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.
Upholding Judicial Integrity: Gross Immorality and the Burden of Proof in Administrative Cases
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality and suspended him from law practice, clarifying evidentiary standards in administrative cases.
Simple Misconduct vs Grave Misconduct: Ethical Boundaries for Court Personnel in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on DTR falsification by court personnel clarifies grave misconduct penalties and mitigating circumstances.
Supreme Court Dismisses Judge for Gross Immorality in Extramarital Affair Case
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child, while suspending him from law practice for three years.
Judge Dismissed for Extramarital Affair: Gross Immorality in the Judiciary
Supreme Court dismisses judge for extramarital affair and child with another woman, ruling infidelity is gross immorality warranting removal from the bench.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Forging Signatures and the Limits of Forgiveness
A court employee forged a colleague's signature to encash a check. The Supreme Court explains why forgiveness does not erase administrative liability.
Judge Dismissed for Extramarital Affair: Gross Immorality and Bar Sanctions
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and suspended him from law practice for three years.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Witness Testimony Overturns Drug Conviction
Supreme Court acquits drug convict after police witness contradicts buy-bust story, reinforcing the proof beyond reasonable doubt standard.
Philippine Notarization Rules: Why Signatory Presence Before a Notary Is Non-Negotiable
The Supreme Court suspends a notary for notarizing a deed after the signatory's death, underscoring that notarization demands personal appearance.
Philippine Supreme Court Disciplines Court Employee for Disrespectful Conduct in Workplace
The Supreme Court fined a court employee P5,000 for shouting at and humiliating a co-worker during office hours, reaffirming strict standards of decorum in the judiciary.
Unseen Eyes Unquestionable Guilt How Circumstantial Evidence Convicts In Philippine Robbery Homicide Cases
Philippine courts explain how circumstantial evidence can prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt in robbery-homicide cases, with practical guidance for litigants.
Defining Kidnapping When Taking A Child Becomes A Crime IN THE Philippines
When does taking a child become kidnapping? The Supreme Court explains the elements of serious illegal detention under the Revised Penal Code.
Attorney Discipline: Understanding Disbarment and Suspension in the Philippines
Explaining the difference between disbarment and suspension for Philippine lawyers, using the Supreme Court's ruling in Dumadag v. Lumaya.
Reasonable Doubt and Circumstantial Evidence: Safeguarding Justice in Philippine Courts
How the Supreme Court acquitted a rape-homicide accused, stressing that circumstantial evidence must produce conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Proportionality in Employee Discipline: When Dismissal Is Too Harsh in the Philippines
Philippine labor law requires penalties to fit the offense. Learn when dismissal is disproportionate and how the Supreme Court applies this rule.
Clerk of Court Misconduct: When Repentance Can Mitigate Dismissal
Supreme Court explains when sincere repentance, full restitution, and reformation can spare a clerk of court from dismissal.
Automatic Review of Death Penalty Cases Safeguards Justice Regardless of the Accused's Actions
The Supreme Court clarifies that automatic review of death penalty cases ensures justice and due process, independent of the accused's conduct or character.