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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Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Higher Penalty for Social Media Harassment
Supreme Court rules that using Facebook to commit psychological abuse under RA 9262 warrants a higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Disallowed Expenses Local Officials Must Refund Illegally Received Funds
Supreme Court rules local officials must refund disallowed EME funds, clarifying good faith does not excuse liability.
Court Employee Held Liable for Misappropriating Settlement Funds
Supreme Court rules court stenographer guilty of gross misconduct for pocketing settlement payments between litigants, imposing P105,000 fine.
Promissory Note Alterations Raised for First Time on Appeal Not Considered
Supreme Court rules that a defense of material alteration of a promissory note cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.
Lifting of Mining Closure Orders Revives Writ of Kalikasan Petitions
Supreme Court rules that lifting DENR closure orders revives environmental claims, keeping Writ of Kalikasan petitions alive.
Due Process in Administrative Cases: No Liability Without Formal Charges
Supreme Court rules a government employee cannot be held administratively liable without a formal charge, reaffirming due process in civil service cases.
Due Process Prevails: Informations Clarity Protects Against Unfair Conviction
The Supreme Court rules that administrative liability requires a formal charge, protecting public employees from unfair conviction based on delay alone.
Unreasonable Search Evidence Obtained Illegally IS Inadmissible IN Drug Cases
Supreme Court rules evidence from an unreasonable search is inadmissible in drug cases, explaining why Section 21 compliance matters.
Splitting Contracts: Good Faith Alone Does NOT Excuse Violation of Procurement Laws
Supreme Court rules good faith is no defense for splitting contracts and bypassing public bidding under RA 9184.
Upholding Seafarer Rights: Employers Must Issue Clear Disability Assessment
Supreme Court rules a company doctor's vague medical report cannot defeat a seafarer's claim for total and permanent disability benefits.
Brokers' Commissions Survive Property Buy-Backs: Lessons from Malate Construction v. ERABCO
Philippine Supreme Court rules brokers earn commissions once sale conditions are met, even if buyers later default and properties are bought back.
Profit Sharing in CBA: Exclusivity for Rank-and-File Employees
Supreme Court rules CBA profit sharing belongs exclusively to rank-and-file employees; separate benefits for managers must not dilute union gains.
Negligence of Counsel: Litigants Must Still Monitor Their Cases
Supreme Court rules that a litigant cannot blame counsel's negligence for missing appeal deadlines; clients must monitor their cases.
Breach of Promise to Marry: Good Faith as a Prerequisite for Damages
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a party acting in bad faith cannot recover damages for breach of promise to marry.
Whistleblower Testimony Upholding Administrative Findings in Philippine Corruption Cases
Supreme Court rules a credible whistleblower's lone testimony can support administrative liability in corruption cases against public officers.
Balancing Justice AND Procedure When Substantial Rights Prevail Over Technical Delays
The Supreme Court rules that technical procedural lapses should not defeat substantive rights in illegal dismissal cases, clarifying redundancy requirements.
BSP Independence Affirmed: Net Profit Calculations and Government Dividends
Supreme Court rules BSP not a GOCC under RA 7656; reserves allowed in computing dividends under its charter.
Unilateral Interest Rate Hikes When Banks Overstep Their Bounds In Loan Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court rules on void unilateral interest rate hikes by banks, mutuality of contracts, and foreclosure validity.
Hazard Pay for Public Health Workers: Fixed Rates vs. Legal Mandates
Supreme Court rules on fixed hazard pay rates for public health workers, voiding DOH AO 2006-0011 and excusing refund liability.
Protecting Homebuyers: Supreme Court on Foreclosure and Third-Party Rights
The Supreme Court rules that condominium buyers in actual possession may be excluded from writs of possession after foreclosure, protecting them from summary eviction.
Can Laches Bar a Registered Owner’s Right to Recover Property in the Philippines?
The Supreme Court rules that laches cannot defeat a registered owner’s right to recover property under the Torrens system.
Understanding Serious Dishonesty in Civil Service Exams: The Impact of Impersonation on Government Employment
The Supreme Court rules that impersonation in civil service exams constitutes serious dishonesty, resulting in dismissal from government service.
Duty to Account: Belated Compliance Does Not Erase Criminal Liability for Public Officers
The Supreme Court rules that a public officer's belated liquidation of cash advances does not erase criminal liability under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code.
PNCC Ruling Clarifies GOCC Status and Employee Bonus Rules
Supreme Court rules PNCC is a GOCC under RA 10149, allowing it to stop mid-year bonuses without violating non-diminution rules.