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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Upholding Ethical Boundaries: Attorneys' Duty and Good Faith in Legal Practice
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies attorneys' ethical duties, good faith, and confidentiality rules in administrative cases.
Clerk of Court Notarial Authority: Scope and Limits in Philippine Legal Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that clerks of court may notarize only matters related to their official functions, not private pleadings.
Clerk of Court Notarial Authority: Limits on Ex-Officio Powers in Appeals
Supreme Court clarifies clerks of court cannot notarize appeal pleadings; improper verification warrants dismissal of petition for review.
Corporate Rehabilitation Venue and Joint Petitions Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies venue rules for corporate rehabilitation and disallows joint petitions by separate corporations under the Interim Rules.
When Can a Law Firm File Certiorari on Its Own Behalf? Standing Rules Explained
The Supreme Court explains when a law firm, though not a party to the case, may challenge a court order via certiorari to protect its own interests.
Injunctions and Property Rights: Balancing Ownership and Possession in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when preliminary injunctions may issue, distinguishing real parties in interest from indispensable parties in property disputes.
Probable Cause and Human Trafficking: When Judges May Not Dismiss on Disputed Facts
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judge may dismiss a human trafficking case for lack of probable cause, and when trial is required.
When a Lawyer Can Challenge a Court Order: The Rule 65 "Aggrieved Party" Exception
Explaining when a lawyer can file a certiorari petition despite not being a party, based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling.
Conjugal Property Sales When A Void Contract Still Speaks Volumes
When a deed of absolute sale is void for lack of spousal consent, can it still be used to prove a valid dacion en pago? The Supreme Court weighs in.
Dacion en Pago vs. Equitable Mortgage: Lessons from Villarta v. Talavera
The Supreme Court clarifies when a property transfer is a valid dacion en pago, not an equitable mortgage, in Villarta v. Talavera.
Protecting Childhood: Defining Carnal Knowledge in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that slight penetration suffices for statutory rape, protecting child victims like a four-year-old in this case.
Child Witness Testimony and Competency in Philippine Rape Cases
How the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction based on a four-year-old child's testimony, clarifying competency and hearsay rules.
Docket Fees and Real Actions: Jurisdictional Requirements in Philippine Property Disputes
Learn how unpaid docket fees and mislabeled complaints affect court jurisdiction in Philippine property cases, based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling.
Court of Appeals Erred in Dismissing Case Against Monzon: Jurisdiction Acquired Through Counsel
Supreme Court rules CA acquired jurisdiction over respondent through service to counsel of record, reversing dismissal order.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Theft Case Due to Insufficient Proof of Felonious Taking
When circumstantial evidence fails to prove felonious taking beyond reasonable doubt, the accused must be acquitted. The Supreme Court explains.
Relaxation of Procedural Rules When Justice Demands Flexibility in Government Land Recovery
Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, failure to file an answer warrants judgment based on the complaint's allegations alone.
Timely Compensation Determining Interest on Delayed Agrarian Land Payments
The Supreme Court clarifies when 12% interest accrues on delayed agrarian reform compensation, ruling it runs from the time of taking, not from revaluation.
Just Compensation and Inflation: What Expropriation Law Really Requires
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that inflation is not added to just compensation; interest covers currency devaluation in expropriation cases.
Untimely Relief: The High Cost of Delay in Labor Disputes
Explore how the Supreme Court ruled on laches, tolerance, and compensation in property disputes involving government agencies.
Upholding Land Title Integrity: State Authority Over Public Domain Prevails
Supreme Court remands land title cancellation case, ruling procedural lapses by the OSG should not bar the State from recovering allegedly fraudulent titles.
Unilateral Interest Rate Setting in Loan Agreements: Mutuality of Contracts Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unilateral interest rate setting in PNB loan agreements and the mutuality of contracts principle.
Tolerance Doctrine Limits Permissive Occupation of Registered Land
Explore how the Supreme Court applied the tolerance doctrine in DepEd v. Casibang, protecting registered owners' rights against laches claims.
When Can an Employer Fire for Serious Misconduct and Loss of Trust? A Guide
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on valid dismissal for serious misconduct and loss of trust and confidence in managerial employees.
Ejectment Cases: Why a Torrens Title Beats an Unregistered Deed of Sale
The Supreme Court explains why registered owners prevail over unregistered buyers in ejectment cases, and when courts should suspend proceedings.