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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Credible Testimony AND Medical Evidence IN Rape Cases THE Bienvenido Payot JR Case
Dual Citizens Must Personally Renounce Foreign Citizenship to Run for Office
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on R.A. 9225: dual citizens must execute a personal and sworn renunciation of foreign citizenship to run for elective office.
Judicial Accountability: Fines for Negligence and Delay in Legal Proceedings
A Supreme Court ruling holds court officers accountable for gross negligence and delay, affirming that retirement does not erase administrative liability.
Upholding Workers Rights THE Importance OF Valid Union Registration AND Protection Against Employer Interference
Habitual Tardiness in Public Service: Defining Limits and Upholding Accountability
The Supreme Court clarifies what constitutes habitual tardiness in government service and why traffic is not a valid excuse.
Overseas Litigants and the Verification Requirement: Balancing Rules With Reality
The Supreme Court rules that a variance in dates between a petition and its verification is not fatal when overseas litigants act in good faith.
Tenancy vs. Administration: Who Decides Agricultural Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts or agrarian tribunals hear land disputes, distinguishing tenancy from mere administration.
Defining Employer When Family Administration Creates Social Security Obligations
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a family member managing a hacienda becomes an "employer" liable for SSS contributions.
Dual Citizens and Elective Office: The Sworn Renunciation Requirement Under R.A. 9225
Dual citizens must personally renounce foreign citizenship to run for office. The Supreme Court explains the rule.
Protecting the Innocent: Statutory Rape and the Incapacity of Minors to Consent
Explaining statutory rape under Philippine law, why minors cannot legally consent, and how courts protect child victims.
Philippine Airlines Retrenchment: Proving Financial Distress and Fair Implementation
The Supreme Court ruled PAL's 1998 mass retrenchment illegal for failure to prove losses and use fair criteria. Here's what employers must show.
Judicial Delay Upholding THE Right TO Speedy Disposition OF Cases
Lease OR Ownership When Acceptance OF Rent Doesnt Create A Landlord Tenant Relationship
Double Jeopardy and Grave Abuse of Discretion: Protecting Acquittals From Reversal
The Supreme Court explains when an acquittal is final and how grave abuse of discretion is the only exception.
Gross Ignorance of Law Improper Denial of Preliminary Investigation Rights
SC rules judge liable for undue delay and improper denial of reinvestigation, violating accused's right to preliminary investigation.
Dismissal for Grave Misconduct: Upholding Ethical Standards in Public Procurement
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of BFP regional director for grave misconduct in anomalous procurement, stressing public officers' duty to follow procurement rules.
Dual Roles, Divided Loyalties: Graft Law and the Limits of Hypothetical Guilt
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer can be charged with graft for holding incompatible positions and collecting dual compensation.
Unlawful Appointments: Does Temporary Disqualification Mean Lack of Legal Qualification?
Supreme Court clarifies that temporary disqualification of losing candidates constitutes lack of legal qualification under Article 244, RPC.
Recomputation of Retirement Benefits: Step Increments and Special Allowances for Retired Justices
The Supreme Court clarifies that step increments and special allowances form part of the basic monthly salary base for computing judicial retirement benefits.
False Promises and Financial Ruin: Establishing Estafa Through Deceit in Investment Schemes
The Supreme Court affirms that luring investors with false profit promises constitutes estafa, even when the accused claims ignorance of the scheme.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conviction: The Nover Bryan Salvador Case
When can circumstantial evidence alone convict an accused? The Supreme Court explains in this landmark Philippine homicide case.
Dismissal of Appeal When Technical Rules Trump Substantial Justice
When do procedural lapses justify dismissing an appeal? This article explains the rule and its limits, using Philippine Supreme Court jurisprudence.
Leasehold vs Share Tenancy: Failure to Pay Rent Is Not Estafa Under Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court clarifies that agricultural leasehold tenants who fail to pay rent cannot be prosecuted for estafa, unlike share tenants.
Contractual Retirement Plans Prevail Defining Salary in Employee Benefit Agreements
Supreme Court rules that company retirement plans define salary base for benefits, and R.A. 7641 only applies when no plan exists or benefits fall below legal minimums.