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.
Abandonment Requires Clear Intent Protecting Employees From Unjust Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that abandonment of work requires clear intent to sever employment, not mere absence from work.
Finality of Court Orders and the 3-Day Notice Rule: Ti v. Diño
The Supreme Court clarifies that defective motions do not toll the appeal period, and personal service is mandatory when practicable.
VAT Refund for Tourists Upheld: Why the Supreme Court Found No Equal Protection Violation
The Supreme Court upheld the VAT refund law for foreign tourists, ruling it does not violate equal protection and uniform taxation.
Just Compensation and Due Process in Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
The Supreme Court rules that just compensation for agrarian reform land must be valued at the time of taking, not at outdated dates, and that gross undervaluation violates due process.
Warrantless Arrests and Drug Evidence: When a Tiny Sachet Leads to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a man of drug possession, stressing strict compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 for minuscule amounts of shabu.
Medical Abandonment in Seafarer Disability Claims: Upholding Treatment Obligations
Filing a disability claim while still under treatment can backfire. The Supreme Court explains medical abandonment in seafarer cases.
Mastermind Liability When Inducement Leads to Robbery and Carnapping
When a mastermind induces others to commit robbery and carnapping, Philippine law holds them fully liable for all consequences.
Faulty Notarization Foils Contract Cancellation: Buyer Entitled to Refund Under Maceda Law
When a developer's notice of cancellation fails notarial requirements, the contract remains valid and the buyer may claim refunds under the Maceda Law.
Due Process Rights and Fair Notice in Administrative Cases: The Iglesias Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that administrative due process requires fair notice of charges, but valid original allegations can still support dismissal.
Striking a Balance: Upholding Agrarian Justice Without Sacrificing Procedural Rules
The Supreme Court reminds appellate courts that minor procedural lapses should not defeat the right to appeal, especially in agrarian cases involving social justice.
Lack of Price Certainty: How Indefinite Terms Can Invalidate a Real Estate Sale
Indefinite terms like an uncertain price can void a real estate sale. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Historical Truth vs National Reconciliation: The Supreme Court Ruling on Marcos' Libingan ng mga Bayani Burial
The Supreme Court upheld President Duterte's decision to bury Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, ruling it a political question beyond judicial review.
Barangay Conciliation Residency Requirements FOR Filing Court Cases IN THE Philippines
Understand the residency requirements for barangay conciliation before filing court cases in the Philippines, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Chain of Custody Imperative: Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, underscoring that strict compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 is vital to preserve evidence integrity.
Upholding Local Authority When Business Permits AND Public Welfare Collide
Supreme Court ruling on when local governments may validly withhold permits and shut down businesses for sanitation violations.
Finality of DAR Orders: Due Process in Agrarian Reform Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court upholds the finality of DAR orders, the rules on land reclassification, and due process in agrarian reform.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Director Liability in Investment Fraud Cases
When can directors be personally liable for corporate fraud? The Supreme Court's ruling in Virata v. Ng Wee provides clear guidance.
Surrender of Owner's Duplicate Title: Buyers Cannot Withhold It Indefinitely
Buyers who hold an owner's duplicate title after a partial sale must register promptly; co-owners can compel surrender if registration is unreasonably delayed.
Protecting Children: Credibility of Testimony in Lasciviousness Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a child victim's credible testimony alone can convict in lasciviousness cases, and clarifies penalties under RA 7610.
When Business Closure Is Valid: Employer Prerogative vs. Employee Security
The Supreme Court explains when a company may validly close operations and terminate employees, and how workers can challenge the closure.
When Can Courts Interfere With Ombudsman Probable Cause Findings
The Supreme Court explains the limits of judicial review over Ombudsman probable cause findings in anti-graft cases against public officers.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can Stockholders Be Held Liable for Corporate Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies that stockholders of a close corporation are not automatically personally liable for corporate debts, explaining the limits of piercing the corporate veil.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Stockholder’s Assets Answer for Corporate Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies that stockholders are not automatically liable for corporate debts, even in close corporations, and explains when personal assets may be reached.
Replevin Actions: Proving Ownership and Rightful Possession in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that replevin requires proof of ownership or rightful possession, not just a claim of wrongful detention.