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.
Tenant or Laborer: Resolving Land Disputes and Compensation Rights in Agrarian Reform
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when farm workers are tenants, not laborers, and how compensation agreements affect agrarian reform disputes.
Buy-Bust Operations: Conviction Upheld Despite Procedural Lapses in Drug Cases
Supreme Court affirms drug conviction despite missing pre-operation reports and inventory lapses, clarifying what really matters in buy-bust cases.
Entrapment vs Illegal Arrest: Warrantless Arrests in Drug Cases
When is a warrantless arrest in a buy-bust operation valid? The Supreme Court explains the difference between entrapment and illegal arrest.
Parol Evidence Rule and Oral Agreements in Lease Contracts: Key Lessons from Amoncio v. Benedicto
When can oral agreements modify a written lease? The Supreme Court explains the parol evidence rule and its exceptions.
Constructive Dismissal: When Forced Resignation Through Pay Reduction Is Illegal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on constructive dismissal when an employer's pay reduction forces an employee to resign.
Breach of Trust and Due Process in Employment Termination: Striking a Balance
The Supreme Court clarifies when breach of trust justifies dismissal and when employers still owe procedural due process.
Finality of Judgments, Solidary Liability, and Actual Damages in Cockfighting Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the immutability of final judgments and how to compute actual damages in a cockfighting dispute.
Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet and Tenancy Rights in Philippine Land Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a tenant's right of redemption requires proof of a valid tenancy relationship with the true landowner.
Sheriffs Must Follow Execution Rules: Grave Misconduct Case Lessons
When sheriffs demand unauthorized fees and adjourn sales without consent, they commit grave misconduct. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Deceitful Practices by Lawyers: When Suspension and Disbarment Apply
The Supreme Court clarifies when lawyers face suspension or disbarment for deceitful conduct, citing a case of forged documents and dishonest estate settlement.
Compulsory Retirement at 60: When Company Policy Violates Security of Tenure
A company policy forcing retirement at 60 can be illegal dismissal. The Supreme Court explains the difference between voluntary and compulsory retirement.
When Court Employees Falsify Attendance Records: A Lesson in Judicial Discipline
A Supreme Court ruling on a process server's falsified DTRs shows how dishonesty and absenteeism in the judiciary are punished.
From Partial to Total: Converting Disability Benefits Under Philippine Law
When can a permanent partial disability (PPD) benefit be converted to permanent total disability (PTD)? The Supreme Court explains in GSIS v. Casco.
When Judges Overstep: Notarizing Private Deeds as Ex-Officio Notaries
A Supreme Court ruling on when judges may notarize documents, and the limits of their authority as ex-officio notaries public.
No Back Salaries for Government Employees Dismissed in Good Faith: Protecting Public Funds
Supreme Court rules government employees dismissed in good faith are not entitled to back salaries upon reinstatement, upholding Octot v. Ybañez.
Dismissal of Appeal When Technical Rules Trump Substantial Justice
When do procedural lapses justify dismissing an appeal? This article explains the rule and its limits, using Philippine Supreme Court jurisprudence.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: The Nover Bryan Salvador Case
When can circumstantial evidence alone convict an accused? The Supreme Court explains in this landmark Philippine homicide case.
Recomputation of Retirement Benefits: Step Increments and Special Allowances for Retired Justices
The Supreme Court clarifies that step increments and special allowances form part of the basic monthly salary base for computing judicial retirement benefits.
False Promises and Financial Ruin: Establishing Estafa Through Deceit in Investment Schemes
The Supreme Court affirms that luring investors with false profit promises constitutes estafa, even when the accused claims ignorance of the scheme.
Unlawful Appointments: Does Temporary Disqualification Mean Lack of Legal Qualification?
Supreme Court clarifies that temporary disqualification of losing candidates constitutes lack of legal qualification under Article 244, RPC.
Dual Roles, Divided Loyalties: Graft Law and the Limits of Hypothetical Guilt
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer can be charged with graft for holding incompatible positions and collecting dual compensation.
Double Jeopardy and Grave Abuse of Discretion: Protecting Acquittals From Reversal
The Supreme Court explains when an acquittal is final and how grave abuse of discretion is the only exception.
Overseas Litigants and the Verification Requirement: Balancing Rules With Reality
The Supreme Court rules that a variance in dates between a petition and its verification is not fatal when overseas litigants act in good faith.
When Can Power Generators Be Exempted from Power Delivery Charges
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when independent power producers may be exempt from Power Delivery Service charges for ancillary services.