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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Treachery and Positive Identification: Conviction Upheld in Murder Case
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on positive identification by two eyewitnesses and treachery, despite the accused's alibi and denial.
Punctuality and Public Trust: Upholding Ethical Standards in Government Service
The Supreme Court ruled that personal hardships do not excuse habitual tardiness in public office, reaffirming punctuality as a core duty of government employees.
Meralco Rate Hike Ruling: Consumers Win as Supreme Court Shields Public From Utility's Income Tax
Supreme Court rules Meralco cannot pass income tax to consumers as operating expense, ordering refund of excess rate collections.
When Courts Decide Rate Cases: Income Tax and Property Valuation in Public Utility Regulation
The Supreme Court ruled on how income tax and property valuation methods affect electricity rate determinations by the Energy Regulatory Board.
Co-Owner's Right of Redemption Does Not Apply to Sales to Another Co-Owner
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners may redeem property sold to third persons, and when the right does not arise.
Positive Identification Over Alibi: Credibility in Murder Conviction
How the Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction based on eyewitness positive identification, rejecting alibi and affirming treachery in People v. Estrada.
Shifting Sands of Evidence: Drug Sale Convictions and the Weight of Testimony
A look at how the Supreme Court weighs conflicting police testimonies in drug busts, and why aggravating circumstances must be alleged in the information.
Proving Treachery and Evident Premeditation: People v. Loterono on Homicide vs. Murder
The Supreme Court explains why treachery and evident premeditation must be proven beyond reasonable doubt to convict for murder, not homicide.
Parental Authority vs. Abuse: How Philippine Law Protects Children in Rape Cases
In People v. Abellano, the Supreme Court affirmed a father's death sentence for raping his 14-year-old daughter, ruling that parental authority substitutes for force.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Parental Authority vs Incestuous Rape in Philippine Law
A father raped his two daughters. The Supreme Court affirmed conviction but reduced the death penalty to reclusion perpetua for failure to allege the victim's age.
Reinstatement vs Abandonment: Computing Backwages in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When an illegally dismissed employee refuses reinstatement, does abandonment cut off backwages? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule.
Independent Civil Actions: Enforcing Contract Obligations Separate From Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when a civil collection case can proceed independently of dismissed criminal estafa cases, and why res judicata does not bar it.
Term Limits and Recall Elections: When a Break in Service Allows a Fourth Term
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an involuntary break, like a recall election, resets the three-term limit for local officials.
Rape Conviction Reversed: When Doubt Outweighs a Victim's Testimony
The Supreme Court acquitted a rape accused despite the victim's testimony, showing when reasonable doubt prevails over credibility findings.
Balancing Justice AND Procedure When Strict Rules Give WAY
When a counsel's negligence threatens a client's appeal, the Supreme Court shows when strict procedural rules yield to substantial justice.
Regular Employment Status and the Limits of Prior Judgments in Labor Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a prior money claim judgment bars a later case for confirmation of regular employment status.
When Reimbursement Claims Belong to Labor Tribunals: Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employer's training reimbursement claim is a labor dispute, not a civil case.
Quasi-Delict Liability in Vehicular Accidents: When Negligence and Vicarious Responsibility Apply
The Supreme Court clarifies negligence, proximate cause, and vicarious liability in a vehicular accident quasi-delict case under Articles 2176 and 2180.
HLURB Jurisdiction vs Unlawful Detainer: Defining the Boundaries in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when the HLURB has jurisdiction over subdivision lot disputes and when ejectment cases belong in regular courts.
Missed Deadlines Dismissed Cases Understanding The Importance OF Timely Filing IN Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on the 60-day Rule 65 certiorari period shows why missed deadlines can end a case.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies in Civil Service Reassignment Cases: Corsiga v. Defensor
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why civil service employees must exhaust administrative remedies before filing court cases over reassignment orders.
Acquittal in Rape Case: Reasonable Doubt and Consensual Acts Explained
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when acquittal in rape is proper — reasonable doubt vs. consent, evidence rules, and penalties.
Upholding Ejectment: The Finality of Judgments and Timeliness in Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms ejectment, stressing that a late motion for reconsideration fails to stop a judgment from becoming final and executory.
Determining Jurisdiction in Reconveyance Cases: RTC vs MTC Competence
When does the RTC, not the MTC, hear a reconveyance case? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules in Copioso v. Copioso.