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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When a Strike Is Not Illegal: The "Knowingly Participates" Rule in Labor Law
A strike notice without the employer's counter-proposal is not defective if none exists. Automatic dismissal of union officers requires knowing participation in an illegal strike.
Strike Legality Counter Proposals AND Union Officer Dismissals IN Labor Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies notice of strike requirements and the "knowingly participates" rule for dismissing union officers.
Correcting Typographical Errors Valid Execution Despite Misstated Property Address
A typographical error in a judgment's dispositive portion does not render it defective or unenforceable. The Supreme Court explains how courts may correct such errors.
Service Awards FOR Overseas Workers Understanding Entitlement AND Prescription Under Philippine LAW
Emancipation Patents and Land Ownership: Protecting Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries
Learn how emancipation patents vest absolute ownership in farmer-beneficiaries, and why temporary surrender of possession does not mean abandonment.
When a Dishonored Check Cannot Be Theft: The Impossible Crime Doctrine in the Philippines
Can a worthless check be the object of theft? The Supreme Court explains the impossible crime doctrine and why intent alone is not enough.
Probationary Employment: Employers Must Inform Workers of Regularization Standards
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employment: employers must inform workers of regularization standards at the start of engagement.
Party List Representation: Guaranteeing Seats While Balancing Proportionality
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on party-list seat allocation in Philippine elections, balancing guaranteed seats with proportional representation.
Delegation of Search Warrant Endorsement: Balancing Efficiency and Safeguards in Criminal Investigations
The Supreme Court amends rules to allow law enforcement heads to delegate search warrant endorsements, balancing efficiency with judicial safeguards.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Testimony of Child Victims in Philippine Law
A look at People v. Obero, where the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction, affirming how courts assess a child victim's testimony and the finality of judgments.
Probationary Employment Security of Tenure and Due Process Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that probationary employees in the civil service enjoy security of tenure and due process rights, and cannot be dismissed at will.
Union Dues and Tuition Fee Hises: Protecting Faculty Benefits Under the Law
Supreme Court clarifies union dues on tuition-fee-funded faculty benefits, protecting mandatory allocations from negotiation fees.
Irrevocable Tax Options: Understanding the Finality of Choosing Between Tax Credit and Refund
Philippine Airlines' Supreme Court win clarifies when tax options become irrevocable and how franchise tax exemptions work.
Title Registration vs Fraudulent Claims: Protecting Good Faith Purchasers in Land Disputes
When two titles cover the same land, the Torrens system protects innocent buyers for value, even if the original patent was fraudulent.
Philippine Airlines and the MCIT: Franchise Tax Exemptions Under PD 1590 Explained
The Supreme Court ruled PAL is exempt from the minimum corporate income tax under its franchise. Learn the reasoning.
Brokerage Obligations Accounting FOR Stock Certificates AND Exchange Liabilities
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies stockbroker duties: accounting for missing certificates, PSE's right to sell pledged seats, and client refunds.
Judicial Misconduct: When a Judge Borrows From Lawyers and Erodes Impartiality
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for borrowing money from a lawyer with cases pending before her court, underscoring judicial integrity.
Mootness in Philippine Law: Resignation Resolves Appointment Dispute
Explore how the Supreme Court applies the mootness doctrine in Philippine administrative law, using a resignation case to illustrate key principles.
Robbery with Homicide in the Philippines: How Conspiracy Expands Criminal Liability
In People v. Musa, the Supreme Court held that all conspirators in a robbery are liable for robbery with homicide even if they did not take part in the killing.
Chattel VS Real Property Foreclosure Sale Validity Hinges ON Agreed Classification
Diligence Required Enforcing Final Judgments AND Avoiding Laches IN Philippine LAW
A 13-year delay in enforcing a final judgment bars execution by motion and constitutes laches. Learn the rules and deadlines.
Age of Criminal Responsibility: Testimonial Evidence and Protecting Juvenile Offenders
How testimonial evidence can prove a juvenile offender's age for exemption from criminal liability under RA 9344.
Breach of Trust as a Valid Ground for Dismissal in Employee Misconduct Cases
When can an employer validly dismiss an employee for loss of trust and confidence? The Supreme Court explains the rules in this labor case.
Loss of Redemption Rights: Inheriting Property After Mortgage Foreclosure in the Philippines
When a mortgaged property is foreclosed and not redeemed, heirs lose inheritance rights. The Supreme Court explains why.