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.
When Lawyers Issue Bouncing Checks: Good Faith Is No Defense in Disciplinary Cases
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for two years for issuing worthless checks, clarifying that good faith is not a defense in disciplinary proceedings.
Union Members' Right to Due Process in Suspension and Expulsion Cases
Supreme Court rules union officers liable for unfair labor practices when they ignore members' appeals from suspension and expulsion.
Union Officers' Failure to Act on Member's Appeal Is Unfair Labor Practice
Supreme Court rules union officers who ignore a member's appeal commit unfair labor practice violating the right to self-organization.
Premature Filing Bars Seafarers Disability Claim: POEA-SEC 240-Day Rule Explained
Filing a disability claim before the company doctor issues an assessment within 240 days can be fatal. Learn from this Supreme Court ruling.
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.
Open Space Preservation: HLURB Authority Over Subdivision Mortgage Disputes
When a developer mortgages a subdivision's designated open space, homeowners can seek annulment before the HLURB, not just the courts.
Hearsay on the Highway: When a Traffic Report Cannot Prove Fault in Damage Claims
A traffic accident report based only on an eyewitness's account is hearsay. Learn how this affects insurance subrogation claims.
Priority of Registered Adverse Claims Over Subsequent Mortgages: Protecting Land Rights in the Philippines
Learn how a registered adverse claim protects land rights against subsequent mortgages, and why prior registration prevails under Philippine property law.
Circumstantial Evidence and Penalty Fixing in Homicide: Ladines v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies penalty imposition rules and damages in homicide, affirming conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
Illegal Dismissal Claims: When Voluntary Resignation and Quitclaims Prevail
Supreme Court ruling on when a resignation and quitclaim are voluntary, and what evidence employees must present to prove illegal dismissal.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Overseas Filipino Workers
When is an OFW's resignation voluntary or forced? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on quitclaims, waivers, and illegal dismissal claims.
Substantial vs Minor Breach of Contract: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine law on when a contract breach justifies rescission: substantial vs minor violations explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Finality of Judgments: No Recomputation After Decision Becomes Executory
A final labor ruling cannot be recomputed or increased. Learn the finality rule and its exceptions from De Ocampo v. RPN-9.
Construction Delays: Who Bears the Cost? Lessons from BF Corp v. Werdenberg
A Supreme Court ruling on construction delays clarifies how courts apportion liability and compute liquidated damages when both parties share fault.
Preliminary Injunctions Safeguarding Rights Without Prejudging the Merits
The Supreme Court clarifies that preliminary injunctions must preserve rights, not prejudge cases, citing City of Iloilo v. Honrado.
Illegal Dismissal: Computing Separation Pay and Backwages Using Gross Monthly Pay
The Supreme Court clarifies how to compute separation pay and backwages for illegally dismissed employees, using gross monthly pay, inclusive of allowances and benefits.
Abandonment vs Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Security Guards' Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies abandonment vs illegal dismissal in labor-only contracting cases involving security guards and agency-hired workers.
Procedural Pitfalls: Why Improper Appeals Can Derail Your Case
Filing a case before the wrong tribunal wastes time and money. Learn how jurisdiction works and why proper procedure matters.
NCIP Jurisdiction: Protecting Indigenous Rights vs. Rights of Non-Indigenous Parties
The Supreme Court clarifies when the NCIP has jurisdiction over disputes involving indigenous peoples and non-indigenous parties under IPRA.
Simple Slander Conviction Upheld: Public Accusation of Theft and Malice
The Supreme Court affirms a Simple Slander conviction for publicly accusing someone of theft, explaining the elements, malice presumption, and penalties.
Charter Party Agreements: How They Determine Carrier Status in Maritime Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how time charter parties can convert common carriers into private carriers, affecting liability.
When an Employer's Right to Discipline Becomes Abuse of Rights: PCIB v. Gomez
The Supreme Court rules on when an employer's disciplinary actions cross the line into abuse of rights, clarifying civil court jurisdiction over damages claims.
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.
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.