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.
Automatic Contract Cancellation in the Philippines: Grace Periods and Buyer Obligations
Missed payments on a Contract to Sell can trigger automatic cancellation. Learn the rules from Santiago v. Court of Appeals.
Hidden Defects and Time Limits: Understanding Warranty Claims in the Philippines
Learn the prescriptive periods for implied warranty claims in the Philippines, from the Civil Code and Consumer Act, explained simply.
Motion for Reconsideration: Avoiding Pro Forma Dismissals in Philippine Courts
Learn how Philippine courts treat procedural lapses in motions for reconsideration, and why substantive justice prevails over technicalities.
Default Judgment Consequences of Missing Pretrial in Philippine Courts
Learn how skipping pretrial can lead to default judgment in Philippine courts, and what the Ramientas v. Reyala case says about procedural rules.
Bound by Your Lawyer’s Mistakes? Client Responsibility Under Philippine Law
Philippine courts generally hold clients responsible for their lawyers' negligence. Only gross negligence that deprives a client of due process warrants relief.
When a Lawyer's Negligence Leads to Suspension: The Adecer v. Akut Case
A lawyer who misses the deadline for filing a client's petition for probation faces administrative liability, even if the client was also negligent.
Certiorari Without Motion for Reconsideration: Exceptions Under Rule 65
Learn when Philippine courts allow a direct petition for certiorari without a prior motion for reconsideration, based on the PAL-PESALA case.
Can One Co-Owner File an Ejectment Case in the Philippines? Yes, Under Article 487
A single co-owner can file an ejectment suit without the others. The Supreme Court explains how Article 487 of the Civil Code works.
Automatic Review of Death Penalty Cases Cannot Be Waived: People v. Flores
The Supreme Court rules that appellate courts cannot dismiss death penalty appeals for failure to file briefs, as review is mandatory.
Delegation of Authority in Tax Assessments: When a Subordinate's Demand Letter Becomes Final
Learn when a demand letter from a BIR subordinate officer counts as the Commissioner's final decision on a protested tax assessment, and why timing matters.
Domicile Dilemmas: Residency Requirements for Philippine Election Candidates
The Supreme Court explains what "residence" really means for election candidates—and why buying property alone won't establish domicile.
Jurisdiction Clarified When Regular Courts Handle Property Disputes Despite Developer Status
When do regular courts, not HLURB, hear property disputes? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules in Lacson Hermanas v. Heirs of Ignacio.
Perfecting Appeals: The Crucial Difference Between Single and Multiple Judgments in Philippine Law
Learn when a record on appeal is required in Philippine civil procedure, and why missing this step can cost you your appeal.
Procedural Deadlines Matter: Why Second Extension Motions Can Sink Your Appeal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a second motion for extension to file an appeal can be fatal, and what litigants must know about Rule 42 deadlines.
Enforcing Time Limits: Carrier Liability Hinges on Timely Notice of Cargo Damage
Timely written notice of cargo damage is a condition precedent to suing a carrier. The Supreme Court explains why in Federal Express v. American Home Assurance.
Second Chances Denied: The High Cost of Procedural Missteps in Philippine Litigation
A Supreme Court ruling shows why "honest mistake" rarely justifies a new trial—and why procedural deadlines and rules are strictly enforced.
Judicial Accountability in Unlawful Detainer Cases: The Montemayor Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's delay in an ejectment case underscores the strict timelines and impartiality required of Philippine courts.
15-Day Deadline for Appealing HLURB Decisions to the Office of the President
Learn the strict 15-day appeal period for HLURB decisions to the Office of the President, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Maxima Realty.
Attorney Sanctioned for Neglecting Client’s Appeal: Lessons in Diligence
A lawyer who failed to file an appellant’s brief was suspended for six months. Learn the ethical rules that every Philippine attorney must follow.
When Contractors Overstate Work: COA's Audit Power and Quantum Meruit in Government Projects
The Supreme Court affirms COA's power to determine actual work accomplished and recover overpayments from government contractors under quantum meruit.
Retroactivity of Remedial Laws: Clarifying the Period for Filing Certiorari Petitions
The Supreme Court clarifies when the 60-day period for filing certiorari petitions is counted, applying amended procedural rules retroactively.
Challenging Local Tax Ordinances: The 30-Day Appeal Rule Under Section 187
Taxpayers must appeal to the Secretary of Justice within 30 days of a local tax ordinance's effectivity or lose the right to challenge it in court.
Upholding Ejectment: The Finality of Judgments and Timeliness in Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms ejectment, stressing that a late motion for reconsideration fails to stop a judgment from becoming final and executory.
Relief From Judgment Confined to Trial Courts, Not Extended to Court of Appeals
Supreme Court clarifies that relief from judgment under Rule 38 applies only to trial courts, not the Court of Appeals.