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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Proving Alienable and Disposable Land: The Evolving Standard After R.A. 11573
The Supreme Court clarifies how to prove land is alienable and disposable for registration, and how R.A. 11573 changed the rules.
Attorney Suspended for Filing Petition Based on Client Misinformation
A lawyer's blind reliance on client claims led to a six-month suspension for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Court Employee Held Liable for Misappropriating Settlement Funds
Supreme Court rules court stenographer guilty of gross misconduct for pocketing settlement payments between litigants, imposing P105,000 fine.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Interest and Attorney's Fees in Maritime Disputes
Supreme Court affirms 6% legal interest and attorney's fees in seafarer disability case, clarifying rules on maritime compensation claims.
Disbarment for Attorney Misconduct and Negligence in Handling Client Affairs
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for unauthorized representation, conflict of interest, and mishandling client funds in a revival of judgment case.
Reclaimed Lands and Constitutional Limits: The Central Bay Case on Corporate Land Ownership
The Supreme Court voids a compromise agreement transferring reclaimed land to a private corporation's assignee, upholding constitutional bans on corporate land ownership.
Lawyer Suspended Five Years for Issuing Worthless Checks and Neglecting Professional Duties
A lawyer who issued bounced checks for decades-old debts and ignored disciplinary orders was suspended for five years and fined P10,000.
Finality of Labor Judgments: DMCI vs Bernadas on Land Registration and Execution
Supreme Court affirms that final labor judgments are immutable and registrable, and that appeals must be filed on time.
Navigating Seafarer Disability Claims THE Importance OF Timely Medical Assessments 2
Government Benefits and the Limits of Board Authority: The Abrigo v. COA Ruling
The Supreme Court upheld the disallowance of MWSS meal allowances, clarifying when board-approved benefits are illegal and when recipients must refund them.
Challenging Labor Only Contracting: Regular Employment Rights Affirmed
Supreme Court affirms that DOLE registration alone does not prove legitimate job contracting; workers performing principal business tasks are regular employees.
Seafarers' Total Disability: The 120-Day Rule and Duty to Refer to a Third Doctor
When a company doctor's assessment lapses beyond 120 days without valid final grading, a seafarer may claim total permanent disability.
Standing to Sue: Examining the Boundaries of Judicial Review in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court dismisses a challenge to COMELEC Resolution No. 9371 on PDL voting, reaffirming the strict requisites of judicial review and locus standi.
Probate Docket Fees and Publication Rules: What Bollozos v. Heirs of Aguilar Teaches
Supreme Court clarifies probate docket fee rules and publication requirements in allowance of wills cases.
Tax Collection Prescription: CIR's Collection Efforts Barred by Three-Year Period
Supreme Court affirms CTA ruling that the CIR's right to collect deficiency taxes prescribed after three years from assessment notice.
Regularization Standards Failure To Inform Converts Probationary Employee To Regular Status
Failure to inform probationary employees of regularization standards converts them to regular employees by operation of law, with full backwages.
Constructive Dismissal vs. Voluntary Resignation: Key Lessons from ABS-CBN v. Magno
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in constructive dismissal claims and the fine line between forced and voluntary resignation.
Graft Acquittal: Why Procurement Lapses Alone Do Not Prove Corruption
Supreme Court acquits municipal officials of graft despite procurement lapses, clarifying the strict proof required under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Death of Accused Before Final Judgment Extinguishes Criminal Liability
When an accused dies before final judgment, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished. Learn the rule and exceptions.
Death Abates Criminal Liability: Supreme Court Clarifies Extinguishment of Penalties and Civil Obligations
When an accused dies before final conviction, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished. The Supreme Court explains the rule and its exceptions.
When Agrarian Reform Lands Cannot Be Foreclosed: The 10-Year Rule
A Supreme Court ruling on why a rural bank's foreclosure of an agrarian reform beneficiary's land within the 10-year retention period was void.
Agrarian Reform vs Bank Foreclosure: Protecting Farmer Beneficiaries' Land Rights
Supreme Court voids bank foreclosure of an emancipation patent awarded under agrarian reform, reinforcing the 10-year transfer ban.
Protecting Minors: Upholding Conviction in Child Rape Cases Despite Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms a child rape conviction, ruling that minor inconsistencies in a minor victim's testimony do not undermine credibility.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: When Ombudsman Delay Justifies Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Ombudsman's inordinate delay in preliminary investigation violates the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.