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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Marked Ballots in Philippine Elections: When Stray Marks Invalidate a Vote
Philippine election law invalidates ballots with deliberate identifying marks, but accidental or third-party markings may still be valid. Learn the rules.
Ballot Interpretation Upholding Voter Intent in Philippine Elections
How the Supreme Court applied the neighborhood, idem sonans, and intent rules to uphold voter intent in a barangay election protest.
Pre-Proclamation Disputes, Manifest Errors, and COMELEC Rule Suspensions in Philippine Elections
A guide to pre-proclamation disputes, manifest errors, and COMELEC's power to suspend rules, based on Trinidad v. COMELEC.
When Can Election Returns Be Rejected: Pre-Proclamation Controversies in Philippine Elections
Learn when election returns may be excluded from canvassing and why Philippine law limits pre-proclamation controversies to summary proceedings.
Residency Disputes in Philippine Elections: Respecting the Electorate's Choice and Navigating Jurisdiction
Explaining Perez v. COMELEC on residency requirements, election disqualification jurisdiction, and the rule that the electorate's choice should prevail.
Surname Use in Philippine Elections: When It Is Not a Material Misrepresentation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when using a surname in a certificate of candidacy is not a material misrepresentation under election law.
Substitution Rules in Philippine Elections: When a Substitute Candidate Can Validly Replace an Original
Philippine election law on substitution: a disqualified candidate may be replaced only if he had a valid certificate of candidacy. Learn the rule.
Ensuring Valid Candidacy: Why Proper Nomination Is Crucial in Philippine Elections
Learn why a defective party nomination invalidates a certificate of candidacy, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Recabo vs. COMELEC.
Safeguarding Suffrage When CAN Philippine Elections GO Manual
When can Philippine elections shift from automated to manual counting? The Supreme Court explains in Loong v. COMELEC.
Election Tampering Safeguarding the Integrity of Philippine Elections
How the Supreme Court upheld COMELEC's power to annul tampered election returns and order recanvassing to protect electoral integrity.
Fugitive From Justice: Understanding Disqualification in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court clarifies what "fugitive from justice" means for election disqualification under the Local Government Code.
Moral Turpitude and Fencing: Understanding Disqualification in Philippine Elections
Learn how a fencing conviction disqualifies candidates from local office under Philippine election law, explained in plain language.