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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Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Lessons from City of Iloilo v. Javellana
The Supreme Court clarifies when just compensation is reckoned in expropriation cases and penalizes the government for delayed payment.
Due Diligence in Mortgage Transactions: Protecting Landowners From Fraudulent Transfers
When a bank accepts a mortgaged property with suspicious title transfers, it cannot claim good faith. Learn from this Supreme Court ruling.
Parricide Conviction Upheld: Circumstantial Evidence and Defenses of Accident and Intoxication
Supreme Court affirms parricide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, rejecting defenses of accident and intoxication in spousal killing.
Inventory of Estate: Donated Property Must Be Included for Collation Among Heirs
Supreme Court rules donated property must be included in estate inventory for collation, even if the deed was not notarized or registered.
Perpetual Employment Contracts: Labor Rights and Management Prerogatives Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court rules on perpetual employment contracts, labor arbiter jurisdiction, and the balance between worker protection and management rights.
Affinity Survives Death But Not Falsification: Estafa and Article 332
The Supreme Court rules on whether a son-in-law can invoke the Article 332 exemption from criminal liability for estafa after his wife's death.
Separation of Powers: Court Upholds Its Authority Over Sequestered SMC Shares
The Supreme Court reaffirms the separation of powers doctrine in denying reconsideration of its ruling allowing the conversion of sequestered SMC shares.
Contractual Obligations Survey Requirement Prevails Over Rescission Rights IN Land Sale Agreements
Supreme Court rules survey obligation in land sale contracts prevails over rescission rights, clarifying breach requirements under Philippine law.
In Land Sales, Survey Duty Prevails Over Payment Deadlines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a seller must survey land before demanding payment, and when rescission is improper.
Supreme Court Upholds Judiciary’s Exclusive Power Over Legal Fees, Denies GSIS Exemption
The Supreme Court denies GSIS’s claim of exemption from legal fees, affirming the judiciary’s exclusive rule-making power under the Constitution.
Supreme Court Nullifies Dinagat Islands Creation: Land Area and Population Rules Under the Local Government Co
The Supreme Court struck down R.A. 9355 creating Dinagat Islands for failing the Local Government Code's land area and population requirements.
Safeguarding Elections: Upholding Comelec’s Discretion in Automated Election System Implementation
The Supreme Court affirms Comelec’s discretion in awarding the 2010 automated election project, rejecting speculative challenges to the PCOS system.
Entrapment vs Instigation: Defining the Boundaries in Drug Sale Convictions
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between valid entrapment and unlawful instigation in drug cases, affirming a buy-bust conviction.
GSIS Contributions: Can Dismissed Government Employees Recover Their Personal Shares?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether dismissed government employees can recover personal GSIS contributions and premiums.
Burden of Proof in Conspiracy: Protecting Employees from Unjust Dismissal
When employers claim conspiracy to justify dismissal, the Supreme Court requires clear and convincing evidence, not mere assumptions. Learn from Sargasso v. NLRC.
When Notice to Counsel Binds the Client: Due Process in Philippine Administrative Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why notice to a deputized counsel binds the government client, and what this means for due process and finality of judgments.
Mortgage Foreclosure: Why a Bank Can Foreclose Despite Loan Transfer Doubts
Supreme Court ruling on when a bank may foreclose mortgaged property even if the borrower questions the assignment of loan receivables.
VAT Refund Denied for Failure to Print "Zero-Rated" on Invoices
Philippine Supreme Court rules that failure to print "zero-rated" on sales invoices bars VAT refund claims, even for exporters.
Re-Computation of Monetary Awards in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Ensuring Complete Relief
The Supreme Court clarifies that monetary awards in illegal dismissal cases may be recomputed up to finality of judgment, ensuring full relief.
Custody Agreements Contrary to Child's Best Interests Are Void
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint custody agreements for children under seven and the best interests standard.
Insubordination and Due Process: Understanding Employee Rights in Disciplinary Actions
The Supreme Court clarifies when a suspension order is valid, what due process requires, and when defiance justifies dismissal under Philippine law.
Estafa and the Essence of Deceit: Delgado v. People Explained
The Supreme Court affirms that false pretenses, not ownership of funds, define estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
Docket Fees and Estoppel in Lease Termination: Metrobank v. Perez
Supreme Court clarifies when late payment of docket fees is allowed and when a party is barred from raising jurisdiction.
Piercing the Form: How Allegations Determine Parties in HLURB Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that allegations in a complaint, not its title, determine who are parties to an HLURB case.