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.
Mootness in Administrative Cases When Dismissal Renders Judicial Review Unnecessary
When the Ombudsman dismisses administrative charges, a pending petition questioning a preventive suspension order becomes moot. The Supreme Court explains.
Liability in Highway Robbery: Conspiracy and Identifying Perpetrators
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy in highway robbery, eyewitness identification, and liability of accused under PD 532.
Dilatory Appeals: The Supreme Court's Stance on Abandoned Appeals and Execution of Judgments
When an appellant's delay becomes abandonment, a judgment turns final and executory, and execution follows as a matter of right.
When Courts Can Extend a Lease: Limits of Article 1687 in Ejectment Cases
Supreme Court clarifies that courts cannot extend a month-to-month lease under Article 1687 when a definite period exists.
Eminent Domain vs Urban Development: Balancing Public Need and Property Rights in Manila
The Supreme Court clarifies when local governments may expropriate private land for socialized housing under R.A. 7279.
Expropriation and Urban Development: When Can a City Take Private Land for Socialized Housing?
The Supreme Court clarifies the two-stage process of expropriation and when compliance with RA 7279's acquisition priorities must be shown.
Reasonable Bail Balancing Constitutional Rights AND Flight Risk IN Estafa Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reasonable bail pending appeal in estafa cases, balancing constitutional rights against flight risk.
Upholding Timeliness and Proper Verification in Labor Disputes: The Pfizer Case
The Supreme Court clarifies the 60-day rule for certiorari petitions and the standards for verification in labor cases.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Criminal Conspiracy and the Duty to Disclose Knowledge of a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies when silence about a crime becomes criminal conspiracy, and the limits of the duty to report.
Safeguarding Free Speech: The Unconstitutionality of Election Survey Publication Bans in the Philippines
Why the Supreme Court struck down the ban on publishing election surveys before elections as an unconstitutional prior restraint on free speech.
Forcible Entry in the Philippines: Proving Prior Possession and Unlawful Deprivation
Understand the requirements for forcible entry cases in the Philippines, including prior possession and unlawful deprivation, based on the Ong v. Parel ruling.
State Participation in Marriage Nullity Cases: Protecting the Inviolability of Marriage
The Supreme Court remands a nullity case for retrial because the State failed to actively participate, underscoring marriage's inviolable nature.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: When Filing Separate Cases Becomes Improper
Learn when filing separate cases becomes improper forum shopping in the Philippines, based on recent Supreme Court jurisprudence.
Boastful Rapist's Conviction Upheld: Delay in Reporting Rape Explained by Threats
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction despite a five-year delay in reporting, ruling that credible threats explain the delay.
Circumstantial Evidence Conviction: Murder Reduced to Homicide in Icalla Case
Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why murder was reduced to homicide in People v. Icalla.
The Limits of Alibi: Proving Impossibility in Criminal Defense
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why alibi fails against positive identification in murder cases, explaining the legal standard for impossibility.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
How Philippine courts apply treachery to qualify killings as murder, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on a sudden stabbing.
Unlicensed Firearm Use: From Separate Offense to Aggravating Circumstance in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains how R.A. 8294 changed unlicensed firearm use from a separate crime to an aggravating circumstance in homicide.
Sublessees Rights Establishing Superiority Over THE Original Lessors Claim IN Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when sublessees can assert rights superior to an original lessor's claim in property disputes.
Buyer Beware: Understanding Delivery Delays and Liabilities in Philippine Sales Contracts
Learn how Philippine courts treat conditional sales, court approval requirements, and seller liability when property sales face delays.
Accountability in Group Crime: Conspiracy and Individual Liability in Violent Attacks
When a group attacks, Philippine courts can hold each member liable for the acts of all through conspiracy. This case explains how.
Company-Designated Physician and Seafarer Disability Claims: Key Lessons from German Marine Agencies v. NLRC
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a company-designated physician need not be POEA-accredited for a seafarer's disability claim to prosper.
Redemption by Heirs After Tax Sale: Tondo Foreshore Lot Case
When a co-owner repurchases property after a tax sale, the redemption may benefit all heirs. Learn the rules from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
Valid Votes Are King: Why Philippine Election Protests Hinge on Ballots, Not Badges of Fraud
The Supreme Court nullified a trial court ruling that set aside valid vote tallies based on "badges of fraud," reaffirming that plurality of valid votes decides election contests.