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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Unlawful Detainer and Contract Cancellation: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
How Philippine courts handle unlawful detainer after contract-to-sell cancellation, and what property owners and buyers should know.
Breach of Trust: Upholding Employer Rights in Managerial Dismissals in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissing managerial employees, even without actual damage to the employer.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: What Judges Must Prove to Return to the Bench
The Supreme Court denies a former judge's plea for judicial clemency, clarifying the strict requirements for reformation and remorse.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: What Judges Must Prove to Return to the Bench
Philippine Supreme Court denies former judge's plea for judicial clemency, clarifying the strict requirements for reformation and remorse.
Forged Documents and Good Faith: Protecting Land Ownership in the Philippines
When forged deeds meet buyers' good faith, Philippine courts weigh title protection against prudence. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
When Can the State Be Sued: Sovereign Immunity Rules in the Philippines
Philippine law on sovereign immunity explained: when the state can be sued, exceptions to the rule, and practical guidance.
Rape and Abuse of Authority: Protecting Minors From Stepparental Abuse in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a stepfather for qualified rape, reinforcing legal safeguards for minors against abuse by stepparents and common-law spouses.
Navigating VAT Refund Timelines: The Mandatory 120-30 Day Rule and Equitable Exceptions
Understand the mandatory 120+30 day rule for VAT refund claims in the Philippines, its jurisdictional nature, and the equitable exceptions recognized by the Supreme Court.
When Performance Goals Lead to Disputes: Constructive Dismissal in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when unmet performance targets amount to constructive dismissal, explaining the employee's burden of proof.
VAT Refund Claims: The 120-Day Rule and Timely Appeals to the CTA
Learn the mandatory 120+30 day periods for VAT refund claims and how the Supreme Court applies them in CIR v. GST Philippines.
Substantiate Tax Refund Claims with Withholding Tax Certificates: Key Lessons from CIR v. TeaM Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the substantiation requirements for tax refund claims, focusing on the evidentiary value of creditable withholding tax certificates.
Breach of Trust Justifying Dismissal for Supervisors in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when supervisors may be validly dismissed for loss of trust and confidence, applying the totality of infractions rule.
Perfecting Land Titles: Possession Requirements for Public Land Registration in the Philippines
Understand the possession rules for registering public land under PD 1529, including the June 12, 1945 requirement clarified by the Supreme Court.
Judicial Accountability: The Price of Delayed Justice in the Philippines
A retired judge was fined P20,000 for leaving 23 cases undecided. Learn the rules on judicial accountability and timely case disposition.
When Business Downturns Lead to Employee Layoffs: Understanding Retrenchment Under Philippine Law
Learn the legal rules on retrenchment in the Philippines, including valid grounds, procedural requirements, and worker protections.
Affinity vs Consanguinity: Correcting Birth Records and Inheritance Rights in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle birth certificate corrections affecting filiation, legitimacy, and inheritance rights under Rule 108.
Tearing Time Cards as Constructive Dismissal: Employer Accountability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules that tearing an employee's time card constitutes constructive dismissal, entitling workers to backwages and separation pay.
Union Security Clauses: Balancing Union Rights and Employee Protection in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on union security clauses, expulsion, due process, and unfair labor practice claims.
Conflicting Land Titles in the Philippines: Prior Registration vs. Identity of Property
In VSD Realty v. Uniwide Sales, the Supreme Court remanded a land dispute to settle which of two conflicting titles traced back to the genuine OCT No. 994.
Floating Status VS Illegal Dismissal Security Guards Rights IN THE Philippines
Demand Is Key: Determining the Prescription Period for Unlawful Detainer in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that the one-year period for unlawful detainer is counted from the last demand to vacate, not from the date of non-payment.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Employee Rights in the Philippines
When is a resignation voluntary? The Supreme Court clarifies the employer's burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases involving claims of voluntary resignation.
When Judges Err: Administrative Liability vs. Judicial Remedies in the Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies when judges face administrative sanctions for errors, misconduct, and delay in deciding cases, and when judicial remedies apply instead.