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.
Step Parent Rape Upholding THE Testimony OF A Child Victim
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on the credible testimony of the victim, rejecting the sweetheart defense.
Receivership as a Remedy: When Courts Can Appoint One Pending Litigation
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may appoint a receiver pending appeal, emphasizing that receivership is a harsh remedy reserved for extreme cases.
Zoning Regulations Balancing Property Rights and Community Welfare in Urban Development
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on zoning laws, property rights, and homeowners associations opposing high-rise construction in commercial zones.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: Why Strict Evidence Standards Protect the Accused
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody and procedural lapses, reinforcing the presumption of innocence.
Recanted Confession Inadmissible Against Co-Conspirators: Tamargo v. Awingan
The Supreme Court explains why a recanted extrajudicial confession cannot be used against alleged co-conspirators in criminal cases.
Judicial Efficiency and Ethical Conduct: Lessons from a Judge's Administrative Liability
The Supreme Court reminds judges that delay in deciding cases is gross inefficiency and a breach of judicial and professional ethics.
Banking Negligence: How Shared Responsibility Impacts Liability for Fraudulent Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on banks' liability for unauthorized transactions and the doctrine of shared responsibility.
Accountability in the Judiciary: Prompt Resolution of Cases and Timely Transmission of Records
A Supreme Court ruling reminds judges and clerks of court of their duty to decide cases promptly and transmit records on time.
Rape Conviction Affirming Victim Testimony AND Ensuring Justice
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible victim testimony, explains qualifying circumstances and penalties under Philippine law.
PD 957 Criminal Cases Belong to Regular Courts, Not HLURB
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that HLURB handles only civil and administrative cases; criminal violations of PD 957 go to regular courts.
The Devil in the Details: Upholding Conviction Despite Flaw in Rape Information
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction but reduces penalty to reclusion perpetua because the information failed to allege relationship within the third civil degree.
Supreme Court Clarifies Appeal Fee Rules in Barangay Election Cases
The Court rules that paying the P1,000 appeal fee perfects a barangay election appeal; the P3,200 COMELEC fee is not jurisdictional.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape Conviction Affirmed for Abuse of a Person with Intellectual Disability
The Supreme Court affirms the rape conviction of a man who sexually abused a 10-year-old girl with an intellectual disability, clarifying key legal principles on statutory rape and victim credibility.
Preventive Suspension and the Three-Term Limit Rule: Aldovino v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court rules that preventive suspension does not interrupt an elective official's term for purposes of the three-term limit rule.
Collateral Attack on Titles: Why Quieting of Title Cannot Challenge Land Titles
Philippine Supreme Court explains why land titles cannot be challenged through quieting of title actions, which constitute a prohibited collateral attack.
Intrafamilial Trust Betrayed Convicting A Father FOR Qualified Rape Despite Familial Proximity
The Supreme Court affirms a father's conviction for qualified rape of his minor daughter, ruling that familial proximity and the presence of sleeping relatives do not negate the crime.
Right to Appeal in Criminal Cases: Only the State Can Appeal the Criminal Aspect of a Dismissed Case
In Ong v. Genio, the Supreme Court ruled that only the Office of the Solicitor General may appeal the criminal aspect of a dismissed case, not the private complainant.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: The Sweetheart Defense in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, rejecting the sweetheart defense and clarifying that love is not a license for non-consensual sex.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: Key Rulings in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies warrantless arrests in buy-bust operations and the chain of custody rule for seized drugs under RA 9165.
Compromise Agreements: How Courts Interpret "Action" and Uphold Contractual Obligations
The Supreme Court ruled that selling receivables violated a compromise agreement's broadly to include the sale of the receivables.
Retrenchment and Proof of Financial Losses: Safeguarding Employee Rights in Business Downturns
When can a company validly retrench workers? The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proving business losses.
Outsourcing Validity: Management Prerogative vs. Union Bargaining Rights
Supreme Court ruling on when outsourcing is valid management prerogative and when it intrudes on union bargaining unit coverage.
Work-Related Stress and Compensability of Peptic Ulcer Under Philippine Law
Explains GSIS v. Raoet, where the Supreme Court ruled peptic ulcer is compensable when work involves prolonged emotional or physical stress.
Execution Pending Appeal: Clarifying the Timeline for Election Contests in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue execution pending appeal in election contests, resolving a common procedural misunderstanding.