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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When Silence Incriminates: Consent, Good Faith, and the Limits of Deniability in Qualified Theft
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on qualified theft, apparent authority, and good faith in People v. Delos Santos.
Reinstatement Without Backwages: Balancing Employee Rights and Employer Prerogatives in Labor Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a business closure is valid, when procedural lapses only merit nominal damages, and when corporate veils may be pierced.
Self-Defense and Unlawful Aggression: Key Lessons from Napone v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense and defense of relatives fail, and how unlawful aggression must be proven in Philippine homicide cases.
Insanity Defense AND Criminal Liability Establishing THE Burden OF Proof
Electrical Utility Liability: Negligence in Infrastructure Management
When an electric utility's haphazardly relocated posts and wires cause a fire, the utility—not the property owner—bears liability for damages.
Just Compensation for Expropriated Improvements: The Replacement Cost Standard
Learn how Philippine courts value improvements in expropriation cases and why the Supreme Court remanded this case for proper evidence.
Caveat Venditor Upholding Good Faith in Real Estate Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how good faith and apparent authority negate criminal intent in property takings, protecting honest actors.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: What the Zamora Case Teaches Litigants
Learn how the Supreme Court defines and penalizes forum shopping, and what the Zamora ruling means for litigants filing multiple cases.
Spousal Consent and Mortgage Validity: Protecting Conjugal Property Rights in the Philippines
A spouse cannot mortgage conjugal property without the other's written consent. The Supreme Court explains the consequences in Boston Equity v. Del Rosario.
Totality of Infractions: Delineating Just Cause for Termination in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when past offenses may justify dismissal under the totality of infractions principle, balancing employer prerogative and employee rights.
Revival of Judgment: Equity Prevails Over Strict Time Limits in Execution
Supreme Court rules equity can revive stale judgments when delay is caused by the losing party's dilatory tactics.
Enforcing Final Judgments: When Equity Allows Revival Beyond the Prescriptive Period
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may allow revival of a final judgment beyond the 10-year prescriptive period, applying equity over strict rules.
Grave Abuse of Discretion Clarifying Reconveyance Obligations in Property Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that a spouse's written consent is essential to a valid mortgage of conjugal property, and explains the two-bidder rule.
Burden OF Proof IN Illegal Dismissal Establishing THE Fact OF Dismissal
Burden of Proof in Murder Cases: When a Single Eyewitness Suffices
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a single eyewitness's positive identification, explaining the burden of proof and the limits of the alibi defense.
Attorney Suspended for Neglecting Client's Appeal and Failing to Communicate
A lawyer's failure to file an appellant's brief and update clients on case status leads to six-month suspension.
Familial Abuse of Power When Parental Authority Becomes Criminal Liability
Explore the legal boundaries of parental authority, when discipline crosses into criminal liability, and the Supreme Court's guidance on familial abuse.
Mortgagee in Good Faith: Protecting Lenders in Real Estate Transactions
Learn how the Supreme Court protects mortgagees in good faith who rely on Torrens titles, and what this means for lenders.
Prolonged Floating Status of Security Guards Is Constructive Dismissal
Security guards placed on floating status beyond six months are constructively dismissed. Learn the rule from Padilla v. Airborne Security.
Lawyer Suspended for Negligence: The Duty to File Briefs and Update Clients
A lawyer's failure to file an appellant's brief and inform clients of case status results in six-month suspension for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Robbery With Rape Affirming Conviction Based ON Credible Testimony Despite Negative Medical Findings
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible testimony and mental age, despite negative medical findings.
Judicial Overreach: Enjoining Ombudsman Suspension Orders and the Limits of Declaratory Relief
A judge was fined for gross ignorance of the law after issuing injunctions against an Ombudsman suspension order, exceeding RTC jurisdiction.
Chain of Custody and Damages: Lessons from the Sprite Bottle Case
A Supreme Court ruling on product liability, chain of custody of evidence, and when moral and exemplary damages may be awarded in quasi-delict cases.
Pre-Trial Orders Prevail: Limiting Evidence to Ensure Fair and Efficient Litigation
Explore how Philippine courts treat pre-trial orders that limit evidence, ensuring fair and efficient litigation while preventing trial by ambush.