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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Corporate Asset Transfers: When Does a Buyer Inherit the Seller's Liabilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a corporation buying all assets of another also inherits its liabilities, under Section 40.
Maysilo Estate Dispute Upholding Torrens System Integrity IN Land Title Conflicts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens title indefeasibility in unlawful detainer cases, protecting registered owners from collateral attacks.
Torrens Title vs Mortgage Resolving Property Possession Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on which Torrens title prevails when property claims overlap, tracing validity to the mother title.
Specific Performance vs Rescission: Upholding Contractual Obligations in Land Sales
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when specific performance prevails over rescission in land sales, protecting the injured party's choice of remedy.
Personnel Actions and the Courts: When CSC Jurisdiction Yields to Judicial Review
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts may hear personnel actions involving public officers despite CSC jurisdiction.
Beyond Forgetfulness: Insubordination vs. Violations of Office Rules in Philippine Jurisprudence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between insubordination and mere violations of office rules in administrative cases.
Reckless Driving and Criminal Intent: Establishing Liability in Vehicular Accidents
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when reckless driving rises to criminal negligence versus mere administrative liability in vehicular accidents.
Beyond the Rules: Distinguishing Insubordination From Simple Violation of Office Policies
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when defiance of an illegal office order is not insubordination, and what makes a detail valid.
Malicious Prosecution: When Filing a Criminal Complaint Backfires
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on malicious prosecution, damages, and employer liability for unfounded criminal charges against employees.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Strict Compliance and Timely Assessments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies 120-day vs 240-day rule for seafarer disability claims and the need for timely medical assessments.
Presumption of Compensability Protecting Seafarers With Cardiovascular Disease
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability benefits for cardiovascular disease, presumption of compensability, and POEA-SEC.
Third Party Beneficiaries and Compromise Agreements: When Excluded Parties Cannot Claim Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when compromise agreements benefit only named parties, not excluded third parties under stipulation pour autrui.
Retirement Fund Obligations: When a Company Is Liable for Employee Separation Pay
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a principal company becomes liable for separation pay of a contractor's employees, explained in plain language.
When Aiding a Principal Overshadows Accessory Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when helping a principal offender may constitute grave misconduct rather than mere accessory liability in administrative cases.
Joint Account Withdrawal Rights: Limits of Authority Among Co-Depositors
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint account, meaning either depositor could transact without the other's signature.
When a Notary Lacks Authority: How Defective Notarization Can Void Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on defective notarization, judicial partition, and why notarized documents require a validly commissioned notary public.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Limits of Personal Liability for Corporate Acts in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers may be held personally liable and why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal.
Mortgage in Good Faith: Upholding Banks' Due Diligence in Real Estate Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks qualify as mortgagees in good faith despite defective titles, protecting foreclosures.
Seafarers Disability: The 120/240-Day Rule for Permanent and Total Disability Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 120/240-day rule on seafarer disability claims and when a fit-to-work certification must be issued.
Citizenship by Naturalization: Balancing National Sovereignty and Refugee Protection
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on naturalization of a refugee, clarifying the "lucrative income" requirement and reciprocity under the Naturalization Law.
Loss of Trust and Due Process: Philippine Standards for Employee Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the standards for loss of trust and due process in employee dismissal cases under the Labor Code.
Real Party in Interest: When Can an Agent Sue on Behalf of a Principal?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an agent may sue in its own name and the limits of an agent's authority to file suit.
Religious Freedom vs Legal Obligations: When Personal Beliefs Meet Professional Conduct
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that lawyers cannot use personal beliefs to evade professional duties and client obligations.
Finality Prevails: Enforcing Court Decisions Despite Technicalities in Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments in land disputes, explaining why technicalities cannot defeat a final and executory decision.