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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Custody Rights in Muslim Divorce: Balancing Shari’a Law and Due Process
The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction and due process in custody disputes arising from Muslim divorce under P.D. 1083.
Second Chances IN Public Service When CAN Dismissal BE Replaced With Suspension
Balancing Public Order and Private Rights: Limits on Summary Abatement of Nuisances
When can barangay officials destroy property as a public nuisance? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of summary abatement.
Arbitrary Penalty Imposition Justification Required FOR Maximum Sentences
Trial courts must justify imposing the maximum penalty within a period; otherwise, the lowest penalty applies, as ruled in Ladines v. People.
Waiver of Due Process When Consent Cures Procedural Defects in Administrative Cases
A party who voluntarily participates in an administrative proceeding without objecting to procedural defects may be deemed to have waived the right to question them later.
Cash Advances and Malversation: When Good Faith Defeats Criminal Intent
The Supreme Court clarifies when an unliquidated cash advance becomes malversation, acquitting a mayor who acted in good faith.
Illegal Dismissal: Computing Separation Pay and Backwages Using Gross Monthly Pay
The Supreme Court clarifies how to compute separation pay and backwages for illegally dismissed employees, using gross monthly pay, inclusive of allowances and benefits.
Preventive Suspension Limits and Employer Rights in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may impose successive preventive suspensions and the rules on appeal bonds in labor cases.
Perfecting Joint Venture Agreements Consent Object AND Cause IN Philippine contract LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on labor-only contracting, joint and several liability, and procedural due process in illegal dismissal cases.
Illegal Dismissal Requires Both Just Cause and Due Process: Noblado v. Alfonso
The Supreme Court clarifies that dismissal without just cause and due process is illegal, entitling workers to backwages and separation pay.
Upholding Judicial Accountability: Failure to Decide Cases and Its Consequences for Judges and Court Personnel
A Supreme Court ruling reminds judges and court staff that misconduct and failure to follow lawful directives carry the ultimate administrative penalty.
Breach of Trust Dismissal for Court Employee Accepting Money From Litigants
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of court clerk who accepted money from litigants to process bail bond, ruling it constitutes grave misconduct.
Discovery Rights in Administrative Proceedings: Balancing Efficiency and Due Process
The Supreme Court clarifies when modes of discovery may be denied in administrative cases, balancing efficiency with due process in PHIC proceedings.
Due Process in Membership Termination: The Imperative of Proper Notice in Non-Stock Corporations
Supreme Court ruling on Valley Golf clarifies that terminating a non-stock corporation membership requires proper notice under substantial justice principles.
Open Space vs Private Property: Resolving Subdivision Land Disputes in the Philippines
Supreme Court ruling on when subdivision open spaces remain private property, and the limits of homeowners' claims over them.
Incestuous Rape: Upholding Parental Moral Ascendancy and Protecting Minor Victims
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of a father figure, clarifying force, minority as aggravating circumstance, and damages.
Open Spaces and Private Land: What Talayan Village Teaches About Donations and Subdivision Parks
The Supreme Court ruled that a subdivision block used for years as a park remained private land because the donation of it was never accepted by the city government.
Upholding Integrity: Attorney Liability for Altered Notarial Documents
A lawyer who alters a notarized document without proper safeguards faces suspension and loss of notarial commission, as ruled by the Supreme Court.
Amparo Writ Scope: Extralegal Killings and Enforced Disappearances Only
Supreme Court clarifies the writ of amparo covers only extralegal killings and enforced disappearances, not ordinary threats from private individuals.
Ancestral Domain Disputes NCIP Jurisdiction and the Rights of Non-Indigenous Parties
The Supreme Court clarifies when the NCIP has jurisdiction over ancestral domain disputes and when regular courts decide cases involving non-indigenous parties.
Injunctions Protecting Rights Upholding Due Process and Ensuring Fair Legal Proceedings
The Supreme Court dismisses a direct challenge to Iloilo City's real property tax ordinance, reaffirming the need to exhaust administrative remedies and observe the hierarchy of courts.
Prescription in Labor Disputes: The Importance of Timely Execution of NLRC Decisions
A Supreme Court ruling on prescription periods for executing NLRC decisions and the consequences of delay in enforcing labor judgments.
Proving Illegal Dismissal: The Employee's Burden of Proof in Philippine Labor Law
In illegal dismissal cases, employees must first prove they were dismissed. The Supreme Court clarifies this burden in Tri-C General Services v. Matuto.
Circumstantial Evidence and Murder Conviction: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for murder, applying the Rules of Court standard.