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.
Direct Assault vs. Resistance to Authority: The Mallari Case Explained
The Supreme Court in Mallari v. People clarifies when force against a police officer is direct assault or merely resistance to authority.
Substantial Evidence in Labor Dismissals: When the Supreme Court Steps In
Explore when the Supreme Court reviews factual findings in labor cases, and how substantial evidence supports valid employee dismissal.
Brokers Entitlement Establishing Procuring Cause IN Real Estate Joint Ventures
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a real estate broker earns a commission in a joint venture deal, explained in plain language.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why It Determines Conviction or Acquittal
The Supreme Court explains how strict compliance with the chain of custody rule under RA 9165 secures drug convictions.
Prior Physical Possession in Forcible Entry: The Madayag Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that prior physical possession in forcible entry cases can be established through juridical acts, not just actual occupation.
Child Abuse Under RA 7610: Intent as the Key Element
The Supreme Court clarifies that intent to debase or degrade is essential to prove child abuse under RA 7610.
Demurrage and Detention Fees: Supreme Court Clarifies Tax Treatment for International Shipping
The Supreme Court ruled demurrage and detention fees are subject to regular corporate income tax, not the preferential Gross Philippine Billings rate.
Laches in Philippine Law: How Delay Can Bar Your Legal Claims
Learn how the doctrine of laches can bar legal claims in the Philippines, even before the prescriptive period expires, through the Supreme Court's ruling in Ang v. Abaldonado.
Presence During Hazing as Prima Facie Evidence: The Supreme Court's Ruling on the Anti-Hazing Law
The Supreme Court upheld the Anti-Hazing Law's presumption that presence during hazing is prima facie evidence of participation as a principal.
Regular vs Project Employee: When Rehiring Without a Fixed Term Creates Security of Tenure
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a project employee becomes regular, securing tenure and protection from illegal dismissal.
Lawyer Suspended for Dishonored Loan and Disregard of Legal Processes
A lawyer was suspended one year and fined for failing to pay a loan, issuing a bouncing check, and ignoring IBP proceedings.
Practicing Law While Suspended: The Quesada Case and Its Consequences
What happens when a suspended lawyer continues to practice? The Supreme Court's ruling in Valmonte v. Quesada, Jr. explains the penalties.
When a Transfer Is Not Constructive Dismissal: Management Prerogative in Labor Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee transfer is a valid exercise of management prerogative and not constructive dismissal.
When Church Governance Prevails: Minister Reassignment and Labor Jurisdiction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a pastor's non-reappointment is an ecclesiastical affair beyond labor tribunals' jurisdiction, and why courts respect church autonomy.
Malicious Mischief in Property Disputes: What the Supreme Court Said
The Supreme Court clarifies when destroying property in a dispute becomes malicious mischief, and why claims of ownership do not justify taking the law into one's own hands.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: High Court Sets Social Media Evidence Rules
The Supreme Court affirms that Facebook posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262, setting guidelines on proving social media authorship and raising penalties for ICT use.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: When a Sudden Attack Is Not Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies that treachery cannot be presumed from suddenness alone, reducing a murder conviction to homicide in People v. Bulutano.
Psychological Violence Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms that public Facebook posts causing mental anguish constitute psychological violence under RA 9262, with higher penalties for ICT use.
Condominium Board Disputes and Slander: When Words Cross the Line
A condominium board dispute led to a slander conviction. Learn the legal boundaries of speech and the consequences of public accusations.
Calling Someone a Thief in Public Can Be Slander: Key Lessons from a Condo Dispute
A heated condo dispute led to a slander conviction. Learn when public accusations of theft become criminal oral defamation in the Philippines.
Upholding Client Confidentiality Limits On Revealing Information After Termination OF Employment
A lawyer's duty of confidentiality survives termination of employment, but the burden of proving a breach rests on the complainant.
Unjust Enrichment vs. Immutability of Judgment: Balancing Equity and Finality in Power Supply Contracts
The Supreme Court reconciles the immutability of final judgments with unjust enrichment claims in a dispute over fuel supply between NAPOCOR and Delta P.
Probable Cause and Conspiracy: When Presence Alone Does Not Mean Guilt in Insurance Fraud
Supreme Court clarifies that mere presence and family ties do not establish conspiracy or probable cause in insurance fraud cases.
Diabetes and Seafarer Rights: Establishing Work Relatedness for Disability Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's diabetes is work-related and compensable, and the rules on post-employment medical exams.