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.
Conjugal Property Transfers After the Family Code: When a Spouse's Consent Is Required
The Supreme Court clarifies when a spouse's sale of conjugal property without consent is void or voidable, and the prescriptive period for challenging it.
Judicial Admission Can Prove Lack of Firearm License in Illegal Possession Cases
Supreme Court ruling: an accused's own admission in court can prove lack of a firearm license, without needing a PNP certification.
Trafficking in Persons for Prostitution Is a Crime Even If Intercepted Before Exploitation
Supreme Court clarifies that recruitment for prostitution constitutes trafficking in persons even if the intended exploitation is intercepted.
Attorney Conflicts of Interest: When Dual Representation Violates Client Loyalty
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's dual representation becomes a prohibited conflict of interest under Rule 15.03 of the CPR.
When a Lawyer's Dual Clients Create a Conflict of Interest: Lessons from Marcelo-Salud v. Bolivar
A lawyer who represents tenants while also serving as counsel to the alleged property owner may face discipline for conflicting interests, even if the main complaint fails.
Land Registration Reopened: New Evidence and RA 11573 Can Overcome Res Judicata
The Supreme Court allows previously denied land registration applications to proceed under RA 11573, easing proof requirements and overcoming res judicata.
Conditional Donations: Substantial Compliance and Donor Intent in Land Donations
Supreme Court clarifies that substantial compliance with a donation's primary purpose, not perfect performance, governs conditional land donations.
Tax Liens vs Judgment Credits: Priority Disputes in Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on when a tax lien beats a judgment creditor's levy on real property under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Co-Ownership vs. Partition: Clarifying Property Rights in the Philippines
A co-owner may sell only his undivided share; buyers become co-owners, and the proper remedy is partition, not annulment.
Contractor or Employer: Defining the Boundaries of Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is a legitimate job contractor rather than a labor-only contractor, and who is the true employer.
Lawyer Accountability: Why Financial Management and Client Service Matter in Court
A Supreme Court ruling on misappropriated court funds shows why lawyers and court personnel must uphold strict financial management and client service standards.
Lawyer Disbarred for Misconduct in Property Transactions: Lessons from BASECO Case
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for failing to account for client funds and neglecting property titling work, highlighting ethical duties in Philippine property law practice.
Naturalization in the Philippines: Strict Compliance Required, Even for Refugees
Philippine naturalization demands strict compliance with all legal requirements, as shown by a recent Supreme Court ruling denying a refugee's citizenship application.
Proving Foreign Law in Philippine Courts: Divorce Recognition After Rivera v. Woo Namsun
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence is needed to prove a foreign divorce decree and foreign law in Philippine courts.
When Can the State Reclaim Private Land? The Rule on Reversion Proceedings
The Supreme Court clarifies the heavy burden the State must overcome to revert titled private land to public domain.
Double Titling in the Philippines: How to Protect Your Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle double titling disputes and what property owners can do to protect their rights and avoid legal conflicts.
Power Lines and Public Lands: Supreme Court Clarifies Easements and Just Compensation
The Supreme Court ruled that power lines fall under "similar works" in the Public Land Act, allowing easements on free patent lands with compensation rules.
Understanding Judicial Reconstitution of Torrens Titles in the Philippines: Key Insights From a Landmark Case
Learn how Philippine courts handle judicial reconstitution of lost or destroyed Torrens titles, with insights from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Can Heirs Challenge a Sale of Conjugal Property Made Without Spousal Consent?
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a sale of conjugal property without spousal consent is voidable, and who may challenge it.
Employee Dismissal in the Philippines: Due Process and Substantial Evidence Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employers must prove just cause with substantial evidence and follow procedural due process when dismissing employees.
Lawyer Suspended for Borrowing from Client: Anacay v. Alberto Explained
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for two years for borrowing money from a client without protecting the client's interests, reaffirming strict fiduciary duties.
Fraud and Writs of Preliminary Attachment: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
When does non-payment of a debt amount to fraud justifying a writ of preliminary attachment? A recent Supreme Court ruling provides clear guidance.
When Can Employers Fire for Loss of Trust? Key Accounts Manager Case Explained
Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissal of a Key Accounts Manager who falsified documents.
Understanding Regular Employment Status and Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a worker becomes a regular employee and what constitutes illegal dismissal, using a truck driver's case.