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.
Judicial Discretion vs Delay: Balancing Justice and Efficiency in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when court delays warrant administrative liability, distinguishing error from bad faith in judicial discretion.
Judicial Efficiency: Sanctions for Undue Delay in Rendering Decisions
A judge's failure to decide cases within 90 days is undue delay, a less serious offense under Rule 140.
Court of Appeals Erred in Dismissing Appeal Over Photocopied Annexes
Supreme Court rules photocopied annexes in Rule 43 appeals need not be certified true copies, only the assailed decision itself.
Navigating COMELEC's Authority: Division vs. En Banc in Pre-Proclamation Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COMELEC's division vs. en banc authority in pre-proclamation cases, citing Milla v. Balmores-Laxa.
Judicial Conduct: Errors of Judgment vs Misconduct in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's error is mere error of judgment versus administrative misconduct requiring bad faith.
Landlord Rights Prevail Recovering Possession Despite Ownership Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when tenants cannot appeal denial of new trial and how counsel's errors bind clients.
Age Limits and Security of Tenure: Navigating Employment Rights in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how age limits in service contracts interact with security of tenure and constructive dismissal claims.
When Contractors Overstate Work: COA's Audit Power and Quantum Meruit in Government Projects
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to determine actual work accomplished and recover overpayments from government contractors under quantum meruit.
The Perils of Second Pre-Trials: Safeguarding Due Process in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a second pre-trial without proper notice violates due process, and explains the proper appeal route for COSLAP decisions.
The Weight of Fear: Evaluating Delay in Rape Cases Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape convictions, victim credibility, and why delay in reporting does not weaken a case.
Retroactivity vs Prospectivity: Protecting Vested Rights in Agrarian Reform Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when its ruling on the proper mode of appeal in agrarian cases applies, protecting vested rights.
Retroactivity of Remedial Laws: Clarifying the Period for Filing Certiorari Petitions
The Supreme Court clarifies when the 60-day period for filing certiorari petitions is counted, applying amended procedural rules retroactively.
Optional Retirement Rights and Labor Tribunals' Limits in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Supreme Court clarifies optional retirement requires explicit employee consent, and labor tribunals lack jurisdiction over tax refund claims.
Plunder and Conspiracy: Defining "Combination or Series" in Amassing Ill-Gotten Wealth
The Supreme Court clarifies what constitutes a "combination or series" of acts in plunder cases, and the scope of conspiracy among co-accused.
Right to Information: Accused Cannot Be Convicted of a Crime Not Clearly Charged
The Supreme Court reinstates a rape case, ruling an information need only state the essential elements, not every detail.
Prescription of Penalties: Evasion of Sentence Requires Prior Imprisonment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: prescription of penalty starts only when a convicted person escapes from actual imprisonment, not from hiding.
Prescription of Penalties: Why Actual Imprisonment Matters in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when prescription of penalties begins—only after a convict actually escapes from imprisonment.
How Barangay Conciliation Affects Prescription Periods in Philippine Criminal Cases
Learn how filing a complaint with the barangay interrupts prescription periods for criminal offenses, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Victim Credibility and Delay in Reporting Explained
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, explains why a child victim's testimony is credible despite delay in reporting and why alibi failed.
Regular Employment Status and the Limits of Prior Judgments in Labor Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a prior money claim judgment bars a later case for confirmation of regular employment status.
Upholding Ejectment: The Finality of Judgments and Timeliness in Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms ejectment, stressing that a late motion for reconsideration fails to stop a judgment from becoming final and executory.
Finality of Judgment in Disbarment Cases: The Bihag v. Era Resolution
The Supreme Court enforces final disbarment decisions, citing a lawyer for contempt and ordering execution of the judgment.
When Silence Speaks: Delayed Reporting, Statutory Rape, and the Pursuit of Justice
Exploring how delayed reporting affects statutory rape cases, the credibility of victims, and the pursuit of justice under Philippine law.
Passion and Obfuscation in Homicide: When Jealousy Mitigates Intent
The Supreme Court explains when a betrayed spouse's passion and obfuscation can reduce murder to homicide in the Philippines.