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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Valid Confession in Philippine Law: When Your Words Can Be Used Against You
Learn when a confession is valid and admissible in Philippine courts, and how constitutional rights during custodial investigation protect accused persons.
Judges Must Decide Cases Within 90 Days: Supreme Court Rules on Delay and Record Management
The Supreme Court fined a judge for failing to decide cases within the constitutional 90-day period, emphasizing that missing transcripts and transfers are no excuse.
Philippine Security of Tenure: Why Fixed-Term Employment Can't Sidestep Regularization
The Supreme Court strikes down a fixed-term contract scheme that blocked an employee's regularization, reaffirming constitutional security of tenure for Philippine workers.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Rules in Co Shu Kiam v. Republic
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on judicial reconstitution of lost certificates of title, emphasizing practical evidence standards under Republic Act No. 26.
Lost Your Land Title in the Philippines? Understanding Reconstitution and RA 26
Learn how to reconstitute a lost or destroyed land title in the Philippines under RA 26, and what documents courts require.
Impeachment Trials and the Meaning of "Forthwith" Under the Philippine Constitution
The Supreme Court clarifies that "forthwith" in impeachment proceedings means within a reasonable time, allowing the Senate to prepare before trial.
Election Ban on Presidential Appointments: Safeguarding Judicial Independence in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that the constitutional ban on presidential appointments during election periods applies to judicial vacancies, protecting judicial independence.
Lethal Injection in the Philippines: Balancing Constitutionality and Humane Execution
A look at Echegaray v. Secretary of Justice, where the Supreme Court upheld lethal injection as a constitutional method of execution.
Echegaray v. Secretary of Justice: Lethal Injection and the Limits of Administrative Rule-Making
The Supreme Court upheld lethal injection as a constitutional mode of execution but struck down implementing rules that overstepped the law.
Understanding Anti-Squatting Laws in the Philippines: Due Process and Constitutional Considerations
The Supreme Court explains how anti-squatting laws interact with constitutional due process and housing rights in the Philippines.
Lost Title Reconstitution: Court Jurisdiction and the Original Owner's Duplicate
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that courts lack jurisdiction to issue new owner's duplicate titles when the original is not actually lost.
Combating Court Delays: The Imperative of Speedy Trial in the Philippine Justice System
A judge's fine for delaying a simple case underscores the mandatory continuous trial rule and the constitutional right to speedy disposition.
Safeguarding Due Process: COMELEC's Jurisdiction in Philippine Election Cases
The Supreme Court nullified a COMELEC en banc resolution for violating due process and the constitutional rule that election cases be decided by division.
Sequestration Orders in the Philippines: Validity Rules and Timely Legal Action
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when sequestration orders are valid, how PCGG rules apply, and the constitutional deadline for judicial action.
Upholding Judicial Impartiality: Timely Case Resolution and Ethical Conduct Matter
The Supreme Court affirms Sandiganbayan's lifting of sequestration orders, underscoring strict compliance with PCGG rules and constitutional time limits.
Due Process in Labor Appeals: Why Employers Cannot Be Ignored in NLRC Cases
Philippine National Construction Corp. v. NLRC clarifies that employers have a constitutional right to due process in labor appeals before the NLRC.
Objection Sustained: Mastering Evidence Admissibility and Protecting Rights in Philippine Courts
Learn when to object to evidence in Philippine courts. The Macasiray ruling explains the proper timing of objections and the protection of constitutional rights.
Reconstitution of Lost Title: Supreme Court Clarifies Rules on Lost Owner's Duplicate
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may order reconstitution of a lost title based on documents other than the owner's duplicate, applying RA 26.
Admissibility of Confessions: Protecting Constitutional Rights in Criminal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when confessions are admissible and how constitutional rights against self-incrimination are protected in criminal proceedings.
Missed Deadlines Lost Power Understanding Constitutional Limits on Sequestration in the Philippines
A writ of sequestration must be issued and served within 18 months, and a case filed within 6 months, or the order is automatically lifted.
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.
Police Use of Force: When Does Protection Become Illegal Search and Seizure
The Supreme Court clarifies when police stops and frisks cross the line into unconstitutional searches, using a grenade possession case as the example.
Fair Competition in the Oil Industry: The Unconstitutionality of R.A. 8180's Anti-Competitive Provisions
The Supreme Court struck down R.A. 8180 for creating barriers to entry and entrenching an oil oligopoly, reaffirming the constitutional mandate for fair competition.
Stop-and-Frisk Doctrine: Balancing Public Safety and Individual Rights in Drug Cases
Explaining the stop-and-frisk exception to warrantless searches in Philippine drug cases, and how courts balance public safety with constitutional rights.