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.
Regulating Psychologists: When Professional Standards Meet Constitutional Rights
The Supreme Court upholds the 100-hour training requirement for psychologists seeking registration without examination under RA 10029.
When Can the State Reclaim Private Land? The Rule on Reversion Proceedings
The Supreme Court clarifies the heavy burden the State must overcome to revert titled private land to public domain.
Self-Defense or Murder: Proving Unlawful Aggression in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails in Philippine criminal law, using a 2021 murder case to illustrate the burden of proving unlawful aggression.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Philippine Law: Proving Unlawful Aggression for Justification
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies killing as murder under Philippine criminal law.
Corporate Veil and Judgment Execution: Can a Successor Corporation Be Held Liable?
When a judgment debtor's assets pass to another corporation, can the winner enforce the judgment against the successor? The Supreme Court explains.
Double Titling in the Philippines: How to Protect Your Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle double titling disputes and what property owners can do to protect their rights and avoid legal conflicts.
Public Purpose in Government Loans to Private Entities: The Bawasanta Case
When can local governments lend public funds to private entities? The Supreme Court clarifies the public purpose rule in Bawasanta v. People.
Illegal Dismissal vs. Voluntary Resignation: Proving Your Case in the Philippines
When is a resignation not voluntary? Learn how Philippine courts distinguish illegal dismissal from resignation and who bears the burden of proof.
Proving Cargo Damage Claims: Evidence Rules and Res Ipsa Loquitur
The Supreme Court clarifies the evidence needed to prove cargo damage claims and when res ipsa loquitur applies.
Power Lines and Public Lands: Supreme Court Clarifies Easements and Just Compensation
The Supreme Court ruled that power lines fall under "similar works" in the Public Land Act, allowing easements on free patent lands with compensation rules.
Constructive Dismissal and Contract Ambiguity: Lessons from Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court's ruling in Esico v. Alphaland clarifies constructive dismissal claims and the consequences of ambiguous employment contracts.
Freedom of Expression vs Obscenity: The Limits of Local Ordinances in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when courts may review local anti-obscenity ordinances and why facial challenges face strict limits.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Fair Value for Delayed Government Takings
When the government delays payment in expropriation, landowners are entitled to more than the property's old value—here's why.
Ancestral Domain Disputes Between Same Indigenous Community: NCIP Jurisdiction Explained
When both parties belong to the same indigenous cultural community, the NCIP—not regular courts—has jurisdiction over ancestral domain disputes.
Product Imperfection Liability: How Consumers Can Demand Replacement Under the Consumer Act
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when defective products must be replaced under the Consumer Act and who bears liability.
Conversion to Islam Does Not Shield You from Bigamy Charges in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that converting to Islam does not automatically exempt a person from bigamy charges under Philippine law.
Constructive Dismissal vs. Just Cause Termination: Key Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that constructive dismissal and just cause termination are incompatible, reinforcing due process and security of tenure.
Treachery in Robbery with Homicide: The Supreme Court’s Ruling in People v. Juada
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery aggravates robbery with homicide and affirms conviction based on circumstantial evidence in People v. Juada.
Immutability of Judgments When Finality Prevails Over Claims of Minority in Criminal Cases
When does a final judgment yield to supervening events? The Supreme Court clarifies the exceptions to immutability of judgment.
Upholding Agrarian Reform: Supervening CLOA Justifies Deviation from Immutability of Judgment
When a final judgment becomes inequitable due to a supervening event like a CLOA issuance, courts may relax the doctrine of immutability of judgment.
Forum Shopping in Nullity Cases: One Action for Property Settlement
Filing a separate property case while a nullity case is pending constitutes forum shopping. The Supreme Court explains why.
Overcoming Inheritance Disputes: How Courts Decide Property Sales Among Heirs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a sale of inherited property among heirs may be voided and the land partitioned equally.
Dacion en Pago: How to Properly Extinguish Loan Obligations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains how dacion en pago works, when loan obligations are extinguished, and the pitfalls lenders must avoid.
Deception and Exploitation: Defining Human Trafficking in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms a trafficking conviction, clarifying how fraud, deception, and vulnerability define the crime under RA 9208.