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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Unregistered Lease vs Mortgage: Tenant Rights in Foreclosure Explained
When a lease is unregistered and the property is foreclosed, who wins? The Supreme Court clarifies tenant rights in Mercader v. DBP.
Acquittal in Malversation Case Shows Audit Gaps Can Overcome Presumption of Guilt
Supreme Court acquits treasurer and cashier of malversation, ruling that flawed audit findings and lack of proof of actual shortage defeat the presumption of misappropriation.
The Right to Litigate Must Be Exercised in Good Faith: Lessons from a Baseless Insurance Suit
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when filing a baseless lawsuit can expose a party to damages for bad faith litigation.
Defining Jurisdiction: Courts vs Energy Regulatory Board in Overcharging Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that regular courts, not the ERB, hear disputes over electric overcharging and recovery of sums.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Woman Deprived of Reason Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that sexual intercourse with a mentally retarded woman constitutes rape under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code.
Justice for the Silenced: How Witness Testimony Overcame Trauma in a Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a child eyewitness's testimony, ruling that credible witness accounts prevail over a weak alibi.
Police Power and Civilian Employees: Defining Authority Within the PNP
Supreme Court ruling on NAPOLCOM Resolution 93-032: civilian PNP employees cannot exercise police powers reserved for uniformed personnel.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Corporation Be Held Accountable for Its Affiliates' Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may disregard the separate legal personality of corporations and hold them liable for affiliates' actions.
When Judges Misapply Summary Procedure: Radomes v. Jakosalem and Judicial Accountability
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's error in applying summary procedure to grave coercion, and the duty of judges to know the law.
Substitution of Plaintiff Denied: Why Counterclaims Matter in Philippine Civil Procedure
A look at Ang Kek Chen v. Judge Andrade and the rules on substitution of parties and counterclaims in Philippine civil procedure.
Supreme Court on Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262 and Cybercrime Law
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for online psychological abuse under RA 9262 and raises the penalty for using social media under RA 10175.
Enforcing Foreign Judgments in the Philippines: Lessons from Oil and Natural Gas Commission v. Pacific Cement
A Philippine Supreme Court case clarifies when foreign judgments are enforceable and how courts interpret arbitration clauses in commercial contracts.
Paraphernal vs Conjugal Property: How Cadastral Court Findings Settle Ownership
A final cadastral court finding that a wife inherited land overcomes the presumption of conjugal property, the Supreme Court rules.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Parent Companies Face Liability for Subsidiary Labor Claims
Philippine Supreme Court explains when courts may disregard corporate fiction and hold related companies liable for labor violations.
Navigating Buy-Bust Operations in the Philippines: Rights and Repercussions
Learn how Philippine courts view buy-bust operations, the rules on arrest and evidence, and what the Sy Bing Yok case means for drug charges.
When Can a Claim Be a Compulsory Counterclaim? Lessons from Yulienco v. Court of Appeals
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a claim must be raised as a compulsory counterclaim, and when separate suits are allowed.
Hulidap Defense in Philippine Drug Cases: Why It Usually Fails
The Supreme Court explains why the "hulidap" defense rarely succeeds in drug cases and what accused persons must prove to overcome it.
Exercising Your Option to Purchase: Timeliness and Good Faith in Philippine Lease Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on option-to-purchase clauses in lease contracts, timeliness of exercise, good faith, and fair market value pricing.
Dismissal for Willful Disobedience: When Managerial Discretion Has Limits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a managerial employee's exercise of discretion becomes willful disobedience justifying dismissal.
Grave Coercion vs. Illegal Detention: How Intent Shapes Philippine Criminal Liability
Philippine law distinguishes grave coercion from illegal detention by the accused's intent. Learn how the Supreme Court applies this test.
Positive Identification Overcomes Alibi in Murder Conviction of Prison Inmates
Supreme Court affirms murder convictions of four inmates, ruling positive identification prevails over denial and alibi in prison killing.
Grave Abuse of Discretion in Philippine Courts: When Certiorari Overcomes Lapsed Appeals
Explaining Bachrach v. Court of Appeals: when res judicata does not bar a separate action, and when certiorari may proceed despite a lapsed appeal.
Inheritance Rights of Nephews and Nieces: Proving Filiation and Overcoming Legal Presumptions
Can a death certificate block an ejectment suit? The Supreme Court clarifies provisional findings and inheritance rights of nephews and nieces.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Are Corporate Officers Personally Liable in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers may be personally liable and the limits of SEC jurisdiction over suspension of payments.