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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Redemption Rights: Can You Redeem Property Without Being the Registered Owner?
Supreme Court clarifies that buyers with unregistered deeds can redeem tax-delinquent property within the one-year period under Section 261 of the Local Government Code.
Judicial Corruption: When Can Evidence From a Government-Issued Laptop Be Used
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on using evidence from a government-issued laptop in administrative cases against judges.
Local Government Share in National Wealth: Water Rights and Resource Utilization
Supreme Court clarifies when LGUs can claim a share from water resources under the Constitution and Local Government Code.
When Tax Disputes Between Government Agencies Must Be Settled Administratively
Supreme Court ruling on whether tax disputes between government agencies go to the CTA or administrative settlement under P.D. 242.
Mandamus and Inordinate Delay in Government Investigations: Key Lessons from Baquirin v. Dela Rosa
The Supreme Court clarifies when mandamus can compel government investigation of alleged extrajudicial killings, and why standing and hierarchy of courts matter.
Legal Standing and Public Interest Litigation: When Can You Sue the Government in the Philippines?
The Supreme Court explains legal standing, hierarchy of courts, and when citizens may sue the government in this 2023 mandamus ruling.
Local Tax Assessments After Corporate Restructuring: Who Pays?
Supreme Court rules on who bears local business tax liability when a government corporation's operations transfer by law to another entity.
Attorney Disbarment When Online Conduct Violates Professional Ethics in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when government lawyers face disbarment for official acts under new CPRA guidelines.
Government Contracts: When Is a Deal Manifestly Disadvantageous?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government contract is "manifestly and grossly disadvantageous" under Section 3(g) of the Anti-Graft Law.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: The Consequences of Dishonored Checks
A court clerk's conviction for three counts of BP 22 violations leads to forfeiture of benefits and perpetual disqualification from government service.
SALN Errors and Government Access: When the Ombudsman Cannot Prosecute
The Supreme Court clarifies that government agencies must follow the mandatory SALN review procedure before prosecuting public officials for omissions.
SALN Compliance: Government Must Notify Officials and Allow Correction Before Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies that government agencies must follow the mandatory review and compliance procedure before penalizing officials for SALN errors or omissions.
SALN Compliance: Government’s Duty to Notify and Consequences of Non-Compliance
The Supreme Court clarifies that government agencies must follow the mandatory review and compliance procedure before penalizing officials for SALN errors or omissions.
Supreme Court Upholds CIAC Jurisdiction, Strikes Down 14-Day Arbitration Limit in Government Contracts
Supreme Court affirms CIAC jurisdiction over government construction disputes and voids unreasonably short 14-day arbitration periods as contrary to public policy.
Fare Adjustments and Due Process: Public Participation in Philippine Rail Fare Setting
The Supreme Court ruled on whether notice and hearing are required before the government can raise LRT and MRT fares, clarifying due process in rate-fixing.
Tax Evasion in the Philippines: When Can the Government Collect Without an Assessment
The Supreme Court clarifies when the BIR can collect deficiency taxes without a formal assessment in criminal tax evasion cases.
Conflict of Interest: When Can a Government Lawyer Represent a Public Official in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government lawyer's representation of a public official becomes a conflict of interest and unauthorized practice of law.
Balancing Local Autonomy and National Law: The Limits of Municipal Power Over Water Resources
The Supreme Court nullified Batangas City's desalination ordinance, ruling that local governments cannot regulate water resources already governed by national law.
Government Disallowances: When Good Faith Excuses the Return of Funds
The Supreme Court clarifies when good faith excuses public officers from returning disallowed funds, applying the Madera rules on return.
Expropriation and Just Compensation: Understanding Legal Interest in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the legal interest rates landowners can claim when the government delays payment of just compensation in expropriation cases.
Negligence in Handling Government Funds: A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when public officers may be held liable for negligence in handling government funds and the right to speedy disposition of cases.
Simple vs Grave Misconduct: Good Faith and Service in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's procedural lapse is simple misconduct, not grave misconduct, in government service.
Governments Burden Proving Undue Injury in Anti-Graft Cases Involving Expropriation
The Supreme Court acquits public officials in an expropriation graft case, ruling the prosecution failed to prove the warehouse did not exist.
Government Expropriation and Bad Faith in Land Valuation Disputes
When does flawed land valuation in expropriation become a crime? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of bad faith in government takings.