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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Perfecting Appeals in Election Protests: Timely Payment of Appeal Fees
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on appeal fees in election protests, emphasizing timely payment and the limits on damages.
Perfecting Appeals in Election Protests: Payment Deadlines and Damage Awards
Supreme Court clarifies COMELEC appeal fee deadlines under Resolution 8486 and limits damages in election protests to actual or compensatory damages.
Breach of Contract: Temperate Damages Awarded for Failure to Deliver Property Titles
Supreme Court awards temperate damages to buyer when developer failed to deliver deeds and titles, explaining when such damages apply.
When Can a Sale Be Rescinded: Abuse of Rights in Business Contracts
Supreme Court ruling on how a manufacturer's unfair competition against its own distributor can give rise to damages under the Civil Code.
Treachery and Witness Credibility in Murder Cases Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on treachery and credible eyewitness testimony, explaining key rules on witness credibility and damages.
Exemplary Damages Require Underlying Compensatory Awards: Spouses Timado v. Rural Bank of San Jose
Supreme Court clarifies that exemplary damages cannot stand alone—they require an underlying award of compensatory damages.
Due Process in Employment Termination: Balancing Cause and Procedure
The Supreme Court clarifies that dismissals with just cause remain valid even without procedural due process, but employers must pay nominal damages.
Just Cause vs. Due Process: When a Valid Dismissal Still Costs the Employer
A valid dismissal for just cause does not erase the employer's duty to observe procedural due process. The Supreme Court explains the two-notice rule and nominal damages.
Ejectment Actions Proving Unlawful Detainer After Contract Termination
Understand when a complaint for damages after foreclosure is a personal action, not a collateral attack on title, under Philippine law.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Conviction Upheld for Rape of a Minor
Supreme Court affirms rape convictions of two men against a 13-year-old, clarifying rules on victim testimony, resistance, and damages.
Betrayal of Trust: Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in Father-Daughter Rape Case
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for statutory rape of his 9-year-old daughter, clarifying the rules on alibi, denial, and damages.
Balancing Corporate Development and Residents' Rights: Defining Cause of Action in Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when evicted residents have a cause of action for damages against corporate developers in land disputes.
Just Compensation Beyond Market Value: Ensuring Fair Recovery in Expropriation Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that just compensation in expropriation cases may exceed market value, including consequential damages for remaining property.
Execution Pending Appeal: Moral Damages and Attorney's Fees Excluded
Supreme Court rules moral damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees cannot be included in execution pending appeal. Learn the rules.
Circumstantial Evidence and Penalty Rules in Philippine Homicide Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies penalty imposition, damages, and evidence rules in homicide appeals under Rule 45.
Intent to Kill in Philippine Law: How Courts Prove Homicide and Fix Penalties
Philippine courts explain how intent to kill is proven in homicide cases, and when penalty and damages must be corrected on appeal.
Circumstantial Evidence and Penalty Fixing in Homicide: Ladines v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies penalty imposition rules and damages in homicide, affirming conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
Construction Delays: Who Bears the Cost? Lessons from BF Corp v. Werdenberg
A Supreme Court ruling on construction delays clarifies how courts apportion liability and compute liquidated damages when both parties share fault.
When an Employer's Right to Discipline Becomes Abuse of Rights: PCIB v. Gomez
The Supreme Court rules on when an employer's disciplinary actions cross the line into abuse of rights, clarifying civil court jurisdiction over damages claims.
Guardian Convicted of Qualified Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness Against Minor
Supreme Court affirms conviction of a guardian for qualified rape of his 11-year-old ward, explaining key rules on statutory rape, delay in reporting, and damages.
Incestuous Rape: Upholding Parental Moral Ascendancy and Protecting Minor Victims
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of a father figure, clarifying force, minority as aggravating circumstance, and damages.
Murder Conviction Affirmed: Treachery, Alibi, and Damages in People v. Parba
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on positive identification, rejecting alibi and clarifying damages in treachery cases.
When a Carrier's Delay Is a Fortuitous Event: Moral Damages in Breach of Carriage Contracts
The Supreme Court explains when moral damages are recoverable for breach of contract of carriage and why a typhoon-caused delay absolved Northwest Airlines.
When Airlines Can Escape Liability: Bad Faith and Fortuitous Events in Carriage Contracts
The Supreme Court explains when a typhoon-caused flight delay absolves an airline from moral damages claims under Philippine law.