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.
Property Ownership and Adverse Possession: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Deeds and Occupation
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when occupation ripens into ownership, and why a defective deed cannot transfer property rights.
Seafarers Concealing Pre-Existing Illness: Impact on Disability Benefits Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that a seafarer's concealment of pre-existing illness in the PEME bars disability claims.
Procedural Pitfalls in Labor Disputes: Lessons from Mariano v. G.V. Florida Transport
A Supreme Court ruling on valid dismissal for serious misconduct but liability for procedural due process lapses, unpaid wages, and 13th month pay.
Apparent Authority: When Employers Are Liable for Employees' Acts
The Supreme Court explains when a company cannot deny liability for its employees' unauthorized acts under the doctrine of apparent authority.
Apparent Authority and Employer Liability: When Companies Are Bound by Employees' Acts
When are companies liable for unauthorized employee acts? The Supreme Court explains apparent authority, estoppel, and employer responsibility in Eternal Gardens v. Perlas.
Valid Dismissal and Separation Pay: Key Lessons from a 2020 Supreme Court Ruling
A 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when dismissal for willful disobedience is valid and when separation pay may—or may not—be granted.
Understanding Constructive Dismissal: Protecting Your Rights as an Employee
Learn what constructive dismissal means in Philippine labor law, how "floating status" affects security guards, and your rights as an employee.
Understanding Corporate Liability and Piercing the Corporate Veil in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court case explains when corporate officers can be held personally liable and when courts pierce the corporate veil.
Understanding the Impact of Timely Appeals on Land Registration Disputes in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court handles land registration appeals, the importance of timely filing, and key procedural rules.
Transferee Pendente Lite in Trademark Assignments: The Sunfire Trading Case
Learn how the Sunfire Trading ruling clarifies that buying a trademark during litigation binds the buyer to the case's outcome.
Understanding Constructive Dismissal When Preventive Suspension Becomes Unlawful Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies when a reduced work assignment is valid management prerogative and when a subsequent dismissal becomes illegal.
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.
Regular vs Project Employment: What the Supreme Court Requires of Employers
A 2019 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when construction workers are regular employees, not project employees, and what employers must prove.
Regular vs Project Employment: Employer Must Prove Employee Status at Hiring
Supreme Court clarifies that employers bear the burden of proving project employment status, requiring clear notice at the time of hiring.
Forest Charges and Tax Refunds: Jurisdiction and Prescription in Philippine Tax Law
A 2019 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that forest charges are internal revenue taxes, so refund claims must go to the CIR within two years.
Project vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure and Employee Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between project and regular employment, and the security of tenure rights of employees.
Notice Requirements for SPV Asset Transfers: Protecting Borrowers' Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies notice requirements for SPV asset transfers under RA 9182, balancing borrower protection with valid assignments.
Reassignment vs. Transfer: What Public School Teachers Should Know
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public school teacher can be reassigned without consent, and how security of tenure applies.
Deed of Assignment Validity and Loan vs. Sale: Key Contract Lessons from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Deed of Assignment establishes ownership, and how courts distinguish a loan from a sale.
Premium Tax vs Cost of Service: Defining Minimum Corporate Income Tax
Supreme Court clarifies which taxes count as "cost of services" in computing MCIT for insurance companies, and when DST applies to policy increases.
Valid Dation in Payment: When a Debtor's Creditor Still Has Authority to Settle
Supreme Court explains when a dation in payment is valid even if the creditor assigned its receivables to another party.
Oral Contracts for Property: Six-Year Prescription Bars Stale Claims for Specific Performance
Oral agreements to transfer property must be enforced within six years. Learn how prescription works and why timely action matters.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Individual Liability for Corporate Fraud
When can directors be personally liable for corporate fraud? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on piercing the corporate veil.
Regular Employee Status: Distinguishing Independent Contractors From Labor-Only Contracting
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when workers are regular employees despite agency transfers, distinguishing independent contractors from labor-only contracting.