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.
Intellectual Disability and Witness Credibility in Philippine Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that intellectual disability alone does not disqualify a rape victim from testifying, provided her account is coherent and consistent.
Defective Information Reduces Direct Assault Conviction to Homicide
A missing element in the information reduced a direct assault conviction to homicide, underscoring the constitutional right to be informed of charges.
Upholding Land Ownership: Technicalities Yield to Substantive Rights in Property Disputes
SC rules procedural lapses cannot defeat a registered owner's right to recover property from tolerated occupants.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: Balancing Delay and Due Process in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the balancing test for inordinate delay in preliminary investigations, affirming that prosecutors must justify delays.
Corporate Liability Accountability FOR Unremitted SSS Contributions
Supreme Court affirms conviction of corporate officer for non-remittance of SSS contributions under RA 8282.
Unlawful Detainer When Initial Objection Voids A Claim OF Tolerance
Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, lease renewal options, and binding successors-in-interest in property law.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence
The Supreme Court explains when lapses in the chain of custody rule may be excused in drug cases, and why objections must be raised at trial.
MTC Authority to Issue Search Warrants: People v. Castillo Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that MTCs can issue search warrants even for offenses beyond their jurisdiction, under Rule 126.
MERALCO Rate Case: Supreme Court Upholds ERC’s Shift to Performance-Based Regulation
Supreme Court affirms ERC’s shift to PBR for setting MERALCO rates, barring collateral attacks on administrative regulations.
Ensuring Access: The Indispensable Right to a Legal Easement of Right of Way
When a property becomes landlocked through no fault of its owner, Philippine law grants a legal easement of right of way. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Mining Rights vs. Indigenous Peoples: Exhaustion of Remedies and Grave Abuse of Discretion
The Supreme Court in Alecha v. Atienza underscores the exhaustion doctrine and limits of grave abuse of discretion in mining disputes.
Upholding Judicial Stability: No Interference with Execution of Final Judgments
A losing party cannot file a separate action to stop execution of a final judgment. The proper remedy is before the issuing court.
EDCA and Constitutional Limits: Senate Concurrence on Foreign Military Presence
The Supreme Court ruled EDCA is an executive agreement, not a treaty, so Senate concurrence is not required under the Constitution.
Eviction and Land Use: Clarifying Need and Notice in Property Repossession
The Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for ejectment under the Rental Law, including the three-month notice rule and what counts as an for the owner's family use.
Safeguarding Speedy Trial Rights Dismissal FOR Prolonged Delays IN Ombudsman Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when prolonged Ombudsman delays violate the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.
Banks' Duty of Utmost Diligence: Liability for Forged Manager's Checks
When a bank clears a counterfeit manager's check bearing its own officers' forged signatures, it bears the loss—not the depositor.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: The Need for Clear Identification of Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in drug cases, the identity of the seized item must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not just presumed.
Quieting of Title vs. Annulment of Title: Key Supreme Court Ruling on Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a quieting of title action is actually an annulment of title, and why the substance of a complaint matters.
Subrogation and Compensation When Payment of Another's Debt Extinguishes Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on legal subrogation and compensation when a business buyer pays the seller's unpaid bills.
Probable Cause and Preliminary Investigations: Safeguarding Rights in Criminal Proceedings
The Supreme Court explains probable cause standards, due process in preliminary investigations, and why judicial determination prevails.
Comelec Must Enable Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail: Mandamus Granted
Supreme Court compels Comelec to activate VVPAT feature, affirming voters' right to verify their ballots under election law.
Substitution of Parties: Due Process Prevails Despite Procedural Lapses in Estate Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules that failure to formally substitute deceased parties is not fatal when heirs actively participate in the case.
Corporate Rehabilitation Venue and Joint Petitions Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies venue rules for corporate rehabilitation and disallows joint petitions by separate corporations under the Interim Rules.
Child Witness Testimony and Competency in Philippine Rape Cases
How the Supreme Court affirmed a rape conviction based on a four-year-old child's testimony, clarifying competency and hearsay rules.