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.
Navigating the Nuances of Rape Convictions and Appeals in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies appeal rules for rape convictions with reclusion perpetua, and the limits of automatic review.
Enforced Disappearance Proving Government Involvement IN Philippine LAW
The Supreme Court clarifies the evidentiary standard for enforced disappearance, requiring proof of government involvement in the deprivation of liberty.
Final Judgment Immutability: Why an Order of Execution Cannot Be Appealed
The Supreme Court clarifies that orders of execution are not appealable, upholding the immutability of final judgments in ejectment cases.
Writ of Kalikasan and Environmental Permits: PTK2 H2O Corp. v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms the writ of kalikasan, applying the precautionary principle and upholding the revocation of water permits and ECCs issued without proper environmental assessment.
Substantial Justice Prevails When Courts May Relax Procedural Rules on Appeal
Philippine Clearing House Corp. v. Magtaan clarifies when courts may relax procedural rules, redundancy dismissal requirements, and quitclaims.
New Mayor’s Power to Withdraw Predecessor’s Motion: Berces v. CSC
Can a new mayor withdraw an administrative appeal filed by a predecessor? The Supreme Court clarifies succession, finality, and misconduct rules.
Understanding the Limits of Preliminary Investigations in Philippine Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when an acquittal is final and how double jeopardy protects accused persons from repeated prosecution.
Navigating the Consequences of Corruption: Administrative Liability in the Judiciary
A Court of Appeals employee's role in case-fixing leads to dismissal and forfeiture of benefits, clarifying administrative liability rules.
Property Transactions and Novation: Lessons from East West Banking v. Cruz
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bank—or any party—can sue, and why choosing the wrong appeal can end a case.
Company Practice and Holiday Pay: Lessons from Nippon Paint Philippines v. NIPPEA
When does a two-year payroll grant become a company practice employers cannot withdraw? The Supreme Court explains in Nippon Paint.
Crossed Checks as Proof of Debt: A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled that crossed checks issued to a named payee are strong evidence of debt, reversing the Court of Appeals.
Regular vs. Fixed-Term Employment: Key Lessons from Site for Eyes v. Daming
The Supreme Court ruled that repeated fixed-term contracts cannot defeat regular employment status. Learn the key lessons from this landmark case.
HLURB Decisions in Homeowners’ Association Disputes: Appeal to the CA, Not the OP
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that HLURB decisions on intra-association disputes must be appealed directly to the Court of Appeals, not the Office of the President.
Contractual Obligations and Appeal Timeliness: Salendab v. Dela Peña
A look at Salendab v. Dela Peña on the binding force of contracts and the strict rules on appeal periods under Philippine procedure.
Local Business Tax Situs and Jurisdiction: Lessons from the Villanueva v. STEAG Case
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified local business tax situs and why appeals in local tax cases must go to the CTA, not the CA.
Libel in Media: When News Reporting Crosses Legal Boundaries
The Supreme Court clarifies when news reports become libelous and why denying a motion to quash is not appealable via certiorari.
Strict Timelines for Appealing COA Decisions: A Guide for Public Officials
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld strict COA appeal deadlines in Paguio v. COA, and what public officials must know about finality and disallowance liability.
Quasi-Delict Liability After a Vehicular Accident: Lessons from Laza v. Standard Insurance
The Supreme Court clarifies when a driver is negligent in a collision, the rules on vicarious liability, and what it takes to overturn factual findings on appeal.
Understanding the Timely Filing of Appeals: A Crucial Lesson From Philippine Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies the 30-day appeal period in tax disputes, using a land dispute analogy to explain finality and jurisdiction.
Navigating Tax Assessments: The Importance of Timely Appeals in the Philippines
Learn why timing matters in Philippine tax disputes and how missing an appeal deadline can forfeit a taxpayer's right to challenge an assessment.
Voluntary Arbitrator Appeals: The 15-Day Rule After Reconsideration
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the appeal period for voluntary arbitrator decisions—15 days after denial of reconsideration, not 10.
Mastering the Appeal Period: How to Navigate Voluntary Arbitrator Decisions in the Philippines
Learn the correct appeal period for voluntary arbitrator decisions in the Philippines, clarified by the Supreme Court in DORELCO Employees Union v. DORELCO.
Supreme Court: Direct Petitions to SC Violate Hierarchy of Courts Rule
SC dismisses Palafox petition for bypassing Court of Appeals, reaffirming strict rule on hierarchy of courts in Philippine litigation.
Reassignment Orders and Insubordination: What Public Employees Must Know
Public employees must comply with reassignment orders even while appeals are pending. The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of insubordination.