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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Courts, Not Legislators, Set Just Compensation in Philippine Eminent Domain Cases
Supreme Court rules statutory caps like NPC's 10% easement limit cannot override judicial determination of just compensation.
Child Custody AND Welfare Prioritizing THE Childs Best Interest Over Prior Agreements
Forcible Entry: Prior Physical Possession Prevails Over Ownership Claims
In ejectment cases, actual possession beats paper title. The Supreme Court explains why forcible entry is about possession de facto, not ownership.
Compromise Agreements in Agrarian Disputes: Ensuring Finality and Compliance
Learn how compromise agreements in agrarian disputes achieve finality and compliance, and why conclusiveness of judgment bars relitigation.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Nacua Teaches About Safeguarding Evidence
In People v. Nacua, the Supreme Court acquitted a drug accused because police failed to follow the chain of custody rules under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Child Custody Not Permanent: SC Clears Judge Who Respected Child's Choice Over Prior Agreement
Supreme Court rules child custody judgments are not permanent; a child over 7 may choose a parent, overriding prior compromise agreements.
Party List Accreditation: COMELEC's Power to Cancel Registration Explained
Supreme Court clarifies that COMELEC can cancel party-list accreditation even without prior opposition to registration, upholding its authority to ensure marginalized representation.
Party-List Accreditation Is Never Permanent: The LPGMA Doctrine on Continuous Qualification Review
Supreme Court clarifies that COMELEC can cancel party-list registration anytime; accreditation never becomes final and conclusive against the state.
Certiorari Limits: When Courts Can Review Administrative Decisions
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may review administrative findings in certiorari petitions, using a Sandiganbayan graft case as the vehicle.
Determining Fair Compensation in Philippine Expropriation Cases: Key Lessons from Republic v. Heirs of Bautist
Learn how Philippine courts determine just compensation in expropriation cases, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Republic v. Heirs of Bautista.
False Designation of Origin: When "Made in Portugal" Labels Mislead Consumers
The Supreme Court's ruling in Uyco v. Lo clarifies when geographic labels on products constitute false designation of origin under Philippine trademark law.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Delay in Reporting Does Not Negate Victim Credibility
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delay in reporting does not automatically discredit her testimony.
Perfecting Repurchase Agreements: The Necessity of Unqualified Acceptance in Real Estate Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a qualified acceptance of a repurchase offer is merely a counter-offer, not a perfected contract.
Land Reclassification and Agrarian Reform: Prior Local Government Authority Prevails
Local government reclassification of land before June 15, 1988 can exempt property from CARP coverage, as the Supreme Court clarified in Heirs of Luna v. Afable.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
How sudden, unexpected attacks qualify killings as murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, explained through a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
Tenants Rights and Landlords Title: Estoppel and Redemption in Lease Agreements
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on repurchase agreements, estoppel, and landlord-tenant rights in foreclosure cases.
Master's Degree as Tenure Requirement: University of the East v. Pepanio and Bueno
Supreme Court rules college teachers without master's degrees cannot acquire regular or tenure status, affirming government regulations on faculty qualifications.
Second Chances: Reinstating Disbarred Attorneys Through Judicial Clemency in the Philippines
Explore how the Supreme Court reinstated a disbarred lawyer through judicial clemency, and the guidelines for seeking a second chance.
Ballot Images in Electoral Protests: The Evidentiary Value of Electronic Evidence
The Supreme Court held that scanned ballot images are the functional equivalent of original paper ballots in electoral protests under the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
Ballot Image Integrity and Electronic Evidence in Philippine Election Protests
Supreme Court ruling on ballot images as electronic evidence in election protests under RA 9369 and the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
Fair Election Act's One-Subject Rule: Giron v. COMELEC Explained
The Supreme Court upheld the Fair Election Act's candidate substitution and elective official provisions against a one-subject-one-title constitutional challenge.
Retirement vs. Separation Pay: The Age Rule in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an employee can claim retirement benefits and when separation pay applies under the Labor Code.
When Can a Government Official Hire Private Counsel? Gontang v. Alayan Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when local government officials may hire private lawyers despite rules requiring government counsel representation.
Resignation vs Termination: Protecting Seafarer Rights in Contract Disputes
Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's request to be relieved amounts to resignation, not illegal dismissal.