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.
Over Recovery Refunds Ensuring Fair Electricity Rates FOR Consumers
Explains NEECO I v. ERC on electric cooperative over-recovery refunds, system loss caps, and consumer rate protection.
Corporate Rehabilitation Venue and Joint Petitions Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies venue rules for corporate rehabilitation and disallows joint petitions by separate corporations under the Interim Rules.
Dacion en Pago vs. Equitable Mortgage: Lessons from Villarta v. Talavera
The Supreme Court clarifies when a property transfer is a valid dacion en pago, not an equitable mortgage, in Villarta v. Talavera.
Tolerance Doctrine Limits Permissive Occupation of Registered Land
Explore how the Supreme Court applied the tolerance doctrine in DepEd v. Casibang, protecting registered owners' rights against laches claims.
Tolerance Ends Landowners Right Prevails Over Long Term Use In Property Dispute
Philippine Supreme Court rules that possession by mere tolerance does not ripen into ownership, and laches cannot bar a registered owner's right to recover property.
Lawyer Suspended for Dishonoring Obligations and Issuing Bouncing Checks
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years for issuing worthless checks and evading debts, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
COMELEC Authority Over Election Officers and Execution Pending Appeal Rules
Supreme Court clarifies COMELEC's supervisory power over election officers and when courts lose jurisdiction to order execution pending appeal.
Disbarment for Forgery and Misrepresentation in Marriage Nullity Case
Supreme Court disbars lawyer who filed nullity petition without client's consent, forged signature, and misrepresented herself as counsel.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: Warrantless Arrests and Chain of Custody Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when warrantless arrests are valid and how chain of custody rules apply in drug paraphernalia cases under RA 9165.
When Silence Isnt Golden: The High Cost of Jumping Bail in Philippine Drug Cases
Learn how failing to contest an arrest early can doom a drug case defense, as shown in Saraum v. People.
Tax Sales and Due Process: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax sales, due process, and property rights protection for landowners and buyers.
Labor-Only Contracting: Identifying the True Employer and Protecting Workers' Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies who the true employer is in labor-only contracting arrangements, protecting workers' rights under Philippine law.
Accountability in Public Service: Internal Auditors' Duty to Prevent Misuse of Funds
Supreme Court ruling on internal auditors' liability for government fund losses, explaining due diligence standards under COA rules.
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.
Defining Construction Cost Interest Expenses and Reserved Units in Joint Development Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what counts as actual construction cost in joint development agreements, excluding interest expenses from the computation.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Become Crimes
The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and how ICT use raises penalties.
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.
Who Hears CLOA Cancellation Cases? The DAR Secretary, Not DARAB, Rules
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that DARAB lacks jurisdiction over CLOA cancellation cases without tenurial disputes; the DAR Secretary decides.
Positive Identification and Alibi in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Cuesta
The Supreme Court explains when positive identification prevails over alibi and why sudden attacks do not always amount to treachery.
Finality vs. Recomputation: Computing Monetary Awards in Illegal Dismissal Cases
A final illegal dismissal ruling does not bar recomputation of back wages and separation pay. Learn the rules and key dates.
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.
Loan Payments and Proof: When a Certification Can Tip the Scales in Debt Disputes
A car loan dispute shows how a certification of payment can shift the burden of proof in Philippine debt cases.
Seafarer Death Benefits: Proving Suicide as a Defense Against Employer Liability
The Supreme Court explains when an employer may escape liability for seafarer death benefits by proving suicide as a willful act.
Navigating the Chain: Establishing Drug Possession and Extortion Defenses in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts weigh buy-bust evidence, chain of custody, and the disfavored defense of extortion in drug cases.