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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The PET Is Constitutional: Supreme Court Upholds Its Power Over Presidential Election Contests
The Supreme Court affirms the Presidential Electoral Tribunal's constitutionality, explaining how the Constitution grants it sole jurisdiction over presidential election contests.
COSLAP Jurisdiction in Land Disputes: Why Your Case Might Belong in Court, Not an Agency
The Supreme Court clarifies that COSLAP has limited jurisdiction over land disputes, and questions of ownership belong in regular courts.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction: Private vs Public Corporations in the Philippines
When does the Sandiganbayan have jurisdiction over corporate officers? Learn from the Morales ruling on private vs public corporations.
Administrative Jurisdiction in the Philippines: Ombudsman, PAGC, and the CSC Appeal Route
A 2011 Supreme Court ruling clarifies concurrent jurisdiction among anti-graft bodies and why appeals must go to the CSC first.
Perfecting Appeals: Timely Docket Fee Payment as a Jurisdictional Requirement
The Supreme Court clarifies that timely payment of docket fees is jurisdictional in appeals, but may be relaxed for substantial justice in criminal cases.
Lost Land Title Petitions: Court Limits, Due Diligence, and Protecting Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle petitions for new owner's duplicate titles, including jurisdictional limits, due diligence duties, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Construction Arbitration in the Philippines: Why CIAC Jurisdiction Is Broad and Binding
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies CIAC's broad jurisdiction over construction disputes, explaining why arbitration clauses vest exclusive authority regardless of contract restrictions.
When Does DARAB Have Jurisdiction Over Agrarian Disputes? The Bagongahasa Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB's jurisdiction over CLOA cancellation cases, emphasizing the need for an agrarian dispute involving tenancy relations.
Party-List Registration and Religious Affiliation: COMELEC's Jurisdiction Explained
When can COMELEC cancel a party-list's registration for being a religious front, and when does the HRET take over? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Docket Fees and Jurisdiction: A Court's Authority Hinges on Proper Payment
The Supreme Court clarifies that proper payment of docket fees is jurisdictional—a court cannot acquire authority over a case without it.
Rape Conviction and Deadly Weapon: Credibility of Witness Testimony in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies circumstantial evidence and witness credibility in rape with homicide conviction, affirming guilty verdict.
Docket Fees and Jurisdiction: The David Lu Case on Actions Incapable of Pecuniary Estimation
Learn how the Supreme Court's David Lu ruling clarifies docket fees and jurisdiction for actions incapable of pecuniary estimation in Philippine courts.
When Illegal Dismissal Claims of Probationary Employees Fall Outside DARAB Jurisdiction: Del Monte Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over agrarian disputes, distinguishing recovery of possession cases from tenurial controversies under RA 6657.
Ejectment Suits and Agrarian Disputes: Possession vs. Ownership in Philippine Courts
When does an ejectment suit become an agrarian dispute? The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over possession cases.
Agrarian Dispute vs Recovery of Possession: Jurisdiction in Philippine Land Cases
When does a land dispute fall under DARAB jurisdiction? The Supreme Court clarifies the line between agrarian disputes and ordinary recovery of possession cases.
Voluntary Arbitration vs. Labor Arbiter: Philippine Labor Dispute Jurisdiction
When does voluntary arbitration prevail over Labor Arbiter jurisdiction? The Supreme Court clarifies in University of the Immaculate Conception v. NLRC.
Intra-Corporate vs Illegal Dismissal: Where to File Your Case
Learn when a dismissal case is intra-corporate or a labor dispute, and which forum has jurisdiction, based on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling.
Overcoming Jurisdictional Hurdles in Philippine Property Disputes: The Philippine Veterans Bank Case
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified jurisdictional boundaries between courts and DARAB in expropriation cases involving agrarian reform lands.
Limits of Executive Judge Authority: Avoiding Gross Ignorance of the Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judges who acted on cases outside their jurisdiction, and the limits of executive judge authority.
Supplemental Complaint Filing Fees and Damages: Key Jurisdictional Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when unpaid filing fees on supplemental complaints affect jurisdiction and damage awards.
Party-List Nominee Qualifications and HRET Jurisdiction After Proclamation
Explains the Supreme Court ruling on party-list nominee qualifications, COMELEC jurisdiction, and HRET's sole authority after proclamation.
When Can a Judge Reconsider Self-Inhibition? The Bombo Radyo Case
A judge who voluntarily inhibits may later reconsider and re-assume jurisdiction, absent arbitrariness or whimsicality, as the Supreme Court explained.
HRET Jurisdiction Over Party List Nominees Ensuring Constitutional Qualifications for House Membership
Supreme Court ruling on COMELEC jurisdiction over party-list nominee qualifications and the continuing residency requirement for elective office.
Liquidation Court Jurisdiction Over Claims Against Insolvent Banks in the Philippines
When a bank is placed under liquidation, all claims against it—including annulment and damages suits—must be filed with the liquidation court.