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.
Certiorari Dismissal: The Strict Requirements for Filing Petitions in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court affirms that certiorari petitions must attach certified true copies of assailed orders—mere xerox copies will lead to dismissal.
Behest Loans and the Statute of Limitations: When Does the Clock Start Ticking
The Supreme Court clarifies when the prescriptive period for behest loan offenses begins, and what evidence is needed to prove them.
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.
Navigating Corporate Disputes: The Boundaries of Forum Shopping and Litis Pendentia in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when two corporate cases are not forum shopping or litis pendentia, using the Taningco dispute as a guide.
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.
Taxing Government Instrumentalities: Real Property Tax and Public Dominion Rules
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority case clarifies when government instrumentalities pay real property tax and why public ports cannot be sold.
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: 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.
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.
Bank Closures Under RA 7653: Why a Report Suffices Without Full Examination
Supreme Court clarifies that under RA 7653, the BSP Monetary Board may close a bank based on a department head's report, not a full examination.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in the Philippines: When Parent Companies Pay Subsidiary Debts
Philippine courts can hold parent companies liable for subsidiary debts when the subsidiary is a mere instrumentality. Learn the rules from General Credit v. Alsons.
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.
Res Judicata and Forum Shopping: When a Prior Ruling Bars a Second Case
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a prior ruling bars another case, and what constitutes forum shopping.
Upholding Ethical Boundaries: Attorney-Client Privilege and Conflict of Interest in Disbarment Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when lawyers may be disciplined for representing conflicting interests, even across different cases and clients.
Buying All Shares Does Not Transfer Corporate Property Ownership: Silverio v. Filipino Business Consultants
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: acquiring controlling shares of a corporation does not give a stockholder ownership or possession of corporate assets.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Clarifying Liability for Subsidiary Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a parent corporation may be held liable for its subsidiary's obligations, and when it cannot.
Verbal Promises vs Corporate Authority: Enforceability of Employment Benefits in the Philippines
When can a verbal promise by a corporate officer bind the company? The Supreme Court explains the limits of corporate authority over employment benefits.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Corporate Officers Face Personal Liability in Estafa Cases
When can a corporate officer be personally liable for estafa? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of corporate personality and criminal liability.
Shareholder Derivative Suits and Private Prosecutor Intervention in Falsification Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a shareholder suit is truly derivative and when private prosecutors may intervene in criminal falsification cases.
Limits to Property Rights: Balancing Bank Security and Depositor Access
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a bank may bar a dismissed employee-depositor from its premises without abusing property rights.
Shareholder Rights vs PCGG Authority: Jurisdiction in Corporate Disputes Involving Government Assets
Supreme Court clarifies Sandiganbayan jurisdiction limits in corporate disputes involving sequestered assets and stockholder pre-emptive rights.
When Can a Lessee Stop Paying Rent? Peaceful Enjoyment Rules Explained
Learn when Philippine law allows a lessee to suspend rent payments and what "peaceful enjoyment" really means under Civil Code Articles 1654 and 1658.
Piercing the Corporate Veil When Sales to Avoid Labor Judgments Are Void
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may pierce the corporate veil to hold owners liable for obligations, including labor judgments.
Co-Ownership and Good Faith: Property Rights Lessons from Tala Realty vs. Banco Filipino
A Supreme Court ruling on lease contracts, good faith, and the limits of property rights under Philippine law.