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.
Breach of Trust: How Philippine Law Punishes Theft by Domestic Servants
The Supreme Court explains qualified theft by domestic servants, intent to gain, and penalties under RA 10951.
Barangay Dispute Resolution Lawyers Barred From Lupon Appearances
The Supreme Court clarifies that lawyers cannot appear before the Lupon Tagapamayapa, preserving the informal, conciliatory character of barangay justice.
Sheriff Duties and Neglect in Attachment Cases: Protecting Your Property Rights
Learn how sheriffs must handle attached properties, their inventory duties, and what happens when they neglect these responsibilities.
Establishing Tenancy Requires Concrete Evidence: Landowner Rights Upheld
Supreme Court rules tenancy cannot be presumed; claimants must prove all elements with substantial evidence, not mere certifications.
Tenancy Rights vs. Co-Ownership: Proving Agricultural Tenancy in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that tenancy is a legal relationship that must be proven by substantial evidence, not presumed from mere occupation.
Prescription in Tax Assessment: Taxpayers' Right to a Timely Assessment
When does the BIR lose its right to assess taxes? The Supreme Court clarifies prescription rules and valid waivers in CIR v. BPI.
Project Employment in Construction: Defining Scope and Tenure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees, not regular employees, and what benefits they retain.
Unregistered Real Estate Mortgages: Valid Between Parties Despite Formal Defects
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that defective notarization or registration of a real estate mortgage does not invalidate it between the parties.
When Probationary Employment Becomes Regular: The Umali v. Hobbywing Rule
Explore when a probationary employee becomes regular by operation of law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Umali v. Hobbywing Solutions.
One Specific Offense Rule: Search Warrants and the Limits of General Warrants
The Supreme Court nullified a search warrant covering both the Securities Regulation Code and estafa, affirming the one-specific-offense rule.
Self-Defense Claims and the Limits of Justification: The Panerio Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and why multiple wounds negate it, reducing murder to homicide.
Mortgage in Good Faith: Protecting Lenders in Philippine Real Estate Transactions
The Supreme Court explains how the mortgagee-in-good-faith doctrine shields lenders who rely on a clean Torrens title, even if fraud taints the chain.
Chain of Custody Breaches Lead to Acquittal in Drug Cases: People v. Lim Ching
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police breached chain of custody rules under Section 21, RA 9165, safeguarding the accused's right to proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Quieting of Title: Banks Must Verify Ownership Before Accepting Untitled Land as Mortgage
A bank that fails to verify ownership of untitled land before accepting it as mortgage security loses the property. Learn the rules on quieting of title and due diligence.
Simulated Contracts: When Property Transfers Are Void in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a simulated contract is void, not merely rescissible, using a P50-million property assignment case.
Upholding Notarial Duties: Consequences for Negligence in Document Notarization
A notary's failure to verify documents and record notarizations leads to commission revocation and disqualification in this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Director Liability in Investment Fraud Cases
When can directors be personally liable for corporate fraud? The Supreme Court's ruling in Virata v. Ng Wee provides clear guidance.
When Business Closure Is Valid: Employer Prerogative vs. Employee Security
The Supreme Court explains when a company may validly close operations and terminate employees, and how workers can challenge the closure.
Bank Liability for Counterfeit Currency: Due Diligence and Customer Protection
When a bank releases counterfeit foreign currency, when is it liable for damages? The Supreme Court clarifies the standard of diligence.
Project Employees Remain Non-Regular Despite Repeated Rehiring: Herma Shipyard Case
Supreme Court clarifies that project employees performing necessary tasks and repeatedly rehired do not automatically become regular employees.
Dismissal With Just Cause Still Requires Procedural Due Process: Ortiz v. DHL
A valid dismissal needs both substantive and procedural due process. Learn the twin notice and hearing rules from Ortiz v. DHL.
Corporate Liability Accountability FOR Unremitted SSS Contributions
Supreme Court affirms conviction of corporate officer for non-remittance of SSS contributions under RA 8282.
Project Employment vs Regular Employment: What Philippine Law Says
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees and not regular employees, and what this means for termination rights.
Security of Tenure for OFWs: Why Illegal Dismissal and Void Contracts Matter
A Supreme Court ruling affirms that overseas Filipino workers enjoy security of tenure, and contracts violating this right are void.