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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Extinguishment OF Criminal Liability Death Before Final Judgment AND THE Privileged Mitigating Circumstance OF Minority
Certiorari Limits: When Courts Can Review Administrative Decisions
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may review administrative findings in certiorari petitions, using a Sandiganbayan graft case as the vehicle.
Determining Fair Compensation in Philippine Expropriation Cases: Key Lessons from Republic v. Heirs of Bautist
Learn how Philippine courts determine just compensation in expropriation cases, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Republic v. Heirs of Bautista.
Accountability and Authority When Officials Overlook Financial Red Flags
A GSIS executive's dismissal for approving a flawed bid and premature payment, and the limits of certiorari.
False Designation of Origin: When "Made in Portugal" Labels Mislead Consumers
The Supreme Court's ruling in Uyco v. Lo clarifies when geographic labels on products constitute false designation of origin under Philippine trademark law.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
How sudden, unexpected attacks qualify killings as murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, explained through a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
Tenants Rights and Landlords Title: Estoppel and Redemption in Lease Agreements
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on repurchase agreements, estoppel, and landlord-tenant rights in foreclosure cases.
Perfecting Repurchase Agreements: The Necessity of Unqualified Acceptance in Real Estate Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a qualified acceptance of a repurchase offer is merely a counter-offer, not a perfected contract.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Delay in Reporting Does Not Negate Victim Credibility
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delay in reporting does not automatically discredit her testimony.
Master's Degree as Tenure Requirement: University of the East v. Pepanio and Bueno
Supreme Court rules college teachers without master's degrees cannot acquire regular or tenure status, affirming government regulations on faculty qualifications.
Land Reclassification and Agrarian Reform: Prior Local Government Authority Prevails
Local government reclassification of land before June 15, 1988 can exempt property from CARP coverage, as the Supreme Court clarified in Heirs of Luna v. Afable.
Ballot Images in Electoral Protests: The Evidentiary Value of Electronic Evidence
The Supreme Court held that scanned ballot images are the functional equivalent of original paper ballots in electoral protests under the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
Second Chances: Reinstating Disbarred Attorneys Through Judicial Clemency in the Philippines
Explore how the Supreme Court reinstated a disbarred lawyer through judicial clemency, and the guidelines for seeking a second chance.
Ballot Image Integrity and Electronic Evidence in Philippine Election Protests
Supreme Court ruling on ballot images as electronic evidence in election protests under RA 9369 and the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
Fair Election Act's One-Subject Rule: Giron v. COMELEC Explained
The Supreme Court upheld the Fair Election Act's candidate substitution and elective official provisions against a one-subject-one-title constitutional challenge.
Demand Letters as Evidence in Lease Disputes: Castro v. Palenzuela
A lessee's own evidence can cap rental liability. Learn the rule from Castro v. Palenzuela.
Retirement vs. Separation Pay: The Age Rule in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an employee can claim retirement benefits and when separation pay applies under the Labor Code.
Third-Party Mortgages and Stay Orders: Scope Under Philippine Rehabilitation Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that stay orders in corporate rehabilitation do not cover third-party or accommodation mortgages under the Interim Rules.
THE Weight OF Dying Declarations Affirming Convictions Based ON Victim Testimony
When Can a Government Official Hire Private Counsel? Gontang v. Alayan Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when local government officials may hire private lawyers despite rules requiring government counsel representation.
Reinstatement With Backwages for Employees Excluded From Illegal Strike Charges
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that workers not charged with illegal strike cannot be treated as in pari delicto and must get backwages.
Judicial Conduct: Impartiality and Limits on a Judge's Discretion Over Staff Appointments
A look at a Supreme Court ruling on a judge's discretion in renewing staff appointments, and the boundaries of judicial conduct.
Upholding Public Land Rights: The State's Power Over Inalienable Territories
The Supreme Court reaffirms that titles over inalienable public land are void, even in the hands of innocent purchasers for value.
Resignation vs Termination: Protecting Seafarer Rights in Contract Disputes
Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's request to be relieved amounts to resignation, not illegal dismissal.