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.
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.
Understanding Probable Cause: Judicial vs Executive Determinations in Customs Violations
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between executive and judicial probable cause in customs cases, and when courts may overturn prosecutors' findings.
Understanding Qualified Rape and Child Abuse Penalties in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when rape is qualified, why the penalty was reduced here, and what child abuse requires.
Understanding Refund Obligations for Illegally Disbursed Government Benefits in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when government employees must refund disallowed benefits, applying the Madera rules on return.
Obstruction of Justice and the Lawyer's Duty: De Leon v. Luis
A lawyer's failure to report a client with a standing warrant is not obstruction of justice absent clear intent to harbor or conceal.
Understanding Liability for Just Compensation in Philippine Expropriation Cases: Insights from a Landmark Ruli
When government corporations take over assets, who pays just compensation? The Supreme Court clarifies liability rules in expropriation cases.
Understanding Theft and Possession: Key Insights From a Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court acquits a maintenance head of qualified theft, clarifying that possession must be proven before a theft conviction can stand.
Understanding Corporate Veil Piercing Protecting Employee Rights IN THE Philippines
When can a company be held liable for acts of its retirement fund? The Supreme Court explains corporate veil piercing in employee loan disputes.
Understanding Employee Dismissal for Serious Misconduct in the Philippines: Key Legal Insights
Learn how Philippine courts decide illegal dismissal cases involving serious misconduct, corporate liability, and piercing the corporate veil.
Understanding Arbitration Awards: Finality and Limited Judicial Review in Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts treat arbitration awards—why finality matters, the limits of judicial review, and key takeaways for parties.
Understanding Intent and Chain of Custody in Drug Possession Cases Lessons From a Landmark Philippine Ruling
The Supreme Court acquits a maintenance head of qualified theft, clarifying how intent to gain and possession must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Understanding Lawyer Misconduct: Consequences of Breaching Professional Ethics in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in administrative cases against court employees, explaining the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine.
Understanding Employee Entitlements: The Right to 13th Month Pay for Commission-Based Workers in the Philippin
A clear guide to the 13th month pay rule for commission-based employees, citing the latest Supreme Court interpretation.
Understanding Jurisdiction and Contract Validity in Philippine Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when oral sales of land are valid and enforceable, and how jurisdiction over property disputes is determined.
Understanding the Burden of Proof in Breach of Warranty Cases: Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies bad faith, solidary liability, and the burden of proof in breach of warranty cases involving defective goods.
Understanding Illegal Recruitment and Human Trafficking: Insights From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Cas
The Supreme Court explains the elements of illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons in a case involving a worker bound for Beijing.
Unlocking Inheritance Rights Understanding Illegitimate Childrens Entitlement TO Estate Partition IN THE Phili
The Supreme Court clarifies how illegitimate children inherit from their father's estate and when they can demand partition.
Understanding Estafa in Trust Receipt Transactions: Key Lessons from Barlin v. People
Learn how the Supreme Court applied estafa under Article 315(1)(b) to trust receipt violations, and what businesses should know.
Understanding Penalties and Probation: Key Insights From a Landmark Social Security Fraud Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies penalties for SSS fraud, probation disqualification, and why courts cannot impose outdated sentences.
Understanding Intent in Child Abuse Cases: The Role of Specific Intent in Philippine Law
Philippine law requires specific intent for child abuse convictions. Learn how courts determine criminal intent in these sensitive cases.
Foreign Spouses Can File for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines: The Ambrose Ruling
Foreign spouses married in the Philippines have legal standing to file for nullity of marriage, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Ambrose v. Suque-Ambrose.
Navigating Employee Incentives Understanding THE Limits OF Government Agency Compensation Powers
The Supreme Court affirms COA's disallowance of CNA incentives given to non-rank-and-file SSS employees, clarifying limits on agency compensation powers.
Understanding CNA Benefits: Who Qualifies and the Consequences of Misallocation
The Supreme Court clarifies CNA incentive eligibility and the liability for granting benefits to non-qualified employees.
Understanding Qualified Rape Legal Insights From A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
This article examines a landmark Supreme Court ruling on qualified rape, explaining the legal principles and practical implications.