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.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Proving Work-Related Illness Under the POEA Contract
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's illness is compensable under the POEA Standard Employment Contract and the burden of proof required.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When a Doctor's Assessment Is Not Final
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's disability becomes total and permanent despite a company doctor's partial disability rating.
Free Patents on Private Land: Nullity and the Limits of Torrens Indefeasibility
When a free patent is issued over private land, it is void. The Supreme Court explains why in Alberto v. Flores.
Understanding Jurisdiction in Bank Liquidation: Filing Claims Against Closed Banks in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle claims against closed banks, including the liquidation court's exclusive jurisdiction under RA 7653.
Mortgagee in Good Faith in the Philippines: What Jimenez v. Jimenez, Jr. Means for Property Owners
Learn how the mortgagee in good faith doctrine protects lenders and foreclosure buyers in the Philippines, explained through the Jimenez case.
Reassignment Orders and Insubordination: What Public Employees Must Know
Public employees must comply with reassignment orders even while appeals are pending. The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of insubordination.
Timely Intervention and Jurisdictional Limits in Philippine Estate Proceedings
Learn how the Constantino case clarifies intervention rules and probate court limits in Philippine estate proceedings.
When Can Police Impound Your Vehicle: Unlawful Seizure Explained
Learn when police can legally impound a vehicle in the Philippines and when seizure becomes unlawful, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Navigating Docket Fee Challenges: Ensuring Jurisdiction in Philippine Courts
Learn how the Supreme Court protects the right to speedy disposition of cases and prevents inordinate delay in preliminary investigations.
Resignation vs. Dismissal: Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Employee Rights
The Supreme Court explains when resignation bars an illegal dismissal claim and when procedural due process still matters.
Special Administrators in Estate Cases: Residency Matters More Than Citizenship
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that residency, not citizenship, determines who may serve as special administrator in estate proceedings.
SALN Violations and Perjury: Prescriptive Periods Explained
Learn the prescriptive periods for SALN violations and perjury in the Philippines, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in the Germar case.
Proving Tolerance in Unlawful Detainer: A Landmark Lesson from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proving tolerance in unlawful detainer cases. Learn the key evidence rules for ejectment disputes.
Subrogation and Carrier Liability in Maritime Claims: The C.V. Gaspar Case
How the Supreme Court applied subrogation and extraordinary diligence to hold carriers liable for damaged cargo in maritime transport.
Fiscal Autonomy and Performance-Based Bonuses: The PICCI Case
The Supreme Court ruled that GOCCs with fiscal autonomy, like BSP subsidiaries, are not covered by EO 80's PBB rules.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: Key Insights From a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when seafarers can claim total disability benefits, emphasizing the weight of company-designated physician assessments.
Understanding Qualified Trafficking in Persons: The Helen Lapena Case and Its Impact on Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for qualified trafficking in persons, clarifying how floor managers who maintain minors for prostitution are held liable under RA 9208.
Bank Liability and Depositor Rights: Fiduciary Duties in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms that banks owe depositors extraordinary diligence, and a bank cannot escape liability for its employees' unauthorized acts.
Understanding Freeze Orders Protecting Assets AND Upholding DUE Process IN THE Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts issue freeze orders to protect assets and why due process remains essential in asset preservation cases.
Understanding the Legal Boundaries of Performance Incentives in Government Agencies
Explore how the Supreme Court limits COA's power over final judgments on money claims, ensuring fair compensation for government contractors.
Unlocking Compensation for Government Contracts: The Power of Quantum Meruit in Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts apply quantum meruit to recover unpaid work in government contracts, with key rules and practical guidance.
Understanding the Limits of COA Jurisdiction Over Final Court Judgments in Money Claims Against the Government
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the COA can deny money claims against the government, and when contractors can recover under quantum meruit.
Marriage Nullity and Estate Settlement: Jurisdiction and Standing Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts handle marriage nullity and estate settlement, including who has legal standing to challenge a marriage's validity.
Attorneys' Fees in Estate Recovery: Insights from the Supreme Court's Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies mandatory personal notice to known heirs in probate proceedings and its impact on estate recovery.