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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MTRCB Power to Regulate TV Broadcasts: Free Speech vs Public Welfare
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling in Soriano v. Laguardia on MTRCB regulatory powers over television broadcasts and free speech limits.
Facial Challenges to Penal Statutes: Free Speech vs. State Power in Election Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when penal statutes like election laws may be challenged on their face, balancing free speech against state power.
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.
Judicial Ethics and Free Speech: When Complaints Against Judges Cross the Line
The Supreme Court clarifies when criticism of judges becomes baseless and how judicial remedies must precede administrative complaints.
Balancing Free Speech and Reputation: Defining Libel in Philippine Journalism
A look at how the Supreme Court defined the line between press freedom and libel in a landmark 2006 case.
Navigating Libel in the Philippines: Defamation, Privileged Communication, and Free Speech
Understand Philippine libel law through a landmark case—what defamation requires, when privileged communication applies, and the penalties involved.
Limits of Free Speech When Criticism of the Judiciary Becomes Contempt of Court in the Philippines
Philippine law balances free speech with judicial integrity. Learn when criticism of judges crosses the line into contempt of court.
Limits to Free Speech When Attorney Conduct Turns Unprofessional
A lawyer's free speech in pleadings has limits. The Supreme Court suspends a counsel for offensive language against opposing counsel.
Free Speech vs Defamation: Safeguarding Radio Commentary Through Evidentiary Standards
Philippine jurisprudence balances free speech and defamation in radio commentary, requiring clear evidence before liability attaches to broadcasters.
Fair Comment vs Defamation: Protecting Free Speech in Political Campaigns
The Supreme Court explains when critical articles about political candidates are protected fair comment, not libel.
Navigating Libel and Free Speech in Corporate Communications
When is a corporate letter defamatory? The Supreme Court clarifies libel elements and privileged communication in Novicio v. Aggabao.
Limits to Free Speech: Protecting Judicial Independence From Public Pressure
The Supreme Court held that statements pressuring justices to rule a certain way are not protected free speech but indirect contempt of court.
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.
Respecting the Court: Judicial Ethics and the Limits of Free Speech for Philippine Judges
What happens when a judge attacks the Supreme Court? A lesson in judicial ethics, free speech limits, and the duty of magistrates.
Exit Polls and Free Speech: The ABS-CBN v. Comelec Ruling
The Supreme Court struck down Comelec's total ban on exit polls, affirming that free speech and press freedoms protect election-day surveys.
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.
Libel and Free Speech: The Limits of Defamation in Workplace Communications
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on direct contempt clarifies the boundary between free speech and defamatory conduct in workplace settings.