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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Theft or Mistake: Gauging Intent in Employee Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an employee's taking of company property constitutes theft justifying dismissal, and when it is merely a mistake.
Upholding Integrity: Attorney Liability for Notarial Register Errors in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court holds notary public liable for erroneous notarial register entries, stressing the duty to record every notarial act accurately.
Reasonable Doubt in Robbery Cases: Insufficient Proof of Threat Leads to Acquittal
Supreme Court acquits robbery convict where prosecution failed to prove intimidation beyond reasonable doubt. Learn the rules.
Passion's Lingering Flame: Redefining Mitigating Circumstances in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that passion and obfuscation may build over time, not just in the heat of the moment, reducing murder to homicide.
COA Auditors Barred From Agency Benefits: Nacion v. COA
Supreme Court affirms COA's discipline of auditor who received bonuses, housing, and car loans from audited agency MWSS.
Judicial Accountability: When Is a Collegiate Court Justice Liable for Undue Delay?
The Supreme Court acquitted three Court of Appeals justices of undue delay, clarifying that liability follows the division that actually decides a case, not the one that inherited it.
Election Law Defining Transfer and Safeguarding Management Prerogatives During Election Periods
The Supreme Court clarifies what counts as a prohibited transfer during election periods, balancing COMELEC rules with management prerogatives.
Lawyer Suspended for Issuing Bounced Checks: Honesty and Integrity in Legal Practice
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for one year for issuing worthless checks, reaffirming that lawyers must uphold honesty and integrity in both public and private life.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: What People v. Cunanan Means for Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction, clarifying buy-bust arrests, chain of custody rules, and why minor lapses do not automatically acquit.
Beyond the Contract: Can Seafarers Claim Disability Benefits After Employment Ends?
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why death and disability benefits under the POEA contract must be claimed correctly and within the proper proceedings.
Buy-Bust Operations and Chain of Custody: Key Lessons from a Drug Conviction
A Supreme Court ruling on a buy-bust operation clarifies the rules on warrantless arrests, chain of custody, and the defenses of denial and frame-up.
Prescription in Illegal Dismissal Cases: The Impact of Complaint Withdrawal
Filing then withdrawing an illegal dismissal complaint does not stop the prescriptive period. Learn the rule from this Supreme Court case.
Upholding Employers Right TO Discipline Dishonesty AS Just Cause FOR Termination
Supreme Court rules that a nurse’s theft of hospital supplies is just cause for dismissal, reaffirming management prerogative to discipline dishonest employees.
Negligence and Maritime Law: Res Ipsa Loquitur in Cargo Handling Disputes
When a hidden metal bar in a ship's cargo hold damages an arrastre operator's unloader, who pays? The Supreme Court applies res ipsa loquitur.
Practicing Law While Suspended: Consequences and Ethical Considerations
A suspended lawyer who appears as counsel for her husband still practices law. The Supreme Court explains the consequences and ethical duties.
The Doctor's Dilemma: Hospital Liability in Medical Negligence Cases in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on medical negligence, physician-patient duty, and hospital solidary liability under Article 2180 of the Civil Code.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Preserving Integrity of Seized Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court explains why lapses in drug evidence custody are not automatically fatal, as long as the item's integrity is preserved.
Due Process and Administrative Investigations: The Limits of Certiorari
When can a government official question a show cause order through certiorari? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of this remedy.
Upholding Ministerial Duty Dismissal OF Disbarment Complaint FOR Good Faith Registration Actions
Supreme Court dismisses disbarment complaints against lawyers and registrars over good faith registration actions, clarifying ministerial duties.
Workplace Boundaries: When Misconduct Crosses Into Sexual Harassment
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a supervisor's unwanted kiss is grave misconduct, not simple misconduct, in Philippine administrative law.
Chain of Custody and Presumption of Regularity in Drug Cases: Tionco v. People
The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction, clarifying that minor lapses in chain of custody do not automatically acquit an accused.
Suspension of Arraignment, DOJ Review, and the Right to Speedy Trial in Copyright Cases
Explaining when courts may suspend arraignment pending DOJ review and how delay affects the right to speedy trial in copyright infringement cases.
Indispensable Parties in Partition Suits: Ensuring Complete Justice
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who must be joined in partition actions and why dismissal is the wrong remedy for non-joinder.
Quieting of Title: Courts Cannot Consider Outside Evidence in Determining Cause of Action
The Supreme Court clarifies that in resolving a motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action, courts must look only at the complaint's allegations.