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.
Guilt Beyond Silence: How Confessions to Friends Can Seal Your Fate in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling shows that admitting a crime to a friend can be used as evidence against you in Philippine courts.
Intervention Denied: Maritime Liens, Forum Shopping in Ship Mortgage Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies when mortgagees may intervene in crew wage claims and warns against forum shopping in vessel foreclosure cases.
When Robbery Evidence Fails: Acquittal for Lack of Corpus Delicti
The Supreme Court acquits an accused in robbery with homicide where the prosecution failed to prove the taking of property, explaining the necessity of establishing corpus delicti beyond reasonable do
Upholding Justice Over Technicalities When Courts Must Look Beyond Procedural Errors
Court personnel who peddle influence betray the judiciary. This case shows why honesty and integrity are non-negotiable.
Competency of Witnesses: Testimony of Persons with Mental Retardation in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a person with mental retardation can be a competent witness in rape cases if able to perceive and relate facts.
Corporate Officers' Apparent Authority and Breach of Warranties in Stock Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on corporate president's apparent authority to bind company and breach of warranty claims in stock purchase agreements.
When Can a Corporate President Bind the Corporation? Lessons from Inter-Asia v. Asia Industries
A corporate president can bind the corporation even without board authority under apparent authority. Learn the rules from this Supreme Court case.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification and Use of Deadly Weapon Establish Guilt Beyond Reasonable Dou
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that the victim's positive identification and the use of a knife prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Lease Renewal vs Implied New Lease: What Tenants and Landlords Should Know
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a lease renewal carries over all original terms—and when it doesn't.
Upholding Voluntary Arbitration When A Signed Agreement Overrides Prior Waiver In Labor Disputes
A signed submission agreement to voluntary arbitration prevails over a prior waiver of grievance machinery, the Supreme Court ruled.
Self-Defense and Treachery: How the Supreme Court Evaluates Both in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court explains when self-defense fails and treachery applies, using a 2003 murder case as a guide.
Treachery Defined: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden and Unexpected Attacks
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, emphasizing that sudden, unexpected attacks from behind constitute treachery, not self-defense.
Judge Dismissed for Extramarital Affair: Gross Immorality in the Judiciary
Supreme Court dismisses judge for extramarital affair and child with another woman, ruling infidelity is gross immorality warranting removal from the bench.
Good Faith in Administrative Actions: Protecting Public Officials From Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that good faith in filing administrative cases shields public officials from disciplinary liability, but lawyers must still respect courts.
Treachery and the Element of Surprise: Defining Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder, using the case of People v. Muñez.
Regular Employment Status: Necessity of Work and Security of Tenure in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when workers become regular employees based on necessity of work and security of tenure under Article 280.
Regular Employment vs Fixed-Term Contracts: Protecting Employee Rights in Termination Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a fixed-term contract cannot defeat regular employment status and security of tenure protections.
Reclaimed Lands and the Constitution: Limits on Government Transfers to Private Corporations
The Supreme Court voids a land reclamation deal transferring public lands to a private corporation, reaffirming constitutional limits on alienable lands.
Incestuous Rape: Broad Complaint Dates and Victim Credibility in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court affirms an incestuous rape conviction, ruling that inexact complaint dates are allowed and a young victim's credible testimony suffices.
Litis Pendentia in Lease Disputes: When Concurrent Actions Can Proceed
The Supreme Court clarifies when litis pendentia bars a second lease case, distinguishing claims that matured after the first suit was filed.
Pre-Trial Conferences and Dismissal of Cases: The Imperative of Preventing Unwarranted Delays
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that courts cannot dismiss cases merely for failure to submit a compromise agreement, and pre-trial conferences must proceed.
Reimbursement for Utility Payments When a Subsequent Tenant Pays Another's Debt
When a new tenant pays a former tenant's unpaid utility bills, can they get their money back? The Supreme Court explains.
Upholding Ethical Standards in Court Liability for Discourtesy, Negligence, and Premature Judgments
A Supreme Court ruling on judicial misconduct in issuing TROs over customs seizure cases, reinforcing ethical standards for judges.
When Ambush and Conspiracy Lead to a Complex Crime: Murder and Attempted Murder in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an ambush with conspiracy forms a complex crime of murder and multiple attempted murder under Article 48.