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.
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Perfecting an Appeal: Understanding Timeliness and Receipt of Court Decisions in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts treat appeal timeliness, notice of judgment, and receipt of decisions—key rules every litigant must know.
Understanding Contract Interpretation: When a Windmill Deal Includes a Deep Well
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when contract terms include extra work, and when a typhoon is not a fortuitous event.
Understanding Forum Shopping in the Philippines: Avoiding Dismissal of Your Case
Learn how the Supreme Court defines forum shopping in the Philippines and why failure to file a motion for reconsideration can doom your case.
Robbery With Homicide: Understanding the Composite Crime in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that robbery with homicide is a single composite crime, regardless of how many people are killed.
Child Abuse and Parricide: Understanding the Legal Consequences in the Philippines
A father's brutal killing of his two-year-old son led to a parricide conviction. Learn the legal rules and penalties.
Understanding the Scope of Appeals in Philippine Labor Law: A Case on 13th Month Pay
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that the NLRC can only review issues raised on appeal, using a 13th month pay case as an example.
Employer Beware Understanding Illegal Recruitment AND Estafa IN THE Philippines
Juvenile Justice Understanding Mitigation AND Criminal Liability IN THE Philippines
How Philippine courts treat juvenile offenders, minority as mitigating circumstance, and criminal liability under the law.
Understanding Seafarer Dismissal Rights and Employer Duties in the Philippines
Learn the rules on seafarer dismissal in the Philippines from a Supreme Court case on illegal termination, due process, and overtime pay.
TAX Exemption FOR Government Corporations Understanding Restoration AND Real Property TAX
The Supreme Court rules on the validity of restored tax exemptions for government corporations and real property tax liability.
Understanding Recall Elections Limitations AND Implications IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the one-year ban on recall elections and what "regular local election" means under the Local Government Code.
Understanding Parricide in the Philippines: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains how circumstantial evidence can prove parricide beyond reasonable doubt in People v. De Vera.
Understanding Evident Premeditation and Self-Dense Claims in Philippine Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts prove evident premeditation and evaluate self-defense claims, based on a 1996 Supreme Court ruling.
Probation After Appeal Understanding THE Waiver Rule IN THE Philippines
Learn how appealing a conviction waives probation eligibility in the Philippines, based on Supreme Court rulings and the Probation Law.
Commodities Futures Trading: Understanding Risks and Legal Protections in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts treat disputes over commodity futures trading, including fraud claims and where investors can seek legal remedies.
Understanding Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: A Case Study
How the Supreme Court applied conspiracy and treachery in a murder case, explained in plain language for everyday readers.
Lease Renewal vs Extension Understanding Your Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the crucial difference between lease renewal and extension, and why verbal assurances of renewal may not hold up in court.
Litis Pendencia Understanding When A Prior Lawsuit Bars A NEW Case IN THE Philippines
Learn the elements of litis pendencia and how a prior case can bar a new lawsuit in Philippine courts.
Sheriffs Authority: Understanding the Limits of Property Attachment in the Philippines
Learn the limits of a sheriff's authority in property attachment in the Philippines, based on a landmark Supreme Court administrative case.
Judicial Accountability: Understanding Culpable Negligence in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a judge's error becomes culpable negligence, and why good faith matters in administrative cases.
Protecting Minors: Understanding Statutory Rape Laws in the Philippines
A look at statutory rape under Philippine law through the case of a 7-year-old victim, explaining the rules on consent, penetration, and evidence.
Initiative vs Referendum: Understanding Direct Democracy in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the difference between initiative and referendum, and how Filipinos can directly propose or reject laws.
Employee Transfers: Understanding Employer Rights and Limits in the Philippines
Learn the rules on employee transfers in the Philippines—when employers can validly transfer workers and what limits the law imposes.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Intent and Qualifying Circumstances
The Supreme Court explains treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, using People v. Villegas to illustrate sudden, unexpected attacks.