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.
Rape and Mental Capacity: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling on Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape liability involving mental retardation, distinguishing statutory rape from rape of a person deprived of reason.
Local Tax Assessments After Corporate Restructuring: Who Pays?
Supreme Court rules on who bears local business tax liability when a government corporation's operations transfer by law to another entity.
When Is a Seafarer's Injury Work-Related? The Arguilles Case Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when an off-duty injury on board a vessel is compensable, applying the bunkhouse rule and POEA-SEC standards.
Attorney Disbarment When Online Conduct Violates Professional Ethics in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when government lawyers face disbarment for official acts under new CPRA guidelines.
Government Contracts: When Is a Deal Manifestly Disadvantageous?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government contract is "manifestly and grossly disadvantageous" under Section 3(g) of the Anti-Graft Law.
Retroactivity of Tax Rulings Clarifying Documentary Stamp Tax on Intercompany Advances
Supreme Court clarifies when tax rulings apply retroactively, affecting documentary stamp tax on intercompany advances and refund claims.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to value agrarian reform land, emphasizing the time of taking and correct valuation formula.
Tax Evasion in the Philippines: When Can the Government Collect Without an Assessment
The Supreme Court clarifies when the BIR can collect deficiency taxes without a formal assessment in criminal tax evasion cases.
Discernment in Juvenile Justice: Key Lessons from CICL XXX vs. People
Understand how Philippine courts determine a minor's discernment and criminal liability, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in CICL XXX vs. People.
Concubinage Beyond the Conjugal Home: What the Supreme Court Ruled
The Supreme Court clarifies that cohabitation in any place, not just the conjugal home, can constitute concubinage under Philippine law.
VAT Refund Claims: Complete Documents and Zero-Rated Sales Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies VAT refund rules on complete documents, zero-rated sales proof, and input tax computation for taxpayers.
Simple vs Grave Misconduct: Good Faith and Service in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's procedural lapse is simple misconduct, not grave misconduct, in government service.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: When Courts Can Depart from DAR Formulas
Explains the Supreme Court ruling on just compensation in agrarian reform, when courts may deviate from DAR valuation formulas, and why evidence matters.
Inter-Company Loans and VAT: When Interest Income Is Not Taxable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when interest on inter-company loans is exempt from VAT and how prescription periods apply.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: DOJ Guidelines and Court Discretion in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when trial courts may approve plea bargaining in drug cases and the role of evidence in resolving objections.
Letter of Authority Required When Reassigning Tax Audits: Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court nullifies tax assessments where audits were reassigned without a new Letter of Authority. Learn the rules.
Due Process in Tax Assessments: Strict Adherence to Notice Requirements
The Supreme Court nullified a deficiency tax assessment because the BIR issued the Final Assessment Notice before the taxpayer's 15-day period to reply to the Preliminary Assessment Notice lapsed.
Condominium Dues and VAT: Supreme Court Clarifies Taxability of Association Fees
The Supreme Court confirms that condominium association dues are not subject to VAT, income tax, or withholding tax.
Holdover Appointments and Compulsory Retirement: Key Lessons from Atty. Montenegro v. COA
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on salaries for public servants who continue working past compulsory retirement without CSC approval.
Forcible Entry: Prior Physical Possession Prevails Over Delayed Evidence
Supreme Court clarifies that in forcible entry cases, prior physical possession is key, and evidence first presented on appeal cannot be considered.
Tax Liens vs Judgment Credits: Priority Disputes in Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on when a tax lien beats a judgment creditor's levy on real property under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: What Santos-Macabata Teaches Us
The Supreme Court clarifies the high burden of proof for nullifying marriage on grounds of psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Tax Collection Prescription: CIR's Collection Efforts Barred by Three-Year Period
Supreme Court affirms CTA ruling that the CIR's right to collect deficiency taxes prescribed after three years from assessment notice.
Tax Amnesty Limits: Withholding Tax Liabilities and Corporate Officer Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that tax amnesty under RA 9480 does not cover withholding tax liabilities, and corporate officers may still face prosecution.