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.
Fishpond Workers' Rights After Lease Expiration: Civil Lease vs Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court ruling on whether fishpond workers hired by a civil law lessee can stay after lease expiration, and why fishponds are exempt from agrarian reform.
Moral Turpitude and Attorney Discipline: Upholding Ethical Standards in Personal Conduct
A lawyer's illicit affair and failure to support his child led to a six-month suspension, reaffirming that personal morality matters in the legal profession.
Fishpond Exemption and Farmworker Security of Tenure After Lease Expiration
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether fishpond farmworkers retain security of tenure after a civil law lessee's lease expires.
When a Financing Company Is Not a Mortgagee in Good Faith: Lloyd's Enterprises v. Dolleton
A financing firm that failed to inspect a mortgaged property cannot claim good faith. Learn the due diligence rule from this 2008 case.
Valid Substituted Service and Child Support Rights in Philippine Family Law
Supreme Court ruling on valid substituted service of summons for OFW parents and the right of illegitimate children to support.
SEC Authority Validating Stock and Transfer Books Over Intra-Corporate Disputes
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that the SEC has regulatory jurisdiction to validate and cancel stock and transfer books.
Buy-Bust Operations and Instigation: When Police Tactics Are Valid in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between valid entrapment and prohibited instigation in drug buy-bust operations under RA 9165.
VAT Refund for Tourists Upheld: Equal Protection and Tax Classification Explained
The Supreme Court upheld the VAT refund law for foreign tourists, ruling it does not violate equal protection or tax uniformity.
Judicial Conduct When Procedural Missteps Dont Equal Gross Ignorance of the Law
When do a judge's procedural errors amount to gross ignorance of the law? The Supreme Court clarifies the standard in Sibulo v. Toledo-Mupas.
Jurisdictional Boundaries Resolving Labor Disputes Involving Government Chartered Corporations
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that labor disputes in government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters fall under the Civil Service Commission, not the NLRC.
Senior Citizen Discounts: Tax Credit vs. Deduction Under RA 7432
The Supreme Court clarifies that under RA 7432, the 20% senior citizen discount is a tax credit, not a mere deduction from gross income.
Healthcare Agreements vs Insurance: Understanding Documentary Stamp Tax
Philippine Supreme Court rules health maintenance organization agreements are insurance contracts subject to documentary stamp tax under the Tax Code.
Judicial Accountability: Dismissal for Undue Delay and Misconduct in Philippine Courts
Process server dismissed for grave misconduct over delayed summons service and unauthorized travel money. Philippine Supreme Court ruling explained.
Judiciary Employees and Private Business: Maintaining Public Trust in Philippine Courts
Why Philippine court employees cannot engage in private business, explained through a 2008 Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's lending venture.
Heirs' Rights Prevail in Inheritance Disputes: Partition and Prescription Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on heirs' rights in inheritance disputes, covering partition, prescription, and validity of conveyances affecting estate property.
Sheriffs Must Execute Writs Promptly: Lessons from Dacdac v. Ramos
A sheriff's four-year delay in issuing a certificate of sale drew administrative liability. Learn the rules on execution of judgments.
Sheriffs Must Execute Court Orders Promptly: Lessons from an Administrative Case
A sheriff's delay in issuing a certificate of sale led to administrative liability. Learn the duty of sheriffs in executing judgments.
Contractual Obligations Upholding Interest AND Penalties IN Land Purchase Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court rules buyers must pay stipulated interest and penalty charges in land purchase agreements, even if onerous.
Defining Confidential Employees: Balancing Labor Rights and Management Prerogatives in Collective Bargaining
Supreme Court ruling on confidential employees in bargaining units and acting capacity pay, balancing labor rights with management prerogatives.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Path for Legal Review in the Philippines
Learn when to file a petition for certiorari versus an appeal under Rule 45, explained through a Philippine Supreme Court labor case.
Gross Negligence and Project Employment: Protecting Employee Rights Against Unjust Dismissal
Learn how the Supreme Court defined gross negligence and project employment in Belle Corporation v. Macasusi, protecting employees from unjust dismissal.
Judicial Benefits: Can Misconduct Outside Judicial Office Disqualify a Judge's Heirs from Gratuity?
A judge's heirs can still receive gratuity benefits despite pre-judiciary misconduct, but only for service rendered before the penalty became final.
Evaluating Witness Credibility When a Trial Court’s Findings Prevail in Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility in homicide cases, why trial court findings prevail on appeal, and the role of circumstantial evidence.
Safeguarding Public Trust: Preventive Suspension and Unexplained Wealth in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Ombudsman may preventively suspend public officials facing charges of dishonesty and unexplained wealth.