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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Upholding Land Sale Agreements: Clear Evidence Needed to Challenge Real Estate Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Ortigas land dispute underscores the heavy burden of proving intimidation in challenging real estate sales.
Enforcing Debt Obligations: Promissory Notes and Checks as Evidence in Sales Transactions
Supreme Court rules promissory notes and dishonored checks can prove a sale and enforce payment, reversing the Court of Appeals.
Proving Intimidation in Contracts: The Ortigas Land Dispute and the Burden of Proof
Philippine law presumes contracts valid. Learn how the Supreme Court requires clear evidence to prove intimidation or undue influence.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Proving the Work-Related Connection for Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers must prove their illness is work-related by substantial evidence, not merely allege it.
When Is a Family Home Exempt from Execution? Key Lessons from Taruc v. Maximo
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a family home is exempt from execution and what evidence a judgment debtor must present to claim the exemption.
Proving Illegal Dismissal: Employee Must First Establish Fact of Dismissal
In illegal dismissal cases, the employee must first prove the fact of dismissal by substantial evidence before the employer bears the burden of justifying it.
Justice Delayed IS Justice Denied: Speedy Disposition and Evidence in Graft Cases
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling in Lorenzo v. Sandiganbayan on inordinate delay in preliminary investigations and the right to speedy disposition of cases.
Psychological Incapacity: Proving Marital Nullity Through Totality of Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies how totality of evidence, including expert testimony, can establish psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Insufficient Evidence Acquittal in Child's Death Due to Drowning
Supreme Court acquits grandmother of murder after prosecution fails to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt in child's drowning death.
Unlawful Arrest and the Exclusionary Rule: Protecting Rights Against Illegal Marijuana Seizure
Supreme Court acquits in marijuana cultivation case, ruling that evidence from an unlawful warrantless arrest is inadmissible.
Challenging Filiation: Birth Certificate Corrections and DNA Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court rules filiation cannot be collaterally attacked via Rule 108 birth certificate correction petitions; DNA testing requires prima facie evidence.
Psychological Incapacity Standard: What Baldovino-Torres v. Torres Means for Philippine Marriage Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the psychological incapacity standard under Article 36, emphasizing totality of evidence over expert testimony alone.
Unlawful Arrests and Inadmissible Evidence: Protecting Constitutional Rights in Firearm Cases
Warrantless arrest based on a hearsay tip, without immediacy, makes seized firearms inadmissible and warrants acquittal.
Unlawful Arrests and Inadmissible Evidence: Protecting Constitutional Rights in Illegal Possession Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court acquitted a man for illegal firearm possession due to an unlawful warrantless arrest and inadmissible evidence.
Weighing Hearsay: The Burden of Proof in Employee Dismissal Cases
An employer must prove just cause for dismissal with substantial evidence, not mere hearsay or uncorroborated affidavits.
Foreign Divorce Recognition: Proving Japanese Law in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies proof requirements for recognizing foreign divorces, remanding a Filipina's case for further evidence on Japanese law.
Circumstantial Evidence and Dying Declarations in Rape-Homicide Convictions
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction using circumstantial evidence and the victim's dying declaration.
Logbook Entries Alone Insufficient to Prove Illegal Dismissal of Seafarer
Supreme Court rules a vessel logbook entry alone cannot prove a seafarer's incompetence; employers must show substantial evidence for valid dismissal.
Foreign Divorce Recognition in the Philippines: Proving Japanese Law Matters
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence is needed to recognize a foreign divorce in the Philippines, focusing on proving foreign law.
Proving Foreign Law in Philippine Courts: Republic v. Kikuchi on Divorce Recognition
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence proves foreign divorce law in the Philippines, remanding a case for failure to establish Japanese law.
Land Registration Reopened: New Evidence and RA 11573 Can Overcome Res Judicata
The Supreme Court allows previously denied land registration applications to proceed under RA 11573, easing proof requirements and overcoming res judicata.
Unlawful Arrest and Evidence Suppression in Firearm Cases: A Constitutional Safeguard
The Supreme Court clarifies when warrantless arrests and seizures violate constitutional rights in firearm possession cases.
Work Conditions and Illness: Proving Increased Risk for Employee Compensation
Supreme Court clarifies that non-occupational illnesses are compensable if work conditions increased the risk of contracting them, requiring only substantial evidence.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Graft and Malversation Case Due to Hearsay Evidence
Supreme Court acquits mayor and barangay captain of graft and malversation, ruling that hearsay evidence and admissions alone cannot prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.