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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Cause of Action Ruling Protects Employee Benefit Claims Despite Procedural Labeling
Supreme Court rules employee benefit claims stand on complaint allegations, not procedural labels, protecting workers' rights to statutory compensation.
When a Complaint Fails to State a Cause of Action: The Preliminary Hearing Remedy
Learn when a motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action should be heard before trial, based on a 2008 Supreme Court ruling.
Safeguarding Free Speech: The Imperative of Stating a Cause of Action in Libel Cases
Philippine Daily Inquirer v. Alameda clarifies that libel complaints must allege specific facts, protecting press freedom from vague claims.
PCGG v. Sandiganbayan: When Delay and Inaction Create a Cause of Action
A look at the Supreme Court ruling that government inaction on requests can itself create a cause of action, and when foreign court rulings do not bar local suits.
When One Case Is Enough: Res Judicata and Splitting a Cause of Action in Property Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling explains why filing separate cases for the same property dispute is barred by res judicata and the rule against splitting a cause of action.
Unlawful Detainer vs Forcible Entry: Key Differences in Philippine Ejectment Cases
Learn the key differences between unlawful detainer and forcible entry in Philippine ejectment cases, and why the right cause of action matters.
Dismissal Denied: Why Properly Stating Your Cause of Action Matters in Philippine Courts
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on constructive dismissal in a security guard's case and why precise legal claims are crucial.
Establishing Cause OF Action IN Investment Disputes KEY Takeaways From Francia V Power Merge Corp
When Separate Lawsuits Are Not Forum Shopping: The Rule on Splitting a Cause of Action
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when filing separate cases for different properties is not forum shopping or splitting a cause of action.
Navigating Forum Shopping AND Valid Cause OF Action IN Foreclosure Cases Mondragon Leisure VS Ucpb
Double Jeopardy and Forum Shopping: When Filing Redundant Claims Backfires
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing multiple suits for the same cause of action constitutes forum shopping and why dismissal is proper.
Dismissal of Appeal: Strict Application of Procedural Rules in Philippine Courts
Learn how Philippine courts determine jurisdiction and cause of action from complaint allegations, not defenses, in this civil procedure case analysis.
Bona Fide Purchasers and the Protection of Innocent Buyers of Registered Land
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a buyer of registered land may rely on the Torrens title and why a complaint must allege bad faith to state a cause of action.
Amended Complaints and Court Jurisdiction: The Que v. Court of Appeals Rule
Amending a complaint to add parties or claims does not automatically strip a Philippine court of jurisdiction if the original cause of action remains intact.
Motion to Dismiss in Philippine Courts: Understanding Failure to State a Cause of Action
Learn how Philippine courts handle motions to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action, and why proper service of summons matters.
Motion to Dismiss Denied: Courts Must First Examine the Merits, Not Just Allegations, in Philippine Property D
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a motion to dismiss for lack of cause of action requires courts to examine the merits of a property dispute, not just the allegations.
Litis Pendentia in the Philippines: Stopping Duplicate Lawsuits
Learn when Philippine courts dismiss duplicate lawsuits for litis pendentia, the requisites, and how to prevent splitting a cause of action.