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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Upholding Workers' Right to Organize: Certification Elections Free From Employer Interference
Supreme Court ruling protects workers' right to organize and underscores that certification elections must remain free from employer interference.
Execution Pending Appeal in Philippine Election Protests: When Can a Trial Court Still Act
The Supreme Court clarifies when a trial court may still order execution pending appeal in election protests, even after an opponent files a notice of appeal.
Philippine Election Law: Voter Intent Prevails Over Technical Ballot Defects
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that minor ballot irregularities, like missing BEI signatures, do not invalidate votes.
Broadcasting Public Service: Understanding the Government's Right to Comelec Time
The Supreme Court upheld Section 92 of the Omnibus Election Code, requiring broadcast stations to give free air time to the COMELEC during elections.
Campaign Ad Ban in the Philippines: Balancing Free Speech and Fair Elections
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the political ad ban under RA 6646, ruling it a valid regulation ensuring equal opportunity among candidates.
Election Disqualification Cases: COMELEC's Continuing Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court rules that COMELEC must continue hearing disqualification cases even after a candidate's proclamation, citing Section 6 of RA 6646.
Fair Certification Elections Ensuring Workers Rights To Self Organization IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how tuition fee increases interact with wage orders and the 70% employee share under RA 6728.
COMELEC's Power to Prosecute Election Offenses: Independent Authority Affirmed
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's exclusive authority to prosecute election offenses, ruling that deputized prosecutors cannot override its decisions.
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.
Election Protests Understanding Timelines AND Grounds FOR Recounts IN THE Philippines
Ballot Authentication: How Missing BEI Signatures Affect Election Validity in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether unsigned ballots are spurious, and how voter intent prevails over technical omissions.
Election Protests Ensuring Fair Canvassing AND Valid Proclamations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on election protests, canvassing irregularities, and the validity of proclamations in electoral disputes.
Demurrer to Evidence: When Filing It Means Waiving Your Right to Present a Defense
Filing a motion to dismiss after the plaintiff rests can waive your right to present evidence. Learn the rule from a Philippine election case.
Election Protests Understanding Demurrer to Evidence and Waiver of Rights in Philippine Law
Learn how filing a demurrer to evidence waives the right to present defense evidence, based on Philippine Supreme Court rulings.
Legitimacy of Labor Unions: When a Photocopy of Registration Is Enough
A photocopy of a union's certificate of registration may suffice to prove legitimacy in certification election petitions. Learn the rule.
Failure of Election Under Philippine Law: Grounds and Remedies Explained
Learn the limited grounds for declaring a failed election under Philippine law and the proper remedies available to candidates and voters.
Pre-Proclamation Disputes: When Election Cases End at the Start of Term
Learn how Philippine law terminates pre-proclamation cases at the start of term, and when the remedy shifts to an election protest.
Election Protests: The Strict Timeline for Filing Counterprotests in the Philippines
Understand the strict 5-day deadline for filing counterprotests in Philippine election cases, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Lim v. COMELEC.
Counter-Protest Deadlines in Election Cases: Jurisdictional Limits of COMELEC
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strict deadlines for counter-protests in election cases and COMELEC's jurisdictional limits.
Challenging Comelec Orders: Abuse of Discretion and Preliminary Injunctions in Election Cases
When can Comelec issue a preliminary injunction against a winning candidate? This case explains the limits of judicial review.
Vote Buying and Disqualification: Nolasco vs. COMELEC Explained
What happens when a winning candidate is disqualified for vote buying? The Nolasco case clarifies succession and election law.
Retroactivity of Disqualification: When Prior Misconduct Bars Future Elections
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether Section 40(b) of the Local Government Code applies retroactively to disqualify candidates removed from office before 1992.
Execution Pending Appeal in Philippine Election Protests: When Can a Winner Take Office Early
Learn when Philippine courts allow execution pending appeal in election protests, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Lindo v. COMELEC.
Pre-Proclamation Controversies: Valid Objections vs Election Protests in the Philippines
Learn when ballot objections belong in pre-proclamation cases or election protests, based on Patoray v. COMELEC.