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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Rape Conviction Upheld: Force, Consent, and Credibility in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, clarifying force, consent, credibility, and penalties under the Anti-Rape Law.
When Tax Disputes Between Government Agencies Must Be Settled Administratively
Supreme Court ruling on whether tax disputes between government agencies go to the CTA or administrative settlement under P.D. 242.
PCGG Sequestration Powers: High Court Safeguards Property Owners Against Abuse in Ill-Gotten Wealth Recovery
The Supreme Court ruled that PCGG sequestration requires proper authority and cannot cover property acquired before Marcos's presidency.
Prolonged Detention and the Rights of the Accused in Philippine Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions while clarifying warrantless arrest rules, chain of custody, and accused rights under RA 9165.
Understanding Novation, Statute of Frauds, and Conjugal Property Sales in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains when oral land sales are valid, how novation works, and why a wife's consent matters.
Rape and Mental Capacity: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling on Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rape liability involving mental retardation, distinguishing statutory rape from rape of a person deprived of reason.
Preliminary Attachment in the Philippines: Safeguarding Claims Without Overreach
The Supreme Court clarifies when preliminary attachment is proper, stressing strict compliance with Rule 57 to prevent abuse.
Deficiency Claims After Mortgage Foreclosure: The Prieto v. BPI Ruling
Learn how the Supreme Court's Prieto v. BPI ruling protects borrowers from unproven deficiency claims after mortgage foreclosure in the Philippines.
Double Jeopardy in Attorney Disbarment: When Is a Lawyer Ineligible for Judicial Clemency
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies double jeopardy in disbarment cases and the strict standards for judicial clemency for disbarred lawyers.
Psychological Violence Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies psychological violence under RA 9262 and raises penalties when abuse is committed through social media or ICT.
Forum Shopping: When Filing Multiple Cases Crosses the Line
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing multiple cases amounts to forum shopping, and which body has jurisdiction to rule on it.
Agrarian Dispute vs Qualified Theft: When Courts Must Refer Cases to DAR
The Supreme Court clarifies when criminal cases like qualified theft must be referred to the DAR because an agrarian dispute exists.
Insanity Defense in Philippine Law: When Mental Illness Excuses Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when insanity exempts an accused from criminal liability under Article 12 of the Revised Penal Code.
When Agrarian Disputes Trump Criminal Cases: The Bacar Doctrine on Automatic Referral
The Supreme Court clarifies when criminal cases like qualified theft must be referred to the DAR, protecting tenant farmers' rights.
Extrajudicial Foreclosure in the Philippines: Why a Special Power of Attorney Is Required
The Supreme Court ruled that a general foreclosure clause is not enough—mortgagees need express authority to sell property extrajudicially.
Possession of Fake Currency in the Philippines: Knowledge and Intent Under Article 168
Philippine law punishes possession of counterfeit currency only when knowledge and intent to use are proven. The Supreme Court clarifies this in a recent ruling.
Cyber-Enabled Robbery in the Philippines: How RA 10175 Raises Penalties for Digital Extortion
Learn how the Supreme Court applies the Cybercrime Prevention Act to robbery committed through digital means, and why penalties are one degree higher.
Falsified Court Documents: Supreme Court Disbars Lawyer for Fabricating Court Order
A lawyer who fabricates a court order faces disbarment. The Supreme Court explains the ethical rules and consequences in a recent ruling.
When Prescription Bars a Lesser Offense: Corpus v. People
The Court explains when an accused cannot be convicted of a lesser offense because it already prescribed before the information was filed.
Grave Misconduct in the Philippines: When Dismissal Is Unjustified
The Supreme Court clarifies that grave misconduct requires proof of corrupt intent, not mere negligence or failure to comply with rules.
Understanding Qualified Trafficking in Persons: Insights from a 2023 Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for qualified trafficking in persons, explaining the elements of the crime and how courts prove them.
When Is a Trafficking Victim Considered a Minor in the Philippines
Philippine law treats anyone under 18 as a minor for trafficking. A 2023 Supreme Court ruling explains how minority qualifies the crime.
Serious Illegal Detention of Minors: What Philippine Law Says
Serious illegal detention of a minor is a grave crime in the Philippines. Learn the elements, penalties, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Timely Filing of Just Compensation Claims Under Philippine Agrarian Law
Learn the 10-year prescriptive period for filing just compensation claims with the Special Agrarian Courts under Philippine agrarian reform law.