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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Employee Theft and Just Cause for Termination Under Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court rules on when employee theft against a co-worker justifies dismissal as a cause analogous to serious misconduct.
Breach of Trust: Defining Grave Abuse of Confidence in Qualified Theft Cases
SC clarifies that bank employees holding deposited funds act with grave abuse of confidence, making them liable for qualified theft.
Dismissal Based on Theft: Upholding Employee Termination for Unauthorized Disposal of Company Property
Supreme Court rules on valid dismissal for theft of company property and the due process requirements in employee termination cases.
Presumption OF Innocence Prevails Absence OF Direct Evidence Leads TO Acquittal IN Theft Case
Theft vs. Estafa: When Misusing Entrusted Funds Becomes Theft in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when misappropriating funds received for a specific purpose constitutes theft rather than estafa.
Theft vs Robbery: Intent to Gain and Positive Identification in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies theft elements, intent to gain, and why positive identification beats denial and alibi in criminal cases.
Theft Is Consummated Upon Taking: Debunking the Myth of Frustrated Theft
The Supreme Court clarifies that theft is consummated the moment the offender takes property with intent to gain, even if later apprehended.
Breach of Trust Proving Theft Through Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts convict for theft using circumstantial evidence when an internal auditor pockets company funds.
Breach OF Trust Establishing Guilt IN Qualified Theft Cases
Abuse OF Discretion When Courts Override Prosecutor Decisions IN Theft Cases
Theft of Court Property: Resignation Does Not Bar Administrative Liability
A court employee who stole and sold unserviceable court property was found guilty of grave misconduct despite resigning. Learn the rules.
Breach of Trust Dismissal for Theft Within the Supreme Court: Etcuban v. Sulpicio Lines
When can an employer dismiss a fiduciary employee for loss of trust and confidence? The Supreme Court explains in Etcuban v. Sulpicio Lines.
Qualified Theft vs Estafa: Defining Possession in Bank Teller Cases
When does a bank teller's misappropriation of funds constitute qualified theft rather than estafa? The Supreme Court clarifies the key distinction.
Liability for Unfounded Accusations: Upholding Personal Dignity in Theft Investigations
When a theft suspect is publicly accused without proof, Philippine law on human relations may award moral damages.
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal: Employers Must Substantiate Theft Allegations
In illegal dismissal cases, employers bear the burden of proving just cause with clear and convincing evidence, not relying on weak employee defenses.
Carnapping vs Theft: Defining Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when taking a vehicle is carnapping, not qualified theft, and the proper penalties.
Confession Without Counsel Inadmissibility AND Protection OF Constitutional Rights IN Theft Cases
Supreme Court acquits four in qualified theft case after ruling that confessions taken without effective counsel and evidence from an unlawful arrest are inadmissible.
Force, Theft, and Rape: How the Supreme Court Weighs Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
In a 2003 rape case, the Supreme Court acquitted two men after finding the complainant's testimony riddled with inconsistencies. Here is what the ruling teaches.
Breach of Trust Establishing Liability for Qualified Theft in Managerial Roles
How the Supreme Court ruled that a store manager's breach of confidence constitutes qualified theft, with penalty computation explained.
Reclassification OF Crime From Robbery TO Theft Based ON Intent AND Violence
Illegal Dismissal Case: Why Salary Deductions Defeated a Theft Claim
Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal: employer's theft claim failed because goods were paid via salary deductions and due process was not observed.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Weak Identification Leads to Acquittal in Theft Case
Philippine Supreme Court acquits theft accused where prosecution failed to prove identity beyond reasonable doubt, emphasizing weak identification cannot sustain conviction.
Theft Conviction Affirmed: Eyewitness Testimony vs. Alibi in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on theft conviction, eyewitness credibility, conspiracy, and alibi defenses explained in plain language.
When Rape Precedes Robbery: Distinguishing Theft from Robbery with Rape
The Supreme Court clarifies when taking property after rape constitutes theft, not robbery with rape, in People v. Tamayo.