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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Extradition and Due Process: Bail Cancellation Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when bail in extradition cases can be cancelled, and the due process rights of prospective extraditees.
Navigating Agrarian Disputes: DARAB Jurisdiction and Tenancy Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when DARAB has jurisdiction over agrarian disputes and what evidence proves tenancy and ownership rights.
Stock Trading Risks: Broker and Investor Duties in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when brokers and investors are liable for unpaid stock trades and how the pari delicto rule applies.
Habeas Corpus and Deportation in the Philippines: When Courts Can Intervene
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when habeas corpus is available in deportation cases and why filing the wrong remedy can be fatal.
Breach of Contract and Banks Duty: Damages for Malicious Suspension of Credit Line
A bank that maliciously suspends a credit line breaches its contract and may be liable for damages, as the Supreme Court ruled in Republic Planters Bank v. Montinola.
Attorney Misconduct When Personal Debt Leads to Professional Discipline in the Philippines
When can a lawyer's unpaid personal debt and bouncing checks lead to suspension? The Supreme Court explains in Tomlin v. Moya.
Intent to Kill: How Philippine Courts Determine Attempted and Frustrated Homicide
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish attempted from frustrated homicide through intent to kill, based on a 2006 Supreme Court ruling.
Overt Acts and Intent: Understanding Attempted Rape Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when acts amount to attempted rape and when they only constitute light coercion.
Retrenchment Requisites Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Employee Rights Against Unsubstantiated Loss Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies retrenchment requisites, ruling that employers must prove actual losses with evidence, not mere allegations.
Retrenchment in Philippine Labor Law: When Cost-Cutting Becomes Illegal Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the strict requirements for valid retrenchment and redundancy, and the consequences of bad-faith dismissals.
Client Bound by Lawyer's Negligence: Finality of Judgments in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how clients are bound by their counsel's actions, finality of judgments, and limits of certiorari.
Freeport vs Customs Territory: Navigating Importation Laws in Philippine Economic Zones
Supreme Court ruling on EO 156 clarifies that importation bans in customs territory do not automatically apply inside the Subic Bay Freeport.
Reconveyance and Implied Trust: When Fraudulent Titles Must Yield to Actual Possession
A Supreme Court ruling on reconveyance, implied trust, and why actual possession can defeat fraudulently obtained Torrens titles.
Bound by Your Lawyer's Mistakes: Client Responsibility in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on reconveyance, implied trusts, and why clients are bound by their counsel's procedural lapses.
Defining the Boundaries of Rape When Contact Does Not Constitute Penetration
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when sexual contact without penetration constitutes rape, examining the legal definition and elements of the crime.
Regular vs Casual Employment in the Philippines: Key Protections for Long-Term Workers
The Supreme Court clarifies when a worker becomes regular under Article 280, protecting long-term employees from dismissal without just cause.
Immediate Deposit Rule for Court Clerks: Accountability Despite Full Restitution
Court clerks must deposit judiciary funds immediately. Restitution does not erase administrative liability, as this Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows.
Torrens Title Indefeasibility: Why Land Registration Must Be Timely and Accurate in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains why a Torrens title cannot be collaterally attacked and why land registration must be timely and accurate.
Permanent vs Temporary Appointments: Security of Tenure in Philippine Civil Service
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a "permanent" appointment is actually temporary, and what it means for security of tenure in government service.
Strict Liability and the Comelec Gun Ban: Why Ignorance of the Law Is No Excuse
The Supreme Court explains why carrying a firearm during an election period without a permit is a strict liability offense under COMELEC Resolution No. 2323.
Corporate Autonomy and Employee Benefits: The PPA Hazard Pay and Birthday Gift Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations can grant employee benefits, using the PPA hazard pay and birthday cash gift case.
Compromise Agreements: Who Is Actually Bound by a Settlement?
A compromise agreement binds only its signatories. Learn how the Supreme Court protected a co-maker not named in the settlement.
Unveiling Implied Trust: How Purchase Money Defines Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains purchase money resulting trust under Article 1448, Civil Code, and its effect on donations of property.
When a Lawyer's Appeal Becomes Misuse of Legal Processes: A Philippine Lesson
A UP lawyer was reprimanded for appealing a student tribunal's dismissal. Learn the limits of a lawyer's duty and legal process.