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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Original Proponent Rights in BOT Projects: The NAIA Terminal 3 Case
Learn what the Supreme Court said about original proponent rights in BOT projects, using the NAIA Terminal 3 case as a guide.
Land Ownership Disputes: Grounds for Dismissal in Property Recovery Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when dismissal is improper in property recovery cases, emphasizing that prescription, laches, and res judicata require proof.
Missed Deadlines and Denied Probation: Understanding Appeal Periods in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court's fresh period rule affects appeal deadlines, using a landmark insurance liability case as guide.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Safeguarding Individual Rights In Drug Cases
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police testimony was improbable and chain of custody was broken.
Protecting Your Property Purchase: The Innocent Purchaser for Value Doctrine in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects innocent purchasers for value under Philippine property law, and what buyers must do to secure their titles.
Probable Cause vs DOJ Secretary's Discretion in Parricide Cases: Key Lessons from Asetre v. Asetre
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of judicial review over the DOJ Secretary's finding of probable cause in parricide and murder cases.
Judicial Conduct: Premature Archiving of Criminal Cases and the Bounds of Ignorance of the Law
The Supreme Court fined a judge for gross ignorance of the law after prematurely archiving a criminal case, clarifying rules on trial in absentia.
When a Bank’s “Warehousing” Trust Fails: Lessons from Tala Realty v. Banco Filipino
A look at Tala Realty v. Banco Filipino, where the Supreme Court struck down a bank’s secret trust scheme to evade real estate limits.
Upholding Ethical Conduct When Court Employees Lie, Cheat, or Defraud
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on dismissing employees for dishonesty and loss of trust, and what it means for due process in termination cases.
Deceptive Recruitment: When Promises of Overseas Jobs Lead to Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court holds recruitment agencies liable for moral damages when they abandon distressed OFWs and make baseless claims of suicide.
OFW Death Liability: Protecting Overseas Workers and Ensuring Accountability
Supreme Court ruling holds recruitment agencies solidarily liable for OFW deaths, imposing moral and exemplary damages for abandoning workers in distress.
Silencing the Airwaves: When Local Regulations Infringe on Press Freedom
The Supreme Court ruled that local governments cannot use permit requirements to silence broadcast media, reaffirming strict scrutiny for content-based restraints on press freedom.
Legislative Inquiries vs Sub Judice: Balancing Congressional Power and Individual Rights
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Romero v. Estrada on legislative inquiries, the sub judice rule, and witness rights.
When Reclassified Positions Need New Appointments: Tagaro v. Garcia
The Supreme Court clarifies when position upgrades require new appointments and the consequences of forum shopping in government service disputes.
Security of Tenure and Reassignment Limits for Station-Specific Appointments
Supreme Court ruling on reassignment limits for station-specific appointments and security of tenure in government corporations.
Sugar Mill Loans: When Contract Terms Define Government's Right to Recover Funds
Supreme Court ruling on condonation scope in sugar mill loans, clarifying when banks and government can apply deposits to unpaid obligations.
Forum Shopping AND Security OF Tenure Balancing Equity IN Public Service
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies security of tenure for government executives, distinguishing third-level positions and reassignment rules.
Untimely Election Protests: When Pre-Proclamation Petitions Do Not Suspend Filing Deadlines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a pre-proclamation petition suspends the 10-day deadline for filing an election protest under Philippine law.
Election Tribunal vs Comelec: Who Resolves Disqualification Cases After Proclamation
The Supreme Court clarifies that once a winning candidate is proclaimed and assumes office, the HRET—not the Comelec—has sole jurisdiction over qualification disputes.
Conflicting Land Titles: Why Prior Titles Prevail in Philippine Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conflicting land titles, explaining why earlier certificates of title prevail over later ones in property disputes.
Self-Defense or Murder: Credibility and Treachery in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies a killing as murder in People v. Pajabera.
Co-Ownership and Property Recovery: When Must All Owners Join a Lawsuit
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners must be impleaded in property recovery suits under Article 487 of the Civil Code.
Graft and Corruption: Demanding Grease Money for Government Contracts
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on demanding grease money for government contracts under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Psychological Incapacity Must Exist at Time of Marriage to Nullify It
Supreme Court clarifies that psychological incapacity under Article 36 must be proven to exist at the time of marriage, not just manifested later.