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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Circumstantial Evidence in Rape with Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-with-homicide conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence, and what this means for Philippine criminal prosecutions.
When a Deceased Defendant Is Named in a Collection Case: Jurisdiction and Solidary Liability Rules
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies what happens when a defendant dies before a collection suit is filed, and how solidary obligations affect the case.
Gross Neglect vs Illegal Dismissal: Employee Duties and Employer Rights
When can an employer dismiss a rank-and-file employee for gross neglect? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on just causes and loss of confidence.
Expropriation and Summary Judgment: Protecting Just Compensation in Philippine Condemnation Cases
When can summary judgment decide just compensation in expropriation cases? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules and protects landowners' rights.
Beneficial Ownership When Trust Relationships in Corporate Benefits Prevail
When a company buys a club share in an employee's name, who truly owns it? The Supreme Court explains trust relationships and beneficial ownership.
Material Misrepresentation and Vegetable Lands Excluded From PD 27 Coverage
Supreme Court rules vegetable lands are outside PD 27 coverage; Emancipation Patents issued through material misrepresentation are void.
Abandonment vs Illegal Dismissal: When Absence Is Not Enough to Fire an Employee
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when employee absence is not abandonment, and what employers must prove to justify dismissal.
Upholding Dismissal for Dishonesty When Casino Employees Betray Public Trust
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of PAGCOR dealers who declared void craps throws as good dice, defrauding the house.
Dismissal for Dishonesty Upheld: PAGCOR Dealers' Craps Fraud Case
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of PAGCOR dealers for serious dishonesty in rigged craps game, clarifying administrative due process rules.
Military Retirement Credit for Civilian Service Under PD 1638: Reblora Case
Supreme Court clarifies how prior civilian government service counts toward military retirement under PD 1638, as amended.
Double Insurance Claims: When CBA Hospitalization Benefits Exclude Other Insurer Payments
Philippine Supreme Court rules on whether CBA hospitalization benefits can be claimed alongside other health insurance payments. Key ruling explained.
Challenging Buy-Bust Operations: Upholding Regularity and Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when buy-bust operations are valid, how to rebut the presumption of police regularity, and limits of drug paraphernalia liability.
Acquittal Does Not Erase Civil Liability: B.P. 22 Case Clarifies Separate Civil Aspect
An acquittal in a B.P. 22 case does not automatically extinguish civil liability. The Supreme Court explains when civil claims survive.
Choosing the Right Appeal: Rule 41 vs. Rule 42 in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when to use an ordinary appeal versus a petition for review in property cases, emphasizing the importance of the correct mode of appeal.
Final Judgments and Supervening Events: When Execution Cannot Be Stopped
A sale of property after judgment finality does not automatically stop execution. The Supreme Court explains the limits of supervening events.
Final Judgment vs Supervening Events: When Execution Can Be Stopped
The Supreme Court explains when a supervening event can stop execution of a final judgment, using a partition case as example.
Fairness in Land Valuation: Ensuring Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts must value agrarian land under Section 17 of RA 6657, rejecting arbitrary formulas.
Protecting Trademarks: Unauthorized Refilling Constitutes Infringement And Unfair Competition
Unauthorized refilling of LPG cylinders bearing registered trademarks is trademark infringement and unfair competition, the Supreme Court ruled.
Fair Compensation in Land Reform: Upholding Valuation Standards in Agrarian Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that courts must follow DAR valuation formulas in agrarian reform cases, not subjective judgments.
Challenging Drug Convictions: Chain of Custody and Police Coordination Under RA 9165
How the Supreme Court treats chain of custody and police coordination in drug cases, and what this means for challenging convictions.
Upholding Conviction in Rape Cases: Credibility and the Element of Force
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, explaining how trial courts assess witness credibility and prove force or intimidation.
Employer-Employee Relationship: The Control Test and SSS Coverage for Farm Workers
When does a farm worker become a regular employee entitled to SSS coverage? The Supreme Court explains the control test and its implications.
Tax Clearance Not Required for Bank Liquidation: Protecting Creditor Rights
Supreme Court rules banks under PDIC liquidation need no BIR tax clearance, protecting creditor preference rights under the Civil Code.
When DARAB Lacks Jurisdiction: Res Judicata and Limits on Agrarian Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that not every sale of agricultural land falls under DARAB jurisdiction, preventing endless litigation.