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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Vicarious Liability: When Employers Are Liable for Employee Torts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employers are vicariously liable for employee torts under Article 2180, and how due diligence in selection and supervision can defeat liability.
Breach OF Trust Dismissal FOR Court Personnel Extorting Litigants IN THE Philippines
Kidnapping for Ransom: When Illegal Detention Meets Extortion
The Supreme Court explains when detention becomes kidnapping for ransom and how continued demands for payment support a separate robbery charge.
Dismissal FOR Grave Misconduct Extortion BY Court Employees Undermines Judicial Integrity
Navigating the Chain: Establishing Drug Possession and Extortion Defenses in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts weigh buy-bust evidence, chain of custody, and the disfavored defense of extortion in drug cases.
Sheriff's Extortion and Neglect of Duty: A Supreme Court Lesson on Court Personnel Integrity
Supreme Court ruling on a sheriff's extortion and neglect of duty, reaffirming that sheriffs must execute writs with diligence and integrity.
Solidary Liability When Negligence in Construction Leads to Shared Responsibility
When two parties' separate negligent acts combine to cause one injury, Philippine law treats them as joint tortfeasors solidarily liable for all damages.
Upholding Integrity Disbarment FOR Attorneys Extortion AND Misrepresentation IN Guaranteeing Favorable Judgmen
Lawyer disbarred for demanding P580,000 from client to guarantee favorable NLRC ruling, violating the Lawyer's Oath and Code of Professional Responsibility.
Court Employee Dismissed for Breach of Public Trust in Extorting Litigants
Supreme Court dismisses court employee for blocking ATM card to evade loan payments, ruling it dishonesty and grave misconduct.
Breach OF Trust Dismissal FOR Court Employees Extorting Litigants
Solicitation and Impropriety: Disbarment for Lawyers Violating Professional Ethics
A labor arbiter who solicited money from a litigant and distorted a final ruling was disbarred for gross misconduct and immorality.
Demanding Money for Reassignment: Extortion as Grave Misconduct in Public Service
When a fire marshal demanded P5,000 from subordinates to keep their posts, the Supreme Court upheld his dismissal for grave misconduct.
Negligence Beyond Contract: Recovering Damages From Third Parties in Philippine Carriage Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how passengers can recover damages from third-party tortfeasors in breach of carriage cases.
Tortious Interference Protecting Distributorship Rights in Philippine Commerce
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tortious interference with exclusive distributorship contracts and the liability of third parties who induce breach.
Public Trust Dismissal for Grave Misconduct in Extortion Case
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of BIR examiner for grave misconduct in extortion, clarifying substantial evidence standard in administrative cases.
Disbarment for Attorney Misconduct: Court Personnel Extortion and Abuse of Authority
Court personnel extorting litigants face severe penalties. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on gross misconduct, bribery, and abuse of authority.
Dismissal OF Extortion Complaint Upholding Attorneys Actions IN Intellectual Property Case
Court Personnel Extortion: Proving Guilt in Administrative Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on extortion by court personnel, explaining how guilt is proven in administrative cases and penalties.
Buy-Bust Operations Can Establish Guilt Despite Claims of Police Extortion
Supreme Court affirms drug conviction from buy-bust operation, rejecting claims of frame-up and extortion by police officers.
Breach of Contract and Tortious Interference: Proving a Valid Contractual Right
Learn when tortious interference claims fail: a valid contract must exist before third-party interference can be actionable under Philippine law.
Extortion in Labor Disputes: Upholding Termination Based on Substantial Evidence
SC ruling on Mitsubishi Motors v. Simon clarifies that substantial evidence, not proof beyond reasonable doubt, suffices to justify dismissal for serious misconduct.
Court Personnel Dismissed for Extorting Money From Litigant: A Lesson in Judicial Integrity
Process server dismissed for grave misconduct after demanding money to "fix" a case. The Supreme Court reaffirms that public office is a public trust.
Sheriff's Extortion Scheme in Execution of Demolition Order Draws Grave Misconduct Penalty
A sheriff who demanded P50,000 to delay a demolition and proceeded despite a court order was held liable for grave misconduct.
Malicious Prosecution in Estafa Cases: When a Criminal Complaint Becomes a Tort
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing an estafa complaint without probable cause constitutes malicious prosecution, making the complainant liable for damages.