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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Security Deposits of Insurance Firms Shielded From Individual Claims Preserving Solvency FOR ALL Policyholders
Supreme Court rules insurance security deposits cannot be garnished by single claimants, protecting all policyholders' interests.
Surety's Liability Survives Death of Principal Debtor: Stronghold Insurance v. Republic-Asahi
The Supreme Court rules that a surety's solidary liability under a performance bond is not extinguished by the death of the principal debtor.
Breach of Warranty vs Waiver: Marine Insurance Policy Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies breach of warranty, waiver, and insurer liability in marine insurance disputes under the Insurance Code.
Docket Fees and Court Jurisdiction: The Sun Insurance Doctrine Explained
Learn how the Sun Insurance doctrine clarifies when deficient docket fees affect court jurisdiction, and when they merely create a lien on the judgment.
Burden of Proof in Insurance Claims: Insurers Must Prove Policy Exclusions Apply
When an insurer denies a claim citing a policy exclusion, Philippine law requires the insurer to prove the exception applies—mere suspicion is not enough.
Mutual Life Insurance Companies Tax Exemption as Cooperatives Explained
Supreme Court ruling on Sun Life clarifies tax exemption for mutual life insurance companies as cooperatives under Philippine tax law.
Mutual Life Insurance Companies Exempt from Premium Tax and DST
Supreme Court rules mutual life insurance companies are cooperatives exempt from premium tax and documentary stamp tax without CDA registration.
Forum Shopping and Premature Certiorari: Lessons from an Insurance Claim Dispute
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified preliminary hearings on affirmative defenses and the proper use of certiorari in insurance disputes.
Marine Insurance and Agents: When Licenses Are Required in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules P&I Clubs need licenses to operate and their local agents need separate licenses.
Agent Liability in Insurance Contracts: The Pandiman Philippines Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when an insurance agent can be held liable for claims, and who bears responsibility for overseas workers' death benefits.
Insurance Policy Interpretation: Earthquake Shock Coverage Limited to Specified Properties
Supreme Court rules earthquake shock coverage under an insurance policy extends only to properties specifically listed and premium-paid, not all insured items.
Carrier Negligence vs Fortuitous Events: Defining Insurance Liability in Cargo Loss
When a typhoon sinks a barge, who pays? The Supreme Court clarifies when a carrier's negligence defeats both the fortuitous-event defense and insurance recovery.
Insurance Companies Not Taxable as Lending Investors: CIR v. PHILAM Companies
Supreme Court rules insurance companies are not "lending investors" under the NIRC, clarifying tax obligations for lending activities.
Losing an Appeal: The Critical Importance of Meeting Deadlines in Philippine Courts
Learn how missing court deadlines can cost you your appeal, and what the QBE Insurance case teaches about procedural rules.
Court Employees Cannot Act as Insurance Agents: A Lesson in Judicial Ethics
The Supreme Court fined a process server for facilitating bail bonds through a surety company, reaffirming the ban on court employees engaging in insurance activities.
Court Employees Cannot Act as Insurance Agents or Facilitate Bail Bonds
Court personnel are barred from insurance-related work, including referring accused persons to bonding companies, to protect judicial integrity.
When a Prior Unregistered Sale Loses to a Registered Attachment Lien
A registered attachment lien beats an earlier unregistered sale under the Torrens system. Learn the rule from Luz Du v. Stronghold Insurance.
Burden OF Proof IN Insurance Disputes Establishing THE Authenticity OF Surety Bonds
Regulating Monopolies in Public Transportation: Balancing Public Interest and Free Enterprise
The Supreme Court upholds LTFRB's two-group insurance system for PUVs, ruling that regulated monopolies are allowed when public interest requires.
Res Judicata and Insurance Subrogation: Clarifying Rights in Vehicle Accident Claims
A Supreme Court ruling explains why res judicata does not bar an insurer's subrogation claim when the insured was not a party to a prior case.
Authorized Driver Clause and Police Blotters in Insurance Claims
When can an insurer deny a claim based on the authorized driver clause? The Supreme Court explains the evidentiary weight of police blotters.
Bill of Lading Value Limits Carrier Liability for Lost Cargo
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how bill of lading value declarations cap a common carrier's liability for lost goods, even when insurance paid more.
Deposit Insurance Coverage and the Usual Course of Business Rule in Bank Transactions
Supreme Court ruling on PDIC coverage for deposits made before a bank's closure, defining "usual course of business."
Execution Pending Appeal: Why Only Appellate Courts May Judge a Dilatory Appeal
Philippine Nails and Wires v. Malayan Insurance clarifies that trial courts cannot declare an appeal dilatory to justify execution pending appeal; only appellate courts may.