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.
Technical Malversation in the Philippines: When Is Public Fund Misuse Illegal
The Supreme Court clarifies technical malversation under of the Revised Penal Code and when public fund diversion becomes a crime.
When Presence Is Not Enough: Understanding Accomplice Liability in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that mere presence or even physical restraint does not make one an accomplice absent community of criminal design.
Probationary Employment in Academia: Ateneo's Right to Set Standards for Faculty Retention
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that universities may set their own standards for probationary faculty retention, and how the Manual of Regulations for Private Schools applies.
Annulment of Judgment: Abuse of Discretion vs. Lack of Jurisdiction in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that grave abuse of discretion is not a ground for annulment of judgment, which requires extrinsic fraud or lack of jurisdiction.
POEA Contract or Labor Code: Which Governs Seafarer Rights in Domestic Waters?
Supreme Court clarifies when a POEA-approved seafarer contract ends and the Labor Code takes over for domestic voyages.
Probationary Employment and Employer Prerogative: When Clearance Requirements Justify Non-Regularization
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employment, employer prerogative, and reasonable pre-employment requirements for regularization.
Forcible Entry: Possession by Tolerance vs. Undue Deprivation Through Force
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that owners cannot use force to evict occupants, even if possession is by tolerance, without filing the proper ejectment case.
Barangay Conciliation: Why a Settlement Agreement Cannot Replace the Lupon Requirement
Learn from Berba v. Pablo why a barangay settlement with one party does not excuse mandatory conciliation before filing an ejectment suit.
Preliminary Injunction Against MMDA Billboards: Protecting Contractual Rights Pending Trial
Supreme Court affirms preliminary injunction stopping MMDA from dismantling MRT 3 billboards, protecting Trackworks' contractual advertising rights pending trial.
Injunction Against Government Interference: Protecting Contractual Advertising Rights
Supreme Court ruling on when courts may issue preliminary injunctions to protect contractual rights from government interference in advertising agreements.
State Witness Exclusion: Balancing Prosecutorial Discretion and Court Oversight
The Supreme Court clarifies when prosecutors may exclude accused persons from an information to make them state witnesses, and the limits of judicial discretion.
Navigating Fishpond Leases: The Republic's Discretion vs. Corporate Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when government land reserved for public use can be claimed by private occupants under urban land reform laws.
Urban Land Redemption Size Speculation and Neighborly Rights in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when homeowners associations can sue, the limits of mandamus, and the rules on urban land disposition.
When Debts Collide: Understanding Legal Compensation in Philippine Contract Law
Learn how Philippine courts apply legal compensation in contract disputes, using the Mavest v. Sampaguita case as a guide.
Urban Land Reform: Right of First Refusal in Priority Development Areas
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenants' right of first refusal under P.D. 1517 in urban land reform zones.
How Assessed Value Determines the Court for Land Title Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies why the assessed value of land, not its market value, determines which court has jurisdiction over title disputes.
VAT Refund Claims: Proving Input Tax Payments With Proper Documentation
Tax refund claims fail without proper evidence. Learn the documentation rules from a Supreme Court case on input VAT refunds.
Losing a Land Title: Why Possession at Application Time Matters in Property Registration
Learn why the Supreme Court denied a land registration application because the applicant no longer possessed the property at the time of filing.
Establishing Ownership: The Decisive Role of Documentary Evidence Over Testimonial Claims in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why documentary evidence outweighs testimonial claims in land registration cases.
NLRC vs Regular Courts: Where to File Damages Claims in Dismissal Cases
Learn when illegal dismissal damages claims belong to the NLRC labor arbiter, not regular courts, under Article 217 of the Labor Code.
Inofficious Donation and Legitime: Protecting Compulsory Heirs' Inheritance Rights in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law protects compulsory heirs from inofficious donations that impair their legitime, explained through a Supreme Court case.
Buying All Shares Does Not Transfer Corporate Property Ownership: Silverio v. Filipino Business Consultants
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: acquiring controlling shares of a corporation does not give a stockholder ownership or possession of corporate assets.
Electricity Meter Malfunctions: Who Bears the Cost of Unregistered Consumption
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on who pays for unregistered electricity when a defective meter causes under-billing.
Municipality Liability for Excavation Accidents on National Roads
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on municipal liability for injuries from road excavations, even on national roads under municipal control.