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.
Statutory Rape: Protecting Children and Ensuring Due Process in Criminal Law
A father's conviction for statutory rape upheld, but due process requires every element—including relationship—be alleged in the information.
Entrapment vs Instigation: When Buy-Bust Operations Are Valid in Philippine Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains the difference between valid entrapment and unlawful instigation in buy-bust operations, using Cruz v. People.
Upholding Comelec Discretion in Pre-Proclamation Controversies
The Supreme Court affirms Comelec's broad discretion in dismissing pre-proclamation disputes, emphasizing limited scope of review and proper remedies.
Ancestral Domain vs Public Land: Resolving Indigenous Land Claims in Forest Reservations
Supreme Court clarifies NCIP jurisdiction over ancestral land claims but upholds protection of forest reservations from private claims.
Treachery in Murder: What the Supreme Court Requires for Conviction
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, explaining what evidence proves it and why evident premeditation failed in this case.
Ombudsman's Discretion in Establishing Undue Injury in Anti-Graft Cases
Supreme Court explains when delay in resolving a complaint constitutes
Drug Sale Conviction Upheld: Minor Inconsistencies Do Not Undermine Police Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms drug sale and possession convictions, ruling that minor inconsistencies in police testimony do not impair credibility.
Redundancy in Labor Law Justifying Employee Termination During Business Restructuring
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when business restructuring justifies termination and how regular employment status is determined under the four-fold test.
Who May File Libel Cases: City Prosecutor vs Provincial Prosecutor
Supreme Court rules on which prosecutor has authority to file libel Informations, and why a wrong prosecutor's filing is a fatal jurisdictional defect.
Forged Deeds and Good Faith Purchasers: Protecting Land Ownership in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a forged deed can still produce a valid title—and when buyers lose the protection of the Torrens system.
Defining Regular Employment: The Case of Dealco Farms and the Comboys
The Supreme Court clarifies the test for regular employment under Philippine labor law, emphasizing the employer's business nature and the employee's role.
Mortgagee's Duty to Verify Buyers Under PD 957: DBP v. Capulong
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that banks financing real estate projects must verify subdivision lot buyers before foreclosing mortgaged properties under PD 957.
Default Judgments and Due Process: The Imperative of Procedural Compliance in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments, procedural compliance, and the limits of post-judgment remedies in civil cases.
Real Property Tax: Who Is the Actual User in a BOT Agreement?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on real property tax exemption under a Build-Operate-Transfer agreement and who qualifies as actual user.
Rape and Moral Ascendancy: When the Sweetheart Defense Fails
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape, moral ascendancy of a live-in partner, and the limits of the sweetheart defense.
Judicial Accountability: Death Does Not Erase Negligence in Office
The Supreme Court clarifies that a judge's death does not automatically erase findings of negligence, though it may affect the penalty imposed.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: Supreme Court Upholds Protection for Overseas Workers
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa, protecting overseas workers from fraudulent recruiters.
When Acquittal Extinguishes Civil Liability: Understanding Reckless Imprudence Cases
Learn how acquittal in reckless imprudence cases affects civil liability, based on Philippine Supreme Court rulings and key legal principles.
COA's Power to Audit Public Contracts: Lessons from Lotrim v. Commission on Audit
Supreme Court affirms COA's broad audit powers and the binding effect of procedural rules in government contract disputes.
Refund of Creditable Withholding Taxes: Proving Entitlement and Accurate Income Declaration
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on claiming tax refunds for creditable withholding taxes and the importance of accurate income declaration.
Lease vs. Good Faith: When Hotel Improvements Don't Mean Ownership Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that lessees are not builders in good faith, limiting their rights to Article 1678 reimbursement.
Rape Conviction Upheld on Credible Victim Testimony; Death Penalty Reduced
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible victim testimony and medical evidence, but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua.
Breach of Trust and Confidence: When Managerial Employees Lose Separation Pay
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when loss of trust and confidence justifies termination and bars separation pay for managerial employees.
Breach of Preliminary Attachment: Officials Liable for Undue Injury Under RA 3019
Supreme Court rules local officials who released retention money despite a writ of preliminary attachment face criminal liability under RA 3019.