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.
Accountability Prevails Public Officials Held Civilly Liable Despite Acquittal In Illegal Funds Transfer Case
Acquittal in a criminal case does not erase civil liability. The Supreme Court explains why public officials must still answer for negligent handling of public funds.
Foreshore Occupancy Without Permit: Water Code Violation Upheld
The Supreme Court affirms that occupying foreshore land without a permit violates the Water Code, regardless of pending applications.
Offshore Gaming Taxation: The Supreme Court on Philippine Tax Authority Limits
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, clarifying the limits of Philippine tax authority over POGOs.
Double Titling in the Philippines: How to Protect Your Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle double titling disputes and what property owners can do to protect their rights and avoid legal conflicts.
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.
Protecting the Environment: The Writ of Kalikasan and Environmental Impact Assessments
The Supreme Court explains how the writ of kalikasan protects the right to a balanced ecology and why Environmental Impact Statements are crucial.
Conversion to Islam Does Not Shield You from Bigamy Charges in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that converting to Islam does not automatically exempt a person from bigamy charges under Philippine law.
Immutability of Judgments When Finality Prevails Over Claims of Minority in Criminal Cases
When does a final judgment yield to supervening events? The Supreme Court clarifies the exceptions to immutability of judgment.
Upholding Agrarian Reform: Supervening CLOA Justifies Deviation from Immutability of Judgment
When a final judgment becomes inequitable due to a supervening event like a CLOA issuance, courts may relax the doctrine of immutability of judgment.
Understanding Share Redemption in Public Utilities: Insights from Philippine Legal Precedents
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on share redemption in public utilities, examining PLDT's preferred share buyback and its legal implications.
Understanding Judicial Reconstitution of Torrens Titles in the Philippines: Key Insights From a Landmark Case
Learn how Philippine courts handle judicial reconstitution of lost or destroyed Torrens titles, with insights from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Cockfighting Law: When Local Officials Can Hold Events Outside Licensed Cockpits
Supreme Court clarifies when cockfights may be held outside licensed cockpits under PD 449, and the limits of Ombudsman discretion.
Cockfighting Regulations in the Philippines: The Bonghanoy Ruling on PD 449
The Supreme Court's Bonghanoy ruling clarifies when cockfighting events for tourists and balikbayans may be held outside licensed cockpits under PD 449.
Accountability in Public Infrastructure: When COA Disallowances Become Final
Supreme Court clarifies when COA decisions on disallowed government projects become final and when officials may be held liable.
Understanding the Limits of Medical Benefits for Government Employees in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations may grant medical benefits to employees—and why presidential approval matters.
Understanding Refund Obligations for Illegally Disbursed Government Benefits in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when government employees must refund disallowed benefits, applying the Madera rules on return.
Obstruction of Justice and the Lawyer's Duty: De Leon v. Luis
A lawyer's failure to report a client with a standing warrant is not obstruction of justice absent clear intent to harbor or conceal.
Understanding Liability for Just Compensation in Philippine Expropriation Cases: Insights from a Landmark Ruli
When government corporations take over assets, who pays just compensation? The Supreme Court clarifies liability rules in expropriation cases.
Torrens Titles, Inheritance Claims, and Ejectment: Key Lessons from Mariano v. Mariano
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how Torrens titles prevail over inheritance claims in ejectment cases, and why delays in challenging fraudulent partitions can be fatal.
Understanding Employee Entitlements: The Right to 13th Month Pay for Commission-Based Workers in the Philippin
A clear guide to the 13th month pay rule for commission-based employees, citing the latest Supreme Court interpretation.
Mandamus as a Remedy Against Unlawful Exclusion: Lessons from Municipality of Payao v. Municipality of Imelda
The Supreme Court clarifies when mandamus—not quo warranto—is the proper remedy against unlawful exclusion from a right or office.
Understanding Estafa in Trust Receipt Transactions: Key Lessons from Barlin v. People
Learn how the Supreme Court applied estafa under Article 315(1)(b) to trust receipt violations, and what businesses should know.
Understanding CNA Benefits: Who Qualifies and the Consequences of Misallocation
The Supreme Court clarifies CNA incentive eligibility and the liability for granting benefits to non-qualified employees.
Understanding the Legal Battle Over Unclaimed Horse Racing Dividends in the Philippines
The Supreme Court rules on who gets unclaimed horse racing dividends—the racing club or the government regulator. A clear guide.