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.
Corporate Officer Liability When Can a Company Executive Be Held Personally Responsible
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when corporate officers can be held personally liable for company obligations and acts.
Royalty Payments After Franchise Expiration: When the Assigned Right Ceases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether royalty fees continue after the underlying franchise agreement expires and the assigned right ceases to exist.
Rescission of Contracts: When Can You Back Out of a Deal?
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a party may rescind a contract, the effects of rescission, and what restitution requires.
Upholding Justice Over Technicality When Courts Must Excuse Procedural Lapses
The Supreme Court reminds appellate courts that dismissing appeals on mere technicalities, like a nine-day delay, can be grave abuse of discretion.
When Circumstantial Evidence Convicts: Homicide, Not Murder, in People v. Santos
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices for conviction and why treachery must be proven, not presumed.
Understanding Double Jeopardy and Void Judgments in Philippine Criminal Cases
Learn how Philippine courts treat double jeopardy, void judgments, and conditional guilty pleas through this Supreme Court ruling.
When Can Testimony Be Disregarded? Analyzing Witness Credibility in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court explains when witness testimony may be disregarded and why trial court findings on credibility are rarely disturbed on appeal.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: When a Sudden Attack Is Not Enough
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden attack qualifies as treachery in murder cases, and when it does not.
Escalation Clauses in Philippine Real Estate Mortgages: Limits and Borrower Rights
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mortgage escalation clauses, unilateral interest rate hikes, and borrower rights to refunds.
When Judges Face Administrative Complaints: Lessons from Tallado v. Racoma and Dating
The Supreme Court dismissed administrative complaints against two RTC judges, clarifying that errors in judicial discretion are not grounds for administrative liability.
Justice Delayed IS Justice Denied Understanding Judicial Delay AND Inefficiency IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on optional retirement, separation pay, and backwages in illegal dismissal cases involving managerial employees.
Can Administrative Dismissal Extinguish Criminal Liability? A Philippine Case Study
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that dismissal of administrative charges does not extinguish criminal liability under Article 89 of the RPC.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: What the Supreme Court Said in Faustino Co Shu Kiam
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on judicial reconstitution of lost certificates of title under Republic Act No. 26.
Finality Prevails: Enforcing Judgments and Preventing Alterations in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why final judgments are immutable and why execution must strictly follow the dispositive portion.
Unregistered Lease vs Mortgage: Tenant Rights in Foreclosure Explained
When a lease is unregistered and the property is foreclosed, who wins? The Supreme Court clarifies tenant rights in Mercader v. DBP.
Due Process in Administrative Dismissal: Fair Opportunity to Respond in PNP Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that due process in administrative cases requires notice and an opportunity to explain, not a full trial-type hearing.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Why Victim Defenselessness Matters
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery qualifies killing to murder, focusing on the victim's defenselessness and sudden attack.
Lease Renewal Rights: When "Subject to Renewal" Means Mutual Agreement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a lease clause "subject to renewal" does not mean automatic renewal—both parties must agree.
Rape Shield Consensual Relationship Claims and the Imperative of Proof in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a "sweetheart defense" in rape cases requires concrete evidence, not bare assertions, to be credible.
Conspiracy and Liability: When Presence at the Scene Makes You Guilty of Murder in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in murder can be proven by concerted acts, not just a prior agreement.
Conspiracy and Treachery: How Courts Determine Liability in Group Violence
Philippine Supreme Court explains when conspiracy makes all attackers liable and why warning shots negate treachery in group killings.
Joint vs Solidary Liability: The Limits of Final Judgments in Philippine Labor Law
A final labor judgment binds parties to its exact terms. Learn why the Supreme Court ruled that joint liability cannot be converted to solidary after finality.
Labor vs Civil Law: Who Hears Employer Damage Claims Against Employees?
Supreme Court clarifies that employer claims for damages against dismissed employees fall under Labor Arbiter jurisdiction, not regular courts.
Ignorance of the Law Excuses No One: Judge Fined for Misinterpreting Firearm Rules
A judge was fined for acquitting a civilian who carried an unlicensed gun under an NBI mission order. The Supreme Court clarifies that a mission order is not a license.