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.
Breach of Lease: Lessor’s Duty to Ensure Peaceful Enjoyment of Property
When can a lessee rescind a lease? The Supreme Court explains the lessor's duty to maintain peaceful enjoyment of the property.
Jurisdiction Defined: Mixed Questions of Law and Fact in Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when an appeal raises mixed questions of law and fact, and why jurisdiction depends on the nature of the issues raised.
Fresh Period Rule in Criminal Appeals: Rodriguez v. People Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that the fresh period rule applies to criminal appeals, giving convicted accused a full 15 days from denial of reconsideration.
Fresh Period Rule in Criminal Appeals: Protecting the Accused's Right to Appeal
The Supreme Court applies the fresh period rule to criminal appeals, ensuring accused persons get a full 15 days to appeal after denial of reconsideration.
Fresh Period Rule in Criminal Appeals: Rodriguez v. People Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that the fresh period rule applies to criminal appeals, giving accused persons 15 days from denial of reconsideration to appeal.
Fresh Period Rule Expanded to Criminal Appeals: Equal Rights for Accused
The Supreme Court extends the fresh period rule to criminal appeals, ensuring accused persons get the same 15-day window as civil litigants.
Untangling Time: When Does the Clock Start Ticking for Relief from Judgment?
Explaining the 60-day and 6-month periods for filing a petition for relief from judgment under Rule 38, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of Tax Appeals an
POEA Jurisdiction Over Seafarer Disciplinary Cases: NLRC Has No Appellate Review
Supreme Court clarifies that appeals from POEA disciplinary action cases against seafarers go to the Labor Secretary, not the NLRC.
Default Judgments: Scope of Appellate Review and Admissibility of Evidence
A defaulting defendant may still appeal, but only on limited grounds. The Court clarifies how evidence is treated on appeal from a default judgment.
Double Jeopardy Prevails: Acquittal Stands Despite Alleged Errors in Evidence Appreciation
The Supreme Court reaffirms the rule against double jeopardy, holding that an acquittal cannot be appealed or reversed absent grave abuse of discretion.
Interlocutory Orders: Why Immediate Appeals Can Derail Justice
Philippine Supreme Court explains why interlocutory orders cannot be appealed immediately, preventing delays and multiplicity of appeals in criminal cases.
Impeachment and Judicial Review: Defining the Limits of Court Intervention
The Supreme Court rules on the JBC's composition, clarifying constitutional limits on congressional representation and judicial review.
Supreme Court Dismisses Corona Impeachment Petition on Mootness Grounds
The Supreme Court dismissed former Chief Justice Corona's petition assailing his impeachment trial, ruling the case became moot upon his conviction.
Judicial Misconduct and Impeachment: When Court Review Becomes Moot
The Supreme Court explains why it dismissed Chief Justice Corona's challenge to his impeachment trial—because the case became moot after conviction.
Landowners' Appeal from Agrarian Court Rulings: Deadlines and Proper Venue
Learn the proper appeal route and deadlines for agrarian valuation cases from the Supreme Court's ruling in Plopenio v. DAR.
Binding Counsel When Attorney Negligence Impacts A Clients Appeal IN Philippine LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a client is bound by counsel's negligence in failing to file an appeal brief, and limits of certiorari.
When the Ombudsman Cannot Appeal a Reversed Administrative Decision
The Supreme Court rules on the Ombudsman's lack of legal standing to appeal when its administrative decision is reversed on appeal.
Enforced Disappearance and State Complicity: The Amparo Writ's Core Requirement
The Supreme Court clarifies that a writ of amparo requires proof of state involvement in enforced disappearances, not just evidence that a person is missing.
Ratification Validates Unauthorized Acts: Agency Law in Philippine Mortgages
Explaining how ratification under Philippine law validates an agent's unauthorized mortgage acts, as ruled in Prieto v. Court of Appeals.
Misleading the Court and Defying Suspension Orders: A Lesson in Legal Ethics
A lawyer's suspension from practice is not a mere suggestion. Learn how the Supreme Court disciplined a lawyer for misleading the court and appearing while suspended.
Navigating Overlapping Lawsuits: Forum Shopping and Litis Pendentia in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts penalize forum shopping and litis pendentia through the Supreme Court ruling in Yap v. Court of Appeals.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Safeguarding Rights IN Drug Possession Cases
Death pending appeal extinguishes criminal liability in drug cases. The Supreme Court clarifies the effect of an accused's death on convictions.
Death Abates Criminal and Pecuniary Liabilities: People v. Brillantes
When a convicted accused dies pending appeal, both criminal and pecuniary liabilities are extinguished. Learn the rule from People v. Brillantes.
Death Abates Criminal and Civil Liability: Understanding Extinguishment of Penalties in Philippine Law
When an accused dies pending appeal, both criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished under Article 89 of the Revised Penal Code.