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.
Attempted Estafa in the Philippines: Proving Intent to Defraud and Penalties
Learn how Philippine courts prove intent to defraud in attempted estafa cases, the elements of the crime, and the applicable penalties under the Revised Penal Code.
Good Faith Prevails: Protecting Innocent Purchasers in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on innocent purchasers for value, good faith, and extinguishment of claims in property disputes.
Good Faith in Profit-Sharing Agreements: Lessons from Silverio v. Almeda
When a land sale includes a profit-sharing clause, the seller must act in good faith and disclose all resale details to the buyer.
Vitiated Consent and Simulated Sales: Understanding Contract Nullity in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when fraud vitiates consent and simulated prices void sales, using a family land dispute as a guide.
Silence Is Not Acquiescence: Delayed Reporting in Philippine Rape Cases
Why a rape victim's delayed report and vague words like "ginalaw" do not weaken a conviction, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Upholding Land Titles: The Limits of Reconveyance Based on Alleged Fraud in Free Patent Applications
The Supreme Court clarifies when a free patent title becomes indefeasible and why mere allegations of fraud cannot defeat a Torrens title.
Falsification of Public Documents and Suspension Pendente Lite Under Anti-Graft Law
Explains when public officers may be suspended pendente lite for falsification of public documents involving fraud upon government funds.
Rape and Intimidation: How Fear Can Establish Force Without Physical Injury
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in rape cases, intimidation can substitute for physical force—a knife threat suffices even without injuries.
Breach of Trust: When Workplace Conduct Undermines Employer Confidence
Supreme Court ruling on when managerial employees may be validly dismissed for breach of trust and loss of confidence.
Navigating Forum Shopping: The Consequences of Concealing Related Cases in Habeas Corpus Petitions
The Supreme Court explains why filing a habeas corpus petition while concealing a related certiorari case amounts to forum shopping, with serious consequences.
Invalid Summons in Foreclosure: Protecting Due Process Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules on invalid summons in foreclosure, due process, and why quasi in rem actions still require proper service.
Discernment of Minors in Philippine Criminal Law: Juvenile Responsibility Explained
A 12-year-old's rape conviction upheld by the Supreme Court, clarifying when minors act with discernment under Philippine law.
Indefeasibility of Torrens Titles in the Philippines: Fraud and the One-Year Rule Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens title indefeasibility, the one-year fraud review period, and why titles from public land patents become incontrovertible.
Prescription Periods in Philippine Anti-Graft Cases: When Does the Clock Really Start
Learn how Philippine courts determine when the prescriptive period for anti-graft offenses begins, based on recent Supreme Court rulings.
Can a Bank Reverse Its Acknowledgment of Full Payment? Philippine Law Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a bank can correct a mistaken acknowledgment of full loan payment and demand the balance.
Psychological Incapacity and Marital Damages: Reconciling Grounds for Nullity and Liability
Explains why damages cannot be awarded when a spouse's acts stem from psychological incapacity, and how property is divided in void marriages.
Treachery Defined: The Element of Surprise in Murder Cases Under Philippine Law
When does a sudden attack qualify as treachery in Philippine murder cases? The Supreme Court explains in People v. Pedrigal.
The Binding Force of a Signed Affidavit of Full Payment and the Absence of Fraud in Subcontracting Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the binding effect of a signed affidavit of full payment and the absence of fraud in subcontracting agreements.
Health Care Agreements vs Insurance Contracts: The Incontestability Clause Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that health care agreements are insurance contracts, so the incontestability clause applies to HMOs.
Estoppel Bars Investor from Questioning Contract After Enjoying Its Benefits
Supreme Court ruling on estoppel: an investor cannot question a trading agreement's validity after benefiting from it and suffering losses.
Prescription Periods in Graft Cases: The Discovery Rule for Ill-Gotten Wealth
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the prescription period for graft cases begins—from discovery, not commission, of the offense.
Forum Shopping and Litis Pendentia: When Filing Two Suits Backfires
Explaining Quinsay v. Court of Appeals: why filing parallel cases for the same relief amounts to forum shopping and litis pendentia.
Forum Shopping in Philippine Courts: The Quinsay Case and Why Multiple Lawsuits Backfire
Forum shopping—filing multiple suits for the same dispute—can get cases dismissed. Learn the rules from the Supreme Court's ruling in Quinsay.
Driving Without a License: Upholding Termination for Violation of Company Rules
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of employee who drove company vehicle without a valid license, causing damage and violating company rules.