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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Ejectment Actions Ownership Disputes DO NOT Suspend Ejectment Proceedings
Filing an ownership dispute does not suspend an ejectment case. The Supreme Court explains why in Samonte v. Century Savings Bank.
St. Luke's v. Fadrigo: Loss of Trust and Confidence Needs Substantial Evidence
In St. Luke's Medical Center v. Fadrigo, the Supreme Court rules that dismissal for breach of trust must rest on substantial evidence.
Prior Title Prevails Resolving Land Ownership Disputes Through Registration Date
Electric Cooperative Liable for Injuries from Uninsulated High-Voltage Wires
Philippine Supreme Court holds electric cooperative negligent for uninsulated high-voltage lines over a home, affirming damages for electrocution injuries.
Just Compensation Under CARP: Applying the Correct Valuation Method
The Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation for lands acquired under RA 6657 must follow Section 17 factors and DAR AO No. 6, not PD No. 27.
Good Faith in Profit-Sharing Agreements: Lessons from Silverio v. Almeda
When a land sale includes a profit-sharing clause, the seller must act in good faith and disclose all resale details to the buyer.
Unconscionable Interest Rates: When Courts Step In to Protect Borrowers
Philippine courts can reduce excessive loan interest rates. Learn how the Supreme Court protected borrowers from unconscionable terms.
LPG Refilling and Trademark Protection: Delineating Criminal Liability in Corporate Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers face criminal liability for trademark infringement in LPG refilling operations.
Attorney's Fees and Quantum Meruit: Fair Compensation for Legal Services in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts determine reasonable attorney's fees and quantum meruit principles, with insights from a Supreme Court ruling on contractual obligations.
Judicial Reconstitution of Title: Proving Loss of Prior Source Documents
Supreme Court clarifies evidence needed for judicial reconstitution of lost titles under RA 26, applying Bercede guidelines.
Mining Rights and State Control: The Limits of Exploration Permits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on exploration permits, vested rights, and state control over mineral reservations under the Mining Act.
Barangay Officials Term Limits: Clarifying the Reckoning Point for Accountable Governance
The Supreme Court clarifies when the three-term limit for barangay officials begins, affirming Congress's power over local term rules.
Handwriting Analysis and Election Disputes: Protecting the Sanctity of the Ballot
The Supreme Court clarifies when handwriting analysis may invalidate ballots in election protests, stressing that no two persons write alike.
When Courts Can Stop a Foreclosure: Preliminary Injunctions in Mortgage Disputes
The Supreme Court explains when a court may issue a preliminary injunction to stop a bank's extrajudicial foreclosure pending trial.
Reinstatement vs Separation Pay: Defining Strained Relations in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When can an illegally dismissed employee be denied reinstatement due to strained relations? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule.
Preliminary Injunction AND Foreclosure Safeguarding Property Rights Pending Debt Disputes
Illegal Dismissal, Retirement Age, and Employee Benefits: Key Lessons from Ondevilla v. Colegio de San Juan de
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on constructive dismissal, optional retirement, and CBA benefits for managerial employees in this Philippine labor case.
Clerk of Court's Notarial Authority and Decorum: Lessons from Solas
Court personnel must know the limits of notarial authority and maintain decorum. A clerk of court's misconduct case explained.
Liberty vs Military Authority: Balancing Rights in the Philippine Armed Forces
Supreme Court ruling on a general's preventive suspension and arrest, clarifying due process and injunctive relief in military discipline cases.
GSIS Held in Contempt for Delaying Payment of Permanent Total Disability Benefits Under RA 8291
Supreme Court cites GSIS for indirect contempt for delaying payment of a member's permanent total disability benefits under RA 8291.
Filial Support When Grandparents Share the Duty to Support Grandchildren
When parents cannot support their children, grandparents may be obliged to help. The Supreme Court explains how this duty works.
Contempt of Court: Upholding Judicial Authority and Enforcing Final Judgments
The Supreme Court held GSIS in indirect contempt for delaying payment of a final disability award, reaffirming that final judgments must be obeyed.
Judicial Independence Prevails: Courts Must Independently Assess Criminal Cases Despite DOJ Resolutions
Courts must independently assess criminal cases despite DOJ resolutions. The Barbieto case clarifies judicial discretion in injunctive relief.
When Loan Restructuring Terms Must Be in Writing: The Marcopper Case
A Supreme Court ruling on why unwritten conditions in loan restructuring cannot be enforced, and the binding nature of written agreements.