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.
Accidental Shooting Defense in Parricide: Proving Intent Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Explore how Philippine courts rejected an accidental shooting defense in parricide, analyzing circumstantial evidence and criminal intent.
Vehicle Accidents and Utility Posts: Liability Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts determine liability when a vehicle damages utility infrastructure, including negligence, vicarious liability, and damages.
Reckless Imprudence Penalty Corrected in Road Accident Conviction
SC clarifies proper penalties for reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries, correcting CA's erroneous penalty imposition.
Breach of Public Trust: Official Position Cannot Shield Criminal Acts
Philippine Supreme Court affirms conviction of municipal treasurer for graft and estafa, ruling public office cannot shield criminal acts.
Stored Goods Destroyed by Fire: When Negligence Overrides Fortuitous Events
Learn when storage facilities are liable for goods destroyed by fire, and how the Supreme Court applied res ipsa loquitur in ICTSI v. Chua.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Misuse of Government Resources and Retirement's Effect on Administrative Cases
Supreme Court rules retirement does not end administrative liability for dishonesty and misuse of government resources in Ombudsman v. Dechavez.
Incidental Fraud Damages FOR Exclusion From Corporate Management
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Tankeh v. DBP on incidental fraud, damages, and exclusion from corporate management.
Quasi-Delict Liability in Vehicular Accidents: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
A recent Supreme Court ruling clarifies negligence, vicarious liability, and insurer subrogation in Philippine vehicular accident claims.
Intent to Kill: Assessing the Elements of Frustrated Homicide in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts determine intent to kill in frustrated homicide cases, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on a scythe attack.
Mistake vs Misconduct in Employee Dismissal: Due Process in Philippine Labor Law
When is an employee's honest mistake a valid ground for dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the line between error and misconduct.
Digital Ballots As Primary Evidence Protecting Electoral Integrity In The Philippines
The Supreme Court ruled that digital ballot images from PCOS machines are functional equivalents of physical ballots, protecting elections from tampering.
Causal Connection in Seafarer Death Claims: Proving the Link Between Injury and Fatality
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the evidentiary standard for death compensation claims in seafarer cases, requiring substantial proof of causation.
Hotel Liability After Huang v. Philippine Hoteliers: When a Guest’s Own Negligence Bars Damages
A guest’s own negligence can defeat a hotel injury claim. Learn the quasi-delict rules from Huang v. Philippine Hoteliers, Inc.
Blind Curves and Fault: When a Bus Driver’s Contributory Negligence Still Means Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies proximate cause in blind-curve collisions, acquitting a bus driver whose negligence was only contributory.
Treachery and Self-Defense: Understanding Criminal Liability in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing as murder under Philippine law.
Breach of Trust: Upholding Employers' Right to Terminate Managerial Employees in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employers may validly terminate managerial employees for breach of trust, examining the legal standards and evidentiary requirements.
Self-Defense Claim Fails Without Unlawful Aggression in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction, holding that self-defense requires proof of unlawful aggression, which was absent when the victim was unarmed and attacked suddenly.
Malicious Mischief in the Philippines: Intent, Property Damage, and Road Rage Cases
Learn how Philippine courts prove malicious mischief under the Revised Penal Code, and why intent matters in road rage property damage cases.
Quasi-Delict Liability and Negligence in Vehicular Accidents: Insights from G.R. No. 279772
Supreme Court affirms quasi-delict liability for negligent driving, clarifying rules on overtaking, right of way, and vicarious liability of employers.
Proving Actual Damages: The Standard for Compensation in Philippine Contract Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the strict standard for proving actual damages in contract disputes, requiring clear and convincing documentary evidence.
School Negligence: Defining the Scope of Responsibility for Student Safety in Science Experiments
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that schools and teachers owe students a high degree of care during dangerous activities like science experiments.
Gun Store Owners' Negligence Liability for Accidental Shooting Ruled by Supreme Court
Supreme Court holds gun store owner liable for negligence after defective firearm left loaded in unlocked drawer causes fatal accidental shooting.
Employer Liability for Employee Negligence: Proving Due Diligence in Philippine Law
When can an employer be held liable for an employee's negligence? The Supreme Court explains the due diligence defense in Philippine Hawk v. Lee.
Default Orders and the Law of the Case: When Prior Rulings Bind Subsequent Appeals
The Supreme Court explains how the doctrine of law of the case bars relitigating a default order previously upheld with finality.