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.
Judicial Ethics and Impartiality: When a Judge's Errors Become Gross Ignorance of the Law
A judge's hasty grant of reinvestigation and dismissal without notice or hearing amounts to gross ignorance of the law, violating judicial ethics.
Psychological Incapacity and Marital Damages: Reconciling Grounds for Nullity and Liability
Explains why damages cannot be awarded when a spouse's acts stem from psychological incapacity, and how property is divided in void marriages.
Foreclosure Validity: Proper Notice and Publication in Extrajudicial Sales
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies posting and publication requirements for valid extrajudicial foreclosure sales under Act No. 3135.
Bouncing Checks Law: Insufficient Funds and the Necessity of Demand
Understand BP 22's rules on insufficient funds, notice of dishonor, and when demand is truly required.
Letters of Credit and Attorney-in-Fact Duties: Land Bank's Dual Role Explained
Supreme Court clarifies a bank's limited role under letters of credit versus its fiduciary duties as attorney-in-fact in export collections.
When a Recommender Is Not Liable: Civil Liability After an Acquittal in Estafa
Explaining when a person who recommends an investment can be held civilly liable after an acquittal in an estafa case.
Malicious Prosecution: Proving Malice and Lack of Probable Cause in Criminal Complaints
The Supreme Court explains when filing criminal complaints becomes malicious prosecution, requiring proof of both malice and lack of probable cause.
Conspiracy and Overt Acts in Bouncing Check Cases: Ladonga v. People
When can a non-signatory spouse be liable for bouncing checks? The Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy rules under B.P. 22.
Void Marriages and Property Rights: Ownership in Cohabitation After Bigamous Marriage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on property ownership when a marriage is void due to bigamy. Learn the rules on co-ownership and creditor claims.
Expanding Sandiganbayan's Reach: Jurisdiction Over Graft Cases in Government-Owned Corporations
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over officers of government-owned corporations, regardless of how they were created.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over GOCC Subsidiaries: The Alas Doctrine
Explaining People v. Alas: why officers of government-owned corporations incorporated under the Corporation Code fall under Sandiganbayan jurisdiction.
Court Interpreter Dismissed for Misappropriating Fiduciary Funds: A Lesson in Public Trust
Supreme Court dismisses court interpreter for misappropriating P540,500 in fiduciary funds, underscoring strict accountability for court personnel.
Good Faith Payments and Prior Satisfaction as Grounds for Acquittal in BP 22 Cases
Supreme Court acquits corporate officer in BP 22 case where the dishonored check was fully paid two years before charges were filed.
Letters of Credit and Construction Contracts: Defining Liability in Tripartite Agreements
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bank is liable under a tripartite letter of credit agreement in construction financing.
Preliminary Injunctions Preserve Status Quo, Not Final Judgments — Key Rules
Philippine Supreme Court explains why preliminary injunction orders are interlocutory, unappealable, and need not state full facts and law.
Creek Ownership and Land Disputes: Public vs. Private Property Rights
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that creeks are public property, not private land, and how this affects boundary disputes.
B.P. 22 Liability: Severing Accommodation Deals Does Not Erase Knowledge of Insufficient Funds
Signing blank checks for an accommodation arrangement can create B.P. 22 liability even after severing ties. Learn the rules from Benjamin Lee v. CA.
Res Judicata and Annulment of Titles: DBP v. La Campana Development Corporation
When does a prior final judgment bar a new case? The Supreme Court explains res judicata's limits in DBP v. La Campana.
Extortion in the Judiciary: Dismissal for Grave Misconduct and Betrayal of Public Trust
Court personnel who collect money from litigants face dismissal for grave misconduct, even if they claim it was for safekeeping.
Judge Dismissed and Lawyer Suspended for Gross Immorality in Extramarital Affair Case
Supreme Court dismisses a judge and suspends him from law practice for gross immorality arising from an extramarital affair and child born out of wedlock.
Judicial Inefficiency: A Judge's Duty to Resolve Pending Matters Promptly
The Supreme Court reminds judges that delay in resolving incidents violates the Constitution and the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Supreme Court Dismisses Judge for Gross Immorality in Extramarital Affair Case
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child, while suspending him from law practice for three years.
Implied Admission: The Decisive Impact of Uncontested Requests in Philippine Courts
How a sheriff's failure to file a comment led to a finding of dishonesty and dismissal from service.
Proper Service of Notices to Counsel: A Due Process Requirement in Philippine Litigation
A notice sent to the wrong person is no notice at all. The Supreme Court explains why service to counsel matters.