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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When Debts Collide: Understanding Legal Compensation in Philippine Contract Law
Learn how Philippine courts apply legal compensation in contract disputes, using the Mavest v. Sampaguita case as a guide.
Dismissal Upheld Despite Prior Termination When Dishonesty Charges Become Moot
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rules on project employment, labor-only contracting, and due process in illegal dismissal cases.
Contract TO Sell VS Contract OF Sale Sacobia Hills Development Corp ON Rescission
Equitable Reduction of Penalties When Courts Can Adjust Contractual Damages in the Philippines
Philippine courts can reduce contractual penalties and liquidated damages when they are unconscionable or when the obligation was partly performed.
Implied Lease Renewal vs. Contractual Obligations: Rivera v. Roman
When does continued possession after a lease expires create an implied renewal? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules in Rivera v. Roman.
Breach of Contract: When Failure to Deliver Justifies Rescission and Damages
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a party's substantial breach of a reciprocal contract entitles the injured party to rescind and claim damages.
Absence of Mutual Agreement Nullifies Sale of Vessels: A Philippine Contract Law Primer
Explore when a contract of sale is void for lack of consent, using a Philippine Supreme Court case as a guide.
Financial Leasing Agreements Are Valid Contracts Despite Lessee Default
Supreme Court affirms that financial leasing agreements are genuine contracts; defaulting lessees remain bound by their terms and obligations.
Lease Agreements Upholding Contractual Grace Periods Despite Payment Restructuring
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how payment restructuring letters affect contractual grace periods in lease agreements.
Death Benefits for Seafarers: When the POEA Contract Does Not Apply
A seafarer's death benefits under the POEA Standard Contract require death during the contract term. Learn the limits from Hermogenes v. OSCO.
When a Civil Case Can Resolve Inheritance and Property Disputes in the Philippines
Learn when Philippine regular courts, not labor arbiters, have jurisdiction over breach of contract and property disputes.
Breach of Contract vs Employer-Employee Dispute: Defining Jurisdiction in Post-Employment Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies when breach of non-compete clauses falls under regular courts, not labor arbiters.
Advance Payments and Government Contracts: Fiscal Responsibility in Infrastructure Projects
Supreme Court ruling on advance payments in government infrastructure contracts and the limits under PD 1594 and PD 1445.
Forced Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Workers' Right to Security of Tenure
A look at Lotte Phil. v. Dela Cruz on labor-only contracting, security of tenure, and the procedural rules on indispensable parties.
Preliminary Injunction vs. Government Bidding: PPA v. Cipres Stevedoring (G.R. No. 145742)
The Supreme Court ruled that courts cannot stop government cargo handling bids, and that a hold-over permit creates no vested right to a contract.
Voidable Contracts When a Husband's Consent Is Crucial in Conjugal Property Sales
When a wife sells conjugal property without her husband's consent, the sale is voidable—but only if he acts to annul it in time.
Unjust Enrichment and Contractual Obligations: Lessons from Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void land sales, down payment refunds, and unjust enrichment in Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen.
Mutuality of Contracts: When One-Sided Termination Clauses in Employment Contracts Are Void
The Supreme Court explains when a termination clause that leaves dismissal to one party's sole judgment violates the mutuality principle under Article 1308 of the Civil Code.
When Contracting Turns Into Employment: Defining the True Employer
Learn how Philippine courts determine the real employer in contracting arrangements and what this means for liability in illegal dismissal cases.
Contract of Sale vs Piece of Work: Subcontractor Rights Under Article 1729
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a supply agreement is a piece of work, giving subcontractors direct claims against project owners.
Upholding Contractual Obligations Enforcing Extrajudicial Settlements AND Eviction
Venue Stipulations in Contracts: Limits on Exclusive Venue Clauses
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when exclusive venue stipulations in contracts apply, and when they cannot restrict access to courts.
Protecting Filipino Workers: Philippine Labor Laws Extend to OFWs Regardless of Contractual Stipulations
Philippine labor laws protect OFWs even when employed abroad. The Supreme Court affirms that contractual stipulations cannot waive these protections.
Agent Liability in Insurance Contracts: The Pandiman Philippines Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when an insurance agent can be held liable for claims, and who bears responsibility for overseas workers' death benefits.