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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Competitive Bidding VS Reasonable Classification Constitutionality OF Procurement Restrictions
Ensuring Fair Representation: The Constitutionality of Legislative District Creation Based on Population
The Supreme Court struck down a law creating Malolos City's legislative district for failing the 250,000 population requirement and territorial contiguity rule.
Balancing Public Service and Political Rights: The Unconstitutionality of Automatic Resignation for Appointive
The Supreme Court strikes down the automatic resignation rule for appointive officials who file certificates of candidacy, upholding equal protection and political rights.
VAT Refund for Foreign Tourists Upheld: Equal Protection and Taxation Rules Explained
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the VAT refund law for foreign tourists, explaining why the classification does not violate equal protection.
Upholding Election Law Amendments Ensuring Fair And Transparent Elections
The Supreme Court upheld RA 9369's constitutionality, affirming Congress's power to amend election laws for transparency, credibility, fairness, and accuracy.
Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Cigarette Tax Classification and Uniformity
The Court upholds the constitutionality of the cigarette excise tax classification system under RA 9334, rejecting equal protection, uniformity, and unfair competition challenges.
VFA Constitutionality Upheld: Balancing Sovereignty and International Agreements
The Supreme Court upheld the Visiting Forces Agreement as constitutional while striking down detention agreements that violated its terms.
Excise Tax Uniformity: Rationalizing Cigarette Tax Classification Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the tiered excise tax on cigarettes, explaining how the classification freeze and Annex at 1996 prices, remained in lower tax brackets despite selling
Motion for Reconsideration and Election Protests: The CCP Board Case
The Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of filling vacancies in the CCP Board and the limits of the President's appointing power.
Supreme Court Upholds VAT Refund Law for Foreign Tourists Against Equal Protection Challenge
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the VAT refund law for non-resident foreign tourists, ruling that the classification rests on substantial distinctions.
Morality vs Constitutionality: Manila's Ermita-Malate Ordinance Struck Down
The Supreme Court nullified Manila Ordinance No. 7783 banning motels and similar establishments in Ermita-Malate, ruling it violated due process and property rights.
Death Penalty Moratorium: The Supreme Court's Stance on Legislative Influence and Execution
The Supreme Court rules that pending bills in Congress cannot justify staying death sentences, reaffirming the constitutionality of the death penalty.
Defining the Limits of Military Cooperation: The Balikatan 02-1 Constitutionality Case
The Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of Balikatan 02-1, clarifying the limits of US military cooperation in the Philippines.
Safeguarding Free Speech: The Unconstitutionality of Election Survey Publication Bans in the Philippines
Why the Supreme Court struck down the ban on publishing election surveys before elections as an unconstitutional prior restraint on free speech.
Regalian Doctrine vs Indigenous Rights: The IPRA Constitutionality Ruling
The Supreme Court's equally divided vote in Cruz v. DENR left the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act intact, shaping Philippine land law.
Lethal Injection in the Philippines: Balancing Constitutionality and Humane Execution
A look at Echegaray v. Secretary of Justice, where the Supreme Court upheld lethal injection as a constitutional method of execution.
Campaign Ad Ban in the Philippines: Balancing Free Speech and Fair Elections
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the political ad ban under RA 6646, ruling it a valid regulation ensuring equal opportunity among candidates.
Fair Competition in the Oil Industry: The Unconstitutionality of R.A. 8180's Anti-Competitive Provisions
The Supreme Court struck down R.A. 8180 for creating barriers to entry and entrenching an oil oligopoly, reaffirming the constitutional mandate for fair competition.