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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Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Balancing Landowner Rights and Public Interest
In DAR v. Galle, the Supreme Court affirmed that fixing just compensation for agrarian reform land is a judicial function, not an administrative one.
Appraisal Value vs. Foreclosure: Property Valuation Disputes in Mortgage Foreclosure
When can courts override government appraisals in agrarian reform? The Supreme Court clarifies just compensation rules and valuation standards.
Bank Officials' Fiduciary Duty and Estafa Through Falsification of Documents
Supreme Court clarifies when a demurrer to evidence in estafa cases involving bank officials may be reviewed despite double jeopardy.
Upholding Drug Sale Conviction: Integrity of Evidence Despite Procedural Lapses
Supreme Court affirms drug sale conviction, ruling that procedural lapses under Section 21 do not automatically render seized drugs inadmissible if chain of custody remains intact.
Negligence in Keeping Records Leads to Dismissal: Colegio de Sta. Rosa-Makati Case Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court affirms dismissal of school physician for gross negligence in keeping student medical records. Learn the legal standards.
Failure to Prove Monetary Obligation Justifies Dismissal With Prejudice in Small Claims Case
Supreme Court rules that failure to prove a claim by preponderance of evidence warrants dismissal with prejudice in small claims cases.
Company Doctor's Assessment Upheld in Seafarer Disability Claims
The Supreme Court ruled that a seafarer who fails to refer conflicting medical findings to a third doctor is bound by the company-designated physician's disability rating.
Tenant Estoppel: Why a Lessee Cannot Deny the Landlord’s Title in Lease Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court explains tenant estoppel rule under Rule 131, Section 2(b), and why lessees cannot deny their landlord's title.
Minimum Wage vs Facilities: Employer Obligations for Fair Compensation and Workplace Standards
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may count board and lodging as wages, protecting workers from minimum wage circumvention.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Cerdon Teaches About Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court explains when lapses in the chain of custody of seized drugs will and will not invalidate a conviction under RA 9165.
Rape Conviction Upheld: The Critical Role of Victim Testimony and Consent in Philippine Law
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explaining how credible victim testimony establishes force and lack of consent under Philippine law.
Writ of Amparo Not a Substitute for Child Custody Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that the writ of amparo cannot be used to resolve child custody disputes, reaffirming its limited scope.
Comelec Divisions, Jurisdiction, and Preliminary Injunctions in Election Protests
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Comelec division's interlocutory order may be assailed via certiorari and the validity of Special Divisions.
Upholding Ethical Conduct Attorney Suspended FOR Deceit AND Neglect OF Client Funds
Lawyer suspended two years for misrepresenting himself, neglecting a client's visa case, and failing to return P350,000 in legal fees.
Attorney Suspended for Misrepresentation and Failure to Return Client Funds
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years for misrepresenting as immigration lawyer and failing to return P350,000 client funds.
OFW Illegal Dismissal: Full Salary for Unexpired Contract, Not Just 3 Months
The Supreme Court affirms that illegally dismissed OFWs are entitled to full salaries for the unexpired portion of their contracts, striking down the three-month cap as unconstitutional.
When an Employee's Damage Claim Belongs in Regular Courts, Not Labor Tribunals
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's claim for damages based on quasi-delict falls under regular court jurisdiction, not the Labor Arbiter.
Reinstatement Rights: Full Backwages Until Actual Reinstatement for Illegally Dismissed Employees
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that illegally dismissed employees are entitled to full backwages until actual reinstatement, not just until judgment promulgation.
SEC Authority Over Pre-Need Plan Sales: Due Process and Cease and Desist Orders
The Supreme Court upheld the SEC's power to issue cease and desist orders against unregistered pre-need plan sales without a prior hearing in Primanila Plans v. SEC.
Upholding Real Estate Mortgage Validity Forgery Claims AND DUE Diligence IN Banking Transactions
Double Taxation: Manila's Local Tax Ordinance and the Limits of Revenue Power
When a city taxes the same business twice under the same ordinance, courts will step in. Learn the double taxation rule from this Supreme Court case.
Loss of Trust and Confidence as a Just Cause for Dismissal: When Employers Can Terminate
Learn when Philippine employers may validly dismiss employees for loss of trust and confidence, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Upholding Drug Convictions: Chain of Custody and Regular Performance of Duty in Narcotics Cases
The Supreme Court affirms drug convictions, clarifying that minor lapses in Section 21 procedure do not automatically invalidate seizures when evidence integrity is preserved.
Supreme Court Upholds Ombudsman’s Dismissal of Criminal Complaint Against Labor Officials
The Court affirms the Ombudsman’s discretion to dismiss criminal complaints, finding no grave abuse in the labor officials’ challenged orders.