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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Upholding Electoral Integrity: Failure of Elections and Hold-Over Principles in Barangay Governance
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on failure of elections, void proclamations, and hold-over principles under RA 9164 in barangay governance.
Motion to Dismiss Denied: Why Courts Must Adhere to Procedural Rules in Philippine Litigation
Learn why the Supreme Court strictly enforces the 15-day appeal period under Rule 41, and what happens when a motion for extension is filed.
Dismissed for Unpaid Fees: Understanding Docket Fee Requirements in Philippine Courts
Learn why Philippine courts dismiss cases for unpaid docket fees, the legal basis, and how to avoid procedural pitfalls.
Reopening Criminal Cases in the Philippines: The Hearing Requirement Under Rule 119
When can a Philippine court reopen a criminal case before judgment? The rules require a hearing—and the Supreme Court has enforced that requirement.
When an Accused Is Arraigned: DOJ Review of Prosecutor’s Ruling Barred
Philippine Supreme Court rules on DOJ Circular No. 70: arraignment bars the Secretary of Justice from reviewing a prosecutor’s resolution.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Parent Company Can Be Liable for Its Subsidiary's Debts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a parent company and its subsidiary can be treated as one employer for labor liability.
Reconveyance of Land Titles: Protecting Homesteaders From Fraudulent Land Grabs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconveyance of land titles obtained through fraud, protecting homesteaders' rights against deceptive schemes.
Right of Way and Fair Compensation: When Attorney's Fees and Exemplary Damages Are Not Warranted
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees and exemplary damages may be awarded, reversing an award against Petron Corporation in a property dispute.
VAT Exemption for PAGCOR Transactions: What Acesite Means for Philippine Businesses
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that services to PAGCOR are zero-rated VAT, sparing suppliers from paying the 10% tax.
Bank Closures Under RA 7653: Why a Report Suffices Without Full Examination
Supreme Court clarifies that under RA 7653, the BSP Monetary Board may close a bank based on a department head's report, not a full examination.
Fighting Corruption Why Government Contracts Must BE Above Board
Why PAGCOR's tax exemption in Acesite v. CIR shields contractors from VAT—and what this means for government procurement transparency.
Fixed-Term Employment and Security of Tenure: When Contracts Expire Without Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court explains when fixed-term employment is valid and why expiration of a contract is not illegal dismissal.
Philippine Search Warrants: Why the Two-Witness Rule Is Crucial for Valid Searches
The Supreme Court explains why the two-witness rule under Rule 126 is mandatory, and why violating it makes seized evidence inadmissible.
Fixed-Term Contracts in the Philippines: When Are They Valid? Caparoso v. Court of Appeals Explained
Understand when fixed-term employment contracts are valid in the Philippines, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Caparoso v. Court of Appeals.
Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: What the Supreme Court Says
The Supreme Court clarifies when tardiness becomes habitual in government service and why common excuses do not justify it.
Checkpoint Legality and the Plain View Doctrine in the Philippines: A Guide for Citizens
Learn when police checkpoints are legal, what the plain view doctrine allows, and how the Supreme Court ruled in Abenes v. People.
Unjustified Meralco Bills: Know Your Rights and Fight Back
A Supreme Court ruling protects consumers from unjust differential billing. Learn the limits on electric companies' collection powers.
Decoding Philippine Procurement When Loan Agreements Trump Local Law in Public Bidding
When can a foreign loan agreement override Philippine procurement law? The Supreme Court explains in Abaya v. Ebdane.
Misclassified Field Personnel: Overtime Pay and Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
Supreme Court ruling on truck driver misclassified as field personnel, entitled to overtime pay, and illegally dismissed for complaining.
Buy-Bust Operations and Warrantless Arrests Under RA 9165: What the Supreme Court Said
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when buy-bust arrests are valid without a warrant and how penalties are imposed under RA 9165.
Rule 42 Dismissal: How Defective Verification and Annexes Can Kill an Appeal
A Supreme Court ruling on Rule 42 petitions shows how verification defects and missing certified copies can doom an appeal before the Court of Appeals.
Accrual Accounting and the All-Events Test: Deducting Business Expenses in Philippine Tax Law
When can a business deduct expenses under accrual accounting? The Supreme Court explains the all-events test in this Philippine tax case.
Buy-Bust Operations in the Philippines: Legality, Rights, and Case Analysis
The Supreme Court explains when buy-bust arrests are valid, how courts weigh police testimony, and what penalties apply under RA 9165.
Venue Stipulations in Philippine Contracts: When a Chosen Court Isn't Exclusive
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when contract venue clauses are binding and exclusive, and when they merely add another option for filing suit.