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.
The Duty of Disclosure: Honesty in Seafarer Employment Contracts
A Supreme Court ruling on how concealing a pre-existing illness in a seafarer's PEME can bar disability claims, even when the 3-day reporting rule is excused.
When Can the Ombudsman Issue Preventive Suspension: Safeguarding Public Trust
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of the Ombudsman's preventive suspension power and when courts may intervene to protect public officials.
Dishonesty in Public Office: The Imperative of Truthful Asset Disclosure
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when SALN misdeclarations constitute dishonesty, not grave misconduct, and the importance of truthful disclosure.
Duty to Disclose Accrued Interest in SALNs and the Limits of Administrative Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that public officials must declare accrued interest on time deposits in their SALNs, but penalties consider good faith.
Surety Bond Accreditation: NLRC’s Duty to Dismiss Appeals with Invalid Bonds
When a surety bond is invalid due to expired accreditation, the NLRC must dismiss the appeal. Learn the rule from a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
Love OR LAW Intentions Behind Marriages AND Legal Validity
Philippine Supreme Court rules that marriage for citizenship or money is valid if consent is real, distinguishing motive from lack of consent.
Upholding Client Loyalty Disciplinary Action FOR Attorneys Representing Conflicting Interests IN THE Philippin
A lawyer cannot represent opposing clients even in unrelated cases. The Supreme Court explains the rule on conflicting interests and its consequences.
Probationary Employment: Employers Must Disclose Regularization Standards
Employers must inform probationary employees of regularization standards at engagement or risk them being deemed regular employees from day one.
The Testimony of a Minor as Sufficient Proof in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a minor's credible testimony alone can prove statutory rape, even without medical evidence of injury.
The Writ of Amparo and Enforced Disappearances: Accountability Beyond Criminal Guilt
The Supreme Court clarifies the writ of amparo's preventive and curative roles in enforced disappearance cases, emphasizing the duty to investigate.
Redemption Rights Upheld: SSS Bound by Repurchase Agreement Despite Procedural Lapses
Supreme Court rules SSS must honor deed of conditional sale for foreclosed property, despite expired redemption period and internal procedural lapses.
Upholding Client Confidentiality When Prior Representation Bars Subsequent Claims
A lawyer who sued a former client for a new client violated the duty against conflicting interests, earning a one-year suspension.
Navigating Philippine Bank Secrecy Laws When Foreign Currency Deposits Can Be Disclosed
The Supreme Court clarifies when foreign currency deposits may be examined under Philippine law, and the limits of bank secrecy.
Honesty in Judicial Applications: Why Full Disclosure Matters
The Supreme Court reminds lawyers that candor and honesty in judicial applications are ethical duties, not optional courtesies.
Confidentiality Rules for Court Personnel: Lessons from a Legal Researcher's Misconduct Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when court personnel breach confidentiality and why even "harmless" disclosures to litigants constitute misconduct.
Reimbursement Rights When a Payor Can Recover Debt Paid on Another's Behalf
When can a co-maker recover payment made on a debtor's loan? The Supreme Court explains Article 1236 reimbursement rules.
Compromise Agreements: When Can a Court Modify a Final Judgment
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a judgment by compromise can be modified, and why finality usually prevails.
Transparency in Elections: The Right to Review Source Codes for Automated Election Systems
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC must make AES source codes available for independent review under R.A. 9369.
Good Faith in Profit-Sharing Agreements: Lessons from Silverio v. Almeda
When a land sale includes a profit-sharing clause, the seller must act in good faith and disclose all resale details to the buyer.
Probationary Employment: Employers Must Inform Workers of Regularization Standards
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employment: employers must inform workers of regularization standards at the start of engagement.
Speedy Trial Rights When Agreement Nullifies Delay In Securities Act Cases
Supreme Court ruling on when an accused's agreement to defer trial negates claims of speedy trial violation in securities cases.
Navigating the Boundaries of Forum Shopping: Ensuring Integrity in Legal Advocacy
A lawyer's filing of two annulment cases raises forum shopping questions. The Supreme Court clarifies the rule and its limits.
Certification Against Forum Shopping: The High Cost of Non-Disclosure
Failure to disclose a related case in a certification against forum shopping can lead to indirect contempt. Learn from this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Honesty Matters: Dismissal for False Statements in Government Job Applications
The Supreme Court ruled that false declarations in a Personal Data Sheet constitute dishonesty and falsification, warranting dismissal from government service.