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.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Retrenchment and Employee Rights
When does a resignation during retrenchment become illegal dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on voluntary resignation and employee rights.
Finality of Judgment Prevails: When a Notice of Lis Pendens Can Be Cancelled
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that only the court with jurisdiction over the main action may cancel a lis pendens, and final judgments cannot be collaterally attacked.
Balancing Development and Ecology: The Limits of Environmental Protection Orders in Mining Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Writ of Kalikasan may issue in mining disputes, requiring proof of environmental damage of magnitude affecting two or more provinces.
Judicial Accountability When Delay Undermines Justice in the Philippines
The Supreme Court holds judges accountable for undue delay, clarifying the line between judicial discretion and administrative liability.
Lawyer Suspended for Neglecting Client’s Cases and Unjustified Withdrawal
A lawyer who withdrew from a case without client consent or court approval was suspended for one year and ordered to return fees.
Passenger Duty of Diligence in Verifying Flight Details: Manay v. Cebu Air
The Supreme Court ruled that passengers must exercise ordinary diligence in checking flight details on tickets, even as airlines owe extraordinary diligence.
Choosing the Right Ejectment Case: Forcible Entry vs. Unlawful Detainer
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between forcible entry and unlawful detainer, and why filing the wrong ejectment case can be fatal to a claim.
Lawyers Must Return Fees for Incompetent Service: A.C. No. 10543
When a lawyer accepts a case beyond their competence, they must return the full fees paid. The Supreme Court explains the rule on quantum meruit.
Prescription in Intra-Corporate Disputes: The 15-Day Rule for Election Contests
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that actions to nullify stockholders' meetings and elections are election contests subject to the 15-day prescriptive period.
Judicial Approval Makes Compromise Agreements Final and Executory
A compromise agreement approved by the court becomes a final judgment. Annulment is limited to Rule 47 remedies.
Corporate Control and Stock Ownership: Resolving Disputes in Philippine Corporations
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how stock ownership disputes affect corporate elections and why prior rulings cannot be overstretched.
Mining Rights: Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and the DENR Secretary's Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts can review mining disputes, the DENR Secretary's administrative powers, and the need to exhaust remedies.
Mining Rights: Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and DENR Secretary Authority
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that DENR Secretary's approval of mining agreements is administrative, not quasi-judicial, requiring exhaustion of administrative remedies.
BSP Authority to Engage Private Counsel and Jurisdiction in Legal Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies BSP's power to hire private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property cases involving assessed value.
Land Conveyance and Public Land Act Alienation Restrictions: A Guide to Reconveyance
Learn how the Public Land Act's five-year ban on selling free patent land affects property sales and reconveyance actions in the Philippines.
Voiding Land Sales Under Free Patent: The Five-Year Restriction on Alienation
When can a sale of free patent land be void? The Supreme Court explains the five-year ban and its consequences.
BSP Can Use Private Counsel: Supreme Court Clarifies Jurisdiction and Representation Rules
Supreme Court rules on BSP's authority to engage private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property disputes.
Substitution of Parties: Due Process Prevails Despite Procedural Lapses in Estate Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules that failure to formally substitute deceased parties is not fatal when heirs actively participate in the case.
Illegal Dismissal: PAL's Duty to Prove Valid Retrenchment Explained
Philippine Airlines failed to prove valid retrenchment, making employee dismissals illegal. Learn the burden of proof employers must meet.
Safeguarding Judicial Independence: Dismissal of Baseless Complaints Against Judges
The Supreme Court dismisses baseless administrative complaints against CA justices, reinforcing that adverse rulings alone do not prove judicial bias or partiality.
Judicial Ethics: Substantiated Claims of Misconduct Against Court Personnel
Learn how the Supreme Court handles administrative misconduct claims against sheriffs, including the rules on evidence and withdrawal of complaints.
Perfecting an Appeal: Why Timely Payment of Fees Is Critical in Philippine Courts
Learn why timely payment of appellate docket fees is mandatory in Philippine courts and how failure to perfect an appeal can be fatal to a case.
Fixed-Term Employment: When Repeated Contract Renewals Create Regular Employee Status
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when repeated fixed-term contract renewals convert employees to regular status with security of tenure.
Electricity Disconnection Due Process and Utility Company Obligations in the Philippines
Learn the Supreme Court's rules on electricity disconnection, due process, and utility obligations under R.A. 7832 in the Philippines.