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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Psychological Incapacity in Marriage: Defining and declared the condition "grave and incurable." The Court of
The Issue The central issue was whether Rowena had sufficiently proven that Edward was psychologically incapacitated at the time of their marriage, as required
Redundancy Programs Employers Prerogative VS Employee Rights IN Termination
Mining Disputes and Contract Validity: When Courts Take Over From Arbitrators
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when regular courts, not the Panel of Arbitrators, have jurisdiction over mining contract disputes.
Management Prerogative vs Constructive Dismissal: When Transfer of Employees Is Valid
Supreme Court clarifies when a permanent transfer is valid management prerogative and not constructive dismissal, and when benefits may be reduced.
Navigating Mining Disputes When Courts NOT Arbitrators Decide Contract Validity
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when regular courts, not the Panel of Arbitrators, have jurisdiction over mining contract disputes.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Safeguarding Against Child Abuse Accusations
Explore how the Supreme Court acquitted a barangay tanod of child abuse, emphasizing that proof beyond reasonable doubt must anchor convictions.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Protecting Rights in Philippine Law
When police fail to mark seized drugs immediately and prove custody, the accused may be acquitted. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling.
Chain of Custody Imperative: Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, stressing the need to immediately mark seized drugs.
Grave Abuse of Discretion: When Final Ombudsman Decisions Can Be Challenged
Explore when a final Ombudsman decision may be challenged for grave abuse of discretion, and the limits of judicial review.
Limits of Abuse of Superior Strength: Redefining Attempted Homicide in the Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies when abuse of superior strength qualifies a crime, reducing a conviction from attempted murder to attempted homicide.
Warrantless Arrests Balancing Public Safety AND Individual Rights
Eminent Domain Determining Just Compensation FOR Expropriated Land IN THE Philippines
Treachery Defined: How Surprise Attacks Determine Murder Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how sudden, unexpected attacks constitute treachery, qualifying a killing as murder under Philippine law.
Court Personnel Extortion: Proving Guilt in Administrative Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on extortion by court personnel, explaining how guilt is proven in administrative cases and penalties.
Court Personnel and Immoral Conduct: When Private Acts Become Administrative Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how court employees' private immoral conduct can lead to administrative sanctions and suspension.
Upholding Election Law Amendments Ensuring Fair And Transparent Elections
The Supreme Court upheld RA 9369's constitutionality, affirming Congress's power to amend election laws for transparency, credibility, fairness, and accuracy.
Guardianship and Competency: Protecting Vulnerable Individuals From Exploitation
Supreme Court ruling on guardianship for persons of weak mind, protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation by relatives.
Guardianship for the Weak-Minded: Protecting Vulnerable Adults from Family Exploitation
Supreme Court affirms guardianship over mentally weak adult with vast estate, protecting her from relatives who dissipated her properties.
Double Jeopardy Prevails: Acquittal Stands Despite Alleged Procurement Errors
The Supreme Court ruled that a Sandiganbayan acquittal in a graft case can no longer be reviewed on appeal, as doing so would violate the constitutional bar on double jeopardy.
When Summary Judgment Is Not Proper: Lessons from D.M. Consunji v. Duvaz
The Supreme Court explains when summary judgment is improper due to genuine factual disputes, using a construction dispute as a case study.
Judicial Impartiality When Prior Counsel Relationships Challenge Judicial Objectivity
When a judge's prior counsel relationship raises bias questions, the Supreme Court clarifies what evidence proves partiality in Malabed v. Asis.
Novation and Loan Enforceability: When a Verbal Change Makes a Debt Due
Explaining how a verbal agreement to start paying early can novate a loan's conditions, making it due and demandable under Philippine law.
Eyewitness Testimony and Conspiracy Decide Double Murder Case
How credible eyewitness testimony and conspiracy principles led to homicide convictions in a juvenile double murder case.
Marital Cohabitation and Consensual Acts: Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when cohabitation does not imply consent, and how rape and acts of lasciviousness are distinguished in Philippine criminal law.