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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Upholding Final Judgments: The Prohibition Against Defiance of Court Orders
The Supreme Court reiterates that final judgments are immutable and must be obeyed, even by government entities, in National Steel Corporation v. City of Iligan.
Psychological Incapacity Standard: What Baldovino-Torres v. Torres Means for Philippine Marriage Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the psychological incapacity standard under Article 36, emphasizing totality of evidence over expert testimony alone.
Solidary Liability in Labor Standards: Protecting Employee Wage Claims
When a contractor fails to pay wages, the principal employer can be held solidarily liable. The Supreme Court clarifies the rules.
Adultery and Administrative Liability: When a Court Employee's Private Misconduct Becomes a Career Issue
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a married court employee's illicit affair constitutes gross immorality and administrative liability.
When Tax Rulings Become Final: Prohibition, Forum Shopping, and the Hierarchy of Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies when a writ of prohibition may be filed directly with the Court of Appeals despite the hierarchy of courts rule.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: When Ombudsman Delay Justifies Dismissal of Graft Charges
The Supreme Court clarifies when Ombudsman delay in preliminary investigation violates the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.
Gross Immorality vs Disgraceful Conduct: Court Stenographer Suspended for Illicit Affair
Supreme Court suspends court stenographer for gross immorality over illicit affair, clarifying standards for judicial personnel conduct.
Deceptive Recruitment Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt IN Illegal Recruitment AND Estafa Cases
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for large-scale illegal recruitment and estafa based on deceptive recruitment schemes.
Clean Water Act Enforcement: Sewerage Deadlines and the Limits of Good Faith
The Supreme Court clarifies that water concessionaires must meet the Clean Water Act's five-year sewerage deadline, tempering fines despite good faith.
Conjugal Property Transfers After the Family Code: When a Spouse's Consent Is Required
The Supreme Court clarifies when a spouse's sale of conjugal property without consent is void or voidable, and the prescriptive period for challenging it.
VAT Refund Claims: Establishing Zero-Rated Sales as a Prerequisite
The Supreme Court clarifies that unutilized input VAT refunds under Section 112(A) require proof of zero-rated sales in the same taxable period.
GSIS Board Jurisdiction Limited in Housing Loan Disputes: Key Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies GSIS Board of Trustees lacks exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes involving contract enforcement and damages.
GSIS Jurisdiction Over Housing Loan Disputes: The Rafael Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when GSIS has exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes and when courts may take cognizance of contractual claims.
Ascendancy and Abuse: Examining Parental Authority in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction, explaining how parental authority can substitute for force and intimidation.
Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Eyewitness Recantation
SC affirms murder conviction of man who stabbed victim with double-edged knife, ruling recanted testimony deserves scant weight.
Local Business Tax on Dividends and Interest Earned by Holding Companies
Supreme Court ruling on when holding companies are exempt from local business tax on dividends and interest income under the Local Government Code.
Recanted Testimony: When Prior Statements Overrule a Witness's Change of Heart
The Supreme Court explains when a recanted testimony deserves scant consideration and why prior statements can convict.
Lis Pendens and Due Process: Registered Owners Must Be Impleaded in Property Litigation
The Supreme Court rules that registered owners must be impleaded before a notice of lis pendens may be annotated on their title.
Judicial Admission Can Prove Lack of Firearm License in Illegal Possession Cases
Supreme Court ruling: an accused's own admission in court can prove lack of a firearm license, without needing a PNP certification.
Fathers Can File VAWC Petitions for Abused Children Against the Mother
The Supreme Court clarifies that fathers may seek protection and custody orders under RA 9262 on behalf of children abused by their mothers.
Supreme Court on BOC Overtime Pay: Shifting Schedule Valid, Ban on Private Payment Void
The Supreme Court ruled on the validity of BOC overtime policies, upholding the 24/7 shifting schedule but voiding the ban on charging private entities before RA 10863.
Adultery and Disbarment: When a Lawyer's Private Conduct Ends the Legal Career
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for an extramarital affair, affirming that gross immorality in private life warrants the ultimate professional sanction.
Unlawful Arrests and Inadmissible Evidence: Protecting Constitutional Rights in Illegal Possession Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court acquitted a man for illegal firearm possession due to an unlawful warrantless arrest and inadmissible evidence.
Balancing Local Authority and National Mining Rights: The Luisito Marty Case
A mayor's refusal to issue mining permits tested the line between local autonomy and national mining law. The Supreme Court's ruling explained.