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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Quo Warranto and Security of Tenure: Establishing the Right to Public Office
Explaining when quo warranto lies, what a claimant must prove, and how security of tenure works in Philippine public office.
Buy-Bust Operations and Drug Convictions: What the Supreme Court Ruled in People v. Concepcion
The Supreme Court affirms drug sale convictions from a buy-bust, clarifying what evidence is needed and when procedural lapses do not excuse offenders.
Surety vs Guarantor: Indemnity Agreement Obligations Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a surety becomes liable under an indemnity agreement, and the difference between sureties and guarantors.
Forcible Embrace of a Minor Constitutes Child Abuse Under RA 7610
The Supreme Court rules that a forcible embrace of a minor is child abuse under RA 7610, even without proof of developmental prejudice.
Forum Shopping and Litis Pendentia: Preserving Judicial Efficiency in Boundary Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing a second suit over the same boundary dispute constitutes forum shopping and litis pendentia.
Homeowner Associations Liability Negligence IN Approving Building Plans
When can a homeowners association be liable for negligence in approving building plans? The Supreme Court explains in Corinthian Gardens v. Tanjangco.
Psychological Incapacity in the Philippines: Why Navales v. Navales Set a Higher Bar
In Navales v. Navales, the Supreme Court reversed a declaration of nullity and reminded courts that psychological incapacity requires grave, incurable incapacity, not mere infidelity.
Drug Sale Conviction Upheld Despite Procedural Lapses Integrity of Evidence Paramount
Supreme Court affirms drug sale conviction despite Section 21 lapses, ruling that integrity of seized evidence is paramount.
Eyewitness Testimony in Robbery With Homicide: Positive Identification Prevails
The Supreme Court affirms that positive, credible eyewitness identification outweighs bare denials in robbery with homicide cases, citing People v. Sorila.
Who Pays When Cargo Vanishes: Defining Responsibility in Shipping Losses
When a shipment disappears in a terminal, who bears the loss? The Supreme Court clarifies arrastre liability and insurance subrogation.
Liability FOR Negligence When Subdivision Associations Fail TO Prevent Property Encroachments
Quo Warranto and Forum Shopping: Lessons from Feliciano v. Villasin
The Supreme Court clarifies quo warranto rules, de facto officers, and the consequences of forum shopping in Feliciano v. Villasin.
Prompt Payment Prevails: Execution Pending Appeal in Agrarian Reform Cases
When can a landowner get execution pending appeal in agrarian reform cases? The Supreme Court explains the of just compensation, and whether the reasons cited constituted "good reasons" under the Rule
Priority of Attachment Liens Over Prior Unregistered Sales of Real Property
When an attachment lien is registered before a sale, the lien prevails. Learn the priority rules under PD 1529.
Estafa by False Pretenses: Proving Fraud Beyond Reasonable Doubt in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts prove estafa by false pretenses, using the Rizza Lao case to explain the elements, burden of proof, and penalties.
Corporations Cannot Acquire Public Land: T.A.N. Properties v. Republic
The Supreme Court denies a corporation's land registration application, ruling that private corporations cannot acquire alienable public lands under the Constitution.
Sheriffs Must Follow Rule 141 Procedure for Execution Expenses — Key Lessons from Go v. Hortaleza
A deputy sheriff was suspended for demanding execution expenses without court approval. Learn the proper Rule 141 procedure.
Foreclosure Amidst Corporate Liquidation Secured Creditor Rights Prevail
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on secured creditor foreclosure rights during corporate liquidation proceedings under RA 8799 and the Corporation Code.
Beyond the Signature: Validating Agreements Despite Spousal Absence and Time Lapses in Contract Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on estafa clarifies deceit, notice of dishonor, and penalties for bouncing checks.
Entrapment vs Instigation: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the line between valid entrapment and unlawful instigation in drug buy-bust operations under RA 9165.
Sheriff's Ministerial Duty to Execute Writs and the Proper Procedure for Collecting Expenses
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why a sheriff's duty to enforce a writ is mandatory, and why collecting execution expenses outside the rules is misconduct.
Due Diligence and Dismissal: Balancing Court Discretion and Litigant Rights in Pre-Trial Proceedings
Learn how Philippine courts balance judicial discretion with litigant rights in pre-trial proceedings, and what due diligence really means.
Project Employee Status Requires Clear Notice: Hanjin Heavy Industries v. Ibañez
When does a construction worker become a regular employee? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on project employment and termination.
Bouncing Checks and Deceit: When Issuing a Bad Check Becomes Estafa
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when issuing a bouncing check constitutes estafa, not just a civil debt, and explains the deceit requirement.