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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Indigency Status Corporations Cannot Claim FEE Exemption Despite Aiding THE Poor
Philippine Supreme Court rules corporations cannot claim indigent litigant fee exemptions, even when serving the poor. Learn the legal basis.
Breach of Trust and Misappropriation of Funds Justify Dismissal in Electric Cooperative
Supreme Court rules that misappropriating collections and gross negligence are valid causes for dismissing employees of an electric cooperative.
Tax Amnesty vs Documentary Stamp Tax: When Can a Bank Claim Immunity
Supreme Court rules on DST liability for special savings accounts and whether tax amnesty covers deficiency assessments.
Torrens System Prevails: Registered Land Protected Against Adverse Claims
When registered land is sold to innocent buyers, claims of long possession cannot defeat the Torrens title, the Supreme Court rules.
Election Appeal Fees and Estoppel: Divinagracia v. Comelec Explained
The Supreme Court rules that belatedly questioning unpaid election appeal fees may be barred by estoppel by laches. Learn the rules.
Who Pays Real Property Tax When a Government Corporation Assumes a Private Firm's Tax Liability?
The Supreme Court rules on whether NPC can claim tax exemptions for a power plant it does not own or use under a BOT agreement.
Judicial Overreach When Injunctions Exceed Legal Boundaries
The Supreme Court rules that courts cannot dismiss just compensation cases based on DARAB rules that conflict with RA 6657.
Mortgagor's Stipulated Right to Notice Prevails in Foreclosure Proceedings
Supreme Court rules banks must honor contractual stipulations requiring personal notice to mortgagors before extrajudicial foreclosure, or risk nullifying the sale.
Oath of Office Defines Authority: Upholding Appointments Before Succession in Public Office
When does an outgoing official lose appointing power? The Supreme Court rules on oath, succession, and valid promotions.
Loss of Trust When Employee Criticism Doesnt Justify Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court rules that loss of trust and confidence requires willful breach, not mere criticism or suspicion.
Separation of Proceedings: Annulment Case Cannot Delay Writ of Possession
Supreme Court rules consolidation of annulment case with writ of possession petition is grave abuse, delays foreclosure remedy.
Insurance Proceeds and Illicit Relationships: Who Gets the Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court rules on who receives life insurance proceeds when beneficiaries are children from an illicit relationship.
Warrant of Arrest Stands: Court Power Prevails Over DOJ Review
Supreme Court rules a judge's exclusive power to issue warrants of arrest cannot be suspended by a pending DOJ petition for review.
Assignee's Rights Determine Court Jurisdiction in Construction Contract Disputes
Supreme Court rules that an assignee's claim over retention money is not a construction dispute, so regular courts, not CIAC, have jurisdiction.
Sheriffs Accountability Receiving Unauthorized Payments AND Neglecting Duty
Supreme Court rules on sheriff's liability for receiving unauthorized payments and dereliction of duty in implementing writs of execution.
CIAC Jurisdiction Prevails Over Contractual Conditions Precedent in Construction Arbitration
Philippine Supreme Court rules CIAC retains jurisdiction over construction disputes even when parties fail to comply with contractual conditions precedent like DAB referral.
Deportation and Drug Convictions: Broadening the Scope of Philippine Immigration Law
The Supreme Court rules that foreign drug convictions justify deportation under Philippine immigration law, rejecting a narrow reading of Section 37(a)(4).
Dividends Follow the Shares in Ill-Gotten Wealth Recovery
Supreme Court rules dividends and interests follow ownership of recovered ill-gotten shares, even if not expressly stated in the dispositive portion.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Delayed Witness Testimony and the Pursuit of Justice in Murder Cases
A delayed eyewitness affidavit doesn't automatically destroy credibility, the Supreme Court rules in People v. Cawaling, affirming a murder conviction.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Weighing Company Doctor vs Independent Medical Opinion
Philippine Supreme Court rules on seafarer disability claims when company physicians and independent doctors disagree, favoring the worker's evidence.
Due Process and Good Faith: When Clubs Cannot Foreclose on Membership Shares
Supreme Court rules a non-stock club's sale of a member's share for unpaid dues violated due process and good faith.
NTC Cannot Cancel Broadcast CPCs: The Dual Franchise and License Regime Explained
The Supreme Court rules the NTC has no power to cancel broadcast licenses issued to legislative franchise holders, clarifying the dual regulatory regime.
Execution Pending Appeal Barred by Unresolved Motion for Reconsideration
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a pending motion for reconsideration prevents discretionary execution of a trial court judgment.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Market Value vs. Statutory Factors
The Supreme Court rules that courts must follow Section 17 of RA 6657 and DAR formulas, not just market data, in fixing just compensation.