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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Treachery and the Aswang Defense: Understanding Murder Convictions in the Philippines
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling explains how treachery qualifies killings as murder, even when superstition—the (folkloric evil creatures).
Robbery With Homicide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling explains how Philippine courts establish guilt for robbery with homicide and why alibi fails against positive identification.
Gross Ignorance of the Law: When Judges Overstep Their Authority
A Supreme Court ruling on when a judge's sentencing errors become gross ignorance of the law warranting administrative sanctions.
Protecting Your Family Home: Understanding Exemptions From Creditor Claims in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a mortgage lien does not automatically give a creditor top priority once a debtor company enters rehabilitation proceedings.
Interpreting Retrenchment Programs Doubts Favor THE Worker
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how retrenchment program separation benefits should be interpreted in favor of workers.
Confessions and Constitutional Rights: Navigating Custodial Investigations in the Philippines
Philippine law on confessions and custodial investigation rights explained through People v. Fabro, a 1997 Supreme Court ruling.
Intent Matters Distinguishing Robbery With Homicide From Separate Crimes
A look at how Philippine courts determine intent in robbery with homicide cases, using a 1997 Supreme Court ruling as guide.
Solidary Liability of Recruitment Agencies: Protecting Overseas Filipino Workers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint and solidary liability of recruitment agencies and foreign employers for overseas workers' claims.
Attempted Murder vs Murder: Proving Intent and Causation in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies how intent to kill and causation distinguish attempted murder from murder, with practical guidance.
Substantial Compliance in Appeals: When Courts Overlook Procedural Errors
The Supreme Court ruling in Nerves v. Civil Service Commission on substantial compliance with appeal rules and why a mislabeled petition survived.
Acquisitive Prescription: How Long Does It Take to Claim Land Ownership in the Philippines
Learn how long you must possess land to claim ownership through acquisitive prescription in the Philippines, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: When Consent and Penetration Are Not Required
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that in statutory rape, penetration need only be slight and the victim's consent is immaterial.
When Quitclaims Are Invalid: Labor Settlements and Dire Necessity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when compromise agreements and quitclaims in labor cases are unconscionable and invalid.
Illegal Dismissal of OFWs: Employer Responsibilities and Employee Rights
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when overseas Filipino workers are illegally dismissed and what employers must prove.
Unintended Consequences: Criminal Liability for Foreseeable Outcomes in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on criminal liability, dying declarations, and witness credibility in murder cases under Philippine law.
Employee Dismissal: Proving Just Cause and Observing Due Process in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employee dismissal: employers must prove just cause with substantial evidence and observe due process.
Dying Declarations and Conspiracy: When Can a Deceased's Statement Convict
Explore how Philippine courts treat dying declarations, conspiracy, and eyewitness credibility in murder cases through this Supreme Court ruling.
Judicial Ethics and Immorality: When Can a Judge Be Removed from Office
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when immorality and misconduct justify a judge's dismissal from the judiciary.
Parricide in the Philippines: Proving Intent in Family Killings
Understand parricide under Philippine law and how courts prove intent in family killings, with lessons from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Adoption Process in the Philippines: Ensuring Child Welfare and Legal Compliance
Philippine adoption requires DSWD case study before court approval. A Supreme Court ruling explains why judges and social workers must strictly follow the process.
When Can a Client Be Excused From Counsel’s Negligence? A Philippine Case Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a client may be excused from counsel's negligence, with practical guidance for litigants.
Protecting Workers Rights Illegal Dismissal AND Unfair Labor Practices IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal, due process, and unfair labor practices in Pono v. NLRC.
Rape and Consent: Force, Intimidation, and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts assess force, intimidation, and victim testimony in rape cases, explained through a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
When Sequestration Does Not Oust Trial Courts: PAGCOR v. Court of Appeals
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that sequestration alone does not strip regular courts of jurisdiction over ownership disputes involving sequestered assets.