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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When Strikes Go Wrong: Illegal Dismissals and Union Security Clauses in the Philippines
Learn when terminating employees for union disloyalty is illegal, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on certification elections and union security.
Sterling Selections v. LLDA: When a "Cottage Industry" Claim Fails
The Court clarifies when a business qualifies as a cottage industry exempt from LLDA clearance, and when it must comply with environmental rules.
IBP Elections: Enforcing Rotation and Upholding Ethical Conduct in Bar Governance
The Supreme Court settles the 2009 IBP leadership crisis, affirming mandatory rotation rules and penalizing grave misconduct by bar officers.
Transparency in Elections: The Right to Review Source Codes for Automated Election Systems
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC must make AES source codes available for independent review under R.A. 9369.
Safeguarding Suffrage: The Right to Information in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court compels Comelec to disclose election preparations, affirming the people's right to information on matters of public concern.
Second Placer Doctrine: Disqualification Must Be Final Before Election Day
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a candidate disqualified only after elections cannot be replaced by the second placer; succession rules apply instead.
Safeguarding Elections: Upholding Comelec’s Discretion in Automated Election System Implementation
The Supreme Court affirms Comelec’s discretion in awarding the 2010 automated election project, rejecting speculative challenges to the PCOS system.
Fair Election Practices: Candidates Responsible for Donated Political Ads
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on candidate liability for donated political advertisements under the Fair Elections Act and COMELEC rules.
Prejudicial Question and Three-Term Limit in Barangay Elections: Monreal v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court explains when a constitutional challenge can suspend disqualification cases and how the three-term limit applies.
Residency Requirement Upholding the Electorate's Will in Congressional Elections
Supreme Court ruling on congressional residency requirements, emphasizing that the electorate's choice prevails when evidence of non-residence is weak or inconclusive.
COMELEC Contempt Power Upholds Investigative Authority for Fair Elections
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to punish contempt during fact-finding investigations, reinforcing its constitutional mandate to ensure honest elections.
CBA Renegotiation Preserving Workers Rights TO Union Representation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how CBA renegotiation affects the 60-day freedom period for certification elections and union representation rights.
Premature Campaigning: The Fine Line Between Aspiring and Declared Candidacy in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court clarifies when a person becomes a candidate for election law purposes, and what this means for premature campaigning rules.
Residency Requirements for Philippine Elections: Establishing Domicile for Candidacy
Philippine election law equates residency with domicile. Learn the three rules and what it takes to change domicile for candidacy.
Residency vs. Domicile in Philippine Elections: The Pundaodaya Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that voter registration and property ownership do not prove election residency, which legally means domicile.
Safeguarding Elections Upholding Automation Despite Challenges To Validity
The Supreme Court upheld the 2010 election automation contract, affirming Comelec's authority to implement the automated election system despite challenges.
Upholding Election Law Amendments Ensuring Fair And Transparent Elections
The Supreme Court upheld RA 9369's constitutionality, affirming Congress's power to amend election laws for transparency, credibility, fairness, and accuracy.
Probationary Employees Can Vote in Certification Elections: Key SC Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies probationary employees' voting rights in certification elections, ordering a run-off after votes were wrongly excluded.
Party List Representation: Guaranteeing Seats While Balancing Proportionality
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on party-list seat allocation in Philippine elections, balancing guaranteed seats with proportional representation.
Dual Citizenship and Elections: The Renunciation Requirement Under R.A. 9225
Philippine dual citizens seeking elective office must personally renounce foreign citizenship under R.A. 9225. The Supreme Court explains in De Guzman v. COMELEC.
Proxy Validation vs Solicitation: SEC and RTC Jurisdiction in Corporate Elections
The Supreme Court clarifies when proxy disputes in corporate elections belong to the RTC, not the SEC, under the Securities Regulation Code.
Missed Your Appeal Understanding Finality of Judgments and Procedural Deadlines in Philippine Courts
Learn how missing appeal deadlines makes judgments final and binding, using a Philippine Supreme Court case on union elections as guide.
Certification Elections: No Forum Shopping Certificate, Union Legitimacy Rules
Supreme Court clarifies that certification election petitions need no non-forum shopping certificate and explains union legitimacy rules in labor disputes.
Residency Requirements for Dual Citizens in Philippine Elections: Establishing Domicile of Choice
How the Supreme Court ruled on residency requirements for dual citizens running for local office in the Philippines.