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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Ejectment Proceedings Jurisdiction OF Courts AND Forum Shopping IN Lease Disputes
Indispensable Party Rule in Reconveyance: Heirs of Tunged v. Sta. Lucia Realty
The Supreme Court ruled that an environmental case filed by indigenous peoples against a non-IP developer belongs to the regular courts, not the NCIP.
Just Compensation Under CARP: Balancing DAR Formulas and Fair Market Value
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may deviate from DAR valuation formulas in agrarian reform just compensation cases.
When Courts Can Hear Damage Claims in Labor Disputes: The PAL v. ALPAP Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when labor tribunals—not regular courts—have jurisdiction over damage claims arising from illegal strikes.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conspiracy in Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence and conspiracy to establish guilt in homicide cases beyond reasonable doubt.
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.
Corporate Officer Status and Jurisdiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases: North Star v. Balagtas
When is a dismissed executive a corporate officer whose case belongs to regular courts, not the Labor Arbiter? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Philippine Piracy Law: Jurisdiction and Positive Identification in Maritime Crimes
A look at how Philippine courts establish jurisdiction and rely on positive identification in piracy cases under PD 532.
Fairness in Farmlands: How Courts Determine Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts compute just compensation for agrarian reform lands and when legal interest applies.
When Trespassers Meet Prior Court Rulings Understanding Property Rights IN THE Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle property disputes involving trespassers and prior rulings, and what it means for landowners.
Late Evidence and the Judicial Affidavit Rule: Lara's Gift v. PNB General Insurers
The Supreme Court clarifies when trial courts may admit late evidence and supplemental judicial affidavits under the Judicial Affidavit Rule.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: How Courts Value Land in Eminent Domain Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how courts determine fair market value and interest in expropriation cases.
Upholding a Drug Sale Conviction: Witness Credibility and Chain of Custody
In People v. Flor, the Supreme Court affirmed a drug sale conviction, showing how courts weigh witness credibility and substantial compliance with chain of custody.
When Courts Cannot Stop Agrarian Reform: The Antig v. Antipuesto Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of Special Agrarian Court jurisdiction and the absolute ban on injunctions against DAR in CARP implementation.
Untimely Filing: The High Cost of Ignoring Procedural Rules in Philippine Courts
A bank's appeal was dismissed because its motion for reconsideration was served by private courier without proper proof. Learn the procedural rules.
Transnational Marital Infidelity and Psychological Violence: Jurisdiction Under R.A. 9262
Philippine courts can hear psychological violence cases under R.A. 9262 even if the illicit affair abroad caused the wife's anguish at home.
Protecting Labor Rights: Resolving Doubt in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When evidence is equally balanced in illegal dismissal cases, Philippine courts resolve doubt in favor of the employee. Learn the rules.
Subsidiary Imprisonment: When Can a Fine Turn Into Jail Time
Learn when Philippine courts can impose subsidiary imprisonment for unpaid fines, and why the penalty must be stated in the judgment.
Upholding Judicial Conduct: Lawyers Must Show Courtesy and Punctuality for Fair Justice
A lawyer's two-year suspension for harassing judges and opposing counsel underscores the ethical limits of zealous advocacy in Philippine courts.
Agrarian Reform OR Industrial Activity Determining Jurisdiction Over Fishpond Disputes After R A 7881
The Supreme Court clarifies when fishpond disputes fall under DARAB jurisdiction or regular courts after R.A. 7881.
Chain of Custody Breaks: When Drug Evidence Fails in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police broke the chain of custody rule under RA 9165, Section 21.
Positive Identification and Circumstantial Evidence in B.P. 22 Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use eyewitness identification and circumstantial evidence to convict in Bouncing Checks Law cases, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
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.
Bypassing Justice: Defining Theft in Telecommunications and Probable Cause
The Supreme Court clarifies when toll bypass operations constitute theft and how courts review prosecutorial findings of probable cause.