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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Judicial Accountability: Charges Dismissed Absent Bad Faith or Undue Delay
The Supreme Court dismissed administrative charges against a CA justice, ruling that bad faith is required for gross ignorance and no undue delay was incurred.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Broken Evidence Links Mean Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits in People v. Suan due to broken chain of custody and unproven drug identity—key lessons for drug case litigation.
Reconstitution of Titles: Strict Compliance and Jurisdictional Requirements in Land Registration
The Supreme Court clarifies that petitions for reconstitution of lost Torrens titles require strict compliance with jurisdictional requirements under RA 26.
Dismissal of Administrative Charges Against CA Justice for Lack of Bad Faith and Harassment
Supreme Court dismisses administrative complaint against CA Justice Pizarro, ruling charges lacked bad faith and were meant to harass.
Probable Cause and Search Warrants: Safeguarding Property Rights in Seizures
The Supreme Court clarifies probable cause standards for search warrants, balancing law enforcement with constitutional property rights.
Confessions to Media and Circumstantial Evidence in Robbery With Homicide Cases
Supreme Court ruling on when media confessions and circumstantial evidence suffice to convict in robbery with homicide cases.
Command Responsibility and the Writ of Amparo: Clarifying the Scope of Protection
The Supreme Court clarifies that command responsibility has little bearing in amparo proceedings, which determine accountability, not criminal liability.
COMELEC En Banc Acts Without Jurisdiction in Election Appeal: Eriguel v. COMELEC
Supreme Court nullifies COMELEC en banc ruling in mayoralty protest for lack of jurisdiction and failure to ensure ballot integrity.
Filling Sanggunian Vacancies: The Strict Rules on Party Nomination and Membership
Supreme Court clarifies that filling Sanggunian vacancies requires bona fide party membership and nomination from the highest party official.
Electoral Integrity: COMELEC Division Authority and Ballot Preservation in Election Protests
A 2010 Supreme Court ruling on COMELEC division jurisdiction, ballot integrity, and the proper conduct of election protests.
Vacation Leave and Training Costs: Balancing Employer Discretion and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court ruled that employers may schedule vacation leave under a CBA, but cannot pass in-service training costs to security guards. Learn what this means.
Prior Physical Possession Prevails in Forcible Entry Cases: Lagazo v. Soriano
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that prior physical possession, not ownership, decides forcible entry cases. Learn the rule from Lagazo v. Soriano.
When the Ombudsman Cannot Intervene in Appeals of Its Own Decisions
The Supreme Court rules the Ombudsman cannot intervene in appeals of its decisions, preserving its role as impartial adjudicator.
Delayed Remittance of Court Funds: When a Clerk of Court Faces Administrative Liability
A clerk of court kept court funds for nearly a year. The Supreme Court explains why delay alone is gross neglect of duty.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as treachery, raising homicide to murder under Philippine law.
Bank Secrecy vs Qualified Theft: Balancing Financial Privacy and Criminal Prosecution
The Supreme Court clarifies when bank deposits remain confidential under R.A. 1405 even in criminal cases, and why evidence must match the charge.
Employer Liability for Employee Negligence: Proving Due Diligence in Philippine Law
When can an employer be held liable for an employee's negligence? The Supreme Court explains the due diligence defense in Philippine Hawk v. Lee.
Upholding Contractual Obligations Denying A Debtors Attempt TO Evade Payment
Party Expulsions and Due Process: When Can a Political Party Remove Members
The Supreme Court clarifies that political party expulsions are internal matters, not subject to constitutional due process requirements.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding the Testimony of Child Victims in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, detailing how courts assess child victim testimony and award damages.
Employers' Liability for Employee Negligence: Diligence in Selection and Supervision
Philippine Hawk Corp. v. Lee explains when employers are liable for employee negligence and how to prove diligence in selection and supervision.
Ombudsman Cannot Intervene in Appeals of Its Own Decisions: Impartiality in Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court rules the Ombudsman cannot intervene in appeals of its own decisions, preserving impartiality in administrative cases.
Loss of Confidence as a Valid Ground for Dismissal: When Employers Can Terminate Trusted Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when loss of confidence justifies dismissing managerial employees, requiring only some basis, not proof beyond reasonable doubt.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony: Evaluating Credibility in Vehicular Negligence Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness accounts and evidence in vehicular negligence cases, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.