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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Late Certiorari Filing Binds Clients to Counsel's Negligence: Labao v. Flores
Supreme Court rules that a client is bound by counsel's failure to file certiorari on time, stressing strict compliance with reglementary periods.
Immorality in the Workplace: When Personal Conduct Leads to Professional Consequences
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a government employee's extramarital affair constituted disgraceful and immoral conduct, even after resignation.
Finality of Judgments: Understanding Immutability and Exceptions in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the doctrine of finality of judgments and its exceptions in a labor case involving illegal dismissal and retirement.
Seafarers Disability When Standard Contracts Limit Compensation For Illnesses
SC rules basketball injury on board is work-related under the Bunkhouse Rule, entitling seafarer to disability benefits.
Treachery and Attempted Murder: Establishing Intent and Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how treachery qualifies murder and how intent is established in attempted murder cases.
Confessions and Corpus Delicti: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh confessions and corpus delicti to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in murder prosecutions.
When Self-Defense Fails: Unlawful Aggression and Treachery in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a claim of self-defense failed and how treachery qualified a killing as murder.
Upholding Foreclosure Validity: Notice Requirements and Mortgagor Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies posting and publication rules in extrajudicial foreclosure, and when mortgagors are estopped from challenging a sale.
Rape Conviction Affirmed Credibility OF Victims Testimony AND Sufficiency OF Evidence IN Rape Cases
Redemption Rights DBP Foreclosures AND THE Imperative OF Full Debt Repayment
Justice Delayed Judge Fined FOR Undue Delay IN Case Resolution
The Supreme Court fined a retired MTC judge P10,000 for undue delay in resolving cases, reaffirming that justice delayed is justice denied.
Bona Fide Business Closure VS Illegal Dismissal Protecting Workers Rights IN Company Transfers
Trademark Ownership: Prior Use Trumps Earlier Filing in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in trademark disputes, actual prior use in commerce prevails over an earlier filing date under RA 8293.
Invoicing Requirements Strict Compliance for VAT Refund Claims in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court denies VAT refund for failure to comply with invoicing requirements under the NIRC and applicable regulations.
Novation in Philippine Law: Understanding the Requirements for Extinguishing Obligations
Learn how novation extinguishes obligations under Philippine law, its requirements, and how the Supreme Court applies these rules in corporate rehabilitation cases.
Corporate Officers vs Employees: Who Hears Dismissal Cases in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate officer's removal is an intra-corporate dispute, not an illegal dismissal case for labor tribunals.
Buy-Bust Operations and the Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Protecting Rights While Combating Crime
The Supreme Court explains the objective test for buy-bust operations and why chain-of-custody objections must be raised at trial.
Foreshore Land vs Private Property: Clarifying Ownership Rights in Coastal Areas
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on possession, prescription, and jurisdiction in disputes over untitled coastal and ancestral lands.
Unjust Enrichment in Construction Disputes: Establishing Legal Grounds for Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unjust enrichment claims in construction disputes, explaining legal grounds, burden of proof, and practical guidance.
Chain of Custody: Why Drug Sale Convictions Fail Without It
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, underscoring strict compliance with R.A. 9165 procedures.
Corporate Officers and Labor Jurisdiction: Lessons from Locsin v. Nissan Lease
The Supreme Court clarifies that corporate officers cannot claim illegal dismissal before labor tribunals; their removal is an intra-corporate dispute.
Bona Fide Business Closure vs. Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Workers' Rights in Company Transfers
When is a business closure a valid reason for termination? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on bona fide closure versus illegal dismissal.
When a Single Act of Negligence Is Not Enough: Illegal Dismissal and Separation Pay
A Supreme Court ruling explains why one isolated act of negligence may not justify dismissal, and when separation pay is due.
Sheriffs' Duties and Liabilities: Proper Handling of Sheriff's Fees and Liquidation
A sheriff's guide to Section 10, Rule 141: how to handle fees, liquidation, and why shortcuts lead to administrative liability.