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.
Leasehold Improvements: Understanding Reimbursement Rights and Obligations in Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts handle leasehold improvement reimbursement rights, obligations, and settlement through compromise agreements.
Quashal vs Provisional Dismissal: Understanding the Nuances of Criminal Procedure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the key differences between a motion to quash and provisional dismissal under Rule 117, and why the time-bar rule does not apply to quashal orders.
Voluntary Resignation Bars Seafarers Claims Understanding Contractual Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how voluntary resignation affects seafarers' claims for sickness allowance and disability benefits under POEA contracts.
Missed Your Appeal Understanding Finality of Judgments and Procedural Deadlines in Philippine Courts
Learn how missing appeal deadlines makes judgments final and binding, using a Philippine Supreme Court case on union elections as guide.
When Acquittal Extinguishes Civil Liability: Understanding Reckless Imprudence Cases
Learn how acquittal in reckless imprudence cases affects civil liability, based on Philippine Supreme Court rulings and key legal principles.
Standing to Sue for Reversion of Public Lands: The Real Party in Interest Rule
Who may sue to cancel titles over foreshore land? The Supreme Court clarifies that only the State, through the Solicitor General, may bring reversion actions.
Donation Mortis Causa vs Inter Vivos: Understanding Estate Transfers in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a donation is mortis causa, not inter vivos, and why formalities of a will matter.
Lease vs Land Reform: Tenant Rights to Crops and Improvements Under CARP
When the government acquires land under CARP, who owns the standing crops and improvements—the landowner or the tenant? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Conspiracy and Liability in Rape: Understanding Shared Criminal Intent
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy rules in rape cases, explaining when co-accused share criminal liability.
Finality of Judgments: Understanding Motions for Reconsideration in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a second motion for reconsideration may be allowed, emphasizing finality of judgments and notice to counsel rules.
Private Land Rights Prevail Over Free Patent Applications Understanding Land Ownership Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that private land cannot be subjected to free patent applications, settling a decades-long ownership dispute.
Challenging Jurisdiction: Understanding Estoppel by Laches in Philippine Courts
When can a litigant be barred by laches from questioning a court's lack of jurisdiction? The Supreme Court clarifies in Figueroa v. People.
Healthcare Agreements vs Insurance: Understanding Documentary Stamp Tax
Philippine Supreme Court rules health maintenance organization agreements are insurance contracts subject to documentary stamp tax under the Tax Code.
Public Office and Falsification: Understanding Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction
Explaining when the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over falsification cases involving public officials, based on Pactolin v. Sandiganbayan (G.R. No. 161455).
Understanding Forum Shopping and Writ of Possession in Philippine Foreclosure Law
The Supreme Court clarifies forum shopping, real party-in-interest rules, and the ministerial nature of writs of possession in extrajudicial foreclosures.
Safeguarding Due Process Understanding Formal Investigation in Philippine Attorney Disciplinary Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court upholds due process in administrative cases against court personnel, using a sheriff's suspension as a key example.
Strikes and Employee Rights: Understanding the Limits of Union Activities in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal, union busting, corporate veil piercing, and quitclaims in labor disputes.
Binding Amicable Settlements: Understanding Repudiation in Barangay Justice
When is a barangay amicable settlement binding? The Supreme Court explains repudiation rules under the Local Government Code.
Philippine Government Employees and the Right to Protest: Understanding the Limits of Mass Actions
The Supreme Court clarifies the scope of civil servants' right to protest and the legal boundaries of mass actions in the Philippines.
Partitioning Property Understanding Co-Ownership and Heirs' Rights in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law resolves double sales of inherited property, the role of registration, and heirs' rights in co-ownership disputes.
Conspiracy and Treachery: How Group Violence Shapes Criminal Liability
Understanding how conspiracy and treachery work together in group violence, and why a police officer's warning shot still made him liable for murder.
Shared Intent Shared Liability Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law
Learn how conspiracy works in Philippine criminal law, when co-accused share liability, and what the Supreme Court says about proving a common design.
Perfecting Your Appeal Understanding Jurisdictional Requirements IN Philippine Courts
A look at how the Supreme Court treats compromise agreements after a petition is denied, and what this means for litigants in the Philippines.
When Circumstantial Evidence Leads to Conviction: Understanding Parricide in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how circumstantial evidence can prove parricide and intent to kill in People v. Castillo.