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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Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Attempted Murder Based on Insufficient Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a school principal of attempted murder, ruling that hearsay and unverified confessions cannot support a conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
When Is a Company Liable for an Agent's Unauthorized Acts? The Manila Memorial Park Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal is bound by an agent's unauthorized acts, and when third persons must bear the risk.
Guarantors' Reimbursement Rights When Premature Payment Nullifies Recourse
When a guarantor pays before the debtor's default is established, it may lose the right to reimbursement from the principal debtor.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: Liability Even Without Inflicting the Fatal Blow
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that conspirators in robbery with homicide are liable as principals even if they did not inflict the fatal wound.
Surety Agreements for Future Debts: Validity Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on suretyship for future debts, continuing guaranty, and surety liability despite principal debtor's rehabilitation.
Airline Liability: The Ticket-Issuing Carrier Responsible for Your Entire Journey
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: ticket-issuing airlines are principals in contracts of carriage and liable for the acts of partner carriers on any segment.
Control Is Key: Determining Employer-Employee Relationships in Outsourcing Arrangements
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal employer becomes liable for outsourced workers, emphasizing control over contractual labels.
Solidary Liability of Co-Principals in Agency: Agent May Collect Full Commission From Any Principal
When co-owners appoint an agent for a common transaction, they are solidarily liable. The agent can collect the full commission from any one of them.
Surety's Solidary Liability: The True Extent of Guarantees in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a "guarantee" becomes a suretyship, making the surety solidarily liable with the principal debtor.
Corporate Residence vs Actual Place of Business: Determining Proper Venue in Damage Suits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a corporation's residence for venue purposes is its principal office stated in the articles of incorporation, not its actual place of business.
Accomplice Liability in Murder: Distinguishing Conspiracy From Spontaneous Action
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a person present at a crime becomes liable as a co-principal versus a mere accomplice.
Certification of Non-Forum Shopping: When a Philippine Agency Can Sign for Its Foreign Principal
The Supreme Court held that a local recruitment agency may sign the certification of non-forum shopping for its foreign principal, but strict rules still apply to service of pleadings.
When Can an Attorney-in-Fact Bind a Principal to a Compromise Agreement
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how far an attorney-in-fact's authority reaches and why a compromise agreement signed by an agent can bind the principal.
Accomplice Liability: Distinguishing Principals From Accessories in Criminal Conspiracy
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy, accomplice liability, and how co-conspirators are treated as principals in murder cases.
Agents Cannot Acquire Principal's Property: Imprescriptible Action to Recover Trust Property
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an agent's acquisition of the principal's property is void and the action to recover it is imprescriptible.
Decoding Criminal Liability: Principal vs Accomplice in Philippine Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish a principal from an accomplice in murder, using the 2000 Bato brothers case as a guide.
Conspiracy and Homicide in the Philippines: When Being Present Makes You a Principal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy in homicide: when presence and participation make you a principal, explained in plain language.
Navigating Accomplice Liability in Philippine Criminal Law: Degrees of Participation Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a person is an accomplice rather than a principal, and why treachery and evident premeditation must be proven beyond doubt.
Principals vs Accomplices: Degrees of Participation in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court explains the difference between principals and accomplices in Philippine criminal law, and how courts determine each participant's liability.
Rape by Induction: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains how a person who induces another to commit rape can be held liable as a principal by induction.
Orchestrating Death: Conspiracy and Accountability in Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows how a hacienda overseer who ordered killings was held liable as a principal under conspiracy doctrine.
Wage Order Obligations: Contractor and Principal Liability in Security Service Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when security agencies can recover wage order increases from principals under solidary liability rules.
Accomplice vs Principal in Murder Cases: Key Distinctions Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a person is a principal rather than an accomplice in murder, and how complex crimes apply to multiple shootings.
What Constitutes Inducement to Commit a Crime: Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court explains when words or orders amount to "inducement" making one a principal by induction, using a kidnapping case.