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.
Retirement Pay Law Prevails Over Company Manual in Optional Retirement Case
Supreme Court rules company retirement plans cannot provide benefits lower than the Labor Code's minimum under Article 287.
Optional Retirement Pay Must Meet Labor Code Minimum, SC Rules in University of Cebu Case
Supreme Court rules company retirement plans cannot give less than the Labor Code's 22.5 days per year of service minimum.
Due Process and Employee Dismissal: Balancing Rights and Employer Authority in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the twin-notice rule in dismissals and when a flawed procedure still yields a valid termination.
Conditional Sales and Default: When Unpaid Balances Void Property Claims
A buyer who fails to pay the balance in a contract to sell loses rights to the property, as the Supreme Court affirmed in Mandin-Trotin v. Bongo.
Attorney Disciplinary Actions: When Private Misconduct Leads to Disbarment
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for gross immorality, dishonesty, and deceitful conduct, clarifying the boundaries of professional conduct.
Judicial Accountability: Gross Ignorance of the Law in Issuing Unlawful Arrest Warrants
When a judge issued arrest warrants in cases where the law forbids them, the Supreme Court held him liable for gross ignorance of the law.
Burden of Proof in Rape Cases: Testimony and Physical Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts weigh testimony and medical findings in rape cases, acquitting on two counts for insufficient evidence.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Evidence Integrity in the Philippines
Why strict compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 is crucial in drug cases, and how broken chains lead to acquittal.
Disbarment Case: Reprimand for Lawyer's False Statements and Court Disrespect
Supreme Court reprimands lawyer for discourteous language and unfounded accusations against judges and prosecutors in administrative case.
Proving Foreign Law in Philippine Courts: Divorce, Property Rights, and the Keppel Case
Philippine courts don't take judicial notice of foreign laws. Learn the proof requirements from the Supreme Court's Keppel ruling on divorce and property.
Foreign Nationals and Land Ownership: Constitutional Limits on Succession Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that foreign nationals cannot own land or transmit rights through succession, affecting heirs' claims.
Judicial Longevity Pay: Crediting Prior Government Service for Justices and Judges
The Supreme Court ruled that prior OSG service may count toward judicial longevity pay, affecting retirement and salary benefits.
Certiorari as an Improper Remedy: Interlocutory Orders and Grave Abuse of Discretion in Recovery of Possession
A party cannot use certiorari to challenge interlocutory orders like a denied motion to dismiss or default order when ordinary remedies exist.
Conspiracy and Intent: When Multiple Assaults Do Not Prove Discernment in Minors
The Supreme Court clarifies that intent to kill and conspiracy do not automatically prove a minor's discernment, requiring separate proof for criminal liability.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Chain of Custody
The Supreme Court acquits an inmate in a drug possession case, stressing the mandatory witness requirements in the chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
The Weight of Witness Testimony Establishing Conspiracy in Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh witness credibility and conspiracy in murder convictions, with practical guidance for building a strong case.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Defining the Boundaries of Misconduct in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between simple dishonesty and grave offenses in administrative cases, with practical guidance for public servants.
Ombudsman's Power to Reopen Cases and Due Process in Preliminary Investigations
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on the Ombudsman's authority to reverse a predecessor's findings and due process limits in preliminary investigations.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Missing Witnesses Led to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect because police failed to secure required third-party witnesses during evidence inventory, stressing strict chain of custody compliance.
Conspiracy and Overt Acts in Group Offenses: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that mere presence at a crime scene does not establish conspiracy; an overt act is required for criminal liability.
Torrens Title vs. Possession: When a Registered Owner Prevails in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Torrens title prevails over possession claims in accion publiciana cases, reaffirming the indefeasibility of registered land titles.
Falsification of Public Documents: Intent to Injure Not Required for Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that intent to injure is not an element of falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code.
Land Rights and Oral Sales: Understanding Property Disputes in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when oral sales of land are valid, and why the five-year free patent ban on alienation matters.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Are Corporate Officers Personally Liable in Labor Cases?
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers can be held personally liable for labor claims, emphasizing the need for clear allegations and proof of bad faith.