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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Subsidiary Imprisonment: When Can a Fine Turn Into Jail Time
Learn when Philippine courts can impose subsidiary imprisonment for unpaid fines, and why the penalty must be stated in the judgment.
Disobeying Court Orders: Consequences for Lawyers in the Philippines
A lawyer who uses dilatory tactics to delay execution of a final judgment faces suspension. Learn from Atty. Mallari's case.
Corporate Liability vs Individual Responsibility: Clarifying Boundaries in Contractual Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies when a bank-assignee of receivables becomes liable to condominium buyers, distinguishing joint from solidary liability.
Mortgage Foreclosure: When Does the Right to Foreclose Prescribe?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the prescriptive period for mortgage foreclosure begins, emphasizing the need to allege maturity dates and demand.
Dismissal for Disgraceful and Immoral Conduct: Court Personnel and Public Decorum
Court personnel who expose themselves face dismissal for disgraceful and immoral conduct, even when sexual harassment charges fail for lack of moral ascendancy.
Protecting Labor Rights: Resolving Doubt in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When evidence is equally balanced in illegal dismissal cases, Philippine courts resolve doubt in favor of the employee. Learn the rules.
Seafarers Disability Claims: When the Company Physician's Assessment Prevails
Learn when a company-designated physician's fit-to-work certification prevails over a seafarer's own doctor in disability claims under the POEA-SEC.
UCPB Liability as Assignee in Real Estate Development: What Buyers Should Know
Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bank-assignee of receivables becomes liable to condominium buyers for a developer's failure to complete a project.
Dismissal for Immoral Conduct: Upholding Decency in the Judiciary
The Supreme Court dismisses a process server for exposing himself to a janitress, ruling it disgraceful and immoral conduct—a second offense warranting the severest penalty.
Libel LAW Prioritizing Fines Over Imprisonment AND Just Compensation FOR Damages
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Disciplinary Action for Abuse of Court Processes
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for two years for dilatory tactics that delayed execution of a final judgment, violating the Lawyer's Oath and Code of Professional Responsibility.
When Procedural Lapses Yield to Substantial Justice: Ben Line v. Madson
The Supreme Court ruled that procedural rules must yield to substantial justice when a party rectifies defects, as in Ben Line v. Madson.
Protecting Seafarers: Timely Disability Assessments and Employer Duties in Maritime Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects seafarers' disability claims when company doctors miss the 120-day assessment deadline.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The 120-Day Rule and Timely Medical Assessment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 120-day and 240-day periods for company-designated physician assessments in seafarer disability claims, and the burden on employers to justify extensions.
Mootness Doctrine: When Final Judgments Render Procedural Issues Irrelevant
Philippine Supreme Court explains how a final and executory judgment in the main case makes procedural disputes moot and academic.
Can Pathological Gambling Nullify a Marriage? The Singson Ruling on Psychological Incapacity
The Supreme Court in Singson v. Singson clarifies when pathological gambling can—and cannot—nullify a marriage under Article 36 of the Family Code.
When Court Errors Are Judicial, Not Administrative: Lessons from Tallado v. Racoma
The Supreme Court clarifies when errors by judges are judicial matters for appeal, not administrative complaints. Learn the distinction and its practical implications.
Judge Dismissed for Gross Immorality: The High Standard of Judicial Conduct
A judge's extramarital affair leads to dismissal from service and suspension from law practice, reinforcing strict ethical standards for the judiciary.
Perpetual Disqualification and Material Misrepresentation in Election Candidacy
The Supreme Court ruled that filing a Certificate of Candidacy while under perpetual disqualification is material misrepresentation, voiding the CoC and making votes stray.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Higher Penalties for Social Media Offenses
Supreme Court clarifies that using Facebook to commit psychological abuse under RA 9262 warrants a higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Chain of Custody Breaks: When Drug Evidence Fails in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police broke the chain of custody rule under RA 9165, Section 21.
Agrarian Reform OR Industrial Activity Determining Jurisdiction Over Fishpond Disputes After R A 7881
The Supreme Court clarifies when fishpond disputes fall under DARAB jurisdiction or regular courts after R.A. 7881.
Who Bears the Loss? Examining Fault in Poultry Growing Contracts
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when poultry growers bear the risk of loss under continuing credit agreements with feed suppliers.
Unregistered Donations vs Registered Sales: Priority in Land Ownership Disputes
When a donation isn't registered, a later buyer who relies on the Torrens title may win ownership. Learn the rules.