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.
Judge Dismissed for Gross Immorality: Extramarital Affair and Child Bar Judicial Office
Supreme Court dismisses a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child, and suspends him from law practice for three years.
Conjugal vs Paraphernal Property: Protecting Marital Assets in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish conjugal from paraphernal property and why spouses cannot use conjugal assets to pay personal debts.
Attorney Negligence in the Philippines: Upholding Client Trust and Diligence
A lawyer's failure to file a memorandum and return a client's money order leads to reprimand, reaffirming duties of diligence and fidelity.
Psychological Incapacity in Philippine Annulment: Why Expert Evidence Is Crucial
Philippine Supreme Court explains why expert evidence is crucial in psychological incapacity annulment cases under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: High Court Clarifies Social Media Evidence and Penalties
Supreme Court affirms conviction for online psychological abuse under RA 9262, sets guidelines on proving social media authorship, and raises penalty for ICT use.
Attorney Accountability Understanding Lawyer Negligence AND Upholding Client Trust IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court suspends lawyer for gross negligence, explaining counsel's duties of fidelity, diligence, and proper withdrawal under the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Res Judicata in Philippine Land Expropriation When Prior Judgments Bar Reversion Claims
Explaining when prior final judgments bar reversion claims in expropriation cases, citing Republic v. Yu (G.R. No. 157557).
SSS Death Benefits: Proving Spousal and Child Dependency in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on SSS death benefit claims, focusing on proving dependency for spouses and legitimacy for children.
Extradition and Due Process: Bail Cancellation Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when bail in extradition cases can be cancelled, and the due process rights of prospective extraditees.
Implied Tenancy in Philippine Agrarian Law: Security of Tenure Beyond Written Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on implied tenancy, forged contracts, and security of tenure for agricultural tenants under RA 1199.
Automatic Review of Death Penalty Cases Cannot Be Waived: People v. Flores
The Supreme Court rules that appellate courts cannot dismiss death penalty appeals for failure to file briefs, as review is mandatory.
Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Buyer Rights Subdivision Developer Must Fulfill Obligations Despite Payment S
Buyers may suspend installment payments when a subdivision developer fails to deliver promised improvements, the Supreme Court ruled in Tamayo v. Huang.
Equitable Mortgage vs Absolute Sale: Protecting Your Property Rights in the Philippines
When is a deed of absolute sale actually an equitable mortgage? Philippine law protects borrowers who sign sale documents to secure loans.
Dismissal Denied: Why Properly Stating Your Cause of Action Matters in Philippine Courts
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on constructive dismissal in a security guard's case and why precise legal claims are crucial.
When Can an Employee Be Dropped From the Rolls? Understanding AWOL and Due Process
The Supreme Court explains when government employees may be dropped from the rolls for AWOL without prior notice or hearing.
Bigamy and Presumptive Death: When a Second Marriage Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court explains why a judicial declaration of presumptive death is required before remarrying, and when bigamy applies.
Contract to Sell Cancellation: Maceda Law Rules and Novation Explained
Learn the Maceda Law rules on cancelling a contract to sell, when a new contract can replace the old one, and key takeaways from Fabrigas v. San Francisco Del Monte.
Domicile Dilemmas: Residency Requirements for Philippine Election Candidates
The Supreme Court explains what "residence" really means for election candidates—and why buying property alone won't establish domicile.
Illegal Dismissal and Labor-Only Contracting: When a Salesman's Driver Is the Company's Employee
Acevedo v. Advanstar explains labor-only contracting, employer-employee relationship, and due process in illegal dismissal cases.
Proving Loss of Trust and Confidence in Illegal Dismissal Cases in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when loss of trust and confidence justifies employee dismissal, and what employers must prove.
Certiorari Filing Deadlines: Why the 60-Day Rule Is Strict in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts strictly enforce the 60-day certiorari filing period under Rule 65. Learn why late petitions fail and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Balancing Employee Rights and Employer Authority in Philippine Termination Procedures
The Supreme Court clarifies the two-notice rule in employee dismissal, balancing employer authority with due process rights.
Urban Land Reform: Right of First Refusal in Priority Development Areas
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenants' right of first refusal under P.D. 1517 in urban land reform zones.
Laches and Land Titles: When Delay Can Trump Ownership Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how procedural delay and res judicata can bar claims to land, even for alleged owners.