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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Probable Cause and Conspiracy: When Presence Alone Does Not Mean Guilt in Insurance Fraud
Supreme Court clarifies that mere presence and family ties do not establish conspiracy or probable cause in insurance fraud cases.
Conspiracy and Insurance Fraud: When Probable Cause Exists in Philippine Law
Supreme Court clarifies when mere presence and family ties do not establish conspiracy and probable cause in insurance fraud cases.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Drawing the Line in Insurance Compensation
Supreme Court clarifies when insurance unit managers are independent contractors, not employees, and must repay drawing allowances.
When Laws Change Mid-Case: Mootness Doctrine and Insurance Capital Rules
How the Supreme Court applied the mootness doctrine when a new law superseded the challenged insurance capitalization orders.
Securities Fraud and Filing Fees: What Empire Insurance Teaches About Investor Protection
Supreme Court clarifies filing fee computation for securities fraud actions and affirms preliminary injunction to protect investor-creditors' rights.
Premium Tax vs Cost of Service: Defining Minimum Corporate Income Tax
Supreme Court clarifies which taxes count as "cost of services" in computing MCIT for insurance companies, and when DST applies to policy increases.
Deposit Insurance Claims Upholding Pdic Authority AND Defining Course OF Business
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation's regulatory authority over bank operations and the definition of "course of business" in deposit insurance claim
Insurance Rescission: Proving Fraud in False Representations vs Concealment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when insurers can rescind for concealment versus false representations, and what evidence proves fraud.
Insurance Rescission: Proving Fraudulent Intent in False Representations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when insurers may rescind policies for false representations versus concealment, requiring clear proof of fraudulent intent.
Burden of Proof in Quasi-Delict Claims: Proving Negligence in Vehicular Accidents
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on negligence, quasi-delict liability, and evidentiary standards in a vehicular accident insurance subrogation case.
Surety Bonds Liability Extends Until Case Termination Despite NON Renewal
A surety bond stays effective until a case is finally terminated, even without renewal. Learn the rule from Enriquez v. Mercantile Insurance.
Docket Fees and Jurisdiction: When Good Faith Prevails in Civil Suits
The Supreme Court clarifies when underpaid docket fees do not defeat jurisdiction, applying the good faith exception from Manchester and Sun Insurance.
Probable Cause in Deposit Insurance Claims: Lessons from PDIC v. Gidwani
The Supreme Court reinstates probable cause findings against Manu Gidwani for estafa and money laundering, clarifying standards for preliminary investigations in deposit insurance fraud cases.
Where to File Certiorari Against PDIC Decisions on Deposit Insurance Claims
Learn where to file certiorari against PDIC decisions on deposit insurance claims, and what makes a deposit insurable under Philippine law.
Contempt of Court and the Limits of Reconsideration: Lessons from Fortune Life Insurance v. COA
The Supreme Court penalizes a litigant and counsel for disrespectful language in pleadings and clarifies the strict rules on second motions for reconsideration.
Insurance Subrogation: Establishing Insurer's Rights Against Third-Party Carriers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when insurers can recover from carriers via subrogation, and when presenting the insurance policy is required.
Supreme Court Affirms Negligence Ruling in Vehicle Collision Insurance Subrogation Case
Supreme Court affirms CA ruling holding driver negligent in highway collision, upholding insurer's subrogation claim for vehicle repair costs.
Insurance Proceeds AND Corporate Rehabilitation Land Banks Obligation TO Reimburse
Agent's Duty to Prioritize Principal's Interests: Lessons from a Carnapped Vehicle Case
When a bank-agent failed to file an insurance claim for a carnapped vehicle and demanded full payment instead, the Supreme Court ruled it breached its fiduciary duty.
Non-Payment of Premium and Insurance Coverage Validity: The Gaisano Case
When is an insurance policy valid? The Supreme Court clarifies that non-payment of premium before loss means no coverage.
Insurance Policy Incontestability Clarifying Reinstatement Dates And Insurer Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the incontestability period starts after policy reinstatement, and what insurers must prove to deny claims.
Reinsurance and Attachment Bonds: Upholding Surety Validity Beyond Retention Limits
Supreme Court clarifies that attachment bonds exceeding a surety's retention limit remain valid when the excess is reinsured, explaining reinsurance contracts.
Duty of Disclosure in Insurance Contracts: Insurers Must Prove Concealment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that insurers bear the burden of proving concealment or misrepresentation by convincing evidence before rescinding policies.
Securities Deposit Immunity Protecting Policyholders Interests IN Insurance Contracts
Learn how the Supreme Court protects policyholders' interests through the securities deposit immunity rule in insurance contracts.