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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Trademarks and Domain Names in the Philippines: The Kolin Case on Registration Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies how trademark rights apply to domain name registrations under the IP Code, using the Kolin dispute as a guide.
Supreme Court Strikes Down BIR Rule on Bank Expense Allocation
The Supreme Court voided Revenue Regulations No. 4-2011 for overstepping BIR authority and violating taxpayers' right to choose accounting methods.
Tax Amnesty and Criminal Immunity: What Pending DOJ Cases Mean Under RA 9480
The Supreme Court clarifies that tax amnesty under RA 9480 covers taxpayers with pending DOJ complaints, not just court cases.
Conspiracy and Graft: Probable Cause Against Private Individuals in Anti-Graft Cases
When can a private person be charged with graft under RA 3019? The Supreme Court clarifies the conspiracy requirement in Arroyo v. Sandiganbayan.
Libel Venue Rules: When Public Officers Can Sue and Why Denial of Motion to Quash Is Not Appealable
Supreme Court clarifies libel venue rules for public officers and why denial of a motion to quash is an interlocutory order, not subject to certiorari.
Ancestral Land Rights: Confirming Titles of Indigenous Communities Under the Public Land Act
The Supreme Court affirms that indigenous cultural communities may secure free patents over ancestral lands, even if within forest reservations, under Section 48(c) of the Public Land Act.
Profit Sharing in CBA: Exclusivity for Rank-and-File Employees
Supreme Court rules CBA profit sharing belongs exclusively to rank-and-file employees; separate benefits for managers must not dilute union gains.
Navigating the Jurisdictional Maze: How Venue Affects Foreign Divorce Recognition in the Philippines
A Filipino spouse seeking recognition of a foreign divorce must file in the right venue. Learn from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Libel Venue in the Philippines: Where Can a Public Official File a Case?
Learn the rules on libel venue for public officials under the Revised Penal Code, as clarified by the Supreme Court.
Conflict of Interest and Public Funds: When Cooperative Membership Does Not Equal Graft
Supreme Court clarifies that mere cooperative membership or past affiliation does not prove graft under the Anti-Graft Law.
Executive Power to End Overtime Pay for Immigration Employees: Tendenilla v. Purisima
Supreme Court ruling on whether the Executive may discontinue overtime pay charged to airlines for Bureau of Immigration employees.
Breach of Promise to Marry: Good Faith as a Prerequisite for Damages
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a party acting in bad faith cannot recover damages for breach of promise to marry.
Management Prerogative vs Constructive Dismissal: When a Transfer Becomes Illegal
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee transfer exceeds management prerogative and becomes constructive dismissal, requiring employers to prove genuine business necessity.
Mutuality of Contracts and Foreclosure Rights in Philippine Loans
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that void interest stipulations do not invalidate foreclosure when the principal debt remains unpaid.
Executive Power vs Legislative Authority: The Immigration Overtime Pay Dispute
A look at Tendenilla v. Purisima, where the Supreme Court upheld the executive's shift from airline-funded overtime to a 24/7 government-funded schedule.
Negligence of Counsel: Litigants Must Still Monitor Their Cases
Supreme Court rules that a litigant cannot blame counsel's negligence for missing appeal deadlines; clients must monitor their cases.
Robbery with Sexual Assault: When Separate Crimes Apply in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when robbery plus sexual assault forms a special complex crime or separate offenses under Philippine law.
Divorce Recognition in the Philippines: Navigating Foreign Judgments and Civil Status Changes
The Supreme Court clarifies the proper procedure for recognizing foreign divorce decrees and changing civil status in the Philippines.
Breach of Promise to Marry Not Actionable: Guevarra v. Banach and the Limits of Damages
The Supreme Court clarifies that a breach of promise to marry is not actionable, and a gift given in contemplation of marriage need not be returned when the giver acted in bad faith.
SK Official Removal: Who Has the Power to Oust Youth Leaders
The Supreme Court clarifies which bodies can remove SK Federation Presidents and SK Chairpersons, and the due process required.
Proving Foreign Law in Philippine Courts: Divorce Recognition After Rivera v. Woo Namsun
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence is needed to prove a foreign divorce decree and foreign law in Philippine courts.
Judicial Clemency Denied But Restitution Waived After Court Employee's Death
Supreme Court denies judicial clemency to guilty court clerk but waives unpaid restitution after death, applying compassionate justice.
Intellectual Disability as a Defense: The Limits of Exemption from Criminal Liability in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when intellectual disability or imbecility exempts an accused from criminal liability, and why it did not apply in this statutory rape conviction.
Regulating Psychologists: When Professional Standards Meet Constitutional Rights
The Supreme Court upholds the 100-hour training requirement for psychologists seeking registration without examination under RA 10029.