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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Upholding Client Trust: Attorneys' Duty of Diligence and Accountability
Banks must honor commitments in good faith; courts award temperate damages when actual loss can't be precisely proven.
Rape and the Testimony of a Child Victim: Credibility and Penalties in Philippine Courts
This case explains how Philippine courts evaluate a rape victim's credibility, the sweetheart defense, and the proper penalties and damages.
Rape Shield Under Scrutiny: Credibility in Sexual Assault Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on simple rape clarifies credibility standards, qualifying circumstances, and damages in sexual assault cases.
Carrier Liability for Cargo Damage: The Duty of Extraordinary Diligence Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on common carrier liability for cargo damage, extraordinary diligence, and the limits of actual damages claims.
Bumping Passengers Airline Liability for Overbooking and Bad Faith
When airlines overbook and bump confirmed passengers, they face liability for damages. The Supreme Court explains the rules.
Bank Negligence in Foreclosure: Damages and Attorney's Fees Reassessed
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts compute actual, moral damages and attorney's fees when banks act negligently in foreclosure disputes.
Incestuous Rape and the Death Penalty: Protecting Child Victims Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his minor daughter, clarifying the rules on incestuous rape, evidence, and damages.
Reasonable Doubt and Conspiracy: The Line Between Suspicion and Criminal Liability
When acquittal on reasonable doubt still leaves civil liability, due process requires a full hearing on damages.
Supreme Court Affirms Rape Conviction of Neighbor of Child Victim
The Court affirms two rape convictions against a neighbor of a six-year-old, clarifying penalties and damages in child rape cases.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Consent Not Inferred From Lack of Resistance Under Threat
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that submission under threat of a knife is not consent, and upholds moral damages award.
Airline Breach of Contract When a Confirmed Flight Turns Into a Legal Dispute
When an airline confirms a booking then cancels it, a contract of carriage arises. Learn the legal rules on damages from China Airlines v. CA.
Airline Passenger Rights: When Rerouting Breaches the Contract of Carriage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when airlines breach carriage contracts by rerouting passengers without consent, and what damages apply.
Judicial Accountability Neglecting Civil Damages IN Criminal Cases Constitutes Gross Ignorance OF THE LAW
Murder Conviction Upheld: Credibility of Witnesses and Civil Damages in People v. Pacuancuan
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on witness credibility, clarifies damages for death by treachery in People v. Pacuancuan.
Reservation Requirements in Philippine Civil Actions: Hambon v. Carantes Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court applied Rule 111 reservation rules in Hambon v. Carantes, affecting civil damages claims tied to criminal cases.
Quasi-Delict Liability in Vehicular Accidents: When Negligence and Vicarious Responsibility Override Defenses
Supreme Court affirms insurer's subrogation claim, holding driver negligent and employer vicariously liable for damages in vehicular accident.
Reopening Corporate Disputes: Finality, Fraud, and the Abadilla Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may reopen proceedings, pierce corporate veils, and award damages in intra-corporate disputes.
Treachery Defined: How Sudden Attack Establishes Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains treachery as sudden, unexpected attack and clarifies rules on unlicensed firearms, penalties, and damages in murder cases.
Breach of Contract in Property Sales: Rights, Interest, and Damages Under Philippine Law
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unpaid property sale balances clarifies when nominal damages, attorney's fees, and 12% interest apply.
Reasonable Doubt and Evidentiary Integrity in Criminal Convictions
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on frustrated homicide clarifies the burden of proof, credibility of witnesses, and the limits of damages.
Forum Shopping and Civil Liability: Clarifying the Boundaries of Legal Redress
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a criminal case and a civil suit for damages can proceed at the same time without amounting to forum shopping.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: How Philippine Courts Establish Guilt in Murder Cases
In a 2002 murder ruling, the Supreme Court explained why positive identification prevails over alibi and denial, and how damages for loss of earning capacity are computed.
Supreme Court Affirms Insurer's Subrogation Claim in Quasi-Delict Case
The Supreme Court upholds an insurer's right to recover damages from a negligent driver and his employer, clarifying rules on quasi-delict liability and traffic violations.
Work-Related Injury in a Shipboard Basketball Game: Liability and Damages Under the POEA-SEC
The Supreme Court held that a seafarer injured during a shipboard basketball game may claim disability benefits under the Bunkhouse Rule and Personal Comfort Doctrine.