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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Documentary Stamp Tax on Pawnshop Pledges: A Clear Guide
The Supreme Court confirms pawnshop pledges are subject to documentary stamp tax under the National Internal Revenue Code. Learn the rules.
DARAB Jurisdiction Covers Agrarian Disputes Beyond Landlord-Tenant Relationships
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction extends to all agrarian disputes, including joint production agreements under CARP, not just traditional landlord-tenant cases.
David v. Arroyo: The Supreme Court on Presidential Powers and Civil Liberties
A landmark ruling on how the President's emergency powers under the Constitution must yield to fundamental civil liberties.
Missed Deadlines, Lost Liberty: When Lawyer Negligence Costs Clients Their Freedom
A lawyer's missed 15-day deadline cost clients their liberty. The Supreme Court suspends Atty. Akut for six months for negligence.
Court Dismisses Administrative Complaint Against CA Justice Over TRO Issuance
Supreme Court clarifies when ex parte TROs are proper and why administrative complaints are not substitutes for judicial remedies.
Attorney Negligence in the Philippines: Upholding Client Trust and Diligence
A lawyer's failure to file a memorandum and return a client's money order leads to reprimand, reaffirming duties of diligence and fidelity.
Service of Summons on Corporate Employees: What Aboitiz v. PCIC Teaches About Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies when service of summons on a corporate employee is valid and why a Rule 38 petition for relief is not a substitute for appeal.
Limited Liability in Maritime Law: When Can a Shipowner Avoid Full Damages
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the limited liability doctrine applies to shipowners and when they must pay full damages for lost cargo.
Valid Service of Summons on Corporations: Lessons from Aboitiz International Forwarders
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when service of summons on a corporate employee is valid and binds the corporation.
Lawyer Reprimanded for Neglect: Pontevedra and a Client's Money Order
The Supreme Court reprimanded a lawyer who failed to file a required memorandum and kept a client's money order, underscoring a lawyer's duty of diligence and trust.
Attorney's Fees in Estate Settlement: When Can Lawyers Directly Claim From the Estate?
Learn when lawyers may directly claim attorney's fees from an estate in the Philippines, based on Supreme Court rulings and estate settlement rules.
Judge Dismissed and Suspended from Law Practice for Gross Immorality in Extramarital Affair
Supreme Court dismisses a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair and child, while suspending him from law practice for three years.
Sheriffs' Duty to Submit Timely Execution Reports: Dignum v. Diamla
The Supreme Court reminds sheriffs that failure to file periodic execution reports is simple neglect of duty, even without bad faith.
Proximate Cause in Homicide Cases: Lessons from Operiano v. People
The Supreme Court explains when a kick that leads to a fatal fall constitutes homicide, clarifying proximate cause rules in the Philippines.
Discernment of Minors in Philippine Criminal Law: Juvenile Responsibility Explained
A 12-year-old's rape conviction upheld by the Supreme Court, clarifying when minors act with discernment under Philippine law.
Final Judgments and Land Disputes: Why Courts Stand Firm on Settled Property Rights
Learn why Philippine courts uphold final judgments in land disputes, protecting settled property rights from endless litigation.
Judicial Delay in the Philippines: Holding Judges Accountable for Delayed Case Resolutions
A Supreme Court ruling shows Philippine judges face fines for failing to resolve motions within the mandatory 30-day period.
Contract to Sell vs. Contract of Sale: Why Consent on Payment Terms Matters
The Supreme Court clarifies when a property agreement is a contract to sell, not a sale, and why consent on payment terms is decisive.
Lost Your Land Title? Why Proper Notice Is Your First Step to Reconstitution
Learn from Subido v. Republic: proper notice to occupants is mandatory before a court can reconstitute a lost land title.
Philippine Mining Disputes: DENR Jurisdiction vs. Court Authority
When do Philippine courts, not the DENR, decide mining contract disputes? The Supreme Court clarifies the boundary in Asaphil v. Tuason.
Peaceful Assembly in the Philippines: Know Your Rights and Permit Requirements After Bayan v. Ermita
The Supreme Court upheld the permit requirement for rallies but struck down the Calibrated Preemptive Response policy. Learn your rights.
Election Bans and Government Employee Reassignments: What Davalos Teaches Us
A look at how the Supreme Court treats cash advances, liquidation duties, and accountability of public officers.
Malversation of Public Funds in the Philippines: When Reimbursement Does Not Erase Liability
Failure to liquidate public funds can lead to malversation conviction even if the amount is later reimbursed. Learn the rules and key lessons from a Supreme Court case.
Executive Privilege in the Philippines: When Can the President Withhold Information? Ermita v. Senate Explaine
The Supreme Court's ruling in Ermita v. Senate defines the limits of executive privilege and Congress's power of inquiry in the Philippines.