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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Foreclosure Sales Upholding Validity Despite Single Bidder
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that extrajudicial foreclosure sales remain valid even with only one bidder, settling the two-bidder rule question.
Confession and Circumstantial Evidence Sustaining Conviction in Rape with Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court explains when a spontaneous confession is admissible and how circumstantial evidence alone can prove rape with homicide.
Parental Authority vs Incest: Upholding Conviction in Qualified Rape Cases
Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction of father, ruling that a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for force and resistance in incestuous rape.
Unregistered Trade Names Protected Under Philippine IP Law: Coffee Partners v. San Francisco Coffee
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that unregistered trade names are protected from infringement under RA 8293, requiring only prior use in commerce.
Default Orders and Due Process: Protecting Contractors' Rights in Construction Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on default orders, due process, and corporate officer liability in construction payment disputes.
Partnership Disputes: Proving a Partnership Without a Formal Agreement
When no written partnership contract exists, courts look to conduct and circumstances. This case shows how to prove or disprove an informal partnership.
Love Conquers All: Marriage Extinguishes Rape Conviction Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court absolves a convicted rapist after marrying the victim, citing provisions of the Revised Penal Code on marriage as extinguishing criminal liability.
Private Contractors Can Be Held Liable Under the Anti-Graft Law for Conspiring With Public Officers
The Supreme Court affirms that private individuals who conspire with public officers in graft cases can be held liable under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Seafarers Disability: Work-Related Aggravation and Employer Liability
Supreme Court ruling on seafarer's colon cancer compensability, work-related aggravation, and employer liability for total disability benefits.
When a Family Trust Fails: Proving Partnership and Ownership After Death
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to prove a partnership existed and who owns family assets when a relative dies without formal documents.
Lump Sum vs. Unit Price in Land Sales: The Del Prado v. Caballero Rule
Philippine land sale disputes often hinge on lump sum versus unit price contracts. The Supreme Court's ruling in Del Prado v. Caballero clarifies the rules.
Upholding Judicial Independence: Protecting Judges From Collateral Attacks on Final Judgments
The Supreme Court shields its members from collateral attacks via criminal complaints, reaffirming that only it can declare its own judgments unjust.
Christmas Bonus in the CBA: When a Gratuity Becomes a Demandable Obligation
The Supreme Court held that a Christmas bonus written into a collective bargaining agreement is a binding obligation, not a mere act of employer generosity.
Ombudsman Cannot Probe Supreme Court Justices for Judicial Acts
Court dismisses Ombudsman complaint against retired Justices, limits Ombudsman power over judicial acts.
Disbarment for Attorney Misconduct: Court Personnel Extortion and Abuse of Authority
Court personnel extorting litigants face severe penalties. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on gross misconduct, bribery, and abuse of authority.
Cooperative Fees Supreme Court Limits Exemptions In Foreclosure Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies that cooperatives' exemption from court fees under the Cooperative Code does not apply to extrajudicial foreclosure petitions.
Safeguarding the Chain of Custody in Drug Offenses: People v. Peralta
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after the prosecution failed to prove the chain of custody of seized shabu, underscoring the need to preserve evidence integrity.
Smoking Ban Enforcement: When Rules Fail to Designate Smoking Areas
A Supreme Court ruling on smoking in stairwells shows why workplace smoking bans must designate where employees can legally smoke.
VAT vs Amusement Tax: What Cinema Operators Should Know
The Supreme Court ruled cinema ticket sales are subject to local amusement tax, not VAT. Learn the key points.
Status Quo Orders in Election Protests: COMELEC’s Power to Enjoin Execution Pending Appeal
Learn how the Supreme Court affirmed COMELEC’s authority to maintain status quo and stop execution pending appeal in election protests.
Jurisdiction vs Finality: Balancing Labor Rights and Procedural Rules
A Supreme Court ruling on when alleged lack of jurisdiction can—and cannot—be raised to overturn a final labor order.
Attorney's Fees vs. Compromise Agreements: Protecting a Lawyer's Right to Compensation
A client may settle a case without the lawyer's consent, but the settlement cannot be used to wipe out the lawyer's rightful fees, the Supreme Court ruled.
Eminent Domain Revisited: When Expropriated Land Must Be Returned After Public Use Ceases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when former owners can reclaim expropriated property if the public purpose is abandoned or never pursued.
Higher Standard of Care for Gun Store Owners: Pacis v. Morales
Gun store owners owe a higher duty of care. The Supreme Court explains liability for accidental shootings under quasi-delict rules.