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.
Prescription in Insurance Claims: When Does the Clock Really Start Ticking
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the prescriptive period for insurance claims begins, protecting policyholders from delayed denial.
Sheriff’s Duty vs. Corporate Identity: When Levy on a Third Party’s Property Is Allowed
A sheriff’s duty is ministerial, but good faith can excuse an erroneous levy. Learn the rule on third-party claims.
Failure of Election Grounds and Remedies in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the limited grounds for declaring a failure of election and why election protests, not annulment, address fraud claims.
Adverse Claims and Good Faith: Protecting Mortgage Interests in Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how adverse claims and buyer good faith affect mortgage rights in property transfers.
Interest Rate Agreements and Freedom of Contract: When Courts Uphold Agreed Rates
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on freedom of contract in interest rate agreements, and when courts will uphold stipulated rates despite claims of excessiveness.
Conspiracy and Self-Defense: Establishing Guilt in Multiple Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court rejected self-defense claims and found conspiracy in the brutal killing of a defenseless couple.
Common Carrier Liability for Cargo Damage: Proving Negligence and Claims
Learn how Philippine law presumes common carriers negligent for cargo damage, and how to prove or rebut claims.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Examining Intent and Unlawful Aggression in Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a victim's bad character matters in murder cases and why treachery negates self-defense claims.
Revisiting Criminal Liability Distinguishing Homicide From Murder Amidst Claims Of Treachery
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery and evident premeditation must be proven to elevate homicide to murder.
When Do Labor Tribunals Have Jurisdiction Over Employer Claims? Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court clarifies when labor tribunals, not regular courts, hear employer claims for damages arising from an employee's resignation.
Unveiling Forgery: Securing Document Examination in Philippine Courts
Learn how Philippine courts handle forgery claims, document production, and NBI examination under Rule 27, based on a 2002 Supreme Court ruling.
Forgery Claims and Document Production: The Right to Examine Evidence in Court
When can a court deny a motion to examine documents for forgery? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of judicial discretion.
Premature Proclamation and Due Process in Election Contests: Abinal v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court clarifies when COMELEC may order a proclamation while a pre-proclamation appeal is pending, and the limits of due process claims.
Credibility in Rape Cases: Why Victim Testimony Carries Decisive Weight
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, underscoring that a victim's credible, positive testimony outweighs alibi and improbable claims.
Lawyer Suspended for Misappropriating Client Funds in Fake PNB Fixer Scheme
A Supreme Court ruling suspends a lawyer for six months for misappropriating P60,000 from a client through false claims of bank connections.
When Misrepresentations Lead to Estafa: The Dangers of Falsely Claiming the Ability to Process Travel Document
The Supreme Court clarifies when false claims about processing travel documents constitute estafa, even without promises of employment abroad.
Authenticating Evidence When Hearsay Testimony Undermines Insurance Claims
A Supreme Court ruling on hearsay and unauthenticated documents in a default judgment, and its impact on insurance claims.
Accretion Rights and Land Ownership Along Riverbanks: Key Philippine Rules
Philippine Supreme Court explains how accretion rights along riverbanks determine land ownership, and why prior judgments bind future claims.
Tenant Rights vs Landowner Prerogative: Clarifying Tenancy Status in Agrarian Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies how courts determine bona fide tenancy status in agrarian disputes, emphasizing evidence and consistent testimony over mere claims.
When A Brawl Turns Deadly Reassessing Criminal Liability In Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a deadly brawl shifts criminal liability, and the limits of self-defense claims.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Has Jurisdiction Over Illegal Dismissal Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies when an illegal dismissal case belongs to labor courts or the SEC/RTC in corporate officer disputes.
Prior Use of a Brand Name Prevails Over Copyright or Patent Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why trademark rights based on prior use trump copyright or patent registrations in brand name disputes.
Execution Pending Appeal: Balancing Public Interest and Court Discretion in Insurance Claims
When can a winning party execute a judgment while the appeal is pending? The Supreme Court explains the "good reasons" standard in this insurance dispute.
When Courts, Not the SEC, Decide Succession and Corporate Veil Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when inheritance claims against a corporation belong in regular courts, not the SEC.