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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When Judges Ignore Court Directives: Administrative Consequences in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rulings show judges who disregard court directives face administrative liability, including fines, suspension, or dismissal from service.
When Judges Are Sued for Doing Their Job: The Tallado v. Racoma Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when errors by judges are judicial matters, not administrative offenses, and warns against harassment suits.
Prescription in Fraud Claims: When Does the Clock Start Ticking
When does the prescriptive period for fraud claims begin? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule in a recent decision.
Nepotism, Falsification, and Public Trust: Lessons from a Municipal Court's Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court's consolidated ruling on a judge and court personnel clarifies ethical boundaries in government service.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Consensual Sex Defense Needs Corroboration, Victim's Injuries Speak Volumes
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that the defense of consensual sex requires corroboration and that a victim's injuries corroborate the charge.
Supreme Court on Quasi-Delict Negligence in Vehicular Accidents: Subrogation and Vicarious Liability
The Supreme Court affirms insurer's subrogation claim, ruling on negligence, proximate cause, and vicarious liability in a vehicular accident case.
Psychological Abuse via Facebook Conviction Upheld with Higher Cybercrime Penalty
Supreme Court affirms conviction for psychological abuse via Facebook posts, imposing higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Lost on Technicalities: Why Missing Deadlines Can Doom Your Philippine Tax Appeal
A Supreme Court ruling shows how procedural lapses and missed deadlines can derail appeals, even on the merits. Learn the rules.
Understanding Statutory Rape and Qualified Rape in the Philippines: Insights from Arpon v. People
The Supreme Court's Arpon ruling clarifies statutory rape, qualified rape, and the need to prove each charge separately.
When a General Manager Is Not a Corporate Officer: Jurisdiction Over Illegal Dismissal Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate officer is really an employee, and who has jurisdiction over dismissal disputes.
When Strikes Go Wrong: Illegal Dismissals and Union Security Clauses in the Philippines
Learn when terminating employees for union disloyalty is illegal, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on certification elections and union security.
Union Security Clauses and the Freedom Period: When Dismissal for Disloyalty Fails
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that signing a certification election petition during the freedom period is not union disloyalty justifying dismissal.
Government Employee Rights: Security of Tenure and Due Process in Revenue Target-Based Attrition
The Supreme Court upheld the Attrition Act's constitutionality, clarifying that revenue target-based removal of BIR and BOC employees does not violate security of tenure or due process.
When Court Errors Are Judicial, Not Administrative: Lessons from Tallado v. Racoma
The Supreme Court dismisses an administrative complaint against two RTC judges, clarifying that judicial errors must be challenged through appeals, not disciplinary cases.
Judicial Ethics: Sheriff Dismissed for Accepting Payoffs in Landmark Philippine Ruling
Supreme Court dismisses deputy sheriff for accepting kickbacks from a newspaper publisher in exchange for judicial notice assignments, reaffirming strict ethics for court personnel.
Illegal Dismissal vs Abandonment: Supreme Court Clarifies Employer's Burden of Proof
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases and what constitutes abandonment of work.
Nogales v. People: When Obscene Files in Computers Are Forfeited Even Without Conviction
Supreme Court rules hard disks containing obscene materials are forfeited and destroyed under P.D. 969 even if criminal case is dismissed.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: Upholding Fair Market Value for Property Owners
Philippine Supreme Court affirms that just compensation in expropriation is based on fair market value, not tax or zonal valuations alone.
Accountability in Public Office: Understanding Malversation of Public Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the elements of malversation of public funds and why restitution does not erase criminal liability for accountable officers.
Probationary Employee Rights: When Misclassification Makes You Regular From Day One
Learn how the Supreme Court protects probationary employees from unfair dismissal and when lack of clear standards makes you a regular employee.
Ethical Boundaries for Court Employees: Simple Misconduct in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on simple misconduct shows why court employees face exacting moral standards even in private life.
Timely Transcript Submission: Court Stenographer Suspended for Delayed TSNs
Supreme Court suspends court stenographer for chronic TSN delays, underscoring that efficiency and compliance with Administrative Circular No. 24-90 are mandatory in the judiciary.
Reconstitution of Lost Title: Supreme Court Clarifies Rules on Destroyed Land Records
Supreme Court clarifies rules on reconstituting lost land titles when registry records were destroyed by fire, easing documentary requirements.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Rules in Faustino Co Shu Kiam v. Republic
Supreme Court clarifies reconstitution of lost titles, ruling on evidence standards for owner's duplicate and ROD certifications under RA 26.