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.
Electronic Fund Transfers and Documentary Stamp Tax: Navigating Tax Laws in the Digital Age
The Supreme Court ruled that electronic fund transfer instructions are not bills of exchange subject to documentary stamp tax under Section 181.
Mootness Doctrine: When Supervening Events Make Court Cases Academic
Learn how the mootness doctrine works in Philippine civil procedure, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Republic v. Manalo.
Ill-Gotten Wealth, Close Association with Marcoses, and Asset Recovery: A Legal Primer
Learn how Philippine courts define "ill-gotten wealth," prove close association with the Marcoses, and recover assets under sequestration laws.
Finality of Judgment and the Fresh Period Rule: Timely Appeals in Philippine Civil Procedure
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the fresh period rule and finality of judgment principles in Eserjose v. Allied Banking Corporation.
Restitution After Judgment Modification: Fairness in Executed Judgments
When the Supreme Court reduces damages after properties have been sold at execution, how are parties made whole? The Eserjose case explains restitution rules.
Falsification of Public Documents: Balancing Expert Testimony and Due Process
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how NBI expert reports and due process rights interact in falsification preliminary investigations.
Breach of Public Trust: Official Position Cannot Shield Criminal Acts
Philippine Supreme Court affirms conviction of municipal treasurer for graft and estafa, ruling public office cannot shield criminal acts.
Mortgage in Good Faith: Banks vs Unregistered Land Sales in the Philippines
When does a bank lose protection as a mortgagee in good faith? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on unregistered land sales.
Accountability Under the Law: Presumption of Malversation in Public Office
A clerk of court's failure to remit judiciary funds raises the presumption of malversation. Learn the rules on public accountability.
Continuing Suretyship in the Philippines: Liability for Future Debts Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld a surety's liability for future debts under a Continuing Suretyship, and when courts may reduce attorney's fees.
Default Judgments: Excusable Negligence and Timely Remedies in Philippine Courts
Understand default judgments in Philippine courts, the strict rules on excusable negligence, and the timely remedies available to defendants.
Default Judgments: Excusable Negligence and Timely Remedies in Philippine Courts
Understand when Philippine courts set aside default orders, what counts as excusable negligence, and the remedies available to defendants.
Possession Is Key: Unpaid Trust Certificates and Bank Liability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a bank client holding original unpaid trust certificates can enforce payment, even years after maturity.
When an Agent's Mortgage Signed in Own Name Does Not Bind the Principal
A mortgage signed by an agent in a personal capacity, without indicating agency, binds only the agent, not the principal.
Protecting Homebuyers: PD 957 Prevails Over Bank Mortgages in Subdivision Sales
Supreme Court rules banks must honor PD 957 protections for subdivision buyers, even when properties are mortgaged to secure developer loans.
Surety Bonds Survive Debt Extension: Key Supreme Court Ruling on Article 2079
Extension of a principal's debt without a surety's consent does not automatically extinguish surety bonds, per the Supreme Court.
Fixed-Term Employment vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure and Illegal Dismissal
When a fixed-term contract expires but the employee keeps working, regular employment and security of tenure may arise. Illegal dismissal rules apply.
Duty to Disclose Accrued Interest in SALNs and the Limits of Administrative Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that public officials must declare accrued interest on time deposits in their SALNs, but penalties consider good faith.
When Can a Party Be Held Liable for Another Person's Debt? A Philippine Supreme Court Guide
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a person may be held liable for another's debt under Article 1311 of the Civil Code.
Annulment of Judgment: Extrinsic Fraud Must Be Caused by the Adverse Party
The Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer's negligence is not extrinsic fraud for annulment of judgment under Rule 47.
Legal Compensation in Philippine Law: When Can Debts Be Offset?
Philippine law on legal compensation explained through a Supreme Court case on contingent obligations and when debts can be offset.
Extrinsic Fraud and Annulment of Judgment: What Litigants Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer's negligence is not extrinsic fraud, and explains the strict requirements for annulling a final judgment under Rule 47.
Estate Inventory Disputes: Probate Courts' Provisional Powers on Inclusion of Properties
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on probate courts' authority to provisionally determine ownership for estate inventory inclusion.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Courts Must Follow the DAR Formula
The Supreme Court clarifies that agrarian courts must apply Section 17 of RA 6657 and DAR AO 5-98 when fixing just compensation for expropriated land.