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.
Eminent Domain and Prior Rights: Resolving Land Disputes in Infrastructure Projects
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on contract rights, port operations, and jurisdictional issues in infrastructure disputes.
Plain View Doctrine Upholds Warrantless Seizure in Illegal Firearm Possession
The Supreme Court affirms that a firearm seen tucked in a suspect's waist during a lawful police response falls under the plain view doctrine.
Mitigating Circumstances and Gross Neglect of Duty: Reassessing Penalties in Judiciary Misconduct
The Supreme Court modifies dismissal to suspension for a clerk of court guilty of gross neglect, appreciating mitigating circumstances under amended Rule 140.
Indispensable Parties: Why an Estate Administrator Is Not Always Required in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when an estate administrator is an indispensable party in property disputes, and the limits of raising new issues on appeal.
Protecting Children: Statutory Rape and Sexual Assault Convictions Clarified
The Supreme Court clarifies when an accused can be convicted of both statutory rape and sexual assault arising from a single incident against a child.
Concubinage Beyond the Conjugal Home: What the Supreme Court Ruled
The Supreme Court clarifies that cohabitation in any place, not just the conjugal home, can constitute concubinage under Philippine law.
When a Missing Estate Administrator Does Not Void a Contract Case: Heirs of Manzano v. Kinsonic
The Supreme Court clarifies when the absence of an estate administrator is not fatal to a contract dispute, distinguishing indispensable from necessary parties.
Conjugal Property vs Separate Insurance: When a Spouse's Death Does Not Pay Off the Mortgage
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a mortgage redemption insurance payout applies after a spouse's death, and how conjugal property is determined.
Bribery in Public Service: Demanding Money for Expedited Titling Constitutes Direct Bribery
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a public officer's demand for money to expedite a transaction constitutes direct bribery under Philippine law.
Probable Cause vs Due Process: Navigating Preliminary Investigations in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between probable cause and due process in preliminary investigations, affirming a direct bribery conviction.
Unlawful Termination Employer Liability FOR Extended Business Suspension AND Retrenchment Requirements
When a business suspension exceeds six months and retrenchment rules are ignored, employers face illegal dismissal liability. Learn the rules.
Emergency Powers and Oil Industry Takeovers: Understanding Delegation Limits in the Philippines
The Supreme Court struck down Section 14(e) of the Oil Deregulation Law for invalidly delegating emergency takeover powers. Learn the constitutional limits.
Disbarment for Misconduct: Lawyer Who Solicited Bribes for CA Justices Removed from Bar
Lawyer disbarred for soliciting P160,000 to bribe Court of Appeals justices, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
VAT Refund Claims: Complete Documents and Zero-Rated Sales Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies VAT refund rules on complete documents, zero-rated sales proof, and input tax computation for taxpayers.
Reviving Judgments Balancing Timeliness AND Justice IN Philippine LAW
The Supreme Court acquits a PPA official in an anti-graft case, clarifying the elements of Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Drawing the Line When Gun Display Becomes Direct Assault on Traffic Enforcers
Supreme Court clarifies when pointing a gun at a traffic enforcer constitutes direct assault, not mere resistance, under Philippine law.
Defective Informations and Qualifying Circumstances: Lessons from People v. Pilen
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Pilen clarifies when defective Informations waive objections and how treachery is proven.
Governments Burden Proving Undue Injury in Anti-Graft Cases Involving Expropriation
The Supreme Court acquits public officials in an expropriation graft case, ruling the prosecution failed to prove the warehouse did not exist.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Can You Justifiably Use Force?
The Supreme Court clarifies when persistent fist blows from a drunk aggressor constitute unlawful aggression justifying self-defense in the Philippines.
Government Expropriation and Bad Faith in Land Valuation Disputes
When does flawed land valuation in expropriation become a crime? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of bad faith in government takings.
Chain of Custody Breaks Lead to Acquittal in Election Weapon Ban Case
Supreme Court acquits accused in election weapons ban case due to broken chain of custody over seized folding knife.
Illegal Dismissal of Cooperative Officers: CDA, Not Labor Tribunals, Has Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies that illegal dismissal complaints by cooperative officers fall under CDA jurisdiction, not labor tribunals.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Mismanagement of Court Funds in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's liability for fund mismanagement, tampered receipts, and delayed deposits.
Child Abuse and Sexual Assault: Understanding Philippine Law and Protecting Children
The Supreme Court clarifies how Philippine law punishes child abuse and sexual assault, including key rules on evidence and penalties.