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.
Rescinding a Land Sale in the Philippines: Why a Letter Is Not Enough
Philippine law requires a judicial or notarial act to rescind a sale of immovable property—even with an automatic rescission clause.
Partnership vs Guarantor: Who Bears Liability in a Business Venture?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the line between a partner and a guarantor in business, and who bears liability when the venture fails.
The Boundaries of Conspiracy: Examining Intent in Frustrated Homicide Cases in the Philippines
How Philippine courts determine conspiracy in frustrated homicide, using the Salvatierra case to explain shared intent and liability.
Unconscionable Penalties in Real Estate Contracts: Balancing Equity and Contractual Obligations
When a 3% monthly penalty on unpaid installments becomes unconscionable, Philippine courts may reduce it under Civil Code Articles 1229 and 2227.
PNB v. Ritrato Group: Suing the Wrong Party in Foreclosure Disputes
Learn why the Supreme Court dismissed an injunction suit against PNB, a mere attorney-in-fact, and how corporate veil piercing works.
Robbery With Homicide Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification Beats Alibi
Supreme Court affirms robbery with homicide conviction, ruling positive eyewitness identification prevails over alibi and denial defenses.
Treachery and Conspiracy in Group Violence: Robbery With Homicide Liability
How Philippine courts establish liability for robbery with homicide in group attacks, explained through a landmark Supreme Court case.
Conspiracy and Intent: How Philippine Courts Establish Criminal Liability
A Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy and evident premeditation in murder, explaining how joint purpose and intent establish liability.
Hired Guns and Silent Inducements: Criminal Liability in Contract Killings Under Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts treat hired killers and those who induce them, based on a landmark 2001 murder case.
Presence vs Participation: When Mere Presence Creates Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when mere presence at a crime scene constitutes conspiracy versus innocent observation, using a rape case as example.
Search Warrant Validity and Plain View Doctrine in Drug Possession Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on search warrant requirements, plain view doctrine, and inadmissible evidence in drug possession cases.
Accommodation Mortgages and Redemption Rights: Limits of Debtor Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on accommodation mortgagors' redemption rights and liability limits under P.D. 694 and Act 3135.
When Business Disputes Turn Deadly Examining Criminal Liability IN Contractual Conflicts
A sheriff's excessive levy and irregular auction in a rice dispute shows how execution of judgments can cross into misconduct.
Check Fraud and Bank Liability: Lessons from Ford Philippines vs. Citibank and PCIBank
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on bank liability for fraudulently negotiated checks, crossing, due diligence, and comparative negligence.
Novation by Implied Consent: When a Creditor's Silence Speaks Volumes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how a creditor's failure to object to a debtor substitution can constitute implied consent to novation.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Pablo
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy and treachery define murder in the Philippines, using the 2001 People v. Pablo ruling.
Protecting Children: Understanding Qualified Rape and Parental Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his daughter, clarifying qualified rape and accomplice liability.
Attempted Robbery With Homicide: Key Lessons From a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Understand the special complex crime of attempted robbery with homicide under Philippine law, using insights from People v. Macabales.
Prescription Periods in Graft Cases: The Discovery Rule for Ill-Gotten Wealth
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the prescription period for graft cases begins—from discovery, not commission, of the offense.
When Domestic Discipline Turns Deadly: Murder and Cruelty in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling on murder qualified by cruelty examines domestic abuse, criminal liability, and the exemption of relatives as accessories.
Decoding Marginal Deposits: How Contract Clarity Prevents Banking Disputes in the Philippines
Learn from Security Bank v. Transworld how ambiguous trust receipt terms on marginal deposits led to a decade-long dispute.
Conspiracy in Philippine Law: How Group Actions Lead to Shared Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court explains when conspirators share equal blame for a crime, using a murder case where two brothers attacked one victim.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: When Words Lead to a Homicide Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling shows how conspiracy in Philippine law makes all robbers liable for homicide, even without pulling the trigger.
Robbery With Homicide in the Philippines: Treachery, Intoxication, and the Penalty
Understand how Philippine courts treat treachery and intoxication in robbery with homicide cases, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Cando.