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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Love OR LAW Intentions Behind Marriages AND Legal Validity
Philippine Supreme Court rules that marriage for citizenship or money is valid if consent is real, distinguishing motive from lack of consent.
Substantiate Tax Refund Claims with Withholding Tax Certificates: Key Lessons from CIR v. TeaM Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the substantiation requirements for tax refund claims, focusing on the evidentiary value of creditable withholding tax certificates.
Prescription and Void Titles: When Real Property Actions Do Not Prescribe
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when actions to declare void titles prescribe, and why quieting title actions may not be time-barred.
Breach of Contract in Sales: Who Bears Liability for Non-Delivery and Refused Goods
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies liability when a buyer refuses delivery and a seller fails to deliver, with damages computed.
Victim Credibility in Rape Cases: Delay in Reporting and Lack of Medical Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a rape victim's testimony alone can sustain a conviction, even with delayed reporting and no medical evidence.
Breach of Contract and Good Faith in Security Service Agreements: Adriano v. Lasala
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unlawful termination of security service contracts, bad faith, and damages under Civil Code.
Contract to Sell: Full Compliance Required Before Buyer Can Demand Deed of Sale
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that buyers under a contract to sell must fulfill all obligations—not just the purchase price—before demanding a deed of sale.
Contract to Sell: Full Compliance Required Before Seller Must Convey Property
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that buyers under a contract to sell must fully comply with all obligations—not just payment—before demanding a deed of sale.
Tax Exemption vs Assessment: Understanding Payment Under Protest in Real Property Tax Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that claiming tax exemption does not excuse payment under protest before appealing a real property tax assessment.
Breach of Trust Justifying Dismissal for Supervisors in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when supervisors may be validly dismissed for loss of trust and confidence, applying the totality of infractions rule.
When Rape Absorbs Forcible Abduction: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court explains when forcible abduction is absorbed by rape, and why the sweetheart defense failed in this case.
Credibility of Rape Victim Testimony Overcoming Recantations and Delay in Reporting
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a rape victim's credible testimony prevails despite delayed reporting and claims of consent.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Intimidation Overcomes Lack of Physical Resistance
Philippine Supreme Court rules that intimidation, not physical resistance, is key in rape cases, upholding a conviction based on a knife threat.
Secretary's Certificate as Proof of Corporate Authority in Philippine Litigation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a secretary's certificate suffices to prove corporate authority to file pleadings, and the duties of plaintiffs in pre-trial.
Simulated Contracts Ownership Rights and Intent in Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on simulated property sales, trust agreements, and ownership rights when intent is to circumvent banking laws.
When Can an Appellee Raise New Issues on Appeal? The Villa Corazon Rule
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the scope of appellate review and when an appellee may raise new issues without filing a cross-appeal.
The Limits of an Appellee’s Role: When Courts Cannot Raise New Issues on Appeal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that appellees cannot raise new issues on appeal without filing their own appeal, reversing the Court of Appeals.
Upholding Arbitration Agreements When Courts Must Defer TO Contractual Dispute Resolution
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts must defer to arbitration agreements and the limits of judicial intervention in contractual disputes.
When Insurance Exclusions Cover Damage But Not Loss: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court rules that "malicious damage" exclusion in insurance policies does not cover theft or loss of a vehicle.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict chain of custody rules for drug evidence under RA 9165, requiring police compliance and integrity preservation.
Illegal Dismissal Claims and the 60-Day Rule for Certiorari Petitions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may extend the 60-day period to file certiorari petitions, and discusses forced resignation in illegal dismissal cases.
Flexibility in Certiorari Petitions: Courts May Still Grant Extensions Despite Procedural Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that courts retain discretion to extend the 60-day period for certiorari petitions despite A.M. No. 07-7-12-SC.
VAT Refund Claims: Strict Compliance with Invoicing Requirements Required
Philippine Supreme Court rules strict compliance with VAT invoicing requirements is mandatory for input VAT refund claims on zero-rated sales.
Res Judicata Bars Repeated Litigation Over Same Land Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how res judicata prevents endless litigation over the same property and title.