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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Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262 and how ICT use raises the penalty.
Proving Online Abuse: Social Media Evidence in VAWC Cases
Supreme Court clarifies how to prove authorship of social media posts in VAWC cases and raises penalties when ICT is used.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and when ICT use raises the penalty.
Proving Online Authorship in VAWC Cases: Key Insights from a Recent Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies how to prove social media authorship in VAWC cases and raises penalties when ICT is used.
Choice of Law Clauses in Cross-Border Contracts: The Standard Chartered Ruling
How Philippine courts resolve conflicting choice-of-law clauses in cross-border contracts, explained through the Standard Chartered Bank v. Philippine Investment Two ruling.
NTC Power to Regulate Telecom Exclusivity: Bonifacio Communications v. NTC
The Supreme Court affirms NTC jurisdiction over telecom infrastructure providers, striking down exclusivity arrangements that hinder fair competition.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: The Consequences of Dishonored Checks
A court clerk's conviction for three counts of BP 22 violations leads to forfeiture of benefits and perpetual disqualification from government service.
Judicial Misconduct: When a Court Employee's Conviction for BP 22 Means Forfeiture of Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when a court employee's conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude, like BP 22 violations, leads to dismissal and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
Concurrent Authority Investigating Energy Market Breaches in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that PEMC and ERC share concurrent power to investigate WESM rule breaches, resolving a jurisdictional dispute.
Concurrent Jurisdiction: PEMC Authority to Investigate WESM Rule Breaches
Supreme Court affirms PEMC's concurrent power with ERC to investigate and sanction WESM rule breaches by market participants.
Reviving Justice: How Refiling a Quasi-Delict Complaint Overcomes Prescription
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies summons service, real party in interest, and prescription in refiled quasi-delict cases.
Import Restrictions and Preliminary Injunctions: Lessons from Alcala v. Carpio
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may issue preliminary injunctions against customs seizures of rice imports lacking NFA permits.
Eyewitness Credibility and Social Media Evidence in Psychological Abuse Convictions
How the Supreme Court affirmed a psychological abuse conviction and set guidelines for proving social media authorship beyond reasonable doubt.
Supreme Court Upholds CIAC Jurisdiction, Strikes Down 14-Day Arbitration Limit in Government Contracts
Supreme Court affirms CIAC jurisdiction over government construction disputes and voids unreasonably short 14-day arbitration periods as contrary to public policy.
Due Process and Summons: Supreme Court Ruling on Unresolved Motions for Reconsideration
The Supreme Court clarifies that ignoring a motion for reconsideration violates due process, while explaining how courts acquire jurisdiction over defendants.
Defective Summons Voids Trustee Appointment: Key Lessons from Diversified Plastic Film v. PI-One
Defective summons can void court proceedings. Learn the jurisdictional limits and SPV Act requirements from this Supreme Court ruling.
Docket Fees and Class Suits: When Philippine Courts Lack Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies that failure to pay docket fees and improper class suits deprive trial courts of jurisdiction over a case.
Conflict of Interest: When Can a Government Lawyer Represent a Public Official in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a government lawyer's representation of a public official becomes a conflict of interest and unauthorized practice of law.
Excise Tax on Alkylate: When Tax Laws Are Interpreted in Favor of Taxpayers
The Supreme Court ruled alkylate is not subject to excise tax under the NIRC, applying strict construction of tax laws in favor of taxpayers.
When Agrarian Disputes Are Really Contract Cases: DAR v. Lapanday Foods
The Supreme Court clarifies when disputes over CARP lands are ordinary contract cases, not agrarian disputes under DAR jurisdiction.
When Does Filing a Complaint Against a Former Client Create a Conflict of Interest
The Supreme Court dismissed a disbarment case against a lawyer who sued his former client, clarifying when using confidential information creates a conflict of interest.
Gross Negligence of Counsel: When Final Convictions Can Be Reopened for Due Process
When a lawyer's gross negligence and lies cost a client the right to appeal, the Supreme Court may recall a final judgment to protect due process.
Eminent Domain and Prior Rights: Resolving Land Disputes in Infrastructure Projects
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on contract rights, port operations, and jurisdictional issues in infrastructure disputes.
Protecting Children: Statutory Rape and Sexual Assault Convictions Clarified
The Supreme Court clarifies when an accused can be convicted of both statutory rape and sexual assault arising from a single incident against a child.