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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Substitution in Elections: Residency Requirements and Certificate of Candidacy Validity
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a disqualified candidate can be substituted, distinguishing disqualification from certificate of candidacy cancellation.
Upholding Client Trust: Attorney's Neglect and Misrepresentation Lead to Suspension
A lawyer who misleads clients about case status violates the Code of Professional Responsibility and faces suspension, as shown in this Supreme Court ruling.
When Can Government Agencies Represent Themselves? The Solicitor General's Exclusive Mandate
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling in Republic v. Cuizon on when government agencies may appear in court without the Solicitor General.
Movable or Immovable: How Mortgage Agreements Define Property in Foreclosure
A Supreme Court ruling on whether machineries are movable or immovable property in mortgage foreclosures, explained in plain language.
Unexplained Wealth and SALN Omissions: Balancing Dishonesty and Simple Negligence in Public Office
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on freeze orders, unexplained wealth, and SALN omissions in public office explained in plain language.
Burden of Proof in Cargo Shortage Claims: When Arrastre Operators Escape Liability
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on cargo shortage claims, the burden of proof, and when arrastre operators may avoid liability.
Entrapment vs Instigation in Illegal Drug Sales: Key Distinctions from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court distinguishes entrapment from instigation in drug cases, explaining why a buy-bust arrest remains valid when criminal intent originates from the accused.
Judicial Accountability vs Erroneous Judgments: Protecting Judicial Independence in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judicial accountability, erroneous judgments, and the constitutional protection of judicial independence.
Unsigned Contracts and Oral Plan Changes: When Additional Construction Costs Are Recoverable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when contractors can recover extra costs from unsigned contracts and orally approved plan revisions.
Trust Receipt vs. Loan: When a Security Agreement Becomes a Debt
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a trust receipt arrangement is actually a loan, affecting liability and criminal exposure.
Co-Ownership, Partition, and Prescription in Disputed Land Titles: Key Lessons from Figuracion
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies co-owners' rights to partition property, the limits of prescription, and why Torrens titles are not absolute.
Due Process in Termination: Balancing Employer Rights and Employee Protection
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on due process in employee termination, balancing employer rights with constitutional protection of workers.
Retirement Benefits: Reconciling Prior Obligations With Employee Entitlements
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how retirement pay is computed when employees were retrenched, rehired, and had prior debts to the employer.
Creditable Government Service: When Consultancy Work Counts for Justice Retirement Benefits
Supreme Court ruling on crediting consultancy work as government service for retirement benefits of justices under RA 9946.
Shareholder Rights Demanding Corporate Transparency Through Inspection Rights
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on stockholder inspection rights under Section 74 of the Corporation Code and the limits of judicial review of prosecutorial findings.
Challenging Drug Busts: The Chain of Custody Rule in Illegal Drug Possession Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when airport searches are valid and how the chain of custody of seized drugs is established in Philippine drug cases.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Preserving Evidence Integrity for Conviction
Learn how Philippine courts apply the chain of custody rule in drug cases, using a 2013 Supreme Court ruling on airport searches.
Bank Officer Liability for Fraudulent Export Transactions: The Dy Case
Supreme Court ruling on bank officer liability for approving fraudulent export transactions with non-negotiable bills of lading.
Perfecting Repurchase Agreements: The Necessity of Unqualified Acceptance in Real Estate Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a qualified acceptance of a repurchase offer is merely a counter-offer, not a perfected contract.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
How sudden, unexpected attacks qualify killings as murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, explained through a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
Ballot Image Integrity and Electronic Evidence in Philippine Election Protests
Supreme Court ruling on ballot images as electronic evidence in election protests under RA 9369 and the Rules on Electronic Evidence.
Judicial Conduct: Impartiality and Limits on a Judge's Discretion Over Staff Appointments
A look at a Supreme Court ruling on a judge's discretion in renewing staff appointments, and the boundaries of judicial conduct.
Resignation vs Termination: Protecting Seafarer Rights in Contract Disputes
Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's request to be relieved amounts to resignation, not illegal dismissal.
When Is a General Manager Considered a Corporate Officer? Philippine Jurisprudence
Explore how Philippine law defines corporate officers, and when a general manager may be considered one, based on Supreme Court rulings.