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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When Courts Can No Longer Enforce Agreements: The Difference Between Entrapment and Instigation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when police buy-bust operations are legal entrapment versus illegal instigation, and why the distinction matters in drug cases.
Breach of Bank Obligations: Understanding Trust Agreements in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court's ruling on PLDT v. ETPI clarifies when courts can enforce judicially approved compromise agreements and the limits of arbitration clauses.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Preserving Evidence Integrity for Conviction
Learn how Philippine courts apply the chain of custody rule in drug cases, using a 2013 Supreme Court ruling on airport searches.
Airport Security vs Personal Rights: Striking the Balance in Drug Possession Cases
How the Supreme Court reconciled airport security searches with constitutional rights in a drug possession case, and what it means for travelers.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When a Public Facebook Post Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court affirms that public Facebook posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, with higher penalties for ICT use.
Easement vs Expropriation: Just Compensation for Right of Way Under Philippine Law
Supreme Court clarifies that statutory caps on easement fees do not bind courts in determining just compensation for transmission line right of way.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Nacua Teaches About Safeguarding Evidence
In People v. Nacua, the Supreme Court acquitted a drug accused because police failed to follow the chain of custody rules under Section 21 of RA 9165.
Forum Shopping and Fair Play: Why Employers Cannot Raise New Defenses on Appeal
Supreme Court rules employers cannot raise lack of employer-employee relationship for the first time on appeal after actively participating in labor proceedings.
Probable Cause vs Evidentiary Weight: The DOJ Secretary’s Review Power Delineated
The Supreme Court clarifies when the DOJ Secretary oversteps by weighing evidence in a preliminary investigation, not just determining probable cause.
Reckless Driving vs. Employee Rights: When Can a Driver Be Dismissed?
A bus driver's dismissal for reckless driving and dishonesty was upheld, but the employer still paid damages for skipping the twin-notice rule.
Courts, Not Legislators, Set Just Compensation in Philippine Eminent Domain Cases
Supreme Court rules statutory caps like NPC's 10% easement limit cannot override judicial determination of just compensation.
Bank Officer Liability for Fraudulent Export Transactions: The Dy Case
When can a bank officer be held solidarily liable for fraud? The Supreme Court explains conspiracy and approval of irregular transactions.
Res Judicata and Buyer Rights: PNB v. Lim on Mortgages Under PD 957
The Supreme Court clarifies how final judgments bind parties and how condominium buyers can still redeem units despite a valid mortgage.
Execution of Judgment Must Conform to the Dispositive Portion: The Golez v. Navarro Ruling
A writ of execution cannot add interest that the judgment never awarded. The Supreme Court explains how far a court may go in enforcing a final decision.
Protecting Children Upholding Justice IN Child Abuse AND Rape Cases Under Philippine LAW
A look at how Philippine courts decide rape cases, the weight given to credible victim testimony, and the rules on force, intimidation, and delay in reporting.
Mortgage Without HLURB Approval: Buyer Protection in Condominium Sales
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a mortgage lacking HLURB approval is void only against the unit buyer, not the developer and bank.
Compromise Agreements in Agrarian Disputes: Ensuring Finality and Compliance
Learn how compromise agreements in agrarian disputes achieve finality and compliance, and why conclusiveness of judgment bars relitigation.
Redundancy Dismissal: Employers Must Prove Justification, Not Just Declare It
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employers cannot simply declare redundancy—they must present substantial proof to justify dismissal.
Forcible Entry: Prior Physical Possession Prevails Over Ownership Claims
In ejectment cases, actual possession beats paper title. The Supreme Court explains why forcible entry is about possession de facto, not ownership.
Child Custody AND Welfare Prioritizing THE Childs Best Interest Over Prior Agreements
Child Custody Not Permanent: SC Clears Judge Who Respected Child's Choice Over Prior Agreement
Supreme Court rules child custody judgments are not permanent; a child over 7 may choose a parent, overriding prior compromise agreements.
Bank Officer Liability for Fraudulent Export Transactions: The Dy Case
Supreme Court ruling on bank officer liability for approving fraudulent export transactions with non-negotiable bills of lading.
Party-List Accreditation Is Never Permanent: The LPGMA Doctrine on Continuous Qualification Review
Supreme Court clarifies that COMELEC can cancel party-list registration anytime; accreditation never becomes final and conclusive against the state.
Party List Accreditation: COMELEC's Power to Cancel Registration Explained
Supreme Court clarifies that COMELEC can cancel party-list accreditation even without prior opposition to registration, upholding its authority to ensure marginalized representation.