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.
When Can Foreign Corporations Sue in the Philippines? A Guide
Learn when unlicensed foreign corporations can sue in Philippine courts under the Corporation Code and Foreign Investments Act.
When Is Property "Taken" for Expropriation? The Timing of Just Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when "taking" occurs in expropriation, affecting how just compensation is valued.
Independent Damage Claims in Forcible Entry: Separating Possession From Subsequent Harm
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when damages from forcible entry may be claimed in a separate ordinary action rather than the ejectment case.
Private Parties and Conspiracy Under Section 3(g) of RA 3019 Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that private individuals may be charged with Section 3(g) of the Anti-Graft Law when conspiring with public officers.
Best Evidence Rule: Photocopies vs Electronic Documents in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when photocopies qualify as electronic evidence and why the best evidence rule still applies.
Employee Dishonesty and Breach of Trust: When Is Dismissal Justified
Explore when Philippine courts uphold dismissal for employee dishonesty and breach of trust, and the due process requirements employers must satisfy.
Paraphernal Property vs Conjugal: When Improvements Don't Change Ownership
When does a wife's inherited land become conjugal property? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on improvements in Heirs of Vicente Reyes.
Upholding Corporate Governance: Limits of Stockholder Suits and Board Discretion
The Supreme Court clarifies when derivative suits may proceed and when courts must respect board discretion in corporate management.
Judicial Accountability in the Philippines: When Judges Fail Their Duty
Supreme Court ruling on judge who resigned amid administrative cases shows accountability persists even after resignation from the judiciary.
Local Government Authority and Ordinance Enforcement: A Guide for Businesses
Learn how the Supreme Court affirmed a city mayor's duty to enforce local ordinances, and what this means for businesses operating under reclassified zones.
Redemption Denied: Why Tender of Payment Is Crucial in Philippine Foreclosure Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains why a borrower must actually tender payment to redeem foreclosed property—not just file a case.
Perjury in the Philippines: When a False Statement Is Not a Crime
The Supreme Court explains why negligence, not malice, in a sworn statement does not amount to perjury under Philippine law.
Illegal Strikes and Return-to-Work Orders: What Philippine Labor Law Requires
When can a strike be declared illegal in the Philippines? The Supreme Court explains the binding effect of assumption and return-to-work orders.
Perjury in the Philippines: Proving Willful Falsehood in Legal Statements
The Supreme Court explains when a false statement under oath becomes perjury, requiring willful and deliberate intent beyond mere error.
Voluntary Agreement IS KEY Understanding Valid Arbitration IN Philippine Barangay Dispute Resolution
Learn how the Supreme Court treats compromise agreements as binding law, and how filing a second case can constitute forum shopping.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Parent Company Can Be Liable for Its Subsidiary's Debts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a parent company and its subsidiary can be treated as one employer for labor liability.
Resolving Land Disputes: Boundary Relocation and Title Amendments in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle boundary disputes, relocation surveys, and when title corrections require court approval under PD 1529.
Accrual Accounting and the All-Events Test: Deducting Business Expenses in Philippine Tax Law
When can a business deduct expenses under accrual accounting? The Supreme Court explains the all-events test in this Philippine tax case.
Is 24% Interest Legal in the Philippines? Bacolor v. Banco Filipino Explained
The Supreme Court in Bacolor v. Banco Filipino ruled that a 24% annual interest rate agreed upon in writing is not usurious or unconscionable.
Suspension of Claims Against Corporations Under Rehabilitation: Philippine Law Explained
Learn how corporate rehabilitation suspends all claims, including labor cases, under Philippine law, based on the PAL v. Zamora ruling.
Petition for Relief in the Court of Appeals: When Can You Revive a Dismissed Appeal
Philippine Supreme Court explains why the RTC cannot annul a DARAB decision and when the CA can take jurisdiction over a dismissed appeal.
Construction Subcontractor Rights: Ensuring Timely Payment in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts protect subcontractors' right to timely payment, even when a general contractor claims financial difficulty.
Prescription Periods in Labor Disputes: Why Filing on Time and in the Right Court Matters
A Supreme Court ruling on prescription of money claims in labor cases, and why filing in the wrong court can be fatal.
Can an RTC Annul a DARAB Decision? Jurisdiction in Agrarian Disputes
RTCs generally cannot annul DARAB decisions—they are co-equal bodies. Appeals must go to the Court of Appeals.