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.

Showing 2548 of 466 articles for mandatory

Installment Land Sales in the Philippines: Buyer Rights and Contract Reinstatement

Learn how the Supreme Court protects installment buyers' right to reinstate contracts under the Maceda Law.

Abandonment as Psychological Violence: Understanding RA 9262 in Philippine Law

The Supreme Court ruled that a husband's abandonment of his wife can be psychological violence under RA 9262, explaining the elements and penalties.

Enforcing Foreign Arbitral Awards in the Philippines: The Authentication Requirement

Learn why authenticated arbitration agreements are jurisdictional requirements for enforcing foreign arbitral awards in Philippine courts, as ruled in Manis Shipping.

Speedy Disposition Rights: How Delay Can Dismiss Your Illegal Recruitment Case

Learn how inordinate delay in resolving illegal recruitment cases can violate constitutional rights and lead to dismissal.

Deficiency Claims After Mortgage Foreclosure: The Prieto v. BPI Ruling

Learn how the Supreme Court's Prieto v. BPI ruling protects borrowers from unproven deficiency claims after mortgage foreclosure in the Philippines.

Forum Shopping: When Filing Multiple Cases Crosses the Line

The Supreme Court clarifies when filing multiple cases amounts to forum shopping, and which body has jurisdiction to rule on it.

Understanding Special Leave Benefits for Women: Insights From a Landmark Supreme Court Case

A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the procedural requirements for special leave benefits for women, emphasizing the importance of the three-day notice rule in motions.

Foreclosure Publication Rule: Why Missing the Notice Voids the Sale

Failure to publish a foreclosure notice under Act No. 3135 is a jurisdictional defect that invalidates the sale, as Baclig v. Rural Bank of Cabugao shows.

Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: When a Dismissed Judge Can Be Forgiven

The Supreme Court explains the rules on judicial clemency and when a dismissed judge may recover retirement benefits.

Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Insights from the Supreme Court's Facebook Post Ruling

The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and when ICT use raises the penalty.

Dishonesty and Neglect of Duty: Consequences for Court Personnel in the Philippines

A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's cash shortages clarifies the penalties for dishonesty and gross neglect of duty.

SALN Compliance: Government’s Duty to Notify and Consequences of Non-Compliance

The Supreme Court clarifies that government agencies must follow the mandatory review and compliance procedure before penalizing officials for SALN errors or omissions.

Defective Summons Voids Trustee Appointment: Key Lessons from Diversified Plastic Film v. PI-One

Defective summons can void court proceedings. Learn the jurisdictional limits and SPV Act requirements from this Supreme Court ruling.

Gross Negligence of Counsel Can Restore the Right to Appeal in Criminal Cases

When a lawyer's gross negligence and misrepresentations cause a client to lose the right to appeal, the Supreme Court may recall the entry of judgment and reinstate the appeal.

Notarial Duty Consequences Of Neglecting Proper Identification IN Philippine LAW

A notary who fails to verify identities faces suspension and perpetual disqualification, as shown in a recent Supreme Court ruling.

Unlawful Termination Employer Liability FOR Extended Business Suspension AND Retrenchment Requirements

When a business suspension exceeds six months and retrenchment rules are ignored, employers face illegal dismissal liability. Learn the rules.

PhilHealth Claims: Supreme Court Protects Healthcare Providers’ Due Process Rights

The Supreme Court ruled PhilHealth violated due process in claims against Quezon City Eye Center, reinforcing procedural fairness in administrative cases.

Circumventing Procurement Laws: Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal of Local Officials

Supreme Court affirms dismissal of Buguias officials who bypassed competitive bidding under R.A. 9184, reinforcing public trust standards.

Omission of Drug Quantity in Information: Can Conviction Still Stand?

The Supreme Court clarifies when an Information's failure to state drug quantity affects conviction and penalty in drug cases.

Reconstitution of Lost Land Titles: Strict Compliance with RA 26 Required

The Supreme Court clarifies that substantial compliance is not enough when petitioning for reconstitution of lost or destroyed land titles under RA 26.

Reconstitution of Lost Land Titles: Strict Rules Under RA 26 Explained

Lost your Torrens title? Judicial reconstitution demands strict compliance with RA 26. Learn the rules, evidence, and burden of proof.

Expropriation Voided: Olongapo's Failure to Make a Valid Offer and Grant Due Process

Supreme Court voids Olongapo's expropriation of Jose Co Lee's property for lack of a valid offer and due process, reaffirming safeguards for property owners.

Understanding the One-Specific-Offense Rule for Search Warrants in Philippine Drug Cases

A defective search warrant covering multiple offenses voids seizures, even if the accused waives objections to arrest.

Redundancy and Management Prerogative: Balancing Business Needs and Employee Rights in Terminations

The Supreme Court clarifies when redundancy is a valid ground for dismissal and what employers must prove to avoid illegal dismissal claims.