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.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: Value at Time of Taking, Not Later
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation in eminent domain is fixed at the time of taking, not years later.
Exhaustion NOT Required When Courts CAN Hear Cases Despite Unfinished Agency Review
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may take cases even if administrative remedies are not yet exhausted, with practical guidance.
Incestuous Rape: Why Courts Trust Child Victims' Testimony in Parental Abuse Cases
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on child victims' credible testimony, explaining why intact hymen and minor inconsistencies don't defeat prosecution.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Integrity of Evidence Matters for Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over police failure to follow Section 21, RA 9165 chain of custody rules.
Perfected Contract of Sale: When Ownership Trumps Title Reservation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a sale is perfected despite a title reservation clause in the invoice, and why buyers must pay.
Invalid Retrenchment: Bad Faith Termination and Employee Rights to Reinstatement and Backwages
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on invalid retrenchment, bad faith termination, and employee rights to reinstatement with full backwages.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies kidnapping for ransom elements, penalties, and damages in People v. Con-ui.
Closure Due to Serious Losses: When Separation Pay Is Not Required
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when business closure due to serious losses exempts employers from separation pay, but still requires proper notice.
When a Company Car Plan Lacks Terms: Refund of Employee Payments Explained
Philippine Supreme Court rules on employee car plan refunds when no forfeiture terms exist, citing unjust enrichment principles.
Breach of Contract vs Loan Obligations: Independent Liabilities in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a debtor's separate contract breach does not extinguish loan obligations to a creditor.
Upholding Integrity Notarial Duty AND Consequences OF Falsification
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens title indefeasibility, one-year bar to annulment, and reconveyance prescription periods explained.
Kidnapping for Ransom: How Conspiracy and Flight Establish Criminal Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy liability, and damages in People v. Niegas.
Mutuality of Contracts When Banks Unilaterally Impose Interest Rates
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when banks cannot unilaterally impose interest rates, and the legal interest that applies.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: What Judges Must Prove to Return to the Bench
Philippine Supreme Court denies former judge's plea for judicial clemency, clarifying the strict requirements for reformation and remorse.
Employer's Duty to Recall Employees After Six-Month Suspension of Operations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a bona fide suspension of business operations beyond six months makes employee termination illegal unless workers are recalled.
Common Carriers vs Arrastre Operators: Who Bears Liability for Cargo Damage?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a common carrier's custody of cargo ends and an arrastre operator's begins, and when customs brokers become common carriers.
Retention Rights Under Agrarian Reform: Limits for Landowners With Other Agricultural Holdings
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when landowners with other agricultural lands lose retention rights over tenanted rice lands under LOI 474.
Backwages and Separation Pay: When the Employment Relationship Ends After Illegal Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how backwages and separation pay are computed when an illegally dismissed employee is no longer reinstated.
Attorney Suspended for Mismanaging Client Funds and Neglecting Land Registration Case
Philippine Supreme Court suspends lawyer for one year for failing to account for client funds and neglecting a land registration case.
Protecting Child Victims of Sexual Abuse: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A father's conviction for rape and sexual abuse of his 12-year-old daughter affirmed by the Supreme Court, clarifying legal standards.
Illegal Delivery vs Illegal Possession: Key Distinctions in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the difference between illegal delivery and illegal possession of dangerous drugs under RA 9165.
Cultivation vs Tenancy: Consent and Harvest Sharing in Agricultural Land Redemption
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that mere cultivation does not create tenancy; landowner consent and harvest sharing must be proven for redemption rights.
Parental Authority vs Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, moral ascendancy, and the weight of a victim's credible testimony in criminal cases.
Cessation of Aggression Imperative for Valid Self-Defense Claims in Parricide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that self-defense fails once unlawful aggression ceases, as in this parricide conviction.