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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Apparent Authority and Escalation Agreements in Construction Disputes: The Philippine Realty Case
When does a construction manager's signature bind the owner? The Supreme Court explains apparent authority and escalation agreements.
Bank Certification Letters Are Not Guarantees: Lessons from Bank of Commerce v. Goodman Fielder
When is a bank's certification letter a binding guaranty? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on apparent authority and contractual interpretation.
Breach of Contract: DPWH’s Right to Rescind Despite Slippage Thresholds
When can a government agency rescind a construction contract? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on contractual breach and slippage thresholds.
Combating Fraudulent Land Titles: Supreme Court Upholds Property Rights Against Forgery
A 2009 Supreme Court ruling clarifies how courts handle forged land titles, apparent authority, and lis pendens in property disputes.
Easement Rights in Property Use Disputes: The Legaspi Towers 300 Case
Supreme Court clarifies when easements arise in property disputes, explaining voluntary easements, apparent signs, and unjust enrichment under Philippine law.
Harbor Pilot Nighttime and Overtime Pay Entitlement Clarified
Supreme Court affirms harbor pilots' right to nighttime and overtime pay under PPA Administrative Order No. 03-85, rejecting PPA resolutions that disallowed such compensation.
Arrastre Contractor Liability: When the P3,500-Per-Package Limit Does Not Apply
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when arrastre contractors cannot invoke the P3,500 per-package liability limit under PPA Administrative Order No. 10-81.
Pilotage Fees and Government Share: PPA Can Collect Directly from Shipping Lines
Supreme Court ruling on PPA's authority to collect the 10% government share on pilotage fees directly from shipping companies.
Hospital Liability for Consultant Doctors: The Doctrine of Apparent Authority
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on hospital liability for consultant physicians' negligence under apparent authority and corporate negligence doctrines.
When Apparent Authority Binds a Corporation: Lessons from Filipinas Life v. Pedroso
When can a corporation be liable for its agent's unauthorized acts? The Supreme Court explains apparent authority and ratification in Filipinas Life v. Pedroso.
Welga ng Bayan and Illegal Work Stoppage: What Philippine Employees Should Know
Joining a welga ng bayan without notice can be an illegal work stoppage. Learn the rules from the Biflex case.
Corporate Autonomy and Employee Benefits: The PPA Hazard Pay and Birthday Gift Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations can grant employee benefits, using the PPA hazard pay and birthday cash gift case.
Equal Treatment in Back Pay for Philippine Ports Authority Employees
Supreme Court rules PPA employees hired after July 1, 1989 are entitled to COLA and amelioration allowance back pay.
Preliminary Injunction vs. Government Bidding: PPA v. Cipres Stevedoring (G.R. No. 145742)
The Supreme Court ruled that courts cannot stop government cargo handling bids, and that a hold-over permit creates no vested right to a contract.
PPA Rate Increases and Due Process: What Shipping Lines Should Know
The Supreme Court clarifies when notice and hearing are required for port rate increases by the Philippine Ports Authority.
PPA Withdrawal of Tax Exemption and Liability for Real Property Taxes
Supreme Court ruling on PPA's liability for real property taxes after withdrawal of tax exemptions under PD 1931 and the Local Government Code.
Protecting Minors When a Stepfather's Relationship Qualifies as Rape
The Supreme Court explains when a stepparent's rape of a minor is simple rape or qualified rape and why the indictment must allege the qualifying relationship.
Tax Exemptions for Government Corporations: The Philippine Ports Authority Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations like the PPA must pay local taxes, and when they cannot change legal theories on appeal.
When Can a Corporate President Bind the Corporation? Lessons from Inter-Asia v. Asia Industries
A corporate president can bind the corporation even without board authority under apparent authority. Learn the rules from this Supreme Court case.
Corporate Officers' Apparent Authority and Breach of Warranties in Stock Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on corporate president's apparent authority to bind company and breach of warranty claims in stock purchase agreements.
Conspiracy and Liability in Robbery with Homicide: Lessons from People v. Tuppal
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how conspiracy makes every participant in a robbery liable for a killing, even the one who did not fire the fatal shot.
Rape and Stepfather Relationship: When Death Penalty Applies in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a stepparent's rape of a minor warrants death penalty versus simple rape.
Safeguarding the Electoral Will: Scrutinizing Mathematical Errors in Election Canvassing
The Supreme Court annulled a COMELEC order correcting alleged canvassing errors, emphasizing that only manifest errors apparent on the face of certificates may be corrected.
Compromise Agreements and Court Approval in Property Disputes: The PPA v. Maranan Case
The Supreme Court approves a compromise agreement in Philippine Ports Authority v. Maranan, showing how amicable settlements can end property disputes.