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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Party List Registration: What the Supreme Court Requires of Sectoral Organizations
The Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for party-list registration, emphasizing that organizations must genuinely represent marginalized sectors and cannot make untruthful claims.
Carnapping Penalties: The Critical Importance of Allegations in the Information
In Andres v. People, the Supreme Court lowered a carnapping penalty because the Information failed to allege the qualifying circumstances proven at trial.
Union Security Clauses Balancing Workers Rights AND Collective Bargaining Agreements
Warrant of Arrest Stands: Court Power Prevails Over DOJ Review
Supreme Court rules a judge's exclusive power to issue warrants of arrest cannot be suspended by a pending DOJ petition for review.
Family Home Exemption in the Philippines: Limits on Execution and the Duty to Prove Claims
A Supreme Court ruling shows that the family home exemption from levy is not automatic—the person claiming it must substantiate that the property is still a family home.
Loss of Trust When Employee Criticism Doesnt Justify Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court rules that loss of trust and confidence requires willful breach, not mere criticism or suspicion.
Judicial Accountability: The Consequences of Undue Delay in Case Resolution
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a trial court's disregard of the Rules of Court on promulgation of judgment led to the annulment of an acquittal and a judicial investigation.
Judicial Accountability: Judges and Court Personnel Liable for Negligence in Bail Bond Processing
Supreme Court holds judge and clerk of court liable for gross neglect in approving bail without required documents, imposing fines on retirement benefits.
Dishonored Checks and Unpaid Debts: Why a Civil Case Does Not Always Stop a Criminal Charge
A civil collection suit does not automatically suspend a criminal case for violation of B.P. Blg. 22. The Supreme Court explains when a prejudicial question exists.
Protecting Children: Defining and Punishing Child Abuse Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual abuse of a minor falls under RA 7610 and how courts determine the true nature of the crime charged.
Redemption Rights Strict Tender Of Full Payment Required In Foreclosure Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strict tender of full payment for property redemption after extrajudicial foreclosure.
Partition Disputes: The Mandatory Role of Commissioners in Property Division
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts must appoint commissioners to divide property in partition disputes, and the limits of the parol evidence rule.
Illegal Dismissal: Proving Valid Cause and the Right to Reinstatement and Backwages
Learn the rules on illegal dismissal, valid cause, and the employee's right to reinstatement and backwages from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
Civil Liability Despite Acquittal: Quasi-Contracts and Unjust Enrichment in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when an acquittal in a criminal case does not erase civil liability, citing quasi-contracts and solutio indebiti.
Falsification vs Misappropriation: When Paper Renewal Justifies Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a salesman's "paper renewal" amounts to falsification warranting dismissal, and when it does not.
Tax Evasion vs Deficiency: When Criminal Charges Can Proceed Without Prior Assessment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the BIR can file criminal tax evasion charges without a prior formal assessment, distinguishing deficiency assessments from criminal prosecution.
Untimely Appeal Delivery to Courier Not Considered Filing Date in Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that in labor appeals, delivery to a private courier does not count as filing; only actual receipt by NLRC matters.
Joint Adoption Requirement for Married Couples Under Philippine Law
Philippine law requires married couples to adopt jointly. Learn the rule, its exceptions, and why a spouse's mere consent is not enough.
Delivery in Sales Contracts: Ownership vs Possession and Prescription Periods
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that mere possession transfer isn't?
Actual Malice and Media Responsibility in Reporting on Public Figures
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that public figures must prove actual malice to claim damages for false news reports.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding Convictions in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for nine counts of statutory rape against his young daughters, clarifying evidentiary rules.
Chain of Custody Imperative Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
Why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect when police failed to follow Section 21 chain of custody rules under RA 9165.
When Lawyers Draft Illegal Lease Contracts: The Hontanosas Case on Foreign Land Leases
A lawyer who drafts and notarizes lease contracts exceeding legal limits for aliens faces suspension, as the Supreme Court ruled in Kupers v. Hontanosas.
Sellers Obligation Delivering Titles Despite Encumbrances IN Philippine Property LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on subdivision sellers' duty to deliver clean titles despite encumbrances, and buyer remedies.