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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Right of Way Requisites: Proving Isolation for Easement Claims in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof for compulsory right of way easement claims under Civil Code Articles 649 and 650.
Protecting Minors: Defining Lascivious Conduct and the Boundaries of Consent
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual acts against minors constitute lascivious conduct under RA 7610, not rape, and how consent is treated.
Probable Cause and the Ombudsman: When Courts Defer to Prosecutorial Discretion
The Supreme Court affirms the Ombudsman's probable cause findings in public official cases, reinforcing judicial restraint absent grave abuse of discretion.
Agency Coupled With Interest Irrevocability AND Protection OF Third Party Rights IN Lease Agreements
Explaining when an agency coupled with interest becomes irrevocable, protecting the agent's rights and third-party interests in lease agreements.
Rehabilitation Plans and Creditor Rights: When Debt Restructuring Binds Secured Creditors
When can a rehabilitation plan force creditors to accept debt restructuring? The Supreme Court explains in China Banking v. St. Francis Square.
Counsel Negligence and Strict Procedural Rules: PNB v. Spouses Victor
Supreme Court affirms strict 60-day period for petitions for relief, holding clients bound by counsel's negligence absent clear abandonment.
Due Process in Elections: COMELEC's Duty to Hear Conflicting Candidacy Claims
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's accreditation of dominant minority parties, clarifying that the Commission's rule-making power over political party accreditation is subject to constitutional limit
Accreditation of Political Parties: COMELEC's Authority and the Limits of Judicial Review
The Supreme Court upholds COMELEC's discretion in accrediting dominant minority parties, affirming that courts will not interfere absent grave abuse of discretion.
Plea Bargaining in Drug Cases: Court Rules vs Executive Discretion
The Supreme Court settles the conflict between DOJ circulars and its exclusive rule-making power over plea bargaining in drug cases.
SALN Compliance Opportunity to Correct Errors Prevents Haphazard Prosecution of Public Officials
The Supreme Court acquits a public official of SALN violations, ruling that the review and compliance procedure under RA 6713 must precede prosecution.
SALN Compliance Opportunity to Correct Errors Prevents Haphazard Prosecution
Supreme Court acquits public official of SALN violation, ruling that the review and compliance procedure under RA 6713 must precede prosecution.
Adultery and Administrative Liability: When a Court Employee's Private Misconduct Becomes a Career Issue
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a married court employee's illicit affair constitutes gross immorality and administrative liability.
Deceptive Recruitment Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt IN Illegal Recruitment AND Estafa Cases
The Supreme Court affirms convictions for large-scale illegal recruitment and estafa based on deceptive recruitment schemes.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: When Ombudsman Delay Justifies Dismissal of Graft Charges
The Supreme Court clarifies when Ombudsman delay in preliminary investigation violates the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.
Solidary Liability in Labor Standards: Protecting Employee Wage Claims
When a contractor fails to pay wages, the principal employer can be held solidarily liable. The Supreme Court clarifies the rules.
Gross Immorality vs Disgraceful Conduct: Court Stenographer Suspended for Illicit Affair
Supreme Court suspends court stenographer for gross immorality over illicit affair, clarifying standards for judicial personnel conduct.
Upholding Final Judgments: The Prohibition Against Defiance of Court Orders
The Supreme Court reiterates that final judgments are immutable and must be obeyed, even by government entities, in National Steel Corporation v. City of Iligan.
When Tax Rulings Become Final: Prohibition, Forum Shopping, and the Hierarchy of Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies when a writ of prohibition may be filed directly with the Court of Appeals despite the hierarchy of courts rule.
Psychological Incapacity Standard: What Baldovino-Torres v. Torres Means for Philippine Marriage Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the psychological incapacity standard under Article 36, emphasizing totality of evidence over expert testimony alone.
Clean Water Act Enforcement: Sewerage Deadlines and the Limits of Good Faith
The Supreme Court clarifies that water concessionaires must meet the Clean Water Act's five-year sewerage deadline, tempering fines despite good faith.
Conjugal Property Transfers After the Family Code: When a Spouse's Consent Is Required
The Supreme Court clarifies when a spouse's sale of conjugal property without consent is void or voidable, and the prescriptive period for challenging it.
GSIS Jurisdiction Over Housing Loan Disputes: The Rafael Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when GSIS has exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes and when courts may take cognizance of contractual claims.
VAT Refund Claims: Establishing Zero-Rated Sales as a Prerequisite
The Supreme Court clarifies that unutilized input VAT refunds under Section 112(A) require proof of zero-rated sales in the same taxable period.
GSIS Board Jurisdiction Limited in Housing Loan Disputes: Key Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies GSIS Board of Trustees lacks exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes involving contract enforcement and damages.