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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Navigating Libel in the Philippines: Defamation, Privileged Communication, and Free Speech
Understand Philippine libel law through a landmark case—what defamation requires, when privileged communication applies, and the penalties involved.
Libel Jurisdiction: Where Does a Case Belong?
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on libel jurisdiction, venue rules under the Revised Penal Code, and when amendments to informations are allowed.
Separate Legal Claims WHY Improper Case Consolidation Violates DUE Process
Why the Supreme Court ruled that separate libel complaints against a publisher cannot be consolidated against one defendant without violating due process.
Venue vs Jurisdiction in Libel Cases: Protecting Press Freedom
Explaining the difference between venue and jurisdiction in Philippine libel cases and how the rules protect freedom of the press.
Libel Conviction Reversed: The Authentication Requirement for Tape Recordings in Philippine Courts
Supreme Court acquits radio host in libel case, ruling unauthenticated tape recordings inadmissible and emphasizing proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Libel Conviction Reversed: Why Authenticating Tape Recordings Matters in Criminal Cases
Supreme Court reverses libel conviction, ruling that unauthenticated tape recordings and uncorroborated testimony cannot prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Safeguarding Journalistic Freedom: Actual Malice and Libel in Public Discourse
Philippine law on libel and actual malice explained, with practical guidance for journalists, media practitioners, and public commentators.
No Damages for Accused: Criminal Courts Cannot Award Damages to the Accused in Criminal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that criminal courts cannot award damages to the accused in criminal cases, reversing libel conviction.
Libel Venue: Where Does the Case Belong Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies libel venue rules under Article 360, RPC—where to file cases and why allegations matter.
Fair Comment vs Defamation: Protecting Free Speech in Political Campaigns
The Supreme Court explains when critical articles about political candidates are protected fair comment, not libel.
Navigating Libel and Free Speech in Corporate Communications
When is a corporate letter defamatory? The Supreme Court clarifies libel elements and privileged communication in Novicio v. Aggabao.
When Corporate Notices Are Not Libel: The Novicio Case on Privileged Communication
A look at Novicio v. Aggabao, where the Supreme Court ruled that a corporate officer's notice to banks about changed signatories was not libel.
Cyber Libel Prescription: One Year from Discovery, Not Publication
Supreme Court clarifies cyber libel prescribes in one year from discovery by the offended party, not from publication, and settles unsigned resolution doctrine.
Res Judicata and One-Year Prescription: Supreme Court Settles Cyber Libel Rules
Supreme Court clarifies cyber libel prescribes in one year and that unsigned resolutions bind only parties, not the public.
Fair Reporting vs Defamation: Weighing Public Interest in Libel Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when news reports on matters of public interest are privileged, and who bears liability for libel under Article 360.
Judicial Overreach Limits MCTC Authority in Libel Cases
The Supreme Court reminds judges that only specific courts may conduct preliminary investigations in libel cases under Article 360.
Cyber Libel Prescription: One Year from Discovery, Not Publication
The Supreme Court clarifies that cyber libel prescribes in one year from discovery, not publication, and settles the doctrinal value of unsigned resolutions.
Gross Ignorance of Law: Judge Fined for Acting Beyond Jurisdiction in Libel Case
A judge's mistaken assumption of jurisdiction in a libel preliminary investigation results in a P5,000 fine for gross ignorance of the law.
Gross Ignorance of the Law: Judge Fined for Libel Prelim Investigation Without Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court fines an MTC judge P5,000 for gross ignorance of the law after he conducted a preliminary investigation in a libel case outside his jurisdiction.
Cyber Libel Prescription in the Philippines: One-Year Rule and the Limits of Unsigned Resolutions
The Supreme Court clarifies that cyber libel prescribes in one year and that unsigned resolutions are not binding precedent.
Cyber Libel Prescription in the Philippines: One-Year Rule and the Weight of Unsigned Resolutions
The Supreme Court clarifies that cyber libel prescribes in one year and that unsigned resolutions do not create binding precedent.
When Can an Employer Be Sued for an Employee’s Libel? The Premature Enforcement Rule
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an employer’s subsidiary liability for an employee’s libel can only be enforced after criminal conviction, not before.
Fair Reporting Privilege When Media Coverage of Official Proceedings Is Protected From Libel Suits in the Phil
Learn how the fair reporting privilege shields media coverage of official proceedings from libel suits in the Philippines, with rules and limits explained.
Homicide vs Murder: Understanding Intent and Qualifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how intent and qualifying circumstances distinguish homicide from murder, and explains cyber libel prescription rules.