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.
Treachery and Intent in Philippine Homicide Convictions: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery and evident premeditation qualify killings as murder, and when they do not.
Enforcing Debt Obligations: Promissory Notes and Checks as Evidence in Sales Transactions
Supreme Court rules promissory notes and dishonored checks can prove a sale and enforce payment, reversing the Court of Appeals.
Res Ipsa Loquitur: Holding Nurses Accountable for Post-Operative Patient Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court applies res ipsa loquitur to hold nurses liable for a patient's death after post-operative care failures.
Bank Negligence and Fiduciary Duty: PNBS Responsibility to Depositors
When banks fail depositors, liability follows. This case clarifies the fiduciary duty and negligence standards for Philippine banks.
Freeze Orders in the Philippines: Probable Cause and Asset Protection Under AMLA
Learn how Philippine courts protect assets from unjustified freeze orders, and why probable cause is essential under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Nuisance Per Se and Local Police Power: The Biñan Hog Farm Ordinance Ruling
The Supreme Court upheld Biñan's ordinance phasing out large hog farms near homes, treating foul odors as a nuisance per se abatable through local police power.
Proving Intimidation in Contracts: The Ortigas Land Dispute and the Burden of Proof
Philippine law presumes contracts valid. Learn how the Supreme Court requires clear evidence to prove intimidation or undue influence.
Derivative Works and Copyright Ownership in the Philippines: The Tupaz Case
The Tupaz case clarifies Philippine law on derivative works, copyright ownership, and the idea/expression dichotomy in collaborative designs.
Upholding Honesty in Court: Attorney Suspended for Misleading Statements
A lawyer's false denial of a compromise agreement led to a one-month suspension, reaffirming that candor to courts is non-negotiable.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Proving the Work-Related Connection for Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers must prove their illness is work-related by substantial evidence, not merely allege it.
Can Religious Corporations Own Land in the Philippines? The RVM Case Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court's RVM ruling clarifies constitutional limits on religious corporations acquiring public land in the Philippines.
Disbarment for Dishonesty: Lawyer Forged Receipt, Kept Client's Payment
A lawyer was disbarred for forging an acknowledgment receipt and keeping a client's P213,750 judgment payment, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Redefining Rape Anatomical Thresholds and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the exact anatomical threshold distinguishing attempted from consummated rape through penile penetration, and reaffirms victim testimony standards.
Lawyer Disbarred for Misappropriating Client Funds and Forging Receipts
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for misappropriating client's payment, forging receipts, and deceiving the court in violation of the CPR.
Social Media Misconduct and Attorney Disbarment: Balancing Free Speech and Professional Ethics
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for posting a draft plunder complaint on Facebook, ruling that free expression does not justify violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
When a Revenue Officer Lacks Authority: The LOA Requirement in Tax Audits
Philippine Supreme Court explains why a new Letter of Authority is required when tax investigations are reassigned to another revenue officer.
Letter of Authority Required When Reassigning Tax Audits: Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court nullifies tax assessments where audits were reassigned without a new Letter of Authority. Learn the rules.
Accreditation of Government Service After Retirement: The CSC v. Annang Rule
Retired government workers cannot seek accreditation of prior contract-of-service work. The Supreme Court explains the rule and its limits.
Family Home Exemption From Execution: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies family home exemption from execution, requiring proof of actual occupancy and compliance with Family Code.
When Is a Family Home Exempt from Execution? Key Lessons from Taruc v. Maximo
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a family home is exempt from execution and what evidence a judgment debtor must present to claim the exemption.
Attempted Trafficking in Persons: When Simulating a Birth and Taking Custody of a Child Leads to Conviction
The Supreme Court explains when simulating a birth and acquiring custody of a child constitutes attempted trafficking in persons under Philippine law.
Reassignment Validity Must Precede Ombudsman Oppression Cases, SC Rules
The Supreme Court clarifies that the CSC must first rule on a reassignment's validity before the Ombudsman can hear an oppression charge.
Accretion and Forcible Entry: Why Prior Physical Possession Beats Title
In forcible entry cases over accreted land, the Supreme Court rules that prior physical possession, not mere ownership of adjacent titled property, is decisive.
The Limits of Fiscal Autonomy: PhilHealth’s Authority to Grant Employee Benefits
The Supreme Court rules that PhilHealth's fiscal autonomy is not absolute; employee benefits must have clear legal basis or face disallowance.