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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When a Case Withdrawal Backfires: The Co It Case on Finality and Justice
The Supreme Court reinstated a withdrawn petition after a promised family reconciliation failed, showing when final judgments may yield to substantial justice.
Piercing the Corporate Veil When Labor Rights Trump Corporate Fiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When a contractor is a labor-only scheme, the principal becomes the true employer. The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil to protect workers' rights.
Lis Pendens and Ill-Gotten Wealth: Protecting Public Interest Through Property Notices
The Supreme Court reinstates a notice of lis pendens on Marcos property, clarifying how procedural rules serve, not defeat, the recovery of ill-gotten wealth.
Stockholder Inspection Rights Corporations Cannot Enjoin Access Preemptively
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: corporations cannot use injunction to preemptively block stockholders' statutory right to inspect corporate books and records.
Attorney’s Fees and Ethical Conduct: Candor and Fairness in Lawyer-Client Relationships
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for five years for deceitful fee agreements and unfair dealings with elderly clients, reaffirming ethical duties.
Stockholders' Right to Inspect Corporate Records vs. Corporate Injunction: Key Insights from PASAR v. Lim
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling in PASAR v. Lim on why corporations cannot use injunction to block stockholders' inspection rights under Section 74.
When a Right to Top Fails: Severability and Conditional Obligations in Share Sales
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how severability clauses and conditional obligations determine bidder rights when a preferential right is voided.
Protecting Workers: Illegal Dismissal and the Rights of Pakyaw Employees in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that pakyaw workers are regular employees entitled to security of tenure, holiday pay, and service incentive leave pay.
Specific Performance vs Rescission: Contractual Remedies Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when specific performance or rescission applies in reciprocal obligations, using a Tagaytay property dispute as guide.
Balancing Free Press and Confidentiality When Attorney Discipline Becomes a Public Matter
The Supreme Court clarifies when media reports on confidential lawyer disciplinary cases are protected by press freedom.
When a Lawyer’s Deal Defines Your Land Dispute: Binding Agreements Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court treats lawyer-negotiated settlements in land disputes, and what makes them binding on the parties.
Discernment Requirement for Minors: Key Lessons from Dorado v. People
Supreme Court clarifies that discernment, not intent, determines criminal liability of minors aged 15-18 under RA 9344.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: How Planning and Presence Establish Guilt
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for robbery with homicide based on conspiracy, explaining how planning, presence, and post-crime acts prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Burden of Proof in Seafarer Disability Claims: Establishing Work-Relatedness
The Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers must prove work-relatedness of illness or injury by substantial evidence to receive disability benefits.
Corporate Mergers and Employee Rights: Understanding Job Security in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules that corporate mergers do not terminate employees' jobs; absorbed workers continue employment with the surviving corporation.
Good Faith in Arrests: When Police Mistaken Identity Is Not Grave Misconduct
The Supreme Court clarifies when a police officer's good-faith mistake in executing an arrest warrant shields them from administrative liability for grave misconduct.
School Liability for Student Safety in Off-Campus Activities: The St. Luke's Case
The Supreme Court holds schools liable for student safety in required off-campus activities, ruling on negligence and contractual obligations.
Disbarment Over Falsified Documents and Age Misrepresentation: Key Lessons
Supreme Court clarifies when falsification and age misrepresentation can ground disbarment, and who investigates public lawyers' qualifications.
Local Autonomy vs Central Control: Presidential Power in Hospital Devolution
The Supreme Court upholds Executive Order No. 567 devolving Taguig-Pateros District Hospital to the City of Taguig, clarifying presidential power.
Lawyer Disbarred for Neglect, Dishonored Check, and Misconduct in Land Title Case
Supreme Court disbars a lawyer who took fees for a land title transfer, did nothing, and issued a bouncing check.
Disbarment Case Dismissed: Falsification Must Be Proven in Proper Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies that disbarment is not the proper venue to prove falsification or forgery charges against lawyers.
Finality of Judgment in Disbarment Cases: Lessons from Bihag v. Era
A disbarred lawyer's attempt to revive his case fails; the Supreme Court enforces finality and cites indirect contempt.
Challenging Real Property Tax Ordinances: The Iloilo Case and the Rule on Exhaustion of Remedies
The Supreme Court dismissed a direct challenge to Iloilo City's real property tax ordinance, reaffirming that taxpayers must first exhaust administrative remedies before going to court.
When Courts Can't Enjoin EPIRA: Limits of Judicial Authority on Injunctions
Supreme Court rules RTCs cannot enjoin EPIRA implementation—only the High Court may issue such injunctions, even in declaratory relief cases.