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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Upholding Integrity: Dismissal and Penalties for Grave Misconduct and Insubordination in the Judiciary
The Supreme Court penalizes a court utility worker for gross insubordination and grave misconduct, reinforcing integrity standards in the judiciary.
Simple Misconduct vs Grave Misconduct: Key Differences in Penalties for Public Officials
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between simple and grave misconduct in administrative cases, and the corresponding penalties.
Unlawful Possession of Firearms: What You Need to Know Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on illegal possession of firearms under RA 10591, including penalties and the effect of acquittal in related drug cases.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Higher Penalties for Social Media Harassment
The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and why ICT use raises the penalty.
Proving Social Media Authorship in VAWC Cases: The G.R. No. 274842 Guide
Supreme Court clarifies how to prove Facebook post authorship in VAWC psychological abuse cases and raises penalties for ICT use.
Expired Notarial Commission: When Notarizing Without Authority Leads to Disbarment-Adjacent Penalties
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for two years and permanently disqualified him from notarial work for notarizing over 300 documents with an expired commission.
When Social Media Posts Become Psychological Abuse: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A recent Supreme Court ruling shows how Facebook posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, with heavier penalties for ICT use.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Higher Penalties for Social Media Attacks
The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and why ICT use raises the penalty by one degree.
Judicial Accountability and Compassionate Justice: Reassessing Penalties for Misconduct
The Supreme Court partially grants a judge's reconsideration, replacing dismissal with a fine, applying compassionate justice in administrative cases.
Judicial Accountability: Dismissal-Level Penalties for Gross Ignorance of Law and Neglect of Duty
Supreme Court penalizes judge, clerk, and process server for procedural lapses in annulment and drug cases, affirming strict judicial accountability standards.
Theft of Company Property: Balancing Employee Rights and Employers' Disciplinary Prerogative
Supreme Court clarifies when theft of company property justifies dismissal, balancing employer discipline with proportional penalties for erring employees.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: Examining the Boundaries of Mitigation in Administrative Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies when mitigating circumstances can—and cannot—reduce the penalty of dismissal for conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Proving Online Abuse: Supreme Court Sets Guidelines on Social Media Authorship in VAWC Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how to prove authorship of abusive social media posts and raises penalties when ICT is used in VAWC offenses.
Understanding Qualified Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Legal Insights and Practical Implications
A look at how Philippine courts handle qualified statutory rape cases, focusing on evidence, credibility, and penalties.
Death Abates Criminal Liability: Supreme Court Clarifies Extinguishment of Penalties and Civil Obligations
When an accused dies before final conviction, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished. The Supreme Court explains the rule and its exceptions.
Large Scale Illegal Recruitment Conviction Upheld: Lessons on Appeal Limits
Supreme Court affirms large scale illegal recruitment conviction, raises fine to P5M, and explains why erroneous estafa penalties can no longer be corrected.
Judicial Conduct: Balancing Religious Freedom and Impartiality in Court
A judge's use of Bible verses and remarks on sexual orientation during a preliminary conference drew administrative penalties from the Supreme Court.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Higher Penalties When Committed Through Social Media
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262, and why using Facebook raises the penalty by one degree.
Reckless Imprudence Penalties for Damage to Property and Physical Injuries
Explaining how Philippine courts penalize reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and physical injuries, based on a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
Proving Social Media Authorship in VAWC Cases: Key Lessons from G.R. No. 274842
The Supreme Court clarifies how to prove authorship of Facebook posts in VAWC cases and raises penalties when ICT is used.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262, and when ICT use raises the penalty.
Understanding Statutory Rape: Insights From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A 2021 Supreme Court ruling clarifies statutory rape and qualified statutory rape, penalties, damages, and evidentiary rules under Philippine law.
Understanding Due Process in Government Audits: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling on an administrative case clarifies due process, misconduct, and penalties for government employees.
Understanding Qualified Rape and Child Abuse Penalties in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when rape is qualified, why the penalty was reduced here, and what child abuse requires.