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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Parent Convicted of Qualified Rape of Minor Daughter: Supreme Court Affirms
Supreme Court affirms conviction of father for qualified rape of his minor daughter, reducing death penalty to reclusion perpetua under RA 9346.
Due Process for Casual Employees: Security of Tenure in Philippine Civil Service
The Supreme Court clarifies that casual government employees enjoy security of tenure and cannot be dismissed without cause and due process.
Sandiganbayan Justices' Collegiality Breach: Administrative Liability Explained
Supreme Court holds Sandiganbayan justices liable for simple misconduct and unbecoming conduct for breaching collegiality in provincial hearings.
Dinagat Islands Case: Supreme Court on Province Creation Requirements
The Supreme Court's Dinagat Islands ruling clarifies the constitutional and statutory requirements for creating a new province in the Philippines.
Breach of Public Trust: Why Appearances Matter in Philippine Civil Service
The Supreme Court's ruling in Republic v. Sandiganbayan clarifies how public officers can be held liable for breach of public trust, even through corporate vehicles.
Who Owns the Shares When Public Funds and Private Interests Collide in San Miguel Corporation
The Supreme Court resolves who owns sequestered SMC shares bought with coconut levy funds—the registered owners or the coconut farmers.
Lost Land Title Petitions: Court Limits, Due Diligence, and Protecting Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle petitions for new owner's duplicate titles, including jurisdictional limits, due diligence duties, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Loss of Trust and Confidence: When Philippine Employers Can Validly Dismiss Employees
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissal and who counts as managerial staff.
Probationary Employment in the Philippines: Standards for Regularization and Illegal Dismissal
A general manager dismissed during probation won his illegal dismissal case because his employer failed to set reasonable standards for regularization.
Navigating Right of Way Disputes in the Philippines: When Convenience Doesn't Equal Necessity
Philippine law on easements of right of way requires real necessity, not mere convenience. Learn from the Dichoso v. Marcos case.
Certiorari and Evidence: Court of Appeals Can Receive New Proof in Special Civil Actions
When may the Court of Appeals admit new evidence in a certiorari case? The Supreme Court clarifies in this foreclosure dispute.
Conjugal Property and a Spouse's Debts: What the Dewara Case Teaches
Learn when conjugal property can be used to pay one spouse's debts, fines, or indemnities under Philippine law.
Death Benefits AND Contractual Limits Seafarers Rights Under Philippine LAW
Preliminary Injunctions in Philippine Corporate Disputes: Safeguarding Rights Pending Litigation
Learn how the Supreme Court applies preliminary injunction rules in corporate disputes, protecting shareholder rights while cases remain pending.
Ensuring Chain of Custody Key to Drug Case Convictions in the Philippines
Learn how the chain of custody rule affects drug case convictions in the Philippines, explained in plain language for everyday readers.
Broken Chains, Broken Cases: Why Chain of Custody Is King in Philippine Drug Offenses
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over a broken chain of custody, underscoring the prosecution's burden to prove the drug's identity beyond doubt.
Prior Physical Possession Is Key in Forcible Entry Cases: Abad v. Farrales
Learn why prior physical possession, not ownership, decides forcible entry cases under Philippine law, based on Abad v. Farrales.
Partnership vs. Loan in the Philippines: Profit-Sharing Terms Still Bind
Philippine courts look beyond contract labels to determine if a deal is a partnership or loan—but agreed profit-sharing terms remain enforceable either way.
Managerial Employees and Overtime Pay in the Philippines: The Clientlogic Case
Who counts as a managerial employee exempt from overtime pay? The Supreme Court's Clientlogic ruling clarifies the test.
Void Government Contracts THE Necessity OF Fund Certification
The Supreme Court rules on void government contracts and the indispensable requirement of fund certification for their validity.
Fatal Flaws in Forum Shopping Certification: NHA v. Roxas and Rule 46 Compliance
A procedural misstep in certiorari petitions—missing certified true copies—can be fatal. The Supreme Court clarifies the rules in NHA v. Roxas.
When Dust Settles Lawsuits Rise Understanding Neighbor Disputes and Damages from Construction in the Philippin
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction dust and debris entitle a neighbor to damages, distinguishing moral from nominal damages.
Attorneys Neglect Duty TO Client Despite Personal Sentiments
Personal feelings do not excuse lawyer negligence. The Court fined a counsel for failing to reconstitute and return client records.