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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Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Familial Rape Cases: Scrutinizing Testimonial Evidence
In People v. Layugan, the Supreme Court convicted a father of five counts of rape but struck down the death penalty because the victim's age was not proven.
Quizon v. Court of Appeals: Direct Contempt, Mootness, and the Limits of Certiorari
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Quizon v. Court of Appeals on direct contempt, mootness, and why certiorari was not the proper remedy.
Judicial Ethics: Judges Must Avoid Influencing Cases Pending in Other Courts
A Supreme Court ruling reminds judges that trying to sway the outcome of a case pending in another court violates judicial ethics, even without malice or bad faith.
Limits of Contempt Power: Quizon v. Court of Appeals on Judicial Authority and Individual Rights
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling in Quizon v. Court of Appeals on direct contempt, its limits, and the balance between judicial authority and individual rights.
Upholding Judicial Ethics: Gross Immorality and the Price of Private Misconduct
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair, clarifying ethical standards for judges and lawyers.
Supreme Court: IPRA Customary Laws Do Not Oust Regular Courts in Mixed-Party Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies NCIP jurisdiction under IPRA, upholding final judgments and rejecting belated claims of indigenous status to evade execution.
Quasi-Delict Liability in Vehicular Accidents: When Negligence and Vicarious Responsibility Apply
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies negligence, proximate cause, and vicarious liability in a vehicular accident quasi-delict case.
Graft and Grave Misconduct: Court Officer Dismissed for Fixing a Court Decision
Supreme Court dismisses a clerk of court for extorting money to fix a court decision, affirming strict integrity standards for court personnel.
Duress or Deception: When Fear Fails as a Defense in Kidnapping for Ransom
The Supreme Court explains when uncontrollable fear is not a valid defense in kidnapping for ransom cases.
Confirming Land Titles: Possession Isnt Always Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling on search warrants clarifies that holding a Torrens title does not automatically mean ownership, and explains the limits of seizure.
Security of Tenure: Upholding Tenants' Rights Against Ejectment Despite Landowners' Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies ejectment rules, provisional ownership resolution, and tenants' rights in unlawful detainer cases under Batas Pambansa Blg. 129.
Party List Registration: What It Takes to Represent Marginalized Sectors
The Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for party-list registration and representation of marginalized sectors in the Philippines.
The Improvident Plea Protecting Rights in Heinous Crimes
Learn how the Supreme Court protects the rights of minors accused of heinous crimes, from improper pleas to mitigating circumstances.
When an Employee Jumps Bail: Employer's Subsidiary Liability and the Finality of Judgment
Can an employer appeal a criminal conviction when its employee jumps bail? The Supreme Court explains subsidiary liability and finality of judgment.
Leave Benefits for Dismissed Employees: Balancing Justice and Accountability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies prescriptive periods for money claims and illegal dismissal cases in Texon Manufacturing vs. Millena.
Flight From Justice: How Fugitive Status Can Bar Appeal Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how a fugitive's escape from custody can lead to dismissal of their appeal and loss of legal remedies.
Diminished Liability When Lack of Treachery Reduces Murder to Homicide
Learn how the Supreme Court reduced a murder conviction to homicide when the prosecution failed to prove treachery, affecting penalties and damages.
When a Deed of Absolute Sale Governs: Ejectment, Ownership, and the Kasunduan
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts resolve ejectment cases when a seller claims the deed of sale was incomplete, and what the Kasunduan means.
Circumstantial Evidence and Homicide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
A look at how the Supreme Court distinguishes murder from homicide when treachery is not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Clerk of Court's Duty to Deposit Consigned Funds vs. Judicial Prerogative
The Supreme Court clarifies when a clerk of court must deposit fiduciary collections immediately, and when a consigned check may stay in the case record instead.
Witness Credibility Prevails Over Alibi and Treachery in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court clarifies when a lone eyewitness's testimony can overcome alibi and when treachery fails to qualify murder.
When Participation in a Crime Leads to Murder: The Ramos Case and the Limits of Treachery
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is murder or homicide, and how eyewitness identification and treachery are proven.
Leave Credits Survive Dismissal: The Paredes v. Padua Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that dismissed government employees keep earned leave credits, even when retirement benefits are forfeited.
Conspiracy in Murder: When Watching a Killing Makes You a Co-Conspirator
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in murder is proven—and why a live-in partner who watched the killing was held liable.