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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Challenging Ownership The Affidavit Requirement In Third Party Claims Over Levied Property
Third-party claims over levied property need more than a bare affidavit. Learn the rules from Bacos v. Arcega.
When Club Membership Turns Costly: Limits of Discretion and the Price of Bad Faith
A club's right to reject membership applications is not absolute. Learn how bad faith and abuse of rights led to damages in Cebu Country Club v. Elizagaque.
Philippine Courts Must Honor Foreign Arbitration Clauses Under RA 9285
Philippine courts must respect foreign arbitration clauses. The Supreme Court explains when trial courts should refer disputes to arbitration.
Osteosarcoma Claims: Easing the Burden of Proof for Workers
The Supreme Court ruled that impossible proof requirements for non-occupational diseases like osteosarcoma should not bar compensation claims.
Lawyer's Disrespect Toward Court and Staff Draws Fines Despite Prior Disbarment
Supreme Court fines disbarred lawyer P155,000 for disrespecting court personnel and defying IBP directives, reaffirming lawyer discipline standards.
Presumption of Regularity of Public Documents: The High Bar for Proving Falsification
Public documents enjoy a presumption of regularity. Learn the high evidentiary standard needed to overcome it in administrative cases.
Judicial Accountability Judges Must Uphold THE LAW AND Maintain Professional Competence
Void Donation Private Instrument Insufficient FOR Transferring Real Property Under THE OLD Civil Code
Incestuous Rape Upholding Victim Testimony AND Penalty Adjustments
Execution Must Reflect Judgment Altering Terms Invalidates Writ
A writ of execution that varies the terms of the judgment it enforces is void. Learn the rule from KKK Foundation v. Judge Calderon-Bargas.
Voiding Land Deals Fraud AND THE Limits OF Good Faith Acquisition IN Philippine Property LAW
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when writs of execution may be void and the limits of procedural due process in property disputes.
Revocation OF Airman License Upholding AIR Safety Standards AND DUE Process
Legislative Inquiry VS Judicial Power Delineating THE Boundaries OF Investigation
Good Faith Defense in Anti-Graft Cases for Withholding Employee Benefits
When does withholding salaries become graft? The Supreme Court explains good faith and undue injury under RA 3019.
Negligence in a U-Turn Collision: Quasi-Delict Liability Under Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies negligence and vicarious liability in a U-turn collision, applying Articles 2176 and 2180 of the Civil Code.
Tax Credit Certificates: Good Faith Transferees Protected Against Fraudulent Issuance
Supreme Court rules transferees in good faith and for value of tax credit certificates cannot be made to pay taxes again when the certificates are later canceled for fraud.
Agrarian Reform Coverage of Church Lands: The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Caceres Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling that church-held agricultural lands are not exempt from agrarian reform coverage under PD 27 and RA 6657.
Agrarian Reform Church Lands AND THE Limits OF Exemption
The Supreme Court ruled that church lands are not exempt from agrarian reform, and a trustee cannot claim multiple retention rights.
Rehabilitation Plans and Contractual Rights: Dacion en Pago in Corporate Recovery
Supreme Court ruling on whether a rehabilitation plan's dacion en pago proposal violates a secured creditor's contractual rights.
Taking the Law Into One's Own Hands: When Recovery Attempts Lead to Legal Liability
A clerk of court's angry outburst over cut bamboos shows how self-help recovery can trigger administrative liability despite retirement.
Detention and Absences: When Prolonged AWOL Is Not Abandonment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an employee's prolonged absence due to detention does not constitute abandonment, and the limits of dismissal.
When Appeals Should Not Be Dismissed: Protecting Rights of Appellants With Counsel de Oficio
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Court of Appeals may dismiss an appeal for failure to file a brief, protecting indigent appellants.
Upholding Search Warrants IN Intellectual Property Cases THE Importance OF Probable Cause AND Specificity
Security Codes and Promo Prizes: Why 349 Crown Holders Lost in Court
The Supreme Court denied claims of 349 crown holders in the Pepsi number fever promo, ruling that the correct security code was indispensable to win.