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.
Double Sale in the Philippines: How Good Faith and Prior Knowledge Decide Property Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on double sale: a second buyer who registers first but knows of the first sale acts in bad faith and loses.
Philippine Franchise Tax and Real Property Tax: Exemptions for Telecom Companies
Supreme Court ruling on telecom franchise tax exemptions and real property tax liability under the Local Government Code.
Decoding Stray Votes: How Philippine Courts Validate Ballots With Misplaced Candidate Names
The Supreme Court explains the "neighborhood rule" for misplaced votes in barangay elections, and where the line is drawn.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Why You Can’t Skip Government Processes in Land Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling shows why skipping administrative appeals in land disputes can be fatal to a case, barring court action entirely.
Upholding Electoral Integrity: Failure of Elections and Hold-Over Principles in Barangay Governance
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on failure of elections, void proclamations, and hold-over principles under RA 9164 in barangay governance.
Administrative Power in the Philippines: Data Protection for Public Interest
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on FPA's proprietary data protection under P.D. 1144, upholding administrative power for public interest.
Laches Is Not a Shield for Fraud: Protecting Your Land Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: laches cannot defeat claims over void or forged land deeds. Know your rights.
Motion to Dismiss Denied: Why Courts Must Adhere to Procedural Rules in Philippine Litigation
Learn why the Supreme Court strictly enforces the 15-day appeal period under Rule 41, and what happens when a motion for extension is filed.
Missed Your Appeal Deadline? The Supreme Court’s Firm Stance on Appeal Periods
The Supreme Court explains why filing a motion for extension of time to appeal is not allowed and why missing the 15-day period is fatal.
Reopening Criminal Cases in the Philippines: The Hearing Requirement Under Rule 119
When can a Philippine court reopen a criminal case before judgment? The rules require a hearing—and the Supreme Court has enforced that requirement.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Parent Company Can Be Liable for Its Subsidiary's Debts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a parent company and its subsidiary can be treated as one employer for labor liability.
When an Accused Is Arraigned: DOJ Review of Prosecutor’s Ruling Barred
Philippine Supreme Court rules on DOJ Circular No. 70: arraignment bars the Secretary of Justice from reviewing a prosecutor’s resolution.
Bank Closures Under RA 7653: Why a Report Suffices Without Full Examination
Supreme Court clarifies that under RA 7653, the BSP Monetary Board may close a bank based on a department head's report, not a full examination.
Right of Way and Fair Compensation: When Attorney's Fees and Exemplary Damages Are Not Warranted
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees and exemplary damages may be awarded, reversing an award against Petron Corporation in a property dispute.
Reconveyance of Land Titles: Protecting Homesteaders From Fraudulent Land Grabs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconveyance of land titles obtained through fraud, protecting homesteaders' rights against deceptive schemes.
VAT Exemption for PAGCOR Transactions: What Acesite Means for Philippine Businesses
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that services to PAGCOR are zero-rated VAT, sparing suppliers from paying the 10% tax.
Fighting Corruption Why Government Contracts Must BE Above Board
Why PAGCOR's tax exemption in Acesite v. CIR shields contractors from VAT—and what this means for government procurement transparency.
Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: What the Supreme Court Says
The Supreme Court clarifies when tardiness becomes habitual in government service and why common excuses do not justify it.
Fixed-Term Employment and Security of Tenure: When Contracts Expire Without Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court explains when fixed-term employment is valid and why expiration of a contract is not illegal dismissal.
Fixed-Term Contracts in the Philippines: When Are They Valid? Caparoso v. Court of Appeals Explained
Understand when fixed-term employment contracts are valid in the Philippines, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Caparoso v. Court of Appeals.
Sheriffs' Neglect of Duty: Upholding Timely Justice in Philippine Courts
When sheriffs delay executing court writs, justice fails. This case explains the duty to act promptly and the penalties for neglect.
Debt and Dishonor: Upholding Integrity in Public Service — Bisnar v. Nicandro
Court stenographer held liable for willful failure to pay just debts and gross insubordination. A lesson in public accountability.
Checkpoint Legality and the Plain View Doctrine in the Philippines: A Guide for Citizens
Learn when police checkpoints are legal, what the plain view doctrine allows, and how the Supreme Court ruled in Abenes v. People.
Buy-Bust Operations and Warrantless Arrests Under RA 9165: What the Supreme Court Said
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when buy-bust arrests are valid without a warrant and how penalties are imposed under RA 9165.