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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Diminished Liability When Forewarning Reduces Murder TO Homicide
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a victim forewarned of danger negates treachery, reducing murder to homicide.
Wealth Cannot Be a Test for Candidacy: The Marquez v. COMELEC Ruling
The Supreme Court rules that lack of proof of financial capacity alone cannot justify declaring a senatorial aspirant a nuisance candidate.
Wealth vs Right: Financial Capacity Cannot Bar Senate Candidacy
Supreme Court rules COMELEC cannot disqualify Senate aspirants as nuisance candidates solely for lacking proof of financial capacity to campaign nationwide.
Death Does Not Erase Misconduct: Forfeiture of Judge's Benefits Affirmed
Supreme Court rules a judge's death does not dismiss administrative cases; forfeiture of benefits stands for grave misconduct.
Optional Retirement Pay Must Meet Labor Code Minimum, SC Rules in University of Cebu Case
Supreme Court rules company retirement plans cannot give less than the Labor Code's 22.5 days per year of service minimum.
Retirement Benefits: Labor Code Prevails Over Inferior Company Plans
Philippine Supreme Court rules company retirement plans cannot provide benefits lower than the Labor Code's minimum under Article 287.
Retirement Pay Law Prevails Over Company Manual in Optional Retirement Case
Supreme Court rules company retirement plans cannot provide benefits lower than the Labor Code's minimum under Article 287.
Judicial Accountability: Forfeiture of Benefits for Gross Ignorance of the Law
Supreme Court rules on judicial accountability, imposing fines on a retired judge for gross misconduct and defiance of Court orders.
Loss of Confidence in Employee Termination: Employer Must Prove Its Basis
Philippine Supreme Court rules that loss of trust and confidence cannot justify employee dismissal without proof of an underlying act or misconduct.
GSIS Lands Foreclosed by Government Financial Institutions Are Subject to Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court rules GSIS-acquired lands from foreclosures are not exempt from agrarian reform coverage under RA 6657.
Recruiting Minors for Criminal Activities Is Trafficking Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court rules that recruiting minors to commit robberies constitutes qualified trafficking in persons under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Verbal Contracts and Implied Ratification: Upholding Obligations in Broiler Chick Growing Agreements
The Supreme Court rules that verbal contracts bind parties even without a written agreement, and corporations may impliedly ratify unauthorized acts.
City of Manila v. Prieto: Strict Limits on Local Government Expropriation Powers
Supreme Court rules local governments must strictly comply with legal requirements before exercising delegated eminent domain powers.
Substantial Compliance in Labor Disputes: Upholding Workers' Rights Despite Procedural Lapses
The Supreme Court rules that substantial compliance with procedural rules protects workers' rights in labor disputes, reversing a dismissal on technical grounds.
Upholding Union Rights Substantial Compliance Prevails In Labor Disputes
Supreme Court rules substantial compliance with procedural rules protects union rights in labor disputes, prioritizing justice over technicalities.
Limits of Mandamus: DepEd Not Compelled to Collect Loan Payments for Private Lenders
Supreme Court rules DepEd cannot be compelled by mandamus to collect and remit teacher loan payments for private lenders.
Financial Abuse as Psychological Violence: Supreme Court Upholds VAWC Protection for Wives
The Supreme Court rules that a husband's denial of financial support can constitute psychological violence under RA 9262, affirming a conviction.
Jurisdiction in Property Disputes: Assessed Value of the Whole Lot Controls
Philippine Supreme Court rules that in property disputes, jurisdiction is determined by the assessed value alleged in the complaint, not the disputed portion's value.
Contract Termination Expiration CAN Trigger Restrictive Covenants
Philippine Supreme Court rules that "terminationin the event of terminationin the event of Termination,terminationterminationearlier terminatedterminationterminationearlier terminated" elsewhere in th
Interpreting Termination Clauses in Franchise Agreements: Makati Water v. Agua Vida
When does a franchise agreement "terminate"? The Supreme Court rules on whether expiration counts as termination under non-compete clauses.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Strict Compliance With Reporting Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court rules on seafarer disability claims, emphasizing the mandatory three-day reporting requirement under the POEA-SEC.
UP Tax Exemption: Balancing Public Benefit and Local Revenue
Supreme Court rules UP exempt from real property tax on land leased to Ayala Land under RA 9500, balancing public benefit and local revenue.
Clerks of Court and Financial Mismanagement: Consequences of Breaching Fiduciary Duties
Supreme Court rules on clerk of court's liability for fund shortages, delayed remittances, and breach of financial duties in the judiciary.
False Notarization Upholding Integrity in Legal Documents
The Supreme Court rules on the importance of impleading indispensable parties in correction of birth certificate cases.