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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Due Process in Administrative Cases: PEZA Cancellation of Ecozone Registration Upheld
Supreme Court rules on due process and substantial evidence in administrative proceedings involving PEZA cancellation of ecozone enterprise registration.
Writ of Possession in Extrajudicial Foreclosure: No Certification Against Forum Shopping Required
Learn why the Supreme Court ruled that an ex parte petition for a writ of possession is not an initiatory pleading, so no certification against forum shopping is needed.
Taxpayers Have Standing to Question Government Contracts: Mamba v. Lara
The Supreme Court affirms that taxpayers can challenge government contracts involving public funds, even without being party to them.
Good Faith and Land Titles: Resolving Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court balances Torrens titles against good faith in ownership disputes, and why buyers must investigate suspicious circumstances.
When Deceit and Misappropriation Tarnish Legal Practice: A Case on Attorney Disbarment
Learn how the Supreme Court disciplines lawyers who deceive clients and mishandle funds, and what this means for ethical practice.
Annulment of Judgment: Extrinsic Fraud and Due Diligence in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when annulment of judgment is available, emphasizing due diligence and the limits of extrinsic fraud claims.
VAT Refund on Capital Goods: Strict Rules on Depreciable Assets
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict requirements for VAT refund claims on capital goods, emphasizing proper accounting treatment as depreciable assets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Perfecting Appeals: The Jurisdictional Requirement in Estate Proceedings
Why filing both a notice of appeal and record on appeal is jurisdictional in estate cases, and what happens when a party fails to perfect an appeal.
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.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and the Finality of COA Decisions
Court personnel who certify documents without verifying records face dismissal for gross neglect of duty, as this ruling shows.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.