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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Judicial Immunity vs Accountability: When Can Judges Be Disciplined
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between judicial accountability and contempt liability for frivolous complaints against judges.
Safeguarding Suffrage: Counting Votes for Disqualified Party Lists in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court rules that votes for party-list groups disqualified after the elections must be included in the divisor for seat allocation.
Upholding Local Autonomy: The Constitutionality of Vehicle Immobilization Ordinances
The Supreme Court upheld Cebu City's vehicle immobilization ordinance as a valid exercise of police power, clarifying due process requirements for traffic enforcement.
Closure Due to Serious Losses: When Separation Pay Is Not Required
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when business closure due to serious losses exempts employers from separation pay, but still requires proper notice.
When a Company Car Plan Lacks Terms: Refund of Employee Payments Explained
Philippine Supreme Court rules on employee car plan refunds when no forfeiture terms exist, citing unjust enrichment principles.
Prescription and Laches in Deed of Sale Cases: Lessons from Sanchez v. Sanchez
When can a deed of sale be challenged in court? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on prescription and laches in Sanchez v. Sanchez.
Employer Negligence and the Duty of Supervision: Retirement Benefits Case
Supreme Court ruling on when banks can deduct retirement benefits for employee negligence, and the limits of supervisory liability.
Breach of Contract vs Loan Obligations: Independent Liabilities in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a debtor's separate contract breach does not extinguish loan obligations to a creditor.
Proximate Cause in Quasi-Delict Cases: Linking Negligence to Injury
The Supreme Court clarifies that in quasi-delict cases, the plaintiff must prove proximate causation by preponderance of evidence.
Judicial Delay and Discretion: Balancing Efficiency and Impartiality in Estate Administration
A Supreme Court ruling on when a judge's delay in resolving motions becomes administrative liability, and why judicial discretion in estate cases deserves protection.
Senior Citizen Discounts: Police Power vs. Eminent Domain in Business Regulations
The Supreme Court clarifies that the 20% senior citizen discount is a valid exercise of police power, not eminent domain, in Manila Memorial Park v. DSWD.
Upholding Integrity Notarial Duty AND Consequences OF Falsification
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens title indefeasibility, one-year bar to annulment, and reconveyance prescription periods explained.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Victim's Mental Retardation: People v. Manicat
The Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction where the victim had mild mental retardation, ruling that mental disability does not automatically disqualify a witness.
Work-Related Illness Compensability of Myocardial Infarction Under Philippine Law
Philippine law on compensability of myocardial infarction as a work-related illness, explained through Supreme Court rulings and legal standards.
Breach of Trust: Upholding Employer Rights in Managerial Dismissals in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissing managerial employees, even without actual damage to the employer.
Falsification of Public Documents and Preventive Suspension Under RA 3019
When does falsification of public documents justify preventive suspension under Section 13 of RA 3019? The Supreme Court explains.
Protecting Vulnerable Victims: Admissibility of Testimony From Persons With Mental Retardation in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that persons with mental retardation can be credible witnesses in rape cases, provided they understand questions and testify clearly.
Positive Identification and Conspiracy in Murder and Frustrated Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court affirms murder and frustrated murder convictions based on positive identification, conspiracy, and treachery in People v. Maglente.
Judicial Clemency: Balancing Mercy and Public Trust in the Philippine Judiciary
The Supreme Court denies a former judge's plea for judicial clemency, reaffirming that remorse and reformation must be proven, not merely claimed.
Maceda Law Protecting Installment Buyers From Improper Contract Cancellations
Learn how the Maceda Law protects installment buyers from improper contract cancellations and what the Supreme Court said about buyer rights.
Kidnapping for Ransom: How Conspiracy and Flight Establish Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy liability, and damages in People v. Niegas.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in Loan Agreements: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may pierce the corporate veil to hold stockholders personally liable for corporate loans.
Upholding Attorney Duty Truthfulness in Legal Filings and the Scope of Disciplinary Actions
The Supreme Court clarifies that bad faith in graft cases requires dishonest purpose, not mere error or negligence.
Employer's Duty to Recall Employees After Six-Month Suspension of Operations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a bona fide suspension of business operations beyond six months makes employee termination illegal unless workers are recalled.