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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Deadline Is King: Perfecting Your Real Property Tax Appeal in the Philippines
Learn why filing a motion for reconsideration with the assessor won't stop the 60-day clock for appealing to the Local Board of Assessment Appeals.
Fresh Period Rule for Appeals: The First Aqua Sugar Traders Case
The Supreme Court clarifies that a motion for reconsideration grants litigants a fresh 15-day period to appeal, applying the Neypes doctrine retroactively.
Missed Appeal Deadlines Understanding THE Fresh Period Rule IN Philippine Courts
Learn how the fresh period rule in Neypes v. CA changed appeal deadlines in Philippine courts, giving litigants a full 15 days after denial of a motion for reconsideration.
Motion for Reconsideration: A Critical Step in Philippine Certiorari Petitions Before the Comelec
Learn why exhausting remedies like a motion for reconsideration matters in certiorari cases before the Comelec, based on Carloto v. COMELEC.
Motion for Reconsideration: Avoiding Pro Forma Dismissals in Philippine Courts
Learn how Philippine courts treat procedural lapses in motions for reconsideration, and why substantive justice prevails over technicalities.
Motion for Reconsideration Before IBP Now Allowed in Lawyer Discipline Cases
Supreme Court amends IBP rules to allow motions for reconsideration before appeal in lawyer disciplinary cases, citing Halimao v. Villanueva.
Motion for Reconsideration and Election Protests: The CCP Board Case
The Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of filling vacancies in the CCP Board and the limits of the President's appointing power.
The Fresh Period Rule: Resetting Appeal Deadlines After a Motion for Reconsideration
Learn how the Fresh Period Rule gives litigants a new 15-day window to appeal after a motion for reconsideration is denied.
Certiorari Without Motion for Reconsideration: Exceptions Under Rule 65
Learn when Philippine courts allow a direct petition for certiorari without a prior motion for reconsideration, based on the PAL-PESALA case.
Motion for Reconsideration Before Sandiganbayan: No Hearing Required for Finality
A Sandiganbayan decision is not final until it properly resolves a motion for reconsideration—even if the motion was not set for hearing.
Certiorari Dismissal: Why Timely Motions for Reconsideration Are Crucial
Learn how a timely motion for reconsideration revived an administrative case and why this procedural step can be decisive in Philippine courts.
Motion for Reconsideration: Timelines and Finality in Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts treat motions for reconsideration, annulment of judgment timelines, and the finality of judgments.
Prosecutor's Comment on Motion for Reconsideration After Information Filed Not Misconduct
Supreme Court rules a prosecutor who files a recommendatory comment on a motion for reconsideration after arraignment does not commit conduct prejudicial to the service.
Fresh Period Rule for Appeals: The Neypes Doctrine on Reglementary Periods
Learn how the Neypes doctrine gives litigants a fresh 15-day period to appeal after a motion for reconsideration is denied.
When Delay Costs More Than Time: The High Price of Unresolved Motions for Reconsideration
A judge's one-year delay in resolving a motion for reconsideration leads to a P10,000 fine, highlighting judicial accountability and prompt case disposition.
Upholding Finality When Failure to Prosecute Leads to Dismissal on the Merits
Learn how skipping an administrative appeal and a motion for reconsideration can prove fatal to a case, as shown in this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: A Prerequisite Before Court Action
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why exhaustion of administrative remedies and motion for reconsideration are mandatory before judicial recourse.
Finality of DOLE Secretary's Orders: Strict Compliance and Consequences of Delay
Learn why a second motion for reconsideration is prohibited and how delay can make DOLE Secretary orders final and executory.
Lawyers Cannot Claim Ignorance of Basic Procedures to Abandon Client Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court rules a lawyer's claim of ignorance in filing a motion for reconsideration is no excuse for neglecting a client's case.
Forum Shopping in Labor Disputes: Simultaneous Appeals Lead to Dismissal
Filing an appeal with the Supreme Court while a prohibited second motion for reconsideration is pending before the Court of Appeals constitutes forum shopping.
Upholding Ejectment: The Finality of Judgments and Timeliness in Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms ejectment, stressing that a late motion for reconsideration fails to stop a judgment from becoming final and executory.
Judicial Accountability Balancing Independence AND Diligence IN Case Resolution
The Supreme Court clarifies that the 60-day period for filing certiorari is counted from receipt of the denial of a motion for reconsideration.
When Courts Can Immediately Review Jurisdictional Issues Without a Motion for Reconsideration
Explore when Philippine courts may review jurisdictional issues without a prior motion for reconsideration, based on a 2001 Supreme Court ruling.
Motion for Reconsideration Exceptions in Certiorari Petitions: The Abraham Case
When is a motion for reconsideration not required before filing certiorari? The Supreme Court clarifies the exceptions in Abraham v. NLRC.