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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Local Government Officials and Legal Representation: Defining Government Instrumentalities
Supreme Court clarifies that government-owned or controlled corporations like NPC are "instrumentalities" under the Local Government Code, disqualifying sanggunian members from appearing as counsel ag
Docket Fees Are Mandatory: GSIS Must Pay for Permissive Counterclaims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: even government agencies like GSIS must pay docket fees for permissive counterclaims or lose jurisdiction over them.
Grave Coercion in Property Takeovers: The Navarra Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that forceful property repossession, even with a debt claim, constitutes grave coercion under Philippine law.
Seafarers Disability Injury vs Accident: When Full Compensation Applies
Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's injury qualifies as an accident and when full disability compensation under a CBA applies.
Maintaining Decorum: Court Employees and the Duty of Ethical Conduct
The Supreme Court fined and reprimanded two court employees for shouting at each other inside a courtroom, stressing that decorum is required of all judicial personnel.
Illegal Strike Consequences: Reinstatement Rights and Separation Pay in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies illegal strike consequences, reinstatement rights, and separation pay for union members in labor disputes.
Illegal Strike Consequences and Employee Rights: Lessons from Alcantara v. Court of Appeals
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when strikes become illegal, who faces termination, and what reinstatement rights employees retain.
Res Judicata Explained: When a Prior Judgment Does Not Bar a Later Case
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of res judicata, distinguishing bar by prior judgment from conclusiveness of judgment in property disputes.
Defining Accident in Seafarer Disability Claims: CBA Provisions Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's injury counts as an but a seafarer may still be entitled to full disability benefits under other CBA provisions.
Tax Refunds vs. Tax Liabilities: Understanding Set-Offs in Philippine Tax Law
The Supreme Court explains when a tax refund claim can be denied due to an underpayment—and why set-off rules apply differently in tax cases.
HLURB Jurisdiction vs Regular Courts: Protecting Subdivision Buyers' Rights
When does HLURB have exclusive jurisdiction over subdivision disputes? The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary between regular courts and the housing regulator.
Retrenchment in the Philippines: Balancing Business Needs and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on valid retrenchment, including fair selection criteria and the 30-day notice requirement to DOLE.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Due Process and Corporate Identity in Kukan v. Reyes
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may pierce the corporate veil, emphasizing due process and finality of judgment.
Attendance Registration and Dishonesty in Government Service: Lessons from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies when failure to register attendance is a minor violation and when it amounts to dishonesty warranting dismissal.
Judicial Seniority in the Court of Appeals: Date of Appointment Controls
The Supreme Court settles how CA justices' seniority is determined—by appointment date, not transmittal or barcode.
Illegal Strike and Backwages: What Workers Should Know Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on backwages for employees who join illegal strikes, and when separation pay may be granted instead of reinstatement.
Bank Not Subsidiarily Liable for Loan Proceeds Released to Borrower
Supreme Court rules banks are not automatically liable when loan proceeds go to a borrower instead of a third-party seller.
Finality Prevails: The Consequences of Untimely Appeals in Philippine Civil Procedure
Learn how the Supreme Court treats late appeals in civil cases, why finality matters, and the strict rules on appeal periods.
Bank Not Subsidiarily Liable Without Clear Obligation: Prudential Bank v. Abasolo
Supreme Court rules a bank is not subsidiarily liable for a loan officer's alleged promises absent a clear obligation or written request.
Bank Liability for Loan Proceeds: Third Party Beneficiaries and Breach of Contract
When is a bank liable to a third party for loan proceeds? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of bank liability and third-party beneficiary claims.
Bank Not Liable for Employee's Promise to Seller: Relativity of Contracts in Loan Proceeds Release
Supreme Court rules bank not subsidiarily liable for employee's alleged promise to pay seller directly from loan proceeds, citing relativity of contracts.
Diminution of Benefits, Union Authority, and Validity of MOA in Financial Distress
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a Memorandum of Agreement reducing employee benefits is valid despite financial distress and union ratification issues.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Are Corporate Officers Personally Liable for Labor Claims?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers may be held personally liable for illegal dismissal awards, requiring clear proof of bad faith.
Upholding LLDA Authority Enforcing Environmental Standards in Laguna de Bay
Supreme Court affirms LLDA's power to impose fines for effluent violations, reinforcing environmental enforcement in Laguna de Bay region.