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.

Showing 49–63 of 63 articles for “1987 constitution”

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Jul 18, 2003 election-law comelec pre-proclamation jurisprudence philippines

Navigating COMELEC's Authority: Division vs. En Banc in Pre-Proclamation Disputes

Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COMELEC's division vs. en banc authority in pre-proclamation cases, citing Milla v. Balmores-Laxa.

Mar 20, 2003 agrarian reform land bank appeal retroactivity prospectivity civil procedure

Retroactivity vs Prospectivity: Protecting Vested Rights in Agrarian Reform Appeals

The Supreme Court clarifies when its ruling on the proper mode of appeal in agrarian cases applies, protecting vested rights.

Dec 12, 2000 constitutional law administrative law staggered terms security of tenure civil service commission de facto officer

Fixed Terms for Constitutional Commissioners: The Gaminde Case on Staggered Terms

The Supreme Court clarifies that a constitutional commissioner's term follows the staggered system, not the appointment paper's date, as shown in Gaminde.

Dec 20, 1999 right to counsel due process criminal law unauthorized practice of law people v santocildes

Fake Lawyer Defense: When an Impostor Can Void a Criminal Conviction in the Philippines

Convictions can be overturned when the accused was represented by a non-lawyer. Learn the rules and how to verify counsel credentials.

Aug 11, 1999 presidential appointments commission on appointments administrative law philippine national police 1987 constitution

Presidential Appointments in the Philippines: Limits of the Commission on Appointments' Confirmation Power

The Supreme Court clarifies which presidential appointments need Commission on Appointments confirmation under the 1987 Constitution.

Jul 27, 1999 criminal law death penalty retroactive application constitutional law accused rights revised penal code

Retroactive Application of Penal Laws Protecting Accused Rights in the Philippines

Explaining how the 1987 Constitution's abolition of the death penalty retroactively benefits accused persons whose crimes were committed before its ratification.

Jul 19, 1999 criminal law voluntary confession constitutional rights custodial investigation evidence

Voluntary Confessions in Philippine Law: Safeguarding the Rights of the Accused

Understanding the constitutional safeguards governing voluntary confessions in Philippine criminal procedure, and how courts protect the accused.

Jul 18, 1999 election law residency requirement domicile candidate qualification comelec jurisprudence

Residency Requirement for Philippine Candidates: The Domino Doctrine on Domicile

Philippine election law equates residency with domicile. The Domino case shows why voter registration and genuine intent matter for candidates.

Apr 30, 1999 criminal procedure constitutional law extrajudicial confession custodial investigation evidence

Voluntary Confessions and Custodial Rights: Lessons from People v. Bacor

The Supreme Court clarifies when an extrajudicial confession is admissible, the role of counsel, and what makes a valid waiver of rights.

Apr 20, 1999 search warrants probable cause criminal law constitutional rights kho v. makalintal

Valid Search Warrants in the Philippines: Probable Cause and Specificity

Philippine law requires probable cause and particular description for valid search warrants. Kho v. Makalintal clarifies how specific these must be.

Mar 18, 1999 90-day rule judicial efficiency administrative law speedy disposition supreme court judges

The 90-Day Rule for Judges: What It Means for Speedy Justice in the Philippines

The 90-day rule requires Philippine judges to decide cases promptly. Learn how it works, what happens on delay, and the lessons from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.

Nov 25, 1998 civil service government agencies constitutional law csc public administration

Civil Service Coverage in the Philippines: Clarifying Exemptions for Government Agencies

The Supreme Court clarifies that all government agencies, including intelligence bureaus, fall under civil service coverage despite statutory exemptions.

Aug 10, 1998 public land land classification land ownership property law philippine law

Public Land vs Private Ownership in the Philippines: Land Classification and Acquisition

Understand how Philippine law distinguishes public land from private property, and the rules on classification and acquisition.

Aug 18, 1997 illegal dismissal labor law jurisdiction government corporations civil service labor code

Illegal Dismissal Jurisdiction: Government Corporations Without Original Charters

Supreme Court clarifies which government-owned corporations fall under Labor Code jurisdiction versus Civil Service rules in illegal dismissal cases.

Feb 23, 1997 criminal law appeal withdrawal of appeal people v. redulosa supreme court criminal procedure

Withdrawing a Criminal Appeal in the Philippines: Rights and Limits After Conviction

Can a convicted person withdraw a criminal appeal in the Philippines? People v. Redulosa explains the right, limits, and consequences.