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.
Ballot Authentication: How Missing BEI Signatures Affect Election Validity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether unsigned ballots are spurious, and how voter intent prevails over technical omissions.
Project vs Regular Employee: What Brahm Industries Teaches About Valid Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between project and regular employees, and the due process required for lawful dismissal in the Philippines.
Homicide vs Murder: Key Differences Under Philippine Law
Understand the legal distinction between homicide and murder in the Philippines, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on treachery and evident premeditation.
When Can a Judge Be Disqualified for Bias? Impartiality in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a judge's rulings amount to disqualifying bias, and why adverse decisions alone are not enough.
Self-Defense and Voluntary Surrender: Key Lessons from a Philippine Murder Case
A Philippine Supreme Court case clarifies when self-defense fails and voluntary surrender mitigates murder liability. Learn the rules.
Self Defense in the Philippines: Understanding Unlawful Aggression and Reasonable Means
Learn how Philippine courts test self defense claims through unlawful aggression, reasonable means, and provocation, as shown in People v. Artiaga.
Common Carriers and Passenger Safety: The Standard of Extraordinary Diligence in Philippine Law
Philippine law requires common carriers to exercise extraordinary diligence in ensuring passenger safety. This article explains the legal standard and its practical implications.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Can You Justifiably Use Force?
Philippine law allows force only against unlawful aggression. Learn the limits of self-defense and why alibi rarely works.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: When Can You Justifiably Use Force?
The Supreme Court explains the three elements of self-defense in the Philippines and why a Palawan man's claim failed in a murder conviction.
Self-Defense Claims in Parricide and Rape Cases: What the Supreme Court Says
A father convicted of raping his daughter claimed self-defense. The Supreme Court explains why this defense fails in parricide and rape cases.
Accomplice Liability in Robbery: The Limits of Conspiracy in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a getaway driver and lookout are accomplices, not conspirators, in robbery cases.
Perfecting an Appeal: Navigating the Jurisdictional Requirements in Philippine Labor Cases
Learn how jurisdictional requirements affect appeals in Philippine labor cases, with insights from recent Supreme Court rulings.
Defense of Strangers: When Can You Legally Protect Someone Else in the Philippines
Philippine law allows defending strangers, but only under strict conditions. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Passion Provocation and Criminal Liability: Understanding Homicide in the Philippines
When does anger mitigate a killing? The Supreme Court explains passion or obfuscation, treachery, and homicide in People v. Valles.
Eminent Domain in the Philippines: Just Compensation and Due Process
Learn how Philippine law protects property owners in eminent domain cases, focusing on just compensation and due process requirements.
Self-Defense and Defense of Relatives in Philippine Law: Limits and Lessons from People v. Babor
When does self-defense fail in the Philippines? People v. Babor clarifies the limits of justifying circumstances, unlawful aggression, and reasonable force.
Homicide vs Murder: Intent and Aggravating Circumstances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a killing is homicide, not murder, and how aggravating circumstances affect the penalty.
Appeal Bonds in Philippine Labor Cases: When Can They Be Reduced
Learn when Philippine courts may reduce appeal bonds in labor cases, the rules on perfecting appeals, and practical tips for compliance.
Illegal Dismissal: When Can an Employer Terminate an Employee in the Philippines
Philippine law requires just cause and due process for valid termination. This case explains serious misconduct and loss of confidence rules.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: Unlawful Aggression and the Cabiles Case
Philippine self-defense law requires unlawful aggression, reasonable force, and no provocation. The Cabiles case shows how courts test these elements.
Alibi Defense in Philippine Criminal Law: Requirements and Limitations
Understand when alibi works as a defense in Philippine criminal cases, its legal requirements, and why courts view it with suspicion.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Alevosia and Its Implications
A look at how Philippine courts define treachery (alevosia) in murder cases, using the 1996 Paragua decision as a guide.
When Can You Justifiably Use Force: Self-Defense in the Philippines
Learn the legal requirements for self-defense in the Philippines, including the elements of unlawful aggression and how courts assess justifiable force.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Understanding Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts weigh self-defense claims against treachery in murder cases, using the Lapura ruling.