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.
When Can a Club Seize a Member's Share? The Valley Golf Case on By-Laws and Property Rights
A club cannot seize a fully paid membership share for unpaid dues without proper notice and hearing, says the Supreme Court.
Proxy Validation vs Solicitation: SEC and RTC Jurisdiction in Corporate Elections
The Supreme Court clarifies when proxy disputes in corporate elections belong to the RTC, not the SEC, under the Securities Regulation Code.
When a Club Can’t Sell Your Share: Valley Golf and Membership Termination
A non-stock club cannot seize a fully-paid member’s share for unpaid dues without proper notice and hearing. Learn the rule.
Reinstatement Pending Appeal: Employer Obligations and the Corporate Rehabilitation Exception
When can a company under rehabilitation skip payroll reinstatement? The Supreme Court explains the two-fold test for wage claims pending appeal.
Rehabilitation Petitions Technical Insolvency AND Creditors Rights IN Corporate Recovery
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a technically insolvent corporation may file for rehabilitation and how creditor rights are affected.
Insider Trading Rules Stand Even Without Implementing Rules, High Court Rules
Supreme Court clarifies insider trading provisions are self-executing and enforceable even without implementing rules, protecting investors.
SEC Authority Validating Stock and Transfer Books Over Intra-Corporate Disputes
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that the SEC has regulatory jurisdiction to validate and cancel stock and transfer books.
Enforcing Contractual Obligations: Valid Payment and the Courts' Supervisory Role
When may a buyer rescind a timeshare contract? The Supreme Court clarifies registration rules, rescission periods, and appeal deadlines.
Trade Secrets vs Discovery: Balancing Business Confidentiality and Legal Rights in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when trade secrets are privileged from compulsory disclosure in civil discovery proceedings.
SEC Authority to Regulate Fees Upheld to Protect Investors
The Supreme Court affirms SEC's power to regulate fees, protecting investors from excessive charges in securities transactions.
Private or Public? COA Audit Authority Over Animal Welfare Societies
When is a corporation created by special law a government entity subject to COA audit? The Supreme Court clarifies the test.
Mootness in Corporate Mergers: SSS Investment Disposition Examined
When a corporate merger dissolves the subject shares, a case over their sale becomes moot. The Supreme Court explains.
Mandatory Tender Offers and Indirect Acquisitions: Protecting Minority Shareholders
The Supreme Court ruled that indirect acquisitions triggering control of a public company are subject to the mandatory tender offer rule.
Deposition Deadlines in Corporate Disputes: What Philippine Computer Solutions v. Manzo Teaches
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies deposition deadlines in intra-corporate disputes and why interlocutory orders must be raised on appeal.
Deposition Deadlines in Intra-Corporate Cases: Philippine Computer Solutions v. Hernandez
The Supreme Court clarifies the 15-day discovery period under the Interim Rules on Intra-Corporate Controversies and the rule on interlocutory orders.
Continuing SEC Jurisdiction Resolving Corporate Liquidation Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies SEC retains jurisdiction over pending corporate suspension and liquidation cases filed before June 30, 2000.
Upholding Corporate Governance: Limits of Stockholder Suits and Board Discretion
The Supreme Court clarifies when derivative suits may proceed and when courts must respect board discretion in corporate management.
Perjury in the Philippines: When a False Statement Is Not a Crime
The Supreme Court explains why negligence, not malice, in a sworn statement does not amount to perjury under Philippine law.
Perjury in the Philippines: Proving Willful Falsehood in Legal Statements
The Supreme Court explains when a false statement under oath becomes perjury, requiring willful and deliberate intent beyond mere error.
Suspension of Claims Against Corporations Under Rehabilitation: Philippine Law Explained
Learn how corporate rehabilitation suspends all claims, including labor cases, under Philippine law, based on the PAL v. Zamora ruling.
SEC Suspension Orders and Labor Disputes: What the Rubberworld Case Means
The Supreme Court clarifies that SEC suspension orders in rehabilitation cases automatically stay labor claims, making any labor ruling void.
Pairing Judge Authority: When Orders Become Void After a Regular Judge Assumes Office
A pairing judge's authority ends when the regular judge assumes office. Orders issued after that are void, as Yujuico v. Quiambao shows.
Protecting Judicial Integrity: Dismissal of Frivolous Disbarment Suits in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle frivolous disbarment suits and protect judicial integrity through procedural rules and ethical standards.
Substituted Service of Summons in the Philippines: Ensuring Court Jurisdiction
Explaining when Philippine courts acquire jurisdiction over non-resident defendants through personal or extraterritorial service of summons.