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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Continuing Surety Agreements: When a Surety Stays Liable Despite Principal Default
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on continuing surety agreements and a surety's joint and several liability despite the principal debtor's default.
Surety Still Liable: Insolvency of Principal Debtor Does Not Extinguish Surety's Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a surety remains liable even if the principal debtor is declared insolvent. Learn the key principles from Gateway Electronics v. Asianbank.
Contractual Obligations Prevail: Surety Liable Despite Principal Debtor's Insolvency
Supreme Court rules surety remains liable for corporate debts even after principal debtor is declared insolvent, upholding solidary obligations.
Independent Contractors vs Regular Employees: Defining the Boundaries of Employer Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal is not the employer of a contractor's workers, and why the regular employment test does not apply in trilateral arrangements.
Accomplice Liability in Homicide: Defining the Scope of Criminal Participation in the Philippines
Understand how Philippine courts define accomplice liability in homicide cases, the rules on criminal participation, and what makes a person an accomplice rather than a principal.
Labor-Only Contracting and Illegal Dismissal: When a Principal Becomes the Employer
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a company becomes the true employer of workers supplied by a contractor, and the consequences of illegal dismissal.
Venue Rules in Personal Actions: Why the Principal Plaintiff's Residence Matters
Supreme Court clarifies venue rules for personal actions, emphasizing the principal plaintiff's residence determines proper venue, not nominal co-plaintiffs.
Solidary Liability in Labor Disputes: When Principals and Contractors Share Responsibility
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal is solidarily liable with an independent contractor for labor claims, and when it is not.
Labor-Only Contracting: When a Principal Becomes the True Employer
Explaining labor-only contracting under Philippine law, and when a principal employer is liable as the true employer of contractor-supplied workers.
Solidary Liability in Labor-Only Contracting: Catholic Vicariate v. Sto. Tomas
Explains when a principal is solidarily liable with contractors for unpaid wages, even without an employer-employee relationship.
Mutuality of Contracts: The Limits of Bank Discretion in Setting Interest Rates
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that unilateral interest rate setting violates mutuality of contracts, but the principal loan obligation remains valid and enforceable.
Surety Bonds and Compromise Judgments: When Payment Is Not Voluntary
A surety's payment under a writ of execution on a compromise judgment is not voluntary; reimbursement from the principal debtor is required.
Surety Bonds and Reimbursement: When Payment Under Compulsion Is Still Collectible
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a surety can recover from the principal debtor after paying a bond under threat of execution.
Forum Shopping and Government Counsel: Land Bank v. Martinez
A look at Land Bank v. Martinez on forum shopping, the OGCC's role as principal counsel for GOCCs, and finality of DARAB decisions.
Accountability Under the Law: Examining Guilt in Robbery With Physical Injuries Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bystander becomes a co-principal in robbery with physical injuries, and the limits of conspiracy.
Solidary vs Ultimate Liability: Protecting Workers' Rights in Contracting Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on solidary liability of principals and contractors under labor contracting arrangements.
Who's the Boss? Determining Employer Liability in Labor-Only Contracting
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a principal employer becomes solidarily liable with a labor-only contractor for workers' claims.
Certification Against Forum Shopping: Why the Principal Party Must Sign and When Courts Relax the Rule
Philippine courts require the principal party to sign the certification against forum shopping. Learn the rule, its exceptions, and practical lessons from Abaigar v. Abaigar.
Surety's Liability Survives Death of Principal Debtor: Stronghold Insurance v. Republic-Asahi
The Supreme Court rules that a surety's solidary liability under a performance bond is not extinguished by the death of the principal debtor.
Unconscionable Interest Rates When Courts Intervene in Surety Bond Disputes
Philippine courts can reduce stipulated interest rates that balloon beyond the principal debt. Learn the rule from a 2006 surety bond case.
Upholding Integrity: Public Officials Held Accountable for Dishonesty and Misconduct
The Supreme Court reinstates the Ombudsman's ruling against a school principal for dishonesty, grave misconduct, and prohibited private practice under R.A. 6713.
Corporate Residence and Venue: Where a Corporation Must Sue
The Supreme Court clarifies that a corporation's residence for venue purposes is its principal office stated in its Articles of Incorporation.
When a Guarantor Pays: Why Principal Debtors Cannot Invoke the Guarantor's Defenses
A guarantor who pays the creditor may seek reimbursement from the principal debtor, who cannot raise the guarantor's own defenses like excussion.
Surety vs Guarantor: Understanding Liability in Loan Agreements Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the key difference between a surety and a guarantor, and why a surety cannot invoke defenses meant for the principal debtor.