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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Optional Retirement Rights and Labor Tribunals' Limits in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Supreme Court clarifies optional retirement requires explicit employee consent, and labor tribunals lack jurisdiction over tax refund claims.
Contractual Obligations Prevail: Bank's Right to Offset Debts Despite Trustee-Beneficiary Claims
Supreme Court ruling on when a bank may validly apply a borrower's funds to settle debts, even amid trustee-beneficiary claims.
Torrens Title Prevails Over Unregistered Deeds in Land Ownership Disputes
When a property becomes registered under the Torrens System, prior unregistered claims are defeated. Learn the rules from Naawan Bank v. Spouses Lumo.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Imperative of Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Murder Convictions
Understand how Philippine courts treat treachery claims and why proof beyond reasonable doubt remains the gold standard in murder cases.
Treachery Defined: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery and self-defense in sudden attacks, affirming that bare claims of self-defense cannot overcome clear evidence of guilt.
Upholding Prior Possession HOW Forcible Entry Claims Protect Land Cultivators IN THE Philippines
Good Faith Prevails: Exoneration From Dishonesty Charges in Veteran Preference Claims
Philippine Supreme Court rules good faith and truthfulness defeat dishonesty charges in veteran preference claims, allowing reinstatement with back salaries.
Illegal Dismissal: Employers Must Substantiate Claims and Observe Due Process
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Atlas Farms v. NLRC clarifies employer burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases and due process requirements.
Annulment of Elections vs Election Protests: What Macabago v. COMELEC Teaches Us
The Supreme Court clarifies when election fraud claims belong in an election protest, not an annulment case.
When Actions Speak Louder: Understanding Self-Defense Claims in Philippine Homicide Cases
A look at how Philippine courts weigh self-defense claims in homicide cases, and what it takes to prove it.
When Reimbursement Claims Belong to Labor Tribunals: Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employer's training reimbursement claim is a labor dispute, not a civil case.
Solid Rock vs Joint Survey: When Evidence Determines Fault in Vehicular Accidents
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies negligence and vicarious liability in vehicular accidents, emphasizing evidence over mere allegations in quasi-delict claims.
Res Judicata in Corporate Disputes: When Prior Judgments Bind Subsequent Claims
The Supreme Court explains when a prior judgment bars a later corporate claim, even against a party not impleaded in the first case.
Judicial Impartiality: Proving Bias Claims in Administrative Cases Against Judges
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that bias claims against judges need substantial evidence, not speculation, in administrative proceedings.
Relaxing Rules When Imperfecting an Appeal Serves Justice in the Philippines
Philippine courts may relax procedural rules on appeals when justice demands, but litigants must still prove their claims and avoid forum shopping.
Mortgage Validity Upheld Despite Alleged Fraud and Overpayment Claims
When silence on account statements bars later overpayment claims, and how litis pendentia and forum shopping can defeat a borrower's injunction suit.
Protecting Overseas Workers: Illegal Dismissal and the Limits of Quitclaims in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on overseas entertainers' illegal dismissal shows quitclaims signed under duress are void and cannot bar labor claims.
How Youth and Voluntary Surrender Affect Criminal Liability in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when voluntary surrender is a mitigating circumstance and how self-defense claims are judged.
The Stay Order and Corporate Rehabilitation: Suspending Claims Against Distressed Companies
Explaining how the stay order in corporate rehabilitation suspends money claims against distressed companies, citing the Philippine Airlines case.
Self-Defense Claims and Unlawful Aggression: Lessons from People v. Tadeo
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and how intoxication, provocation, and surrender affect criminal liability in homicide cases.
Passion and Obfuscation: How Jealousy Can Reduce Murder to Homicide in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when passion and obfuscation can downgrade a murder charge to homicide, and how self-defense claims are weighed.
Upholding Corporate Authority When Can a Lawyer Certify Against Forum Shopping
Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate lawyer may sign the certification against forum shopping, and the limits of year-end incentive claims.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony: Positive Identification vs. Alibi in Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court weighed eyewitness identification against alibi and duress claims in a murder case, affirming convictions.
Defining Jurisdiction When Specific Performance Claims Outweigh Monetary Demands In Contract Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies RTC jurisdiction over breach of contract cases where specific performance is the main action, not the monetary claim.