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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Retroactivity of Laws and Vested Rights in Bank Liquidation: PDIC v. Stockholders of Intercity Bank
When can a new law apply to an ongoing bank liquidation? The Supreme Court explains the rule on retroactivity and vested rights.
Good Faith vs Torrens Title Resolving Land Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a Torrens title or a deed of sale prevails in land possession disputes.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Hears Illegal Dismissal Cases?
When is a dismissed executive a corporate officer or an employee? The Supreme Court clarifies which forum has jurisdiction.
Probable Cause Reassessment: When a Judge May Overturn a Prior Ruling on Arrest Warrants
A new presiding judge may reverse an earlier finding of no probable cause and order arrests, the Supreme Court ruled, clarifying the limits of judicial discretion.
Simulated Sales and Fraudulent Asset Transfers: Protecting Creditors Under Philippine Law
When debtors hide assets through fake sales to relatives, creditors can have those transfers voided. The Supreme Court explains how.
Labor-Only Contracting: Why Contract Language Alone Does Not Decide Employer Status
The Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is merely a labor-only contractor and the true employer under Philippine law.
When Is a Statement an Admission? Lessons from a Prawn Feed Dispute
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a written statement counts as an admission and when corporate officers can be held personally liable.
Regularization Rights: Defining Labor-Only Contracting in Philippine Law
Supreme Court clarifies labor-only contracting vs. legitimate job contracting, affirming workers' right to regularization under Philippine law.
Rule 108 Limits: When Civil Registry Corrections Need Full Legal Action
Supreme Court clarifies when civil registry corrections exceed Rule 108 and require a full legal action to protect property rights.
Protecting Public Funds Supreme Court Invalidates Compromise Agreement Involving Government Assets
Supreme Court voids PNCC-Radstock compromise that would have transferred P6.185 billion in public assets to a private foreign firm.
Navigating Drug Possession Laws: Evidence and Credibility in Shabu Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on drug possession explains why minor witness inconsistencies and the defense of frame-up often fail against credible police testimony.
Court Clerk Dismissed for Certifying Spurious Decision: Gross Neglect of Duty
Philippine Supreme Court holds court clerk liable for gross neglect after certifying a fake decision without verifying records, resulting in dismissal.
Sufficiency of Information Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Imprecise Dates
Supreme Court affirms statutory rape conviction, ruling that an Information need not state the exact date of the offense.
Seafarers Disability: When Permanent Unfitness Means Full CBA Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a seafarer's disability is permanent and total, entitling full CBA compensation despite partial impediment grade.
Disbarment for Misconduct: Upholding Candor and Justice in Legal Practice
A lawyer's disbarment for abuse of court processes, forum shopping, and falsehoods—a reminder that zeal must yield to truth and justice.
Preventive Suspension of Public Officials: Due Process and Unexplained Wealth in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Ombudsman may preventively suspend public officials and what due process requires in unexplained wealth cases.
Protecting Public Funds Supreme Court Voids Illegal Government Contracts AND Compromises
Learn how the Supreme Court protects public funds by voiding illegal government contracts and compromises, safeguarding taxpayer money.
Speedy Trial Rights Balancing Justice AND Practicality IN Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies that the right to speedy trial is relative and flexible, not a rigid counting of days.
Agrarian Reform vs Tourism: Resolving Land Use Conflicts in the Philippines
Supreme Court ruling on whether tourism zone proclamations automatically exempt agricultural lands from CARP coverage.
Drug Testing in the Workplace: Ensuring Procedural Rigor and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court ruled that employers must ensure drug tests are properly administered, or face liability for illegal dismissal.
Contempt of the COMELEC: The Scope of Its Quasi-Judicial Power Explained
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to cite for contempt even when acting through fact-finding task forces, clarifying the scope of its quasi-judicial authority.
Presidential Warranties vs. State Sovereignty: The PICOP Timber License Case
The Supreme Court ruled presidential warranties on timber licenses are not contracts, and state sovereignty over natural resources prevails.
Presidential Warranty vs Constitutional Limits: Timber License Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that timber licenses and presidential warranties are not contracts protected by the non-impairment clause, upholding constitutional limits on natural resource exploitation.
Untangling Rescission: Prescription Periods in Philippine Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the four-year prescriptive period for rescission of a sale starts, using the Quirong v. DBP case.