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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Co-Ownership and Good Faith: Property Rights Lessons from Tala Realty vs. Banco Filipino
A Supreme Court ruling on lease contracts, good faith, and the limits of property rights under Philippine law.
Judicial Overreach When Judges Overstep Bail Authority
Explore how the Supreme Court nullified a COMELEC en banc ruling for violating the constitutional rule on division jurisdiction in election cases.
Navigating COMELEC's Authority: Division vs. En Banc in Pre-Proclamation Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COMELEC's division vs. en banc authority in pre-proclamation cases, citing Milla v. Balmores-Laxa.
Disturbance Compensation Reclassification Alone Does NOT Trigger Payment TO Tenants
Land reclassification alone does not entitle tenants to disturbance compensation; a final court order or DAR conversion is required.
Stay of Execution, Conflicting Supreme Court Rulings, and Employee Rights in the Philippines
When two Supreme Court divisions issue conflicting final rulings, which prevails? The En Banc clarifies the law of the case doctrine and its impact on property and employee rights.
Resolving Conflicting Supreme Court Decisions: The Doctrine of Law of the Case
When two Supreme Court divisions issue conflicting final rulings, the en banc resolves the impasse. Learn the law of the case doctrine.
Certiorari Limits: SEC En Banc Can't Fix Attachment Errors in Partnership Disputes
The Supreme Court nullified SEC en banc orders discharging an attachment in a law partnership dispute, ruling certiorari only corrects jurisdictional errors.
When the Supreme Court Sits En Banc: Jurisdiction in Philippine Land Disputes
Learn when the Supreme Court sits en banc in land disputes, and how jurisdiction and land classification shape property rights in the Philippines.
Stare Decisis in Property Disputes: Tala Realty vs. Banco Filipino
How the Supreme Court applied stare decisis to settle a property dispute between Tala Realty and Banco Filipino over conflicting lease contracts.
Jurisdiction Over Foreign Entities: Summons and Due Process in Philippine Courts
When can Philippine courts validly exercise jurisdiction over foreign corporations? The Banco do Brasil case explains the rules on summons and due process.
Why Initial COMELEC Election Cases Must Be Decided by a Division, Not En Banc
Learn why the Supreme Court nullified a COMELEC en banc ruling in an SK election protest, citing the constitutional rule on divisions.
Comelec Jurisdiction in Election Protests: Ensuring Due Process in Philippine Election Appeals
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC en banc cannot decide election protests at first instance; only divisions have that authority.
Safeguarding Due Process: COMELEC's Jurisdiction in Philippine Election Cases
The Supreme Court nullified a COMELEC en banc resolution for violating due process and the constitutional rule that election cases be decided by division.