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.
BSP Authority to Engage Private Counsel and Jurisdiction in Legal Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies BSP's power to hire private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property cases involving assessed value.
Sheriffs Duty to Remit Payments and Execute Writs Promptly: Mahusay v. Gareza
A sheriff who withholds collected payments and delays writ execution faces dismissal. The Supreme Court's ruling in Mahusay v. Gareza explained.
Surety Liability After Foreclosure: Carodan v. China Banking Corporation
When a bank releases a principal debtor's collateral, a surety may still be liable for the deficiency if the surety agreement expressly allows it.
Surety Agreements: Solidary Liability and Waiver of Rights in Loan Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on surety liability, accommodation mortgagors, and waiver clauses in loan deficiency claims.
Merit vs Entitlement: Supreme Court on Government Promotions and Dishonesty
The Supreme Court rules that impersonation in civil service exams is serious dishonesty, even after resignation from government service.
Over Recovery Refunds Ensuring Fair Electricity Rates FOR Consumers
Explains NEECO I v. ERC on electric cooperative over-recovery refunds, system loss caps, and consumer rate protection.
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.
Unlawful Detainer: Why a Sufficient Complaint Wins Even When Defendant Defaults
In unlawful detainer cases, a defendant's failure to file an answer means judgment rests on the complaint's facts alone—no evidence required.
Tax Sales and Due Process: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax sales, due process, and property rights protection for landowners and buyers.
Execution Pending Appeal: Moral Damages and Attorney's Fees Excluded
Supreme Court rules moral damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees cannot be included in execution pending appeal. Learn the rules.
PNRC Sui Generis Status and CSC Jurisdiction: Balancing Autonomy and Public Accountability
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that the CSC has appellate jurisdiction over PNRC employees despite the Red Cross's sui generis status.
When Can a Partner’s Personal Assets Be Seized for Partnership Debts?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a partner’s personal assets may be seized for partnership debts, and the due process required.
Hearsay on the Highway: When a Traffic Report Cannot Prove Fault in Damage Claims
A traffic accident report based only on an eyewitness's account is hearsay. Learn how this affects insurance subrogation claims.
Land Conversion Disputes and the Finality of Agrarian Reform Decisions
The Supreme Court affirms that final and executory DAR conversion orders may no longer be questioned, especially on issues first raised on appeal.
Defining Construction Cost Interest Expenses and Reserved Units in Joint Development Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what counts as actual construction cost in joint development agreements, excluding interest expenses from the computation.
Pactum Commissorium: When Mortgage Agreements Unfairly Benefit Lenders
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mortgage validity, unconscionable interest rates, and when borrowers cannot escape contractual obligations.
When Arbitration Clauses Bind Non-Signatories: Nominees and Related Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when arbitration clauses extend to nominees and subsequent related agreements under RA 9285.
Can a University Be Bound by Unauthorized Mortgages? Corporate Authority Explained
When can a corporation be bound by an officer's unauthorized acts? The Supreme Court explains in University of Mindanao v. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Construction Delays: Who Bears the Cost? Lessons from BF Corp v. Werdenberg
A Supreme Court ruling on construction delays clarifies how courts apportion liability and compute liquidated damages when both parties share fault.
Preventive Suspension Limits and Employer Rights in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may impose successive preventive suspensions and the rules on appeal bonds in labor cases.
NCIP Jurisdiction: Protecting Indigenous Rights vs. Rights of Non-Indigenous Parties
The Supreme Court clarifies when the NCIP has jurisdiction over disputes involving indigenous peoples and non-indigenous parties under IPRA.
Finality vs. Recomputation: Computing Monetary Awards in Illegal Dismissal Cases
A final illegal dismissal ruling does not bar recomputation of back wages and separation pay. Learn the rules and key dates.
Breach of Trust Dismissal for Court Employee Accepting Money From Litigants
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of court clerk who accepted money from litigants to process bail bond, ruling it constitutes grave misconduct.
Res Judicata Bars Relitigating Membership Disputes in Corporate Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when res judicata prevents corporations from relitigating membership issues already settled in prior cases.