilled Property Sale
When a developer fails to deliver titles after full payment, both civil and criminal remedies may apply. The Supreme Court clarifies when estafa and P.D. 957 violations arise.
Unexcused Absence: Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal for Employees Absent Without Leave
The Supreme Court drops a court employee from the rolls for AWOL, explaining the rules on absences without approved leave in government service.