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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Failure to Deny Loan Document Authenticity Under Oath Is an Admission of Debt
Supreme Court rules that a borrower who fails to specifically deny under oath the genuineness of loan documents impliedly admits the debt.
Upholding Employee Rights When Supervisor Instructions Shield Against Dismissal for Disobedience
Philippine Supreme Court rules an employee following supervisor orders in good faith cannot be dismissed for willful disobedience.
COMELEC Cannot Motu Proprio Cancel a Candidate’s Certificate of Candidacy: Cipriano v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court rules COMELEC cannot cancel a certificate of candidacy motu proprio without notice and hearing, safeguarding due process in election cases.
Judiciary Employee Conduct: Moral Standards Apply Even After Spousal Forgiveness
Supreme Court rules spousal forgiveness cannot erase administrative liability for a court employee's immoral conduct.
Unilateral Interest Rate Hikes: Mutuality of Contracts Prevails in Loan Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court rules banks cannot unilaterally raise interest rates without borrower consent, citing mutuality of contracts principle.
Corporate Authority: When a President Cannot Sue on Behalf of the Corporation
The Supreme Court rules that a corporate president must prove valid board authority to sue; belated SEC filings cannot cure defective authorization.
Can Employers Withhold Wages for Loan Guarantees or Training Bonds? SC Says No
Philippine Supreme Court rules employers cannot withhold wages or benefits as lien for car loan guarantees or training expenses. Learn the limits.
Upholding Due Process: Water Service Disconnection Requires Fair Notice
Philippine Supreme Court rules that water service disconnection without prior notice violates due process and can result in damages under Article 19 of the Civil Code.
Delay in Reporting a Crime Does Not Destroy Witness Credibility: People v. Hernandez
The Supreme Court rules that fear of reprisal justifies a witness's delay in reporting a crime, and explains when aggravating circumstances apply.
MSU Liable for Official Actions: Contractual Obligations and University Presidents
Supreme Court rules Mindanao State University bound by official acts of its presidents, estopped from denying contract payments to contractor.
Squatters' Rights: Prior Possession Prevails in Ejectment Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules that prior physical possession, not ownership, determines ejectment cases even between squatters on public land.
Dismissal Upheld: Grave Misconduct Outweighs Length of Service in Philippine Civil Service
Supreme Court rules length of service and first offense cannot save a civil servant from dismissal for grave misconduct like selling recycled exam stamps.
Minors' Contracts Valid Until Annulled: Land Retention Rights Affirmed in Agrarian Case
Supreme Court rules minors' redemption of land is voidable, not void, affirming retention rights under agrarian reform law.
Lawyers Cannot Claim Ignorance of Basic Procedures to Abandon Client Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court rules a lawyer's claim of ignorance in filing a motion for reconsideration is no excuse for neglecting a client's case.
Upholding Migrant Workers Act: Courts Can't Stop Enforcement Without Proof of Harm
Supreme Court rules courts cannot enjoin enforcement of the Migrant Workers Act without clear proof of irreparable injury to those challenging it.
Falsifying Time Records: A Breach of Public Trust and Ethical Standards
The Supreme Court rules that tampering with daily time records constitutes gross dishonesty, a grave offense for court employees.
Enforceability of Venue Stipulations in Contracts of Adhesion: Piltel v. Tecson
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when venue stipulations in contracts of adhesion bind subscribers, citing Piltel v. Tecson.
Possession and Due Process: Protecting Third-Party Rights in Foreclosure Proceedings
Supreme Court rules an ex-parte writ of possession cannot eject third-party possessors not in privity with the mortgagor.
When Two Regular Holidays Fall on the Same Day: Workers Still Get Double Holiday Pay
Philippine Supreme Court rules workers paid 200% holiday pay when two regular holidays fall on the same day, citing Labor Code Article 94.
Tax Sale Trumps Mortgage Foreclosure When Property Title Shifts Due to Tax Delinquency
Supreme Court rules that a tax delinquency sale can render a mortgage foreclosure petition moot and academic when title has already transferred.
Election Returns and Missing Seals: Limits of Pre-Proclamation Controversies
Supreme Court rules missing inner paper seals on election returns are formal defects, not grounds for exclusion in pre-proclamation cases.
Freedom to Contract vs Equity: No Perfected Contract, No Forced Sale of Government Property
Supreme Court rules equity cannot compel the National Housing Authority to sell land without a perfected contract of sale.
Freedom to Contract vs Equity: When Government Sales Require Perfected Agreements
Supreme Court rules equity cannot compel a government sale without a perfected contract, applying Civil Code principles.
Party Authority vs Electorate Protection: Resolving Leadership Disputes in Political Parties
The Supreme Court rules on who may sign party nominations, protecting parties and voters from factional confusion.