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.
Are Tips Guaranteed Income? Understanding Employee Compensation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when tips are part of an employee's compensation and when they are not, using a seafarer's case.
Lawyer Suspended for Deceit in Client Property Dealings: A Lesson in Professional Trust
A Supreme Court ruling suspends a lawyer for one year for gross misconduct in handling a client's property, underscoring fiduciary duties.
Credibility of Child Witnesses in Statutory Rape Cases: People v. Arco
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, clarifying how courts assess the credibility of a child witness's testimony.
Service of Court Notices: Why Updating Your Attorney of Record Is Crucial
A lawyer's suspension for gross misconduct highlights why updating your attorney of record ensures proper notice and protects your rights.
Reasonable Doubt and Due Process in Criminal Cases: The Arco Acquittal
A look at how the Supreme Court’s ruling in People v. Arco underscores the presumption of innocence and the prosecution’s burden in criminal cases.
Upholding Election Integrity Consequences OF Judicial Errors AND Gross Ignorance OF THE LAW
A judge's mishandling of a bail hearing in a murder case leads to a fine for gross ignorance of the law.
Navigating Buy-Bust Operations in the Philippines: A Supreme Court Guide
A Supreme Court guide to buy-bust operations in the Philippines, covering legality, procedure, and evidentiary rules for drug cases.
Dual Citizenship and Election in the Philippines: Clarifying Qualifications for Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when dual citizenship disqualifies a candidate and how filing a certificate of candidacy can cure it.
Upholding Legal Ethics When Lawyer Neglect Leads to Suspension in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a lawyer's failure to file a brief and obey court orders led to suspension for violating legal ethics.
Defining Kidnapping When Taking A Child Becomes A Crime IN THE Philippines
When does taking a child become kidnapping? The Supreme Court explains the elements of serious illegal detention under the Revised Penal Code.
Supervisory Failures in the Judiciary: Holding Clerks of Court Accountable for Negligence
A clerk of court's duty to supervise subordinates is non-negotiable. This case explains liability for neglect of duty.
Workplace Sexual Harassment in the Philippines: Substantial Evidence and Employee Rights
Understand how the Supreme Court protects employees in sexual harassment cases, applying substantial evidence in administrative proceedings.
Positive Identification in Philippine Courts: Why Eyewitness Testimony Matters in Criminal Convictions
The Supreme Court explains why positive identification by a credible witness outweighs alibi and denial in Philippine criminal cases.
National vs Local Amusement Tax: Who Taxes PBA Games in the Philippines
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that amusement tax on PBA games is a national tax, not a local one. Learn the legal basis.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Lead to Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and why using Facebook raises the penalty.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: What Philippine Workers Should Know
The Supreme Court clarifies what procedural due process really means in employee dismissals, using a Philippine Airlines case as a guide.
Contracts Under Martial Law: When Government Regulations Don't Mean Void Ab Initio
Supreme Court clarifies that regulated goods under martial law orders remain valid contract objects, distinguishing prohibition from regulation.
Unbroken Chains: How Circumstantial Evidence Proves Guilt in Philippine Robbery Homicide Cases
A robbery-homicide conviction upheld on circumstantial evidence alone. Learn the rules of proof and what constitutes an unbroken chain of circumstances.
Judicial Misconduct and Disbarment: Upholding Integrity in the Philippine Legal System
A retired judge's antedated decision led to his disbarment, reaffirming that lawyers must uphold integrity and the rule of law at all times.
Independent Judgment Prevails: Why Acquittal of Co-Accused Doesn't Guarantee Your Freedom
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: a judge's acquittal of one co-accused does not bind another judge in separate trials. Learn the rule.
Execution of Judgment in Ejectment Cases: Why the Court of Origin Matters
In ejectment cases, execution of an affirmed judgment generally belongs to the trial court of origin, not the appellate court. A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why.
Upholding Judicial Impartiality: Lessons from Judge Luzano's Ex Parte Inspection
A judge's ex parte ocular inspection after trial violates due process and the appearance of impartiality, as shown in this administrative case.
Justice Delayed IS Justice Denied Understanding Judicial Efficiency IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on a judge fined for failing to decide a case within the 90-day constitutional period.
Public Officials Beware: Good Faith Reliance on Subordinates Is No Shield Against Graft Charges
The Supreme Court clarifies that public officials cannot evade graft liability by claiming reliance on subordinates, especially when approving large transactions.