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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Social Media Conduct of Lawyers: Maintaining Decorum and Respect for the LGBTQIA+ Community
The Supreme Court reprimanded five lawyers for homophobic Facebook posts, ruling that social media conduct falls within disciplinary authority.
Eyewitness Credibility and Social Media Evidence in Psychological Abuse Convictions
How the Supreme Court affirmed a psychological abuse conviction and set guidelines for proving social media authorship beyond reasonable doubt.
Investment Prudence and SSS Officials' Liability in Stock Purchase Decisions
Supreme Court clarifies when SSS officials may be held liable for investment decisions, applying the prudent man standard under the SSS Law.
Priority of Registered Levy vs Prior Unregistered Sale in Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a registered levy on execution beats a prior unregistered sale, and when it does not.
Financial Support and VAWC Intent: What Denial of Support Really Requires
The Supreme Court clarifies that criminal liability for denial of financial support under VAWC requires willful intent to cause anguish, not mere failure to provide.
Forged Donation Municipality Liable FOR Taking Private Land Without Just Compensation
Supreme Court rules a municipality must pay just compensation when it builds a road on private land under a forged deed of donation.
Loss of Trust in Banking Employment: The Prudent Man Standard for Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the standard for terminating bank employees for loss of trust, balancing employer diligence with employee rights.
Defective Summons and Due Process in Property Disputes: Key Lessons from Spouses Abayon v. BPI
The Supreme Court clarifies when defective summons is cured by voluntary appearance and when courts violate due process in property disputes.
Discovery Proceedings: The Consequences of Concealing Evidence in Forfeiture Cases
A look at Republic v. Tantoco, Jr., where the Supreme Court upheld sanctions for concealing evidence during discovery in a forfeiture case.
Priority of Registered Levy vs. Prior Unregistered Sale in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a prior unregistered sale beats a later registered levy on execution, and the rules on service of summons by publication.
Defective Service of Summons and Prior Unregistered Sale: Key Lessons from Go v. Court of Appeals
Supreme Court clarifies rules on service of summons by publication and priority of prior unregistered sales over registered levies.
Official Duty vs Corruption: The Limits of Anti-Graft Law in BFP Mutual Aid Cases
Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's withholding of funds is official duty, not graft, in BFP mutual aid case.
Contract to Sell vs Contract of Sale: Adverse Claims on Philippine Property Titles
Learn how the Supreme Court distinguishes contract to sell from contract of sale, and when adverse claims on land titles are valid under PD 1529.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to value agrarian reform land, emphasizing the time of taking and correct valuation formula.
Adverse Claims on Registered Land: When They Can and Cannot Be Annotated
The Supreme Court clarifies when an adverse claim on registered land is valid, and when it must be cancelled under Philippine property law.
Defective Summons and Voluntary Appearance: Due Process in Property Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when defective extraterritorial summons can be cured by voluntary appearance—and why due process still protects the defendant.
Supreme Court Upholds CIAC Jurisdiction, Strikes Down 14-Day Arbitration Limit in Government Contracts
Supreme Court affirms CIAC jurisdiction over government construction disputes and voids unreasonably short 14-day arbitration periods as contrary to public policy.
Defective Summons Voids Trustee Appointment: Key Lessons from Diversified Plastic Film v. PI-One
Defective summons can void court proceedings. Learn the jurisdictional limits and SPV Act requirements from this Supreme Court ruling.
Due Process and Summons: Supreme Court Ruling on Unresolved Motions for Reconsideration
The Supreme Court clarifies that ignoring a motion for reconsideration violates due process, while explaining how courts acquire jurisdiction over defendants.
Tax Evasion in the Philippines: When Can the Government Collect Without an Assessment
The Supreme Court clarifies when the BIR can collect deficiency taxes without a formal assessment in criminal tax evasion cases.
Fare Adjustments and Due Process: Public Participation in Philippine Rail Fare Setting
The Supreme Court ruled on whether notice and hearing are required before the government can raise LRT and MRT fares, clarifying due process in rate-fixing.
Judicial Misconduct: SC Fines Judge P700K for Ignoring CA Injunction and Bias
The Supreme Court fined a Davao judge P700,000 for gross ignorance, abuse of authority, and partiality in a DBCP execution case.
Navigating Fare Adjustments: The Syjuco Ruling on DOTC Rate-Setting Powers
The Supreme Court upholds DOTC's fare-setting authority for LRT and MRT, clarifying notice and hearing requirements for rate adjustments.
Writ of Kalikasan Requires Concrete Evidence, Not Speculation: Water for All Refund Movement Case
The Supreme Court clarifies that a Writ of Kalikasan demands concrete evidence of environmental harm, not mere speculation or unsubstantiated allegations.