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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Conspiracy and Treachery: How Group Violence Shapes Criminal Liability
Understanding how conspiracy and treachery work together in group violence, and why a police officer's warning shot still made him liable for murder.
48-Hour Notice Rule in Security Contracts: Rights and Responsibilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the 48-hour notice rule in security service contracts and when agencies may be held liable for property loss.
Election Offenses and Court Jurisdiction: Defining the Boundaries of Legal Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies which courts have jurisdiction over election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Misuse of Government Funds
Supreme Court ruling on administrative liability of public officers who sign checks for illegal disbursement of government funds.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Homicide Cases: Lessons from Lascano v. People
The Supreme Court reaffirms that credible eyewitness identification outweighs alibi and denial in criminal cases, explaining why appellate courts respect trial court credibility findings.
Eminent Domain vs Land Titles: When Government Delay Fortifies Private Property Rights
Supreme Court ruling on how government delay in paying just compensation and registering expropriated land strengthens private landowners' Torrens titles.
Accommodation Party Liability: Associated Bank v. Ang on Negotiable Instruments
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Associated Bank v. Ang on accommodation party liability under the Negotiable Instruments Law.
Possession vs Ownership: Resolving Land Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on land disputes, possession, accretion, and Torrens title conclusiveness explained in plain language.
Dropped From the Rolls: AWOL Court Employee and Public Service Integrity
The Supreme Court dropped an AWOL court utility worker from the rolls, reaffirming that absenteeism betrays public trust in the judiciary.
Worthless Checks and Accommodation Liability Under B.P. Blg. 22 Despite Lack of Direct Transaction
The Supreme Court clarifies that issuing a bouncing check—even as an accommodation for another—can still lead to criminal liability under B.P. Blg. 22.
Ejectment Cases and Land Ownership: When Prior Possession Does Not Bar Unlawful Detainer
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, COSLAP jurisdiction, and Torrens title imprescriptibility in Cayabyab v. Gomez de Aquino.
Defective Verification and Forum Shopping Certification: Why Court Petitions Can Be Dismissed
Learn why defective verification and certification of non-forum shopping can lead to dismissal of court petitions, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Written Notice of Dishonor Is Essential in B.P. 22 Cases: Bax v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies that oral demands do not suffice—written notice of dishonor is required to convict under the Bouncing Checks Law.
Auction Sale Perfection and Judicial Discretion: Lessons from Dizon v. Dizon
When is a bid at an auction sale final? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on auction perfection and judicial discretion in Dizon v. Dizon.
Uninterrupted Possession Acquiring Property Rights Through Acquisitive Prescription
Explore how extraordinary acquisitive prescription works under Philippine law, using a Supreme Court ruling on adverse possession.
Distinguishing Employees From Independent Contractors: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains the control test for distinguishing employees from independent contractors in labor law disputes.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the control test distinguishing independent contractors from employees in labor disputes, using a restroom concessionaire case.
Subleasing Prohibitions: Joint Venture vs Lease Agreement Distinctions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a sublease violates a lease contract's prohibition, and why labeling an agreement a "joint venture" may not save it.
Treachery and Positive Identification in Violent Crimes: People v. Alabado
How the Supreme Court upheld murder and frustrated murder convictions based on positive identification and treachery in People v. Alabado.
Ejectment and Sublease Violations: Service of Notices and Counsel of Record Rules
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on ejectment, sublease prohibitions, and why notices must be served on counsel of record in Philippine cases.
Mutuality of Contracts: The Limits of Unilateral Interest Rate Adjustments in Loan Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when banks cannot unilaterally raise loan interest rates without borrower consent, citing mutuality of contracts.
Writ of Possession Protecting Heirs' Rights in Undivided Estates
Learn how the Supreme Court protects compulsory heirs when a foreclosed property is subject to a writ of possession in an undivided estate.
Judicial Accountability: The Consequences of Delay in Resolving Court Matters
The Supreme Court fined a judge P10,000 for undue delay in resolving a motion, underscoring that justice delayed is justice denied.
Writ of Possession Ministerial After Foreclosure, But Not Against Non-Parties
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that writ of possession is ministerial after foreclosure consolidation, but cannot oust compulsory heirs who were not parties to the foreclosure.