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.
Malicious Prosecution in Estafa Cases: When a Criminal Complaint Becomes a Tort
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing an estafa complaint without probable cause constitutes malicious prosecution, making the complainant liable for damages.
Can an Employee Be Denied Retirement Benefits for Breach of Trust?
The Supreme Court rules on whether a bank manager validly dismissed for breach of trust can still claim retirement benefits after his compulsory retirement date had passed.
Agricultural Land Reclassification: Continued Use Does Not Override Prior Conversion
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how prior land reclassification to commercial use affects agrarian reform coverage and tenant rights.
Balancing Right to Work and Employer Prerogative: Absences and Termination
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when excessive absences justify dismissal, emphasizing proportional penalties and employer burden of proof.
New Trial After Final Judgment: The Dinglasan Case on B.P. 22 and Procedural Remedies
When can a convicted accused seek a new trial based on newly discovered evidence? The Supreme Court explains the limits.
Dilatory Tactics and the Five-Year Rule: When Delaying Execution Backfires
The Supreme Court condemns a losing party's dilatory tactics that delayed execution of a final judgment for years, clarifying the five-year rule on execution by motion.
Finality Prevails: Why Attempts to Reopen a Settled Bouncing Checks Case Fail
The Supreme Court explains why final judgments cannot be reopened through belated claims of newly discovered evidence in a B.P. 22 case.
Breach of Contract: Enforcing Penalty Clauses in Government Projects
Explaining when penalty clauses bind contractors in government projects, based on a Supreme Court ruling on DBP and PD 1594.
When Court Officials Clash: Professional Conduct in the Philippine Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge and clerk's public quarrel, and what it means for decorum in the judiciary.
B.P. 22 Conviction Requires Proper Presentation of Notice of Dishonor: The Tan Case
A B.P. 22 conviction requires the prosecution to properly present the notice of dishonor in court; failure to do so negates the presumption of knowledge of insufficient funds.
Premature Partition: Estate Settlement Before Property Distribution
When heirs can and cannot demand partition of a decedent's property before estate settlement proceedings are completed.
Mandatory Arbitration Prevails: Contractual Disputes Must Go to Arbitration First
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: when a contract has a mandatory arbitration clause, parties must arbitrate before going to court.
Suspended Sentences for Juvenile Offenders: Limits and Implications in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a juvenile offender cannot get a suspended sentence, even under RA 9344.
Warranty Against Eviction: Why Buyers Must Implead the Seller in Eviction Suits
Buyers who lose property to third-party claims must implead the seller in the eviction suit to enforce the warranty against eviction under Philippine law.
When Self-Defense Fails: Justifying Force in Lawful Duty Requires Reasonable Response
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense and performance of official duty justify killing, and why both failed for PNR security officers.
Default Judgments and Due Process: What Civil Litigants Must Know
A bus company was declared in default for missing trial. The Supreme Court clarified the rules on default, due process, and procedural rights.
Corporate Asset Purchases and Prior Presidential Approval: DBP v. COA
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling in DBP v. COA on prior presidential approval for government corporate vehicle purchases and disallowance.
Real Property Tax Sales: Ensuring Proper Notice to Delinquent Owners
The Supreme Court clarifies the notice requirements for tax delinquency sales under P.D. 464, emphasizing strict compliance with statutory notice rules.
Real Estate Foreclosure in the Philippines: Notice Requirements and Due Process
A look at Guanco v. Antolo and why strict notice and posting rules govern extrajudicial foreclosure sales in the Philippines.
Unfair Labor Practice Dismissals: Employee Rights to Moral and Exemplary Damages
Supreme Court ruling on unfair labor practice dismissals, moral damages, and the rule against splitting causes of action in the Philippines.
Prescription of Offenses Under Special Laws: Absence From the Philippines Does Not Suspend the Period
The Supreme Court rules that under Act No. 3326, an accused's absence from the Philippines does not interrupt the prescriptive period for offenses under special laws.
Documentary Stamp Tax on Foreign Exchange Sales: Who Pays
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on documentary stamp tax liability for foreign exchange sales to the Central Bank.
Donations to Unregistered Organizations in the Philippines: When Are They Valid?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on donations to unregistered organizations: why juridical personality matters and what donors and groups must know.
SEC Cease and Desist Orders: When Regulatory Action Violates Due Process
The Supreme Court ruled the SEC acted with grave abuse of discretion by issuing a cease and desist order without proper investigation.