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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Credibility of Rape Victims in Philippine Courts: Why Delayed Reporting and Minor Inconsistencies Don't Always
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that delayed reporting and minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony do not automatically destroy credibility or warrant acquittal.
Philippine Courts and Actual Controversies: Why Hypothetical Cases Don't Make the Cut
Philippine courts only decide actual controversies, not hypothetical questions. Learn why the Supreme Court dismissed this petition as moot.
Contracts Still Stand: Why Bounced Checks Don't Always Void a Pacto de Retro Sale
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why dishonored checks don't invalidate a pacto de retro sale when consideration existed at execution.
Minor Inconsistencies and Witness Credibility in Philippine Rape Cases
How Philippine courts treat minor inconsistencies in rape victim testimony, and why small discrepancies can strengthen rather than destroy credibility.
Unreliable Affidavit? Why Courtroom Testimony Reigns Supreme in Philippine Criminal Cases
In People v. De Guzman, the Supreme Court ruled that courtroom testimony prevails over affidavits and police reports, explaining why.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Why Credible Testimony and Victim Protection Matter
The Supreme Court affirms rape convictions based on credible victim testimony, explaining why minor inconsistencies don't destroy a young victim's case.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Why Minor Inconsistencies in a Child Victim's Testimony Do Not Destroy Credibility
The Supreme Court affirms a triple rape conviction, explaining why minor inconsistencies in a young victim's testimony do not undermine credibility.
Volunteer or Employee? The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
Learn how the control test determines employee status in the Philippines, using the landmark Filipinas Broadcasting v. NLRC case.
When Can Self Defense Claims Be Denied Understanding Criminal Liability in the Philippines
Explore when Philippine courts deny self-defense claims, using People v. Molas to illustrate how weak defenses fail against strong prosecution evidence.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: Key Factors in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the control test distinguishing employees from independent contractors in labor disputes.
Fabricated Serious Illegal Detention Case Shows Why Courts Demand Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt
When a land dispute turned into a criminal charge, the Supreme Court showed how weak evidence and altered complaints can destroy a serious illegal detention case.
Judicial Misconduct: Abuse of Authority and Its Consequences for Judges
Philippine Supreme Court censures judge for grave abuse of authority, misconduct in issuing extended TROs and lifting hold departure order.
Illegal Possession of Firearms in the Philippines: Penalties and Retroactive Laws
Learn how the Supreme Court applied a new, lighter penalty for illegal firearm possession retroactively, and what this means for criminal cases in the Philippines.
Retroactive Application of Retirement Laws: Employee Rights Under RA 7641
When do retirement laws apply retroactively? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of RA 7641's retroactive application in Cabcaban v. NLRC.
Pre-Proclamation Controversies: Limits of COMELEC Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court explains when a pre-proclamation controversy before COMELEC remains viable after a candidate has been proclaimed and assumed office.
Motion for Reconsideration Deadlines in Labor Cases: The CEU Lesson
Learn how a missed Motion for Reconsideration deadline made a labor decision final and executory in Centro Escolar University v. NLRC.
Treachery in Philippine Law: When Does an Attack Qualify as Murder
Understand how Philippine courts determine treachery in murder cases through this analysis of People v. Castro, G.R. No. 119068.
Rape Conviction Credibility of Testimony and Minor Inconsistencies
Minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony do not destroy credibility. The Supreme Court explains why in People v. Travero.
Equitable Mortgage vs. Pacto de Retro Sale: When a "Sale" Is Really a Loan
Philippine law presumes certain "sales with right to repurchase" are equitable mortgages, protecting borrowers from unfair lending arrangements.
Right of Repurchase in Philippine Real Estate: Pacto de Retro Rules Explained
Learn the rules on pacto de retro sales and the right of repurchase in Philippine real estate, including annotation duties and judicial requirements.
SEC Jurisdiction Over Corporate Controversies: The Lozano v. De Los Santos Test
When does the SEC have jurisdiction over corporate disputes? The Supreme Court clarifies the two-element test in Lozano v. De Los Santos.
Retroactivity of Disqualification: When Prior Misconduct Bars Future Elections
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether Section 40(b) of the Local Government Code applies retroactively to disqualify candidates removed from office before 1992.
Pre-Proclamation Controversies: Valid Objections vs Election Protests in the Philippines
Learn when ballot objections belong in pre-proclamation cases or election protests, based on Patoray v. COMELEC.
Ejectment Cases: When Does Destruction of Property Terminate Lease Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ejectment cases, lease termination, and jurisdiction when leased property is destroyed by fire.