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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When Religious Laws Prevail: Bigamy and Muslim Personal Laws in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how the Code of Muslim Personal Laws affects bigamy charges, protecting valid Islamic marriages and divorces.
Ejectment Appeals and Equitable Mortgage: Key Lessons from Macaslang v. Zamora
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies appellate review in ejectment cases and when a deed of sale may be treated as an equitable mortgage.
Dinagat Islands Case: Supreme Court on Province Creation Requirements
The Supreme Court's Dinagat Islands ruling clarifies the constitutional and statutory requirements for creating a new province in the Philippines.
Upholding Legislative Intent: The Limits of COMELEC's Rule-Making Power in Party-List Nominations
A look at Lokin v. COMELEC, where the Supreme Court struck down a COMELEC rule expanding the grounds for substituting party-list nominees beyond RA 7941.
Island Provinces and the Constitution: The Dinagat Islands Creation Case
The Supreme Court struck down Republic Act No. 9355 creating Dinagat Islands province for failing population and land area requirements under the Local Government Code.
Executive Power vs Legislative Authority: Redefining Agency Functions and Security of Tenure
The Supreme Court upholds the President's power to reorganize executive agencies, clarifying limits on security of tenure claims.
Legislative Districts Population Disparity and the Right to Equal Representation
The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not require a 250,000 population minimum for provincial legislative districts, upholding RA 9716.
Equality in Representation: Population Requirements for Legislative Districts in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Constitution does not require a 250,000 population minimum for provincial legislative districts.
Ensuring Fair Representation: The Constitutionality of Legislative District Creation Based on Population
The Supreme Court struck down a law creating Malolos City's legislative district for failing the 250,000 population requirement and territorial contiguity rule.
Supreme Court Nullifies Dinagat Islands Creation: Land Area and Population Rules Under the Local Government Co
The Supreme Court struck down R.A. 9355 creating Dinagat Islands for failing the Local Government Code's land area and population requirements.
Population Projections and Legislative Districts: The Malolos Case on Constitutional Compliance
The Supreme Court struck down RA 9591 creating Malolos' lone district, ruling that unreliable population projections cannot satisfy the 250,000 constitutional threshold.
Legislative District Creation Population Thresholds and the Limits of Projections
The Supreme Court struck down RA 9591 creating Malolos City's legislative district, ruling that unverified population projections cannot satisfy the 250,000 constitutional threshold.
Population Projections and Legislative Districts: The Malolos Case
The Supreme Court struck down a law creating a Malolos City legislative district for relying on an invalid population projection. Learn the rules.
Cityhood Laws and Equal Protection: Defining Legislative Power in Local Governance
The Supreme Court upholds cityhood laws exempting municipalities from RA 9009's income requirement, affirming Congress's plenary power.
NTC Cannot Cancel Broadcast CPCs: The Dual Franchise and License Regime Explained
The Supreme Court rules the NTC has no power to cancel broadcast licenses issued to legislative franchise holders, clarifying the dual regulatory regime.
Legislative Inquiries vs Sub Judice: Balancing Congressional Power and Individual Rights
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Romero v. Estrada on legislative inquiries, the sub judice rule, and witness rights.
Senate Authority vs Individual Rights: Defining Limits of Legislative Inquiries in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the scope of Senate inquiry powers in Dela Paz v. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, balancing legislative authority with individual rights.
Legislative Inquiry vs Individual Rights: Due Process in Senate Investigations
The Supreme Court ruled the Senate violated due process by conducting "Hello Garci" inquiries without publishing its rules of procedure.
When Supreme Court Rulings Clarify Procedural Rules: The Bagabuyo Case on Legislative Reapportionment
The Supreme Court in Bagabuyo v. COMELEC clarifies that legislative reapportionment does not require a plebiscite, unlike the division of local government units.
Legislative Apportionment vs Local Autonomy: When a Plebiscite Is Not Required
Supreme Court clarifies that legislative reapportionment of a city into two districts does not require a plebiscite, distinguishing it from dividing a local government unit.
Executive Privilege vs Senate Inquiries: The Neri Doctrine on Presidential Communications
The Supreme Court upholds presidential communications privilege in Senate inquiries, balancing executive confidentiality against legislative oversight powers.
Legislative Overreach Supreme Court Limits Congressional Power Over Agency Regulations
The Supreme Court upholds RA 9335 but strikes down legislative veto provisions, reaffirming separation of powers in administrative law.
Local Autonomy vs Congressional Prerogative: The Shariff Kabunsuan Case
The Supreme Court voids Shariff Kabunsuan's creation, ruling only Congress can create provinces and legislative districts.