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.
Premature Demolition and Due Process: When Property Rights Clash with Fair Play
A Supreme Court ruling on how premature demolition violates due process and the abuse of rights principle under Article 19 of the Civil Code.
Sale vs Commodatum: Property Rights and Contractual Intent in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to distinguish sale from commodatum, and why proving ownership in recovery actions requires clear evidence of title and identity.
Upholding Land Ownership Claims: The Importance of Evidentiary Proof in Reconveyance Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling on reconveyance underscores that ownership claims must be proven by clear evidence, not mere allegations.
Alibi vs Positive Identification: The Physical Impossibility Test in Criminal Defense
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when alibi fails against positive identification, requiring proof of physical impossibility to be at the crime scene.
Rape and Mental Incapacity: Ensuring Justice for Vulnerable Victims in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction of a mentally disabled victim, clarifying rules on witness credibility and proper charges.
Upholding Attorney Accountability: Judge Fined for Improper Ex Parte TRO Issuance
Supreme Court holds judge liable for issuing 20-day TRO without summary hearing, violating Administrative Circular No. 20-95.
When Rape Charges Are Not Qualified: The Importance of Specific Allegations in the Information
A Supreme Court ruling shows why qualifying circumstances in rape must be specifically alleged in the information to warrant the death penalty.
Rape Conviction Modified: When Qualifying Circumstances Must Be Alleged
The Supreme Court modifies a rape conviction, acquitting the accused on three counts for insufficient evidence and ruling on the necessity of alleging qualifying circumstances.
Accountability for Group Violence: Assessing Liability and Intent in Philippine Law
How Philippine courts assign criminal liability when multiple persons conspire to commit murder, and when aggravating circumstances apply.
When Police Tips Fail: Hot Pursuit Arrests and Drug Evidence in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, clarifying when warrantless hot pursuit arrests are invalid and seized drugs inadmissible.
Medical Certification and Due Process in Employee Dismissal: Protecting Workers from Arbitrary Termination
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Cathay Pacific v. NLRC clarifies rules on medical certification and due process in employee dismissal for disease.
Personal Cultivation Requirement in Agrarian Reform: Palele v. Court of Appeals
Supreme Court ruling on the personal cultivation requirement for agrarian reform beneficiaries and why mere payment does not vest ownership.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Supreme Court Acquits Murder Accused on Inconsistent Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a murder accused on reasonable doubt, emphasizing that inconsistent prosecution evidence and corroborated defense testimony cannot sustain a conviction.
Mootness in Administrative Cases When Dismissal Renders Judicial Review Unnecessary
When the Ombudsman dismisses administrative charges, a pending petition questioning a preventive suspension order becomes moot. The Supreme Court explains.
PNB v. Ritrato Group: Suing the Wrong Party in Foreclosure Disputes
Learn why the Supreme Court dismissed an injunction suit against PNB, a mere attorney-in-fact, and how corporate veil piercing works.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Parent Company Can Be Held Liable for Subsidiary Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may disregard corporate separateness and hold a parent liable for its subsidiary's obligations.
Treachery Defined: Justice for Victims Attacked While Defenseless
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, ruling that attacking a sleeping victim qualifies, ensuring justice for defenseless victims.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting: Fear and Intimidation in Sexual Assault Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a robbery-with-rape conviction, ruling that a victim's delayed reporting and submission due to fear do not negate the crime.
Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal: Unsigned Records Cannot Justify Termination
Unsigned records and self-serving documents cannot justify employee dismissal. The Supreme Court clarifies the employer's burden of proof in illegal termination cases.
Vindication and Unlicensed Firearms: When Personal Offense Mitigates Murder
The Supreme Court clarifies how a grave personal offense can mitigate murder and how unlicensed firearms affect sentencing.
Judicial Ethics: Why a Judge Was Reprimanded for Letting His Wife Access Court Records
The Supreme Court reprimanded a judge for allowing his wife access to confidential case records, underscoring judicial impartiality and ethics.
Finality of Judgments in Disbarment Cases: Lessons from Bihag v. Era
The Supreme Court enforces final judgments in disbarment cases, citing a lawyer for indirect contempt and disobedience for refusing to return client funds.
Downgrading Murder to Homicide: The Crucial Role of Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies murder, and when its absence downgrades the crime to homicide.
Judicial Accountability and Due Process in Issuing Restraining Orders and Execution of Judgments
Supreme Court ruling on judicial accountability, strict adherence to procedure in motions for reconsideration, and execution of judgments within prescriptive periods.