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.
Tax Treaty Benefits vs. BIR Rules: The Deutsche Bank Ruling on Prior Application
The Supreme Court clarifies that failure to comply with the BIR's prior application rule does not automatically bar tax treaty relief.
Proper Documentation Matters: When Belated Birth Registration Fails in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court nullified a correction of birth date in police service records for lack of indispensable parties and weak evidence. Learn the rules.
Indispensable Parties: Why Government Agencies Must Be Included in Correction of Public Record Cases
The Supreme Court nullified a correction of birth date ruling because government agencies were not impleaded as indispensable parties. Learn the rules.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Resignation Does Not Preclude Administrative Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: resigning from government service does not erase administrative liability for gross dishonesty committed while in office.
Presidential Prerogative vs Artistic Integrity: The National Artist Awards Case
The Supreme Court clarifies the President's power to confer the Order of National Artists and its limits under Philippine law.
No Separation Pay for Employees Dismissed for Cause: Key Labor Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employees validly dismissed for just causes like breach of trust are not entitled to separation pay.
Expropriation and Summary Judgment: Protecting Just Compensation in Philippine Condemnation Cases
When can summary judgment decide just compensation in expropriation cases? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules and protects landowners' rights.
Circumstantial Evidence in Rape with Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-with-homicide conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence, and what this means for Philippine criminal prosecutions.
Probationary Employment: Employers Must Disclose Regularization Standards
Employers must inform probationary employees of regularization standards at engagement or risk them being deemed regular employees from day one.
Probable Cause and Conflicting Testimonies in Rape and Illegal Detention Cases
When may courts override prosecutors on probable cause? The Supreme Court clarifies in a case of rape, illegal detention, and conflicting testimonies.
Upholding Dismissal for Dishonesty When Casino Employees Betray Public Trust
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of PAGCOR dealers who declared void craps throws as good dice, defrauding the house.
Double Insurance Claims: When CBA Hospitalization Benefits Exclude Other Insurer Payments
Philippine Supreme Court rules on whether CBA hospitalization benefits can be claimed alongside other health insurance payments. Key ruling explained.
Fair Compensation in Land Reform: Upholding Valuation Standards in Agrarian Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that courts must follow DAR valuation formulas in agrarian reform cases, not subjective judgments.
Teacher Discipline and Due Process: Grave Misconduct in Philippine Schools
A teacher's physical punishment of a student constitutes grave misconduct, but mitigating factors can temper the penalty of dismissal.
Salary Standardization Incumbency Determines RATA Entitlement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that RATA benefits under the Salary Standardization Law apply only to incumbents as of July 1, 1989.
Party Autonomy vs Individual Rights in Party-List Internal Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on COMELEC’s authority to resolve internal party-list disputes and cancel registrations for nominee disqualification.
Breach of Public Trust: When Dismissal in Government Service Fails Due Process
A Supreme Court ruling on why a government employee's dismissal for insubordination was void for violating due process requirements.
Jail Officers Negligence Defining Gross Misconduct in Public Service
Supreme Court ruling on when a jail officer's negligence and consent to a prisoner's escape constitutes gross misconduct in public service.
Breach of Trust Defining Qualified Theft in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of qualified theft, emphasizing grave abuse of confidence as the distinguishing factor in criminal cases.
Digital Ballots As Primary Evidence Protecting Electoral Integrity In The Philippines
The Supreme Court ruled that digital ballot images from PCOS machines are functional equivalents of physical ballots, protecting elections from tampering.
Dispensing With the Confidential Informant: Upholding Buy-Bust Operations in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a confidential informant's testimony is not indispensable in drug cases when police officers personally witness the illegal sale.
Estafa and Erroneous Designation of Offended Party in Property Offenses
When a wrong name appears in an estafa charge, the accused's right to be informed may still be protected. Learn the rules.
When Can Government Agencies Represent Themselves? The Solicitor General's Exclusive Mandate
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling in Republic v. Cuizon on when government agencies may appear in court without the Solicitor General.
Corporate Reorganization, Presidential Alter Ego Doctrine, and Security of Tenure Limits
Supreme Court clarifies when government corporate boards may reorganize, reassign officers, and drop employees for poor performance without violating tenure.