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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Navigating the Consequences of Corruption: Administrative Liability in the Judiciary
A Court of Appeals employee's role in case-fixing leads to dismissal and forfeiture of benefits, clarifying administrative liability rules.
Property Transactions and Novation: Lessons from East West Banking v. Cruz
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bank—or any party—can sue, and why choosing the wrong appeal can end a case.
Company Practice and Holiday Pay: Lessons from Nippon Paint Philippines v. NIPPEA
When does a two-year payroll grant become a company practice employers cannot withdraw? The Supreme Court explains in Nippon Paint.
Crossed Checks as Proof of Debt: A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled that crossed checks issued to a named payee are strong evidence of debt, reversing the Court of Appeals.
Regular vs. Fixed-Term Employment: Key Lessons from Site for Eyes v. Daming
The Supreme Court ruled that repeated fixed-term contracts cannot defeat regular employment status. Learn the key lessons from this landmark case.
Forum Shopping in Tax Appeals: When Multiple Petitions Lead to Dismissal
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on forum shopping in tax appeals, and why only one of two CIR petitions was dismissed.
HLURB Decisions in Homeowners’ Association Disputes: Appeal to the CA, Not the OP
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that HLURB decisions on intra-association disputes must be appealed directly to the Court of Appeals, not the Office of the President.
Contractual Obligations and Appeal Timeliness: Salendab v. Dela Peña
A look at Salendab v. Dela Peña on the binding force of contracts and the strict rules on appeal periods under Philippine procedure.
Local Business Tax Situs and Jurisdiction: Lessons from the Villanueva v. STEAG Case
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified local business tax situs and why appeals in local tax cases must go to the CTA, not the CA.
Execution Pending Appeal in Maritime Contracts: Dredging Duties and Financial Credits
Supreme Court clarifies when execution pending appeal is valid in maritime disputes, distinguishing dredging obligations from monetary awards.
Libel in Media: When News Reporting Crosses Legal Boundaries
The Supreme Court clarifies when news reports become libelous and why denying a motion to quash is not appealable via certiorari.
Dismissals With Prejudice and the Right to Appeal: Lessons from Heirs of Jose Malit, Sr. v. Heirs of Jesus Mal
The Supreme Court clarifies when a dismissal bars refiling and why appeal—not certiorari—is the proper remedy.
Strict Timelines for Appealing COA Decisions: A Guide for Public Officials
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld strict COA appeal deadlines in Paguio v. COA, and what public officials must know about finality and disallowance liability.
Quasi-Delict Liability After a Vehicular Accident: Lessons from Laza v. Standard Insurance
The Supreme Court clarifies when a driver is negligent in a collision, the rules on vicarious liability, and what it takes to overturn factual findings on appeal.
Navigating Tax Assessments: The Importance of Timely Appeals in the Philippines
Learn why timing matters in Philippine tax disputes and how missing an appeal deadline can forfeit a taxpayer's right to challenge an assessment.
Understanding the Timely Filing of Appeals: A Crucial Lesson From Philippine Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies the 30-day appeal period in tax disputes, using a land dispute analogy to explain finality and jurisdiction.
Mastering the Appeal Period: How to Navigate Voluntary Arbitrator Decisions in the Philippines
Learn the correct appeal period for voluntary arbitrator decisions in the Philippines, clarified by the Supreme Court in DORELCO Employees Union v. DORELCO.
Voluntary Arbitrator Appeals: The 15-Day Rule After Reconsideration
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the appeal period for voluntary arbitrator decisions—15 days after denial of reconsideration, not 10.
Judicial Stability and Forum Shopping: Lessons from a Landmark COA Disallowance Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies appeal periods in COA disallowance cases and the binding effect of corporate board resolutions on subsidiaries.
Supreme Court: Direct Petitions to SC Violate Hierarchy of Courts Rule
SC dismisses Palafox petition for bypassing Court of Appeals, reaffirming strict rule on hierarchy of courts in Philippine litigation.
Reassignment Orders and Insubordination: What Public Employees Must Know
Public employees must comply with reassignment orders even while appeals are pending. The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of insubordination.
Understanding Finality of Audit Decisions: A Guide to Timely Appeals in Philippine Government Audits
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld COA's dismissal of PhilHealth's belated appeal, and why strict deadlines matter in government audit cases.
Tax Exemption Challenges and the CTA's Exclusive Jurisdiction Over BIR Issuances
Learn why the Court of Tax Appeals, not regional trial courts, has exclusive jurisdiction over tax exemption cases and BIR revenue issuances.
Understanding the Limits of Garnishment in Tax Collection: Insights From the Philippine Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies that impeachment only removes an official from office, not forfeits retirement benefits without judicial conviction.