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.
Senior Citizen and PWD Discounts: Police Power, Not Eminent Domain
The Supreme Court upheld the 20% senior citizen and PWD medicine discounts as a valid exercise of police power, not eminent domain requiring just compensation.
Tolerance Ends Land Recovery and the Limits of Procedural Technicalities in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on recovery of possession, tolerance, and why procedural technicalities cannot defeat a registered owner's substantive rights.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Courts Hold Individuals Accountable for Corporate Wrongdoing
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in California Manufacturing v. Advanced Technology System on when courts may pierce the corporate veil and apply legal compensation.
Upholding Land Ownership: Technicalities Yield to Substantive Rights in Property Disputes
SC rules procedural lapses cannot defeat a registered owner's right to recover property from tolerated occupants.
Senior Citizen and PWD Discounts: Police Power, Not Unconstitutional Taking
The Supreme Court upholds the 20% discount for senior citizens and PWDs as a valid exercise of police power, not an unconstitutional taking of property.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Stockholder’s Assets Answer for Corporate Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies that stockholders are not automatically liable for corporate debts, even in close corporations, and explains when personal assets may be reached.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can Stockholders Be Held Liable for Corporate Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies that stockholders of a close corporation are not automatically personally liable for corporate debts, explaining the limits of piercing the corporate veil.
Replevin Actions: Proving Ownership and Rightful Possession in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that replevin requires proof of ownership or rightful possession, not just a claim of wrongful detention.
Credit Card Debt Collection: Proving the Basis of Claims in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on credit card collection cases: creditors must prove the basis of claims, not just submit a statement of account.
Protecting Victims: How Family Can Petition for Protection Orders Under the Anti-VAWC Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that a victim's family can file for protection orders under the Anti-VAWC Law, even after a criminal complaint is dismissed.
Judicial Accountability: Timely Decisions and Ethical Conduct on the Bench
The Supreme Court holds judges accountable for delayed decisions and retirement violations, imposing fines on a retired judge.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: Balancing Delay and Due Process in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the balancing test for inordinate delay in preliminary investigations, affirming that prosecutors must justify delays.
Client Bound by Counsel's Negligence? SC Relaxes Rules in Pontillas Construction Dispute
Supreme Court reminds courts that procedural rules serve justice, not hinder it, in a case involving counsel's lapses.
Accountability in the Judiciary: Judges and Clerks Held Liable for Neglect of Duty
The Supreme Court reminds judges and court clerks that negligence delays justice. Learn the rules on accountability from a 2017 case.
Correcting Birth Certificate Entries: When to File with the Civil Registrar or the Court
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when birth certificate corrections need administrative filing under RA 9048 versus judicial action under Rule 108.
Agrarian Reform Reclassification As Farmlot Subdivision Does NOT Exempt Land From CARP Coverage
Supreme Court rules that reclassifying agricultural land as a farmlot subdivision before CARP does not exempt it from agrarian reform coverage.
Upholding the Validity of a Sale When Allegations of Forgery Fall Short
The Supreme Court explains when a notarized deed of sale stands despite claims of forgery, and why bare allegations are not enough.
Determining Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Balancing Land Value and Legal Mandates
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is determined in agrarian reform cases, balancing land value factors and legal mandates.
Seafarers Disability Claims Upholding Company Doctors Assessment Absent Third Opinion
Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's disability grading prevails over a seafarer's private doctor in POEA-SEC claims.
Implied Admission: The Impact of Unanswered Requests in Philippine Litigation
A party who ignores a request for admission risks implied admission of key facts, which can lead to summary judgment. This case explains why.
Unlawful Detainer When Initial Objection Voids A Claim OF Tolerance
Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer, lease renewal options, and binding successors-in-interest in property law.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal Extinguishes Criminal and Civil Liability
Explore how the Supreme Court applied of the Revised Penal Code in People v. Toukyo, clarifying that death abates criminal liability and related civil claims.
Valid Consignation Demands Strict Compliance With Legal Requirements
Learn when depositing rent in a bank account is not valid consignation, and what the law requires for debt payment.
Credit Card Debt: Unconscionable Interest Rates and the Duty to Respond
The Supreme Court clarifies when credit card interest rates are unconscionable and why borrowers must answer lawsuits on time.