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.
When Is a Spouse's Debt Chargeable to the Conjugal Partnership
Supreme Court clarifies when a husband's surety agreement binds the conjugal partnership, distinguishing corporate debts from family obligations.
COMELEC's Power to Prosecute Election Offenses: Independent Authority Affirmed
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's exclusive authority to prosecute election offenses, ruling that deputized prosecutors cannot override its decisions.
Club Membership Disputes: When Suspension and Due Process Collide
A Supreme Court ruling on club suspensions, delinquent lists, and the limits of due process in private associations.
Patent Infringement in the Philippines: Who Can Sue and Why a Patent Matters
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that only patent holders or their successors can sue for infringement, not mere first inventors.
When Real Property Tax Assessments Can Be Challenged: Lessons from Callanta v. Ombudsman
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when property owners may challenge real property tax assessments and the limits of city assessors' authority.
Admissibility of Extrajudicial Confessions in Philippine Criminal Law
Explore when extrajudicial confessions are admissible in Philippine courts, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Jerez.
Converting Partial Disability to Total Disability: GSIS v. Balais Explained
When can partial disability benefits be converted to total? The Supreme Court's ruling in GSIS v. Balais provides clear guidance for Filipino workers.
Res Judicata in Philippine Law: How Prior Judgments Affect Future Claims
Learn how the doctrine of res judicata bars relitigation of decided cases and affects future legal claims in the Philippines.
Complex Crimes in the Philippines: Component Offenses and Illegal Detention Explained
A 1998 Supreme Court ruling explains when an accused charged with a complex crime can be convicted of a lesser included offense like slight illegal detention.
Litis Pendentia in the Philippines: Stopping Duplicate Lawsuits
Learn when Philippine courts dismiss duplicate lawsuits for litis pendentia, the requisites, and how to prevent splitting a cause of action.
Attorney Negligence Consequences of Missing Deadlines in Philippine Law
Learn how missed legal deadlines and attorney negligence affect cases in the Philippines, with insights from Supreme Court rulings on procedural rules.
Security of Tenure in Government Service: When a Defective Appointment Prevents It
A government employee's security of tenure depends on a valid, completed appointment. Corpuz v. Court of Appeals explains the rule.
Substantial Justice vs Technicality: When Can Appeal Deadlines Be Relaxed
The Supreme Court explains when late appeals may be allowed despite rigid rules, balancing technicality against substantial justice in Trans International vs. CA.
Preponderance of Evidence: Winning Your Civil Case in the Philippines
Learn how the preponderance of evidence standard works in Philippine civil cases, and why failing to meet it means losing your case.
Eminent Domain in the Philippines: Balancing Public Use and Private Property Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when local governments may expropriate private land for socialized housing, and the due process limits on eminent domain.
In-Court Identification in Rape Cases: People v. Pacistol (G.R. 119074-75)
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how a victim's credible in-court identification can secure a rape conviction despite flawed police line-up procedures.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Protecting Children and Understanding Consent
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, explaining how the law protects children and how consent is treated in such cases.
Validity of Court Decisions: Judge Incumbency and Jurisdiction Explained
When is a judge's decision valid after transfer? The Supreme Court explains jurisdiction, incumbency, and ratification in ABC Davao Auto Supply.
Possession vs Intent: Understanding Illegal Firearm Charges in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on double jeopardy in illegal firearm cases, and why a prosecutor's authority matters in criminal charges.
Conspiracy and Criminal Liability: Understanding Intent and Participation in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence proves conspiracy and guilt beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases.
Abandonment vs Illegal Dismissal: Due Process in Philippine Labor Law
Understanding when failure to report for work is abandonment or illegal dismissal, and what due process requires in termination cases.
Prosecutorial Discretion vs Court Authority: Navigating Criminal Case Dismissals in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the balance between prosecutorial discretion and judicial authority in dismissing criminal cases after information is filed.
Prejudicial Question Doctrine: When Civil Cases Halt Criminal Proceedings in the Philippines
Understand the prejudicial question doctrine in Philippine criminal procedure, including when courts may suspend criminal cases pending civil actions.
When a Successor Company Inherits Illegal Dismissal Liability: The Alfante Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a successor corporation can be held liable for the illegal dismissal acts of its predecessor, and how backwages are computed.