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.
Maintaining the Status Quo: Upholding Preliminary Injunctions in Property Disputes
Learn when courts uphold preliminary injunctions in property disputes and why challenging final judgments through annulment of court processes fails.
Finality of Judgments: No Recomputation After Decision Becomes Executory
A final labor ruling cannot be recomputed or increased. Learn the finality rule and its exceptions from De Ocampo v. RPN-9.
Client Responsibility: The Binding Nature of Counsel Negligence in Philippine Law
When does a lawyer's mistake bind the client? The Supreme Court explains the rule on counsel negligence and the client's duty to monitor cases.
Revival of Judgment Equity Prevails Over Strict Procedural Rules in Land Dispute
Supreme Court allows revival of judgment beyond prescriptive period where strict rules would cause injustice to blameless litigants.
Contract to Sell: Full Compliance Required Before Buyer Can Demand Deed of Sale
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that buyers under a contract to sell must fulfill all obligations—not just the purchase price—before demanding a deed of sale.
Final Judgments and Supervening Events: When Execution Cannot Be Stopped
A sale of property after judgment finality does not automatically stop execution. The Supreme Court explains the limits of supervening events.
Untangling Time: When Does the Clock Start Ticking for Relief from Judgment?
Explaining the 60-day and 6-month periods for filing a petition for relief from judgment under Rule 38, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of Tax Appeals an
League of Cities v. COMELEC: The Finality of the 16 Cityhood Laws
The Supreme Court denies a second motion for reconsideration, affirming the constitutionality of the 16 Cityhood Laws with finality.
Finality of Judgments: Why Second Motions for Reconsideration Are Not Allowed in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts generally bar second motions for reconsideration. Learn the rule, its exceptions, and why finality matters.
Dinagat Islands Case: Supreme Court on Province Creation Requirements
The Supreme Court's Dinagat Islands ruling clarifies the constitutional and statutory requirements for creating a new province in the Philippines.
Client Responsibility Prevails: The Binding Effect of Counsel's Negligence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a client is bound by counsel's negligence, and the duty to monitor one's case.
Immediate Execution of Ombudsman Decisions: A Guide for Philippine Public Officials
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that Ombudsman suspension orders are immediately executory even pending appeal before the Court of Appeals.
Sheriff Misconduct: When Negligence Leads to Dismissal in the Philippines
A deputy sheriff's deliberate delay in serving a writ led to dismissal for gross misconduct. Key lessons for court personnel.
Relief From Judgment Not Available in the Supreme Court: Purcon v. MRM Philippines
The Supreme Court explains why a petition for relief from judgment under Rule 38 cannot be filed in the High Court.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Emancipation Patent Cancellation in Agrarian Retention Cases
Supreme Court affirms DARAB jurisdiction to cancel emancipation patents issued over lands validly retained by landowners under agrarian reform laws.
When Attached Property May Be Sold Before Judgment: China Banking Corp. v. Asian Construction
The Supreme Court clarifies when attached properties may be sold before final judgment under Rule 57, Section 11 of the Rules of Court.
Protecting Land Titles: Limits of Agrarian Reform Jurisdiction and Ancestral Land Claims
Supreme Court ruling on DARAB jurisdiction, Torrens title protection, and ancestral land claims under RA 8371.
Consignation Denied: Strict Compliance With Court Orders in Property Disputes
Supreme Court rules that consignation must be made within judicially prescribed periods; mere tender of payment is insufficient.
Lost Goods in Customs Custody: Government Liability and Revival of Judgments
A guide to government liability for lost goods in customs custody, revival of judgments, and legal interest rules under Philippine law.
Finality Prevails: Why Attempts to Reopen a Settled Bouncing Checks Case Fail
The Supreme Court explains why final judgments cannot be reopened through belated claims of newly discovered evidence in a B.P. 22 case.
Judicial Accountability: Good Faith Exception for Erroneous Judgments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that judges cannot be disciplined for erroneous rulings made in good faith, absent fraud or malice.
Gross Ignorance of the Law: When Can a Judge Be Held Liable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when judges face administrative liability for judicial errors, gross ignorance, and misconduct.
Lawyers' Dishonesty and Disobedience: When Administrative Cases Lead to Suspension
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for dishonesty and disobeying IBP orders, clarifying the burden of proof in disbarment cases.
Finality of Judgment: Clarification vs. Modification of Court Orders
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a final judgment may be clarified without violating the doctrine of immutability of judgments.