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.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: What the Zamora Case Teaches Litigants
Learn how the Supreme Court defines and penalizes forum shopping, and what the Zamora ruling means for litigants filing multiple cases.
Qualified Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Substitute for Force in Step-Parent Abuse
Step-parent moral ascendancy can substitute for force in qualified rape, as shown in People v. De Guzman.
Moral Ascendancy in Qualified Rape: How Step-Parents Breach Trust
The Supreme Court affirms that a step-parent's moral ascendancy can substitute for force and intimidation in qualified rape cases.
Breach of Contract of Carriage: When Moral Damages Require Fraud or Bad Faith
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when injured bus passengers may recover moral damages for breach of contract of carriage—only upon proof of fraud or bad faith.
Judicial Conduct: Moral Standards and Accountability in the Philippine Judiciary
The Supreme Court dismisses a judge for immorality and gross misconduct, reaffirming that judges must uphold the highest moral standards.
Judicial Conduct: Moral Integrity and Public Trust in the Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling on dismissing a judge for immorality and gross misconduct, reaffirming that judges must uphold moral integrity.
Protecting the Vulnerable: The Duty of Moral Ascendancy in Familial Rape Cases
How the Supreme Court affirmed a father's rape conviction, explaining why moral ascendancy replaces force in incestuous abuse.
Procedural Due Process in Administrative Cases: When a Show Cause Memorandum Suffices
The Supreme Court clarifies when a show cause memorandum satisfies procedural due process in administrative disciplinary proceedings against government employees.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Force, Intimidation, and Moral Ascendancy in Sexual Assault Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a stepfather's rape conviction, explaining how force, intimidation, and moral ascendancy satisfy the elements of rape under Philippine law.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Force, Intimidation, and Moral Ascendancy in Sexual Abuse Cases
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explaining how force, intimidation, and moral ascendancy establish guilt in sexual abuse cases.
When a Judge Falls Short: Gross Immorality, Dismissal, and Bar Sanctions
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair, suspending him from law practice for three years.
Moral Ascendancy in Statutory Rape: Redefining Intimidation in Familial Abuse Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that moral ascendancy replaces force or intimidation in rape by a common-law father, protecting minor victims.
Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases: When Power Substitutes for Force Under Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court ruled that moral ascendancy can substitute for physical threat or intimidation in rape cases, protecting vulnerable victims.
Civil Indemnity for Death: How Philippine Courts Determine Damages
The Supreme Court explains how civil indemnity, moral damages, and other awards are computed when a crime causes death, using Lim v. Tan as a guide.
Disbarment for Deceit: Upholding Ethical Standards in the Legal Profession
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for immorality, clarifying that only the Court can discipline lawyers and that compliance must be actual.
Lawyer Disbarred for Falsified Mission Order and Hijacking Role
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for falsifying PASG documents and masterminding a cargo hijacking, stressing lawyers' high moral standards.
Judge Dismissed for Gross Immorality: Extramarital Affair and the Duty of Judicial Officers
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child, while suspending him from law practice for three years.
Beyond the Letter: Protecting Employee Rights and Personal Choices in Workplace Morality
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on agrarian reform land transfers, void contracts, and the limits of workplace morality enforcement.
Judicial Ethics: Conviction of Moral Turpitude Leads to Dismissal and Disbarment
A judge's conviction for malversation and graft leads to dismissal from the bench and disbarment, even while criminal appeals are pending.
Moral Turpitude and Electoral Disqualification: Defining the Boundaries of Public Office Eligibility
The Supreme Court rules that libel is a crime involving moral turpitude, disqualifying a convicted candidate from public office under the Omnibus Election Code.
Execution Pending Appeal: Moral Damages and Attorney's Fees Excluded
Supreme Court rules moral damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees cannot be included in execution pending appeal. Learn the rules.
Incestuous Rape: Upholding Parental Moral Ascendancy and Protecting Minor Victims
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of a father figure, clarifying force, minority as aggravating circumstance, and damages.
Breach of Contract of Carriage: When Bad Faith Is Needed for Moral Damages
Supreme Court explains when moral damages are recoverable in breach of contract of carriage cases, requiring bad faith or fraud by the carrier.
When Airlines Can Escape Liability: Bad Faith and Fortuitous Events in Carriage Contracts
The Supreme Court explains when a typhoon-caused flight delay absolves an airline from moral damages claims under Philippine law.