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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Corporate Restructuring and Security of Tenure: Illegal Dismissal in Stock Sales
A look at how corporate restructuring and stock sales affect security of tenure, and when they constitute illegal dismissal under Philippine law.
Arbitration Agreements Enforceability and Scope of Party Inclusion in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when arbitration can be compelled, who is bound by arbitration agreements, and limits on dismissing arbitration cases.
Vehicle Accidents and Utility Posts: Liability Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts determine liability when a vehicle damages utility infrastructure, including negligence, vicarious liability, and damages.
Forged Signatures and Void Sales: Protecting Conjugal Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court nullified a sale based on forged signatures, protecting conjugal property and heirs' rights under Philippine law.
Condonation and Concubinage: Understanding Marital Forgiveness in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how condonation affects criminal liability for concubinage under the Revised Penal Code, and what spouses should know.
Duress in Mortgage Contracts: Reasonable Fear and Legal Claims Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when fear or duress voids a mortgage, and why threatening a legal claim does not vitiate consent.
Registered Vehicle Owners and Vicarious Liability: Negligence and Damages in Philippine Law
Learn when a registered vehicle owner is liable for a driver's negligence, and which damages Philippine courts may award.
Treachery Defined: The Element of Surprise in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains how sudden, unexpected attacks constitute treachery, qualifying killings as murder under Philippine law.
Damaged Goods Liability: Arrastre Negligence and Insurer Subrogation Rights
Explaining when arrastre operators are liable for damaged cargo, how insurers gain subrogation rights, and what evidence suffices in Philippine law.
Buy-Bust Operations and Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts treat drug evidence in buy-bust cases, and why chain of custody matters.
Age of Criminal Responsibility: Mental Capacity vs Chronological Age in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how a victim's age affects penalties in rape and lascivious conduct cases under Philippine law.
When a Father's Acts Are Crimes: Rape and Lascivious Conduct Under Philippine Law
A father's conviction for qualified rape and sexual abuse of his minor daughter, explaining the legal distinctions and penalties.
Lack of Treachery Reduces Murder to Homicide in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when lack of treachery reduces murder to homicide, affecting penalties and damages.
Mortgaging Co-Owned Property: Limits on a Co-Owner's Authority
A co-owner cannot mortgage or encumber the entire co-owned property without the consent of all other co-owners. This article explains the limits of a co-owner's authority under Philippine law.
Local Government Powers: Balancing Reorganization and Prohibited Retirement Benefits
Supreme Court clarifies when local government early retirement programs are valid versus prohibited supplementary retirement schemes under Philippine law.
Chain of Custody and Drug Evidence Admissibility in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody—explaining marking, inventory, and photo requirements under RA 9165.
The Vital Chain Ensuring Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts treat lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs, explained through People v. Yable.
Voluntary Resignation vs Constructive Dismissal: Know Your Rights as an Employee
Understand the difference between voluntary resignation and constructive dismissal, and how Philippine law protects employee rights in termination cases.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Evolution of Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for statutory rape, clarifying how Philippine law protects minors and how penalties evolved under RA 8353.
Labor Appeals and the Appeal Bond: Strict Rules on Timely Perfection in Philippine Law
A surety bond issued but not received on time means no perfected appeal—what employers must know about the 10-day rule.
Conspiracy and Illegal Drug Transportation: Upholding Accountability in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that conspiracy to transport illegal drugs can be proven by surrounding circumstances, not just express agreement.
Self-Defense and Unlawful Aggression: Establishing the Boundaries in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense applies in Philippine law, emphasizing that unlawful aggression must be actual and imminent, not merely threatened.
Presumption of Marriage Overcomes Lost Records in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how lost marriage records affect proof of marriage, presumption of marriage, and bigamy claims.
Legal Compensation in Philippine Law: When Can Debts Be Offset?
Philippine law on legal compensation explained through a Supreme Court case on contingent obligations and when debts can be offset.