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.
Local Autonomy vs National Mandate: Limits of City Ordinances in Liga ng mga Barangay Elections
Supreme Court clarifies that city ordinances cannot override the Liga ng mga Barangay's own election rules, and explains proper remedies.
Buy-Bust Operations and Drug Convictions: Lessons from Arcilla v. People
The Supreme Court upholds buy-bust operations as valid arrests, explaining how courts weigh police testimony against claims of planted evidence.
Rape and Consent: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's testimony against the defense of denial, and why conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy and Witness Credibility: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's death sentence for qualified rape, clarifying how witness credibility and conspiracy establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Accountability in Armed Robbery: Redefining Liability Through Criminal Conspiracy
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on criminal conspiracy in robbery with homicide, explaining liability for all participants and penalty rules.
Judicial Independence: Why Unfounded Administrative Complaints Against Judges Fail
The Supreme Court shields judges from baseless administrative suits, clarifying that judicial errors are corrected by appeal, not discipline.
Burden of Proof in Rape Cases: Consent and the Presumption of Innocence
The Supreme Court acquits a rape accused where prosecution failed to prove force or intimidation, reaffirming the presumption of innocence and the prosecution's burden.
Lost Cargo Liability: Fire Does Not Excuse Common Carrier's Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court rules fire is not an exempting cause under the Civil Code, holding carriers liable for lost cargo.
Self-Defense in Philippine Law: When Killing a Brother Is Justifiable Homicide
The Supreme Court explains when killing in self-defense is justified under Philippine law, using the Cano brothers' fatal confrontation as a case study.
Res Gestae Exception: Admissibility of Spontaneous Statements in Philippine Homicide Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the res gestae exception to admit a victim's spontaneous statement identifying his assailant in a homicide case.
Treachery in Stone Throwing: When a Sudden Attack Qualifies as Murder
A single stone thrown from behind turned a killing into murder. Learn how the Supreme Court defined treachery in People v. Duban.
Retraction vs Truth: Evaluating Testimony in Philippine Rape Cases
How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's testimony against retraction and alibi defenses, explained through a landmark child rape case.
Valid Service of Summons: Protecting Due Process in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rules on personal service of summons, due process, and annulment of judgments in Lazaro v. Rural Bank.
Attorney Suspended for Acquiring Client's Property During Estate Proceedings
Lawyer suspended six months for acquiring property from client during pending estate proceedings, violating Article 1491 of the Civil Code.
Equitable Mortgages Have No Redemption Right in Judicial Foreclosure for Private Mortgagees
In a judicial foreclosure of an equitable mortgage by a private lender, the mortgagor has no right of redemption after confirmation of sale.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Despite Procedural Lapses in Parental Incest Case
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of father but reduces death penalty to reclusion perpetua due to procedural defects in the information.
Airline Liability: The Ticket-Issuing Carrier Responsible for Your Entire Journey
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: ticket-issuing airlines are principals in contracts of carriage and liable for the acts of partner carriers on any segment.
When Constitutional Limits Bar Recovery of Illegally Acquired Property
Philippine Supreme Court explains why an alien who bought land through a Filipino cannot recover the property or his money.
Judicial Overreach Approving Bail Outside Jurisdictional Boundaries 2
Supreme Court clarifies venue, exhaustion of administrative remedies, and limits on injunctions in environmental cases.
Sovereign Immunity Contracts With Foreign States AND Waiver OF Immunity
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Republic of Indonesia v. Vinzon on foreign sovereign immunity, waiver clauses, and embassy maintenance contracts.
Regular Employment vs Fixed-Term Contracts: Protecting Employee Rights in Termination Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a fixed-term contract cannot defeat regular employment status and security of tenure protections.
Reclaimed Lands and the Constitution: Limits on Government Transfers to Private Corporations
The Supreme Court voids a land reclamation deal transferring public lands to a private corporation, reaffirming constitutional limits on alienable lands.
Proving Smuggling Without the Seized Goods: Witness Testimony as Corpus Delicti
The Supreme Court rules that smuggling can be proven by credible witness testimony alone, even without presenting the seized contraband in court.
Deposit Insurance Coverage and the Usual Course of Business Rule in Bank Transactions
Supreme Court ruling on PDIC coverage for deposits made before a bank's closure, defining "usual course of business."