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.
Rape and Credibility: Evaluating Testimony in the Face of Physical Disability
Physical disability alone does not negate rape liability. The Supreme Court affirms conviction, explaining how credibility, not disability, decides rape cases.
Treachery in Criminal Law: When a Frontal Attack Constitutes Murder
The Supreme Court explains when a frontal attack still qualifies as treachery, elevating a killing to murder in the Philippines.
Breach of Trust: When a Lawyer's Actions Lead to Ethical Misconduct
When a lawyer solicits a client's letter then uses it against them, the Supreme Court says it is misconduct.
Bank Liability for Premature Foreclosure and Dishonored Deposits
When can a bank be liable for damages? The Supreme Court rules on premature foreclosure, dishonored checks, and bad faith.
Mayoral Prerogative vs Police Professionalism: Understanding the Limits of Local Executive Power in Police App
A look at how the Supreme Court balances a mayor's appointment power with the need for police professionalism and legal limits.
Redemption Rights Upholding Timely Redemption IN Foreclosure Cases
Explaining the one-year redemption period in extrajudicial foreclosures and why a redemption made on the last day is valid.
Attorney’s Lien in the Philippines: Can It Attach to Real Property?
Philippine law limits attorney’s liens to judgments and client documents—not land. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
The Perils of Mistaken Identity: Alibi and Witness Credibility in Murder Convictions
A Supreme Court ruling on how positive identification outweighs alibi, and the consequences of mistaken identity in murder cases.
The Element of Surprise: Establishing Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law
A look at how the Supreme Court defines treachery in murder cases, using a 2001 decision as a guide.
Balancing Fair Trial Rights and Public Access: The Estrada Trial Audio-Visual Recording Ruling
The Supreme Court's 2001 ruling on the Estrada trial balanced fair trial rights with public access, allowing delayed audio-visual recordings while prohibiting live broadcast.
Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Robbery With Homicide: The Marquez Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when robbery with homicide is proven beyond reasonable doubt, and when illegal possession of firearm charges fail.
Beyond the Logbook: Upholding Employee Rights in Administrative Cases
Explore how the Supreme Court protects employees' rights in administrative cases, ensuring fairness beyond mere documentation and procedural compliance.
Upholding Workplace Conduct: Carrying Firearms in the Hall of Justice and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court rules on a court employee carrying a firearm in the Hall of Justice, finding misconduct and oppression while protecting employee rights.
Deceptive Promises in Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: Lessons from People v. Arabia
When do false promises of overseas jobs become both illegal recruitment and estafa? The Supreme Court explains in People v. Arabia.
When Can an Employer Be Sued for an Employee’s Libel? The Premature Enforcement Rule
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an employer’s subsidiary liability for an employee’s libel can only be enforced after criminal conviction, not before.
SSS Contribution Claims: When Does the Clock Start Ticking on Prescription Periods in Philippine Law
Understand how prescription periods apply to SSS contribution claims in the Philippines, based on recent Supreme Court rulings and statutory deadlines.
Indispensable Parties Protecting Mortgagee Rights In Title Nullification Suits
When a title nullification suit omits the mortgagee, the resulting judgment is void. The Supreme Court explains why.
Docket Fees vs Filing Brief: Understanding Grounds for Appeal Dismissal in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that failure to file an appellant's brief is not the same as non-payment of docket fees for appeal dismissal.
Clerk of Court Fined for Dereliction of Duty in Delayed Case Transmittal
Supreme Court holds Clerk of Court liable for inefficiency and incompetence after 10-month delay in transmitting court orders and records in a criminal case.
Good Faith in Property Acquisition: Protecting Torrens Titles From Unrecorded Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court protects buyers of registered land from unrecorded claims, and why a notice of lis pendens must be properly annotated.
Estate Tax Deficiency Assessments: Balancing Government Revenue and Taxpayer Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when estate tax surcharges and interest apply, and how taxpayers can contest deficiency assessments.
Overseas Recruitment Agencies: Solidary Liability for Deployed Workers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on recruitment agencies' joint and solidary liability for overseas workers' unpaid wages and deployment violations.
Estate Tax Deficiency: When Surcharges and Interest Apply Under the NIRC
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on estate tax deficiency surcharges, interest, and penalties under the NIRC, explained for lay readers.
Increased Risk and Compensation: Overcoming the Occupational Disease Requirement
Explaining the increased-risk doctrine in Philippine employees' compensation claims, using GSIS v. Barrameda as a guide for non-occupational diseases.