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.
Easement Rights Prevail: Right of Way Protection Despite Title Deficiencies in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on easement of right-of-way, actual knowledge, and protection despite unregistered title annotations.
Trust Receipts vs Mortgage: Who Owns the Goods in Philippine Law?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on trust receipts versus chattel mortgages, ownership disputes, and the rights of entrustors over mortgaged goods.
Oral Loan Agreements in the Philippines: When a Verbal Promise Is Legally Binding
Oral loan agreements can be enforceable in the Philippines. Learn the rules, evidence needed, and key Supreme Court ruling on verbal contracts.
Probationary Employment and Employer Prerogative: When Clearance Requirements Justify Non-Regularization
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employment, employer prerogative, and reasonable pre-employment requirements for regularization.
Breach of Trust in Banking: Upholding Employee Dismissal for Fraudulent Acts
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of bank employees for fraud, ruling that bank laxity does not excuse employee misconduct and breach of trust.
Tax Credit Claims: Time Limits and Exceptions for Advance Payments
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tax credit claims for advance income tax payments, and when the two-year prescriptive period may not apply.
Preliminary Injunction Against MMDA Billboards: Protecting Contractual Rights Pending Trial
Supreme Court affirms preliminary injunction stopping MMDA from dismantling MRT 3 billboards, protecting Trackworks' contractual advertising rights pending trial.
Foreclosure Sales and Labor Claims: When Buyers Are Not Liable for a Mortgagor's Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies that a mortgagee-creditor who buys foreclosed assets does not automatically assume the mortgagor's labor liabilities.
When Good Faith Fails: Financing Firm's Foreclosure Voided for Ignoring Occupants' Rights
A financing firm's foreclosure was voided for bad faith because it ignored occupants' notice of a prior unregistered sale. Learn the due diligence rule.
Breach of Trust Accountability for Mismanaged Court Funds in the Philippine Judiciary
When a clerk of court mishandles fiduciary funds, the Supreme Court imposes strict accountability, even after retirement.
Banks' Duty of Care: Liability for Unauthorized Withdrawals and Moral Damages
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on bank liability for unauthorized withdrawals, gross negligence, and awards of moral and exemplary damages.
Contract to Sell vs. Sale: What Buyers Must Know Under Philippine Law
A buyer who stops paying installments in a contract to sell may lose ownership rights. Learn the key differences and protections.
Parol Evidence Rule Bars Verbal Conditions on Written Contracts: Allied Banking v. Cheng Yong
Supreme Court clarifies that clear written contracts cannot be varied by verbal stipulations, applying the parol evidence rule to loan and mortgage agreements.
Mortgage Agreements Defining THE Limits OF A Debtors Liability IN Philippine LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on dragnet clauses in mortgages and their effect on a debtor's liability limit.
When a Response to a Request for Admission Is Not Required: DBP v. Canadalla-Go
The Supreme Court clarifies when a party need not respond to a request for admission and when an unsworn response may be excused.
Bank Negligence and the Duty of Care in Handling Depositor Accounts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on banks' fiduciary duty and liability for unauthorized withdrawals from depositor accounts.
The Perils of Selling Land You Don't Own: Resolving Property Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on adverse claims, constructive notice, and what happens when someone sells or leases property they no longer own.
Succession in Public Office: Enforcing Court Orders Against a Deceased Official's Successor
When a public officer dies, can a court order be enforced against the successor? The Supreme Court clarifies substitution rules.
Agrarian Court Appeals: Petition for Review, Not Ordinary Appeal, Is the Correct Mode
Appeals from Special Agrarian Courts go to the CA by petition for review under RA 6657, not ordinary appeal. The Supreme Court explains why.
Surety Bonds Enforcing Liability Despite Procedural Technicalities
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts may suspend civil cases for prejudicial questions, and how surety obligations remain enforceable.
VAT Refund Claims: Proving Input Tax Payments With Proper Documentation
Tax refund claims fail without proper evidence. Learn the documentation rules from a Supreme Court case on input VAT refunds.
NLRC vs Regular Courts: Where to File Damages Claims in Dismissal Cases
Learn when illegal dismissal damages claims belong to the NLRC labor arbiter, not regular courts, under Article 217 of the Labor Code.
The Ripple Effect: How Prior Court Rulings Bind Future Cases Involving Similar Facts
A Supreme Court ruling on the Pepsi promotion. Although the petitioners were not parties to earlier lawsuits over the same contest, the Court held that their claims were barred by the doctrine of *sta
When Court Funds Are Misused: Accountability of Clerks of Court in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court who used judiciary funds for personal needs, and the consequences of delayed remittances.