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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Corporate Rehabilitation vs Labor Claims: Balancing Creditor Rights and Employee Protection
When a company undergoes rehabilitation, labor claims are suspended. The Supreme Court explains why in Castillo v. Uniwide.
Public Trust Dismissal for Grave Misconduct in Extortion Case
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of BIR examiner for grave misconduct in extortion, clarifying substantial evidence standard in administrative cases.
Party-List Delisting Rules Clarified: Two Separate Grounds Under RA 7941
Supreme Court clarifies party-list delisting under RA 7941: two separate grounds, cannot be combined; abandons Minero ruling.
Protecting the Right to Vote: Domicile and Voter Registration in the Philippines
The Supreme Court protects voter registration rights, ruling that domicile, not technicalities, determines a citizen's right to vote.
Acquittal in Drug Case: Why Broken Chain of Custody Fatal to Prosecution
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police failed to inventory, photograph, and preserve seized shabu, breaking the chain of custody.
Trust Receipts vs Loan Agreements: When Misuse of Funds Is Not Estafa
The Supreme Court clarifies when a trust receipt arrangement is actually a simple loan, and why criminal liability for estafa does not follow.
When Supervisors Lose Trust: Dismissal for Misconduct Under Article 282
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a supervisor's unauthorized disposal of company property justifies dismissal for serious misconduct and loss of trust.
Management Prerogative vs. Illegal Dismissal: Redundancy and Employee Rights
When does a redundancy program become illegal dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the balance between business needs and employee security of tenure.
When Modified Judgments Can Be Appealed: Protecting Litigants' Rights
Learn when a modified Court of Appeals decision is appealable to the Supreme Court and how litigants' rights are protected in civil procedure.
Contract to Sell: Buyer's Failure to Pay Nullifies Seller's Obligation to Convey Title
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in a contract to sell, buyer's failure to pay the full price prevents the seller's obligation to convey title from arising.
Breach of Trust Employee Dismissal Upheld for Unauthorized Sale of Company Assets
Supreme Court rules on when unauthorized disposal of company property justifies dismissal for serious misconduct and loss of trust.
Self-Defense vs Murder: Unlawful Aggression in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails in murder cases, focusing on unlawful aggression as its primordial element.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Mismanaged Court Funds in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to disallow irregular allowances and expenses of government officials, upholding public purpose requirements.
Balancing Justice and Procedure: When Technicalities Yield to Equity in Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when procedural rules prevail over equitable arguments in criminal appeals involving the Ombudsman.
When Can Courts Relax Procedural Rules? The Go v. Chaves Appeal Ruling
The Supreme Court reinstates an appeal dismissed on technical grounds, explaining when courts may relax procedural rules in the interest of substantial justice.
Sheriffs' Duty of Care in Implementing Writs: Lessons from Tomboc v. Velasco
When a sheriff demolishes the wrong property, who pays? The Supreme Court clarifies sheriffs' duty of diligence in writ implementation.
Stepfather Convicted of Statutory Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a stepfather for statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness against his minor stepdaughter, clarifying penalties and damages.
When Death and Procedural Choices End Criminal Complaints: The ABS-CBN v. Ombudsman Case
Explaining how the Supreme Court applied the Bayotas rule on death of respondents and why procedural choices in filing claims can affect criminal complaints.
Conspiracy and Kidnapping for Ransom: Defining the Boundaries of Criminal Liability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy in kidnapping for ransom cases, explaining when co-accused share criminal liability and how courts prove agreement.
When Oversight Falters: Judicial Error and the Limits of Discretion in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies that the condonation doctrine applies only to reelected elective officials, not to reappointed appointive officers found guilty of simple neglect of duty.
Kidnapping for Ransom: Conspiracy and Defense of Duress Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy and duress defenses in kidnapping for ransom cases, affirming convictions of co-accused.
Entrapment or Illegal Inducement: The Fine Line in Buy-Bust Operations
The Supreme Court clarifies when a buy-bust operation is valid entrapment versus instigation, and why the chain of custody still matters.
Condonation by Reelection Does Not Cover Appointive Officials, Supreme Court Rules
The Supreme Court held that the condonation doctrine, which spares reelected officials from liability for prior misconduct, does not extend to appointive officials.
Sale of Conjugal Property Without Spousal Consent: Void Contracts and Heirs' Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void sales of conjugal property without spousal consent, heirs' rights, and prescription periods explained.