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.
Upholding Agreements: The Decisive Impact of Admitted Extensions in Maritime Claims
How a carrier's failure to specifically deny an agreed extension period can defeat a prescription defense in maritime cargo claims.
Treachery's Shadow: Murder and Eyewitness Identification in the Anis Massacre
The Supreme Court affirms murder and attempted murder convictions from the 1999 Anis massacre, ruling on treachery and eyewitness identification.
Military Jurisdiction Retirement Does NOT BAR Court Martial Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on military jurisdiction, retirement, and court martial proceedings explained for lay readers.
Corporate Rehabilitation Separate Juridical Personality Prevails Over Third Party Mortgages
Supreme Court clarifies that corporate rehabilitation stay orders do not cover properties owned by third-party mortgagors.
Income Tax Returns: Balancing Confidentiality and Admissibility in Court
When can courts compel production of income tax returns? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of confidentiality and the proper remedy.
Dragnet Clauses and Foreclosure: Defining the Limits of Mortgage Security in the Philippines
A bank cannot inflate a foreclosure redemption price using a dragnet clause. The Supreme Court explains the limits of mortgage security.
Reinstatement to the Bar: Reacquiring the Privilege to Practice Law After Regaining Philippine Citizenship
A Philippine lawyer who lost citizenship and reacquired it under R.A. 9225 must apply to resume practice—it is not automatic.
Protecting Prior Land Rights: The Limits of Free Patents and Good Faith Purchasers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when free patents and good faith purchases can defeat prior land rights.
CARP Landowner Rights After CLOA Issuance: Diamond Farms Case on Just Compensation and Beneficiary Possession
Supreme Court ruling on landowner rights, just compensation, and beneficiary possession under CARP after CLOA issuance in Diamond Farms v. Diamond Farm Workers.
Mandamus Cannot Compel a Mayor to Issue Business Permits: The Rimando Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that issuing business permits is a discretionary, not ministerial, act—so mandamus cannot compel it.
Defining the Power of Control in Labor Disputes: The Legend Hotel Case
When is a hotel pianist an employee, not an independent talent? The Supreme Court clarifies the control test in illegal dismissal cases.
Summary Judgment: When Failing to Refute Allegations Costs You the Case
Learn how failing to refute payment allegations led to summary judgment against the Villuga spouses in this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Acquisitive Prescription vs Torrens Title: Proving Land Registration Claims in Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when possession of public land can ripen into private ownership and registration under the Property Registration Decree.
Tax Exemption for Government Instrumentalities: Defining the Scope of Real Property Tax Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government entity is exempt from real property tax, distinguishing instrumentalities from GOCCs.
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.
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.
Undue Delay in Justice: A Judge's Accountability in Expediting Legal Proceedings
When a judge delays a case, justice suffers. The Supreme Court's ruling in Chu v. Capellan explains why judges must act promptly.
USAID Certification as Public Document: Admissibility and Proof in Philippine Law
Learn when foreign agency certifications are public documents admissible without authentication, and how courts treat them as prima facie evidence.
Retirement Benefits CBA vs Labor Code: Pilot Entitlements Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when CBA retirement benefits prevail over Labor Code Article 287, using a PAL pilot's case as guide.
Rehabilitation Denied When Financial Realities Override Corporate Rescue
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate rehabilitation is not available—mere illiquidity qualifies, but irreversible insolvency with speculative plans does not.
Res Judicata and Land Disputes: When a Final Decision Bars a Quiet Title Action
A final Bureau of Lands decision bars a quiet title action under res judicata. Learn the rules from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
Eminent Domain vs Easement: Just Compensation for Transmission Lines in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when transmission line projects require full just compensation rather than mere easement fees.
Neglect of Duty vs Dishonesty: Upholding Integrity in Court Processes
A process server's false returns and delayed service led to a landmark ruling distinguishing simple neglect of duty from dishonesty.
Neglect of Duty in Court Service: Balancing Efficiency and Integrity in the Philippine Judiciary
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between simple neglect of duty and dishonesty in court service, using a process server's case as a guide.