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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Ombudsman's Discretion Upheld: Probable Cause in PNP Procurement Irregularities
Supreme Court affirms Ombudsman's probable cause findings in anomalous PNP V-150 LAV procurement, clarifying due process and review standards.
Disbarment for Judicial Misconduct: Upholding Integrity in the Legal Profession
The Supreme Court disbars a former judge for soliciting money and covering up irregularities, reaffirming that lawyers must uphold integrity.
Supreme Court Clarifies Good Faith Defense in PDAF NGO Contract Irregularities
SC ruling clarifies when failure to conduct public bidding in PDAF-funded NGO projects constitutes grave misconduct versus simple misconduct.
Psychological Incapacity: Infidelity Alone Insufficient for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that infidelity and irreconcilable differences do not automatically constitute psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Beyond Irresponsibility: Defining Psychological Incapacity in Marriage Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a spouse's immaturity and irresponsibility rise to the level of psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Prior Approval Is Paramount: DSWD Contract Faces Scrutiny Over COA Concurrence
Government agencies must secure prior COA concurrence and OSG approval before hiring private lawyers, or risk irregular expenditures.
Government Procurement: Upholding Integrity and Accountability in Public Bidding Processes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies accountability of BAC members in irregular government procurement under RA 9184, ruling on grave and simple misconduct.
Mootness Doctrine: When Supervening Events Make Court Rulings Irrelevant
Philippine Veterans Bank v. CA explains when a case becomes moot and academic due to supervening events and why courts dismiss such petitions.
Agency Coupled With Interest Irrevocability AND Protection OF Third Party Rights IN Lease Agreements
Explaining when an agency coupled with interest becomes irrevocable, protecting the agent's rights and third-party interests in lease agreements.
Human Trafficking Consent and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act
The Supreme Court clarifies that a victim's consent is irrelevant in human trafficking cases under RA 9208, as amended by RA 10364.
Understanding the Real Estate Service Act Integration Ruling: What the Supreme Court Decided
The Supreme Court upheld the IRR defining the AIPO for real estate practitioners. Learn what this landmark ruling means for RESPs.
Good Faith in Government Procurement: When Brand Specification Is Not Graft
The Supreme Court clarifies that procurement irregularities do not automatically prove graft under Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft Law.
Understanding the COA's Role in Government Contracts: Insights from a Landmark Dairy Farm Case
A look at how the Supreme Court defined the Commission on Audit's power to disallow irregular government contracts and the liability of public officers.
Grave Misconduct and Government Procurement: Upholding Accountability in Public Projects
The Supreme Court affirms that public officials may be held liable for grave misconduct arising from irregularities in government procurement, reinforcing accountability in public projects.
Proper Search Procedures in Drug Possession Cases: Insights from Quilet v. People
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession convict due to irregular strip search, flawed marking, and missing witnesses under RA 9165.
Bad Faith Dismissals: PBAC Members Liable for Irregular Government Procurement
A provincial legal officer's dismissal for grave misconduct shows how PBAC members face liability for bad faith in government procurement.
No Immunity for Dishonest Acts: CSC Discretion Prevails in Suriaga v. Dela Rosa-Bala
Supreme Court affirms CSC's denial of immunity to fire officer who failed to substantiate claims against alleged fixer in exam irregularity case.
Public Bidding and Travel Permits: When Mayors Fall Under Anti-Graft Law
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of two mayors for violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft Law over irregular medicine purchases and unauthorized travel reimbursements.
Retroactive GCTA: Supreme Court Upholds Inmates' Right to Good Conduct Time Allowance
The Supreme Court struck down the IRR's prospective application of R.A. 10592, affirming inmates' right to retroactive good conduct time allowance credits.
Common Carriers and Stolen Goods: The Extraordinary Diligence Standard in the Philippines
Philippine law holds common carriers liable for stolen goods unless theft involved grave threat or irresistible force. Learn the extraordinary diligence standard.
Priority of Title: Resolving Conflicting Land Ownership Claims in the Philippines
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier one prevails. The Supreme Court explains the rule in Aquino v. Estate of Aguirre.
Psychological Incapacity: The High Bar for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines
The Supreme Court reiterates that psychological incapacity under Article 36 requires proof of gravity, juridical antecedence, and incurability—not mere infidelity or irreconcilable differences.
Upholding Redemption Rights: The Validity of an Irrevocable Power of Attorney in Land Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on irrevocable power of attorney, land redemption, and compromise agreements in Philippine civil law.
Protecting Childhood Statutory Rape AND THE Irrelevance OF Consent
The Supreme Court affirms that in statutory rape, consent is irrelevant; mere touching of the labia by the penis constitutes carnal knowledge.