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.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Upholding the Death Penalty for Incestuous Rape of a Minor
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a grandfather who raped his six-year-old granddaughter, reinforcing legal protections for minors.
Authenticating Evidence When Hearsay Testimony Undermines Insurance Claims
A Supreme Court ruling on hearsay and unauthenticated documents in a default judgment, and its impact on insurance claims.
Tenant Rights vs Landowner Prerogative: Clarifying Tenancy Status in Agrarian Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies how courts determine bona fide tenancy status in agrarian disputes, emphasizing evidence and consistent testimony over mere claims.
Cyber Libel Prescription in the Philippines: One-Year Rule and the Limits of Unsigned Resolutions
The Supreme Court clarifies that cyber libel prescribes in one year and that unsigned resolutions are not binding precedent.
Protecting Farmer Beneficiaries Security OF Tenure Prevails Over Unauthorized Land Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on farmer beneficiaries' security of tenure versus unauthorized land transfers under agrarian reform.
Judge Fined for Delay in Rendering Judgment: Lessons from A.M. No. MTJ-02-1409
The Supreme Court fined a retired judge for gross inefficiency after a 15-month delay in deciding an ejectment case, underscoring the mandatory 30-day period for summary procedure judgments.
Certiorari Limits: SEC En Banc Can't Fix Attachment Errors in Partnership Disputes
The Supreme Court nullified SEC en banc orders discharging an attachment in a law partnership dispute, ruling certiorari only corrects jurisdictional errors.
Dying Declarations and Alibi in Philippine Homicide Cases: The Anacan Ruling
How the Supreme Court clarified eyewitness identification, alibi, and treachery in homicide cases, reducing a murder conviction to homicide.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Protecting Children and Upholding Justice
The Supreme Court affirms six convictions for statutory rape, clarifying how Philippine law protects minors and assesses child testimony.
When A Brawl Turns Deadly Reassessing Criminal Liability In Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a deadly brawl shifts criminal liability, and the limits of self-defense claims.
Court Employee Negligence: Process Server Fined for Failing to Serve Notices
A process server's failure to serve pre-trial notices led to a fine, underscoring that court personnel must uphold the highest standards of diligence and accountability.
Mining Rights vs State Control: Balancing Private Investment and Public Interest in Diwalwal
The Supreme Court affirms that mining permits are privileges, not vested rights, and the State may study direct utilization of mineral resources.
The Binding Force of a Signed Affidavit of Full Payment and the Absence of Fraud in Subcontracting Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the binding effect of a signed affidavit of full payment and the absence of fraud in subcontracting agreements.
Meralco's Power Play: When Disconnecting Electricity Demands Due Process
The Supreme Court ruled that Meralco cannot disconnect electricity for alleged meter tampering without an officer of the law or ERB representative witnessing the discovery.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Preservation of Child Welfare in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms six counts of statutory rape, underscoring that a child's consent is immaterial and that young victims' testimony deserves full credence.
Navigating Appointments Security of Tenure vs Presidential Prerogative in the Comelec
The Supreme Court explains why ad interim appointments to the COMELEC are permanent, not temporary, and how they balance presidential power with constitutional independence.
Public Land Ownership in the Philippines: Why Possession Alone Isn't Enough | ASG Law
Philippine law requires more than occupation to own public land. Learn the rules on classification, possession, and judicial confirmation of title.
Eyewitness Testimony and Abuse of Superior Strength in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on child eyewitness testimony, finding abuse of superior strength where three men attacked a defenseless woman.
Positive Identification Trumps Alibi: Credibility and the Defense of Alibi in Murder Cases
The Supreme Court rules that positive identification prevails over alibi in murder cases, explaining credibility standards and the requisites for a valid alibi defense.
Illegal Recruitment: Why Proof of Specific Acts Matters in Philippine Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what evidence proves illegal recruitment, distinguishing large-scale from simple offenses under the Labor Code.
Distinguishing Recruitment From Simple Assistance Labor Code Violations Examined
Supreme Court clarifies what constitutes illegal recruitment versus mere assistance in finding work, requiring proof of specific acts.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Has Jurisdiction Over Illegal Dismissal Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when an illegal dismissal case belongs to labor courts or the SEC/RTC in corporate officer disputes.
Reopening Land Registration: Protecting Rights Against Fraud
When land registration is tainted by fraud, the Torrens System allows reopening the decree within one year. The Supreme Court explains.
Land Classification Prevails Prolonged Occupation Doesnt Trump Public Land Status
Supreme Court rules long possession of timberland cannot ripen into private ownership; land classification, not occupation, determines registrability.