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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Illegal Dismissal VS Abandonment Protecting Employee Rights IN Termination Disputes
Rape and the Qualifying Circumstance of Relationship: Proper Allegation for Death Penalty
In People v. Aguilar, the Supreme Court lowered a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because the alleged relationship differed from the one proven.
Reopening Illegally Dismissed Workers' Claims: Substantial Justice Over Technicalities
SC ruling clarifies that technical defects in labor pleadings, like unsigned verifications, should not defeat workers' preferred right to security of tenure.
Unjust Enrichment: Security Agency Must Return Illegally Garnished NFA Funds
Supreme Court rules security agency must return P8.4M garnished from NFA under a void writ of execution, citing unjust enrichment.
Preliminary Injunctions in Ejectment Cases: When Immediate Execution Yields to Equity
The Supreme Court clarifies when appellate courts may issue preliminary injunctions to stay execution of ejectment judgments despite their immediate executory nature.
Administrative Complaints Dismissed for Lack of Evidence: Gabriel v. Ramos
In Gabriel v. Ramos, the Supreme Court dismissed an administrative complaint for grave misconduct after the complainant failed to prove the charges against a court sheriff.
When Pilots' Negligence Is the Proximate Cause: The 2010 Runway Collision Ruling
Supreme Court rules on proximate cause in the 1996 NAIA runway collision, holding pilots liable for gross negligence despite air traffic clearances.
Death of the Accused Pending Appeal: What Happens to Criminal and Civil Liability
When an accused dies pending appeal, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished. Learn the rules from People v. Ayochok.
The Delicate Balance: Upholding Collegiality in the Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court's ruling on the cityhood laws underscores the importance of collegiality and adherence to procedural rules in the Sandiganbayan.
Friar Lands and Faulty Signatures: When Government Neglect Jeopardizes Land Ownership
The Supreme Court's Manotok ruling shows how documentary gaps in friar land sales can undermine even long-standing property claims.
Sandiganbayan Collegiality: Lessons from the Administrative Case Against Justices Ong, Hernandez, and Ponferra
The Supreme Court clarifies that Sandiganbayan divisions must sit as a collegial body, with all three justices present during trial proceedings.
Disbarment for Notarizing Falsified Deed with Dead Donors
Notarizing a deed with deceased donors leads to disbarment. The Court explains a notary's duties and penalties for gross negligence.
Cityhood Laws and the Constitutional Criteria for Creating Philippine Cities
The Supreme Court struck down 16 cityhood laws for violating the Constitution's requirement that city creation follow Local Government Code criteria.
Employers Prerogative VS Employee Rights Understanding Valid Transfers AND Dismissals
Learn how Philippine courts balance management prerogative against employee security of tenure in transfer and dismissal disputes.
Judicial Accountability and Timely Resolution of Cases as a Duty
A bank's premature debiting of a postdated check and the judiciary's duty to resolve cases promptly, explained.
Buyers Can Suspend Payments When Title Is Clouded: Daleon v. Tan
When a property's title is clouded by an adverse claim, buyers may stop paying installments without risking forfeiture of their downpayment.
Forfeiture of Downpayment: When a Buyer's Stop Payment Is Justified
Supreme Court ruling on when sellers cannot forfeit a buyer's downpayment due to adverse claims on property title.
Conspiracy and Intent in Attempted Homicide: Establishing Criminal Collaboration
The Supreme Court clarifies how conspiracy and intent to kill are proven in attempted homicide cases, using the Cabildo ruling.
Grave Abuse of Discretion Standard in Sandiganbayan Certiorari Petitions
Explore how the Supreme Court defined grave abuse of discretion in certiorari petitions against the Sandiganbayan, citing the Barrera market stall case.
Summary Judgment and Pleadings: What Lazaro v. Brewmaster Teaches About Cause of Action
Understand how the Supreme Court in Lazaro v. Brewmaster clarified summary judgment, pleadings, and cause of action under Philippine procedure.
Summary Procedure Default: When Failure to Appear Warrants Judgment on the Complaint
Explains Lazaro v. Brewmaster International on when a court may render judgment based on the complaint's allegations under the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Duty to Shield Children
The Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, explaining why a child's consent is immaterial and why the law must shield the young.
Administrative Due Process: Preliminary Investigation Before Formal Charge Is Mandatory
The Supreme Court voids GSIS administrative charges and suspensions issued without preliminary investigation, and orders back salaries for affected employees.
Reinstatement to the Bar: Proving Rehabilitation and Compliance with Disciplinary Orders
The Supreme Court grants a lawyer's petition for reinstatement after serving successive suspensions, showing the path back to practice.