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.
Illegal Dismissal and Union Busting: What SPC Power v. Santos Teaches Employers
The Supreme Court explains when dismissal becomes illegal, focusing on union busting and the employer's burden of proof in termination cases.
Valid Dismissal and Separation Pay: Key Lessons from a 2020 Supreme Court Ruling
A 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when dismissal for willful disobedience is valid and when separation pay may—or may not—be granted.
The Doctrine of Reasonable Reliance: When Public Officials Are Not Liable for Subordinates' Errors
The Supreme Court clarifies that heads of office may rely on subordinates in good faith, reversing a gross neglect finding against a Registrar of Deeds.
Lawyer Duties: Informing Courts of Client Death and Filing Briefs
Supreme Court reprimands lawyer for failing to inform court of client's death and neglecting to file appellee's brief. Learn the rules.
Understanding Illegal Dismissal When Production Quotas Cross the Line
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when imposing production quotas becomes illegal dismissal, citing bad faith and unattainable targets.
Understanding the Impact of Timely Appeals on Land Registration Disputes in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court handles land registration appeals, the importance of timely filing, and key procedural rules.
Psychological Incapacity Under Article 36: Lessons from Calingo v. Republic
The Supreme Court clarifies what evidence proves psychological incapacity in marriage nullity cases under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Lawyer Negligence Consequences and Duties in Philippine Legal Practice
A lawyer's failure to file an appeal brief is inexcusable negligence. The Supreme Court explains duties and penalties.
Laches in Philippine Law: How Delay Can Bar Your Legal Claims
Learn how the doctrine of laches can bar legal claims in the Philippines, even before the prescriptive period expires, through the Supreme Court's ruling in Ang v. Abaldonado.
Child Abuse Under RA 7610: Intent as the Key Element
The Supreme Court clarifies that intent to debase or degrade is essential to prove child abuse under RA 7610.
Understanding the Principle of Totality of Infractions in Philippine Labor Law
Learn how the totality of infractions principle works in Philippine labor law, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on employee dismissal.
Upholding Ethical Conduct Lawyers Responsibility Beyond Professional Capacity
A lawyer's duty to a client does not end with accepting a case. The Supreme Court reminds lawyers of their ethical obligations in this disciplinary case.
Attorney Suspended for Neglecting Duty of Diligence and Failing to File Appellant's Brief
A lawyer's failure to file an appellant's brief and update his address led to dismissal of his client's appeal and a six-month suspension.
Loss of Trust and Confidence in Dismissing Senior Managers: Due Process Still Matters
Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissing senior managers, and what happens when due process is skipped.
Attorney Suspended for Neglect and Misappropriation of Client Funds in Annulment Case
Lawyer suspended two years for taking P57,000 in legal fees but failing to file annulment petition and refusing to return client's money.
Disbarment for Adultery and Abandonment: Moral Standards for Philippine Lawyers
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for adultery and abandoning his family, reaffirming that private misconduct reflects on fitness to practice law.
Due Process in Termination: Ensuring Fair Dismissal Under Philippine Labor Law
Learn the rules for valid dismissal in the Philippines—substantive and procedural due process, and what happens when employers fail to comply.
Due Process and Employee Dismissal: Balancing Just Cause With Procedural Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies that dismissal without just cause is illegal even if procedural notice was given, entitling the employee to backwages and separation pay.
Proving Foreign Law in Philippine Courts: Divorce, Property Rights, and the Keppel Case
Philippine courts don't take judicial notice of foreign laws. Learn the proof requirements from the Supreme Court's Keppel ruling on divorce and property.
Emergency vs Employment: Gauging Just Cause for Dismissal in the Philippines
When can an employee be validly dismissed? The Supreme Court explains the elements of just cause and why a single emergency absence was not enough.
Upholding Land Rights: Possession as a Shield Against Prescription in Reconveyance Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how actual possession of disputed land can defeat the defense of prescription in reconveyance actions.
Government Lawyer's Suspension for Neglect of Duty and Improper Conduct Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a government employee's oversight becomes simple neglect versus conduct prejudicial to the service.
Dismissal for Neglect: Court Stenographers Must Submit Transcripts on Time
A stenographer who repeatedly fails to submit transcripts on time may be dismissed for gross neglect of duty, the Supreme Court ruled.
SALN Violations and Government Ethics: Dishonesty vs Simple Negligence
The Supreme Court clarifies when SALN omissions amount to dishonesty or mere simple negligence in San Diego v. Fact-Finding Investigation Committee.