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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Correcting Typographical Errors Valid Execution Despite Misstated Property Address
A typographical error in a judgment's dispositive portion does not render it defective or unenforceable. The Supreme Court explains how courts may correct such errors.
Property Rights in Void Marriages: Due Process in Asset Partitioning
The Supreme Court clarifies that partition of property in void marriages requires full hearing and due process, not hasty execution.
Qualified Theft vs Estafa: Defining the Boundaries of Employee Misappropriation
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's misappropriation is qualified theft, not estafa, based on the nature of possession.
When a Dishonored Check Cannot Be Theft: The Impossible Crime Doctrine in the Philippines
Can a worthless check be the object of theft? The Supreme Court explains the impossible crime doctrine and why intent alone is not enough.
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.
Party List Representation: Guaranteeing Seats While Balancing Proportionality
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on party-list seat allocation in Philippine elections, balancing guaranteed seats with proportional representation.
Delegation of Search Warrant Endorsement: Balancing Efficiency and Safeguards in Criminal Investigations
The Supreme Court amends rules to allow law enforcement heads to delegate search warrant endorsements, balancing efficiency with judicial safeguards.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Testimony of Child Victims in Philippine Law
A look at People v. Obero, where the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction, affirming how courts assess a child victim's testimony and the finality of judgments.
Philippine Airlines and the MCIT: Franchise Tax Exemptions Under PD 1590 Explained
The Supreme Court ruled PAL is exempt from the minimum corporate income tax under its franchise. Learn the reasoning.
Union Dues and Tuition Fee Hises: Protecting Faculty Benefits Under the Law
Supreme Court clarifies union dues on tuition-fee-funded faculty benefits, protecting mandatory allocations from negotiation fees.
Probationary Employment Security of Tenure and Due Process Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that probationary employees in the civil service enjoy security of tenure and due process rights, and cannot be dismissed at will.
Irrevocable Tax Options: Understanding the Finality of Choosing Between Tax Credit and Refund
Philippine Airlines' Supreme Court win clarifies when tax options become irrevocable and how franchise tax exemptions work.
Judicial Misconduct: When a Judge Borrows From Lawyers and Erodes Impartiality
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for borrowing money from a lawyer with cases pending before her court, underscoring judicial integrity.
Brokerage Obligations Accounting FOR Stock Certificates AND Exchange Liabilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies stockbroker duties: accounting for missing certificates, PSE's right to sell pledged seats, and client refunds.
Mootness in Philippine Law: Resignation Resolves Appointment Dispute
Explore how the Supreme Court applies the mootness doctrine in Philippine administrative law, using a resignation case to illustrate key principles.
Robbery with Homicide in the Philippines: How Conspiracy Expands Criminal Liability
In People v. Musa, the Supreme Court held that all conspirators in a robbery are liable for robbery with homicide even if they did not take part in the killing.
Breach of Trust as a Valid Ground for Dismissal in Employee Misconduct Cases
When can an employer validly dismiss an employee for loss of trust and confidence? The Supreme Court explains the rules in this labor case.
Loss of Redemption Rights: Inheriting Property After Mortgage Foreclosure in the Philippines
When a mortgaged property is foreclosed and not redeemed, heirs lose inheritance rights. The Supreme Court explains why.
Double Titling Risk: How Courts Balance Finality and Preventing Land Ownership Errors
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts balance finality of judgments against preventing double titling and land ownership errors.
When Banks Must Answer: BSP Decisions Appealable to Court of Appeals
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that BSP Monetary Board decisions on bank administrative complaints may be appealed to the Court of Appeals.
Avoiding Double Jeopardy Distinct Offenses Arising From A Single ACT
The Supreme Court clarifies when a civil case can suspend criminal proceedings, and why rescission of a contract does not defeat a BP 22 prosecution.
HLURB's Primary Jurisdiction Over Real Estate Disputes Involving Unsound Practices
When does the HLURB have exclusive jurisdiction over real estate disputes? The Supreme Court clarifies in Tri-Corp v. Greystone.
Reconstitution of Title in the Philippines: Strict Compliance and Proof of Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court explains strict requirements for judicial reconstitution of lost Torrens titles, including notice rules and proof of ownership.
Limits of Search Warrants: Illegal Seizure of Unspecified Items During Drug Raids
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seizing items not specified in a search warrant during drug raids violates constitutional rights and may be inadmissible.