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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Judicial Ethics: Why Judges Must Avoid Even the Appearance of Impropriety
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge soliciting donations from lawyers and prosecutors, and the duty to avoid impropriety.
When Delaying Tactics Backfire: The Right to Present Defense Evidence in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts must allow accused persons to present defense evidence, even after prosecution rests.
Regular Employment vs Apprenticeship: Protecting Workers' Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when apprenticeship agreements cannot defeat regular employment status and workers' rights.
When Self-Defense Fails: Superior Strength in Philippine Murder Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains when self-defense fails and how abuse of superior strength qualifies a killing as murder in the Philippines.
Navigating Drug Cases: Entrapment, Possession, and Chain of Custody Explained
Learn how Philippine courts distinguish entrapment from instigation and why chain of custody matters in drug cases, based on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling.
Accountability of Court Personnel Handling Judiciary Funds and Fiduciary Duties
Supreme Court ruling on clerks of court and cash clerks liable for shortages in judiciary funds, and the consequences of negligence and dishonesty.
Just Compensation in Eminent Domain: Valuing Property at the Time of Taking
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how just compensation in expropriation is determined by the property's value and character at the time of taking.
Excise Tax Refunds: Who Can Claim for Petroleum Products Sold to International Carriers
Learn who may claim excise tax refunds on petroleum products sold to international carriers under Philippine law, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Intra-Corporate vs Illegal Dismissal: Where to File Your Case
Learn when a dismissal case is intra-corporate or a labor dispute, and which forum has jurisdiction, based on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling.
Limits of Executive Judge Authority: Avoiding Gross Ignorance of the Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judges who acted on cases outside their jurisdiction, and the limits of executive judge authority.
Judicial Ethics and Public Trust: When Government Cannot Hide Behind State Immunity
Supreme Court ruling on state immunity, quantum meruit, and why government contractors deserve payment for completed public works.
Grave Misconduct in the Philippine Judiciary: What Court Employees Should Know
A Supreme Court ruling explains why court employees face dismissal for grave misconduct, even if criminal charges are dismissed.
Breach of Trust: Dismissal for Dishonesty and Grave Misconduct in Philippine Courts
A clerk of court's falsified receipts and unreported collections led to dismissal for dishonesty and grave misconduct in this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Negligence and Misconduct of Court Personnel: Lessons from a Clerk of Court and Sheriff Case
A Supreme Court ruling shows how negligence by clerks of court and grave misconduct by sheriffs can derail justice and bring severe penalties.
Retrenchment in the Philippines: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations
A Supreme Court ruling shows what employers must prove before retrenching staff, and why a signed quitclaim does not always bar an illegal dismissal case.
Self-Defense and Treachery: Key Distinctions in Philippine Criminal Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and treachery qualifies killing as murder under Philippine law.
Union Registration in the Philippines: Balancing Compliance and Workers' Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when failure to submit union reports warrants cancellation of registration, and the DOLE Secretary's review power.
Understanding Temperate Damages When Courts Estimate Losses in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts award temperate damages when actual losses can't be proven, based on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling.
Entrapment and Chain of Custody: Protecting Rights in Philippine Drug Cases
A 2011 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when buy-bust operations are valid and how drug evidence must be preserved.
Buy-Bust Operations: Ensuring Integrity of Drug Evidence in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on buy-bust operations underscores why the chain of custody of drug evidence is crucial to secure a conviction.
Extrajudicial Confessions and Buy-Bust Operations: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
A 2011 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when warrantless arrests and drug evidence remain valid despite procedural lapses in buy-bust operations.
Court Efficiency and Accountability Penalties for Mismanaged Court Records
A Supreme Court ruling on court clerks fined for gross neglect of duty in handling fiduciary funds and records.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Parent Companies Face Liability for Labor Violations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when parent companies can be held liable for subsidiaries' labor violations, explained for employees and businesses.
Estoppel by Silence in Philippine Insurance Law: When a Bank's Silence Speaks Volumes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on estoppel by silence, bank liability for unpaid insurance premiums, and corporate veil in insurance claims.