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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Upholding Compromise Agreements, HLURB Jurisdiction, and Contractual Obligations in Property Sales
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the HLURB has jurisdiction over property disputes and affirms that compromise agreements bind parties unless vitiated or void.
Habeas Corpus and DNA Evidence: Limits of Post-Conviction Remedies in Paternity-Based Rape Cases
The Supreme Court explains when DNA evidence can—and cannot—challenge a final rape conviction through habeas corpus or new trial.
Forum Shopping Certification and Timely Appeals: Pascual and Santos v. Tramo Wakas
Supreme Court clarifies rules on corporate authority to sign non-forum shopping certifications and timely filing of appeals by registered mail.
Retroactivity of Procedural Rules Safeguarding Timely Appeals in Labor Disputes
How a procedural rule change saved a dismissed worker's appeal: the Supreme Court on retroactivity of Rule 65 amendments.
Corporate Authority and Timely Filing: Navigating Court Procedures in Land Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies rules on corporate authorization and filing deadlines in land dispute appeals.
Security of Tenure vs Political Patronage: Protecting Civil Service Employees From Unlawful Dismissal
When a mayor forced a municipal engineer to resign or transfer, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that civil service security of tenure cannot be sacrificed to political patronage.
Judicial Accountability: Delay in Case Resolution and the Judge's Duty to Expedite Justice
The Supreme Court fined a retiring judge for undue delay in resolving cases, underscoring every judge's duty to decide cases promptly.
Moral Turpitude and Lawyer Disbarment: Issuing a Bouncing Check
A lawyer's conviction for issuing a bouncing check under BP 22 involves moral turpitude and warrants disbarment, the Supreme Court ruled.
Reconstitution of Titles: Substantial Compliance and Jurisdictional Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on what jurisdictional requirements apply in judicial reconstitution of lost titles under RA 26.
Perfecting Appeals: Timely Payment of Appeal Fees as a Jurisdictional Requirement in Philippine Election Law
Learn how timely payment of appeal fees is a jurisdictional requirement in Philippine election law, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Good Faith Purchasers Prevail: Upholding the Integrity of Torrens Titles
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judicial reconstitution of lost titles clarifies jurisdictional requirements under Republic Act No. 26.
Real Action or Personal Action: Where to File Suits Over Mortgaged Property
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a case to cancel a real estate mortgage is a real action that must be filed where the property lies, not where the plaintiff resides.
Default Judgments and Proper Notice: Lessons from DBP v. Perez
A 2004 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when default judgments are valid and why notice requirements protect due process in Philippine courts.
Substantial Justice Prevails When A ONE DAY Appeal Delay Doesnt Doom A Case
The Supreme Court ruled a one-day late appeal can be excused when the delay stems from a public prosecutor's foot-dragging, not the litigant's fault.
Naturalization Hearings: Resetting Dates and Jurisdictional Requirements
The Supreme Court ruled that resetting a naturalization hearing to a date outside prohibited periods does not require republication of the notice when publication rules were met.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Pollution Cases Belong to DENR, Not Courts
Supreme Court ruling on exhaustion of administrative remedies in pollution cases, affirming DENR Pollution Adjudication Board's primary jurisdiction.
Public Land Cannot Be Burdened: Property Rights and Public Use in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on public dominion property, right of way easements, and possession claims over government land.
Curing Defective Summons: How Amended Complaints and Proper Service Establish Court Jurisdiction
Learn when defective summons can be cured by amended complaints and alias summons, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Novation Requires a Completely New and Valid Agreement: Loan Restructuring Lessons
The Supreme Court clarifies when restructuring a loan creates novation, and how usurious interest rates are treated under Philippine law.
Constructive Dismissal and Management Prerogative: When Transfers Cross the Line
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on constructive dismissal, unfair transfers, and the limits of management prerogative in labor law.
PPA Withdrawal of Tax Exemption and Liability for Real Property Taxes
Supreme Court ruling on PPA's liability for real property taxes after withdrawal of tax exemptions under PD 1931 and the Local Government Code.
Real vs Personal Action: Venue in Mortgage Cancellation Cases
When is a suit to cancel a real estate mortgage a real action? The Supreme Court explains how venue is determined.
Speedy Trial Rights: When One-Day Delay in Graft Appeals Is Excusable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when late appeal filings in criminal cases may be excused to serve substantial justice.
Citizenship Reacquisition Completing Repatriation FOR Elective Office Eligibility
When must a repatriated citizen complete the requirements to run for local office? The Supreme Court explains.