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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PAGCOR Probity Checking Framework: Requirements, Levels, and Who Gets Screened
The PAGCOR Probity Checking Framework requires fit-and-proper screening of gaming applicants, licensees, and key officers at three risk-based levels.
Crypto Regulation in the Philippines: BSP Rules on Virtual Assets Explained
Learn how the BSP regulates cryptocurrency and virtual assets in the Philippines, including licensing rules for VASPs and legal compliance requirements.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: Abandonment, Infidelity, and the Cabutaje Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies proof requirements for psychological incapacity in the Cabutaje case, addressing abandonment, infidelity, and expert testimony.
Judicial Clemency for Philippine Lawyers: The Ruiz Case and the Path to Reinstatement
Learn how judicial clemency works for disciplined Philippine lawyers, including the requirements under the CPRA and the landmark Ruiz case.
Newly Discovered Evidence in Philippine Courts: The Barraquio Case and Rule 37
Learn the strict requirements for newly discovered evidence under Rule 37 and what the Supreme Court's Barraquio ruling means for litigants.
VAT Zero-Rating for Renewable Energy: Key Requirements and Implications
Supreme Court clarifies VAT zero-rating requirements for renewable energy developers, including DOE endorsement, in Maibarara Geothermal case.
Proving Income Declaration for Creditable Withholding Tax Refunds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how taxpayers can prove income declaration for creditable withholding tax refund claims, easing documentary requirements.
Protecting Installment Buyers Understanding Rescission Rights Under THE Maceda LAW
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict notarial and grace period requirements for canceling installment contracts under the Maceda Law.
Mandamus and Funding for National Sports: A Clear Legal Duty
Supreme Court clarifies mandamus requirements and orders PAGCOR, PCSO to fully fund the Philippine Sports Commission under RA 6847.
Land Title Registration in the Philippines: Navigating Imperfect Titles After R.A. 11573
The Supreme Court clarifies how R.A. 11573 eases proof requirements for land registration, remanding a Pasig City case for new evidence.
Enforcing Foreign Arbitral Awards in the Philippines: The Authentication Requirement
Learn why authenticated arbitration agreements are jurisdictional requirements for enforcing foreign arbitral awards in Philippine courts, as ruled in Manis Shipping.
Adoption in the Philippines: Consent of Adult Children and Jurisdictional Requirements
Learn why consent of the adopter's legitimate children is mandatory in Philippine adoption and how failure to serve summons voids the judgment.
Chain of Custody and Buy-Bust Operations: A Guide from a Recent Drug Case Ruling
A 2023 Supreme Court ruling clarifies the chain of custody rule and witness requirements in buy-bust operations under RA 9165.
Free Patent Applications in the Philippines: Age and Residency Requirements Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that Philippine free patent applications have no age or residency requirements under the Public Land Act.
Understanding Special Leave Benefits for Women: Insights From a Landmark Supreme Court Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the procedural requirements for special leave benefits for women, emphasizing the importance of the three-day notice rule in motions.
Defective Summons Voids Trustee Appointment: Key Lessons from Diversified Plastic Film v. PI-One
Defective summons can void court proceedings. Learn the jurisdictional limits and SPV Act requirements from this Supreme Court ruling.
Navigating Fare Adjustments: The Syjuco Ruling on DOTC Rate-Setting Powers
The Supreme Court upholds DOTC's fare-setting authority for LRT and MRT, clarifying notice and hearing requirements for rate adjustments.
Bunkhouse Residency and Voter Registration: The Bascon Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court affirms that workers living in employer-provided bunkhouses can establish voter residency, provided they meet legal requirements.
Unlawful Termination Employer Liability FOR Extended Business Suspension AND Retrenchment Requirements
When a business suspension exceeds six months and retrenchment rules are ignored, employers face illegal dismissal liability. Learn the rules.
VAT Refund Claims: Complete Documents and Zero-Rated Sales Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies VAT refund rules on complete documents, zero-rated sales proof, and input tax computation for taxpayers.
Annulment of Judgment: Safeguarding Finality and Preventing Abuse of Judicial Remedies
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict requirements for annulment of judgment under Rule 47, emphasizing finality and preventing abuse.
Land Registration in the Philippines: Understanding Alienable and Disposable Land
Learn how RA 11573 changed proof requirements for registering alienable and disposable land in the Philippines, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Custody Chain Integrity: Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court in People v. Tamundi clarified the chain of custody rule and witness requirements under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Oral Partition of Inheritance: Validity and Evidentiary Rules in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when oral partition of inherited land is valid, evidentiary requirements, and homestead patent limits on implied trusts.