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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Trade Union Centers Cannot Directly Create Local Chapters: Clarifying Labor Organization Legitimacy
Supreme Court rules trade union centers cannot directly charter local chapters, clarifying registration requirements under Philippine labor law.
Security Deposit Forfeiture and Lease Improvements: The Florentino v. Supervalue Ruling
The Supreme Court limits security deposit forfeiture in lease contracts and clarifies when lessees may claim reimbursement for improvements.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Unbroken Evidence Integrity Matters
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over broken chain of custody, stressing the need to prove the seized drugs' identity beyond reasonable doubt.
Seafarers Rights: Defining Permanent Disability Beyond Medical Assessments
The Supreme Court clarifies when seafarers are deemed permanently disabled under Philippine law, even without a company physician's assessment.
48-Hour Notice Rule in Security Contracts: Rights and Responsibilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 48-hour notice rule in security service contracts and when agencies may be held liable for property loss.
Unprobated Wills vs Registered Titles: Possession Disputes in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how unprobated wills and Torrens titles affect possession disputes in ejectment cases.
Election Offenses and Court Jurisdiction: Defining the Boundaries of Legal Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies which courts have jurisdiction over election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Homicide Cases: Lessons from Lascano v. People
The Supreme Court reaffirms that credible eyewitness identification outweighs alibi and denial in criminal cases, explaining why appellate courts respect trial court credibility findings.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Misuse of Government Funds
Supreme Court ruling on administrative liability of public officers who sign checks for illegal disbursement of government funds.
Eminent Domain vs Land Titles: When Government Delay Fortifies Private Property Rights
Supreme Court ruling on how government delay in paying just compensation and registering expropriated land strengthens private landowners' Torrens titles.
Worthless Checks and Accommodation Liability Under B.P. Blg. 22 Despite Lack of Direct Transaction
The Supreme Court clarifies that issuing a bouncing check—even as an accommodation for another—can still lead to criminal liability under B.P. Blg. 22.
Defective Verification and Forum Shopping Certification: Why Court Petitions Can Be Dismissed
Learn why defective verification and certification of non-forum shopping can lead to dismissal of court petitions, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Auction Sale Perfection and Judicial Discretion: Lessons from Dizon v. Dizon
When is a bid at an auction sale final? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on auction perfection and judicial discretion in Dizon v. Dizon.
Dropped From the Rolls: AWOL Court Employee and Public Service Integrity
The Supreme Court dropped an AWOL court utility worker from the rolls, reaffirming that absenteeism betrays public trust in the judiciary.
Uninterrupted Possession Acquiring Property Rights Through Acquisitive Prescription
Explore how extraordinary acquisitive prescription works under Philippine law, using a Supreme Court ruling on adverse possession.
Accommodation Party Liability: Associated Bank v. Ang on Negotiable Instruments
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Associated Bank v. Ang on accommodation party liability under the Negotiable Instruments Law.
Ejectment Cases and Land Ownership: When Prior Possession Does Not Bar Unlawful Detainer
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, COSLAP jurisdiction, and Torrens title imprescriptibility in Cayabyab v. Gomez de Aquino.
Written Notice of Dishonor Is Essential in B.P. 22 Cases: Bax v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies that oral demands do not suffice—written notice of dishonor is required to convict under the Bouncing Checks Law.
Possession vs Ownership: Resolving Land Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land disputes, possession, accretion, and Torrens title conclusiveness explained in plain language.
Distinguishing Employees From Independent Contractors: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains the control test for distinguishing employees from independent contractors in labor law disputes.
Writ of Possession Ministerial After Foreclosure, But Not Against Non-Parties
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that writ of possession is ministerial after foreclosure consolidation, but cannot oust compulsory heirs who were not parties to the foreclosure.
Treachery and Positive Identification in Violent Crimes: People v. Alabado
How the Supreme Court upheld murder and frustrated murder convictions based on positive identification and treachery in People v. Alabado.
Ejectment and Sublease Violations: Service of Notices and Counsel of Record Rules
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on ejectment, sublease prohibitions, and why notices must be served on counsel of record in Philippine cases.
Writ of Possession Protecting Heirs' Rights in Undivided Estates
Learn how the Supreme Court protects compulsory heirs when a foreclosed property is subject to a writ of possession in an undivided estate.