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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Arson and Homicide: Distinguishing Intent and Consequences in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when arson absorbs resulting deaths versus when separate homicide charges apply, using intent as the key.
Employer Liability for Negligent Employee: Quasi-Delict vs Subsidiary Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employers face direct liability for employee negligence under Article 2180, Civil Code, distinct from subsidiary criminal liability.
Breach of Trust Dismissal for Clerks of Court Failing to Safeguard Public Funds
Philippine Supreme Court rules on dismissal of court personnel for breach of trust involving mishandling of public funds.
Supplemental Complaints and Forum Shopping: Lessons from Young v. Sy
The Supreme Court clarifies when supplemental complaints are allowed and why filing both an appeal and certiorari amounts to forum shopping.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: How Courts Value Right of Way Acquisitions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how courts determine just compensation for right of way acquisitions, using market value at time of taking.
The Ombudsman's Control Over Special Prosecutors: Limits on Prosecutorial Authority
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the Ombudsman's authority over special prosecutors and the limits of prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases.
Regular vs Project Employment: Security of Tenure in Philippine Broadcasting
The Supreme Court clarifies when production assistants in broadcasting are regular employees entitled to security of tenure and CBA benefits.
Res Judicata and Land Disputes: When a Prior Judgment Bars Relitigation
Learn how the doctrine of res judicata prevents relitigation of land disputes, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Villarino v. Avila.
Public Land vs Private Claim: Military Reservations and the Limits of Land Acquisition in the Philippines
The Supreme Court voids a title over land inside Fort Bonifacio, ruling military reservations are inalienable public land.
Due Process and Preliminary Investigations: Balancing Rights in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects due process rights in Philippine litigation, including the duty to serve pleadings on counsel of record.
Fatal Appeal Errors: Why Choosing the Wrong Mode of Appeal Can End a Case
A Supreme Court ruling shows how filing the wrong mode of appeal can be fatal, even when filed on time.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Remedy Against Shari'a Court Resolutions
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why certiorari cannot substitute for a lost appeal, using a Shari'a court dispute as the case study.
Dower Rights and Evidence Establishing a Muslim Wife’s Entitlement to Mahr Property
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Muslim wife can claim mahr property and why procedural errors can forfeit that claim.
Forfeiture of Retirement Benefits for Dishonest Clerks of Court: A Cautionary Tale
Learn how a clerk of court's failure to remit judiciary funds led to forfeiture of retirement benefits for dishonesty and grave misconduct.
Dilatory Tactics and the Five-Year Rule: When Delaying Execution Backfires
The Supreme Court condemns a losing party's dilatory tactics that delayed execution of a final judgment for years, clarifying the five-year rule on execution by motion.
Good Faith and Due Diligence in Property Transactions: Lessons from Bautista v. Silva
When is a buyer of real property truly in good faith? The Supreme Court clarifies the duty to inquire beyond a special power of attorney.
Balancing Property Rights: Reimbursement for Improvements on Leased Land
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on tenant's right to reimbursement for house built on leased land, offset against unpaid rent.
Overseas Worker Repatriation: Agency Duty and Due Process Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that recruitment agencies must repatriate OFW remains without prior hearing, upholding RA 8042 rules.
Protecting Child Victims: Balancing Privacy and Public Access in Abuse Cases
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Cabalquinto protects child abuse victims' identities while affirming a father's rape conviction.
Attorney's Fees Need Explicit Justification in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts cannot award attorney's fees without stating factual and legal basis in the decision's text, as clarified by the Supreme Court.
Finality Prevails: Why Attempts to Reopen a Settled Bouncing Checks Case Fail
The Supreme Court explains why final judgments cannot be reopened through belated claims of newly discovered evidence in a B.P. 22 case.
New Trial After Final Judgment: The Dinglasan Case on B.P. 22 and Procedural Remedies
When can a convicted accused seek a new trial based on newly discovered evidence? The Supreme Court explains the limits.
Falsification vs Estafa: Distinguishing Falsification of Private Documents From Estafa
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when forging signatures in cash vouchers is falsification of private documents and when it becomes estafa.
Attorney Negligence Does NOT Automatically Justify Judgment Annulment
Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer's negligence does not automatically justify annulment of a final judgment, especially when the wrong remedy is used.