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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Bigamy and Expired Notarial Commission: When a Lawyer’s Private Life Triggers Discipline
A lawyer’s bigamous second marriage and notarizing without a commission led to a four-year suspension. Here’s what the Court ruled.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: Fair Market Value and the Role of Commissioners' Reports
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts must determine just compensation in expropriation cases, and the proper weight of commissioners' reports.
COSLAP Jurisdiction: When Can the Commission Settle Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies the limited jurisdiction of COSLAP over land disputes, distinguishing it from DARAB's agrarian cases.
Delegation of Authority in Tax Assessments: When a Subordinate's Demand Letter Becomes Final
Learn when a demand letter from a BIR subordinate officer counts as the Commissioner's final decision on a protested tax assessment, and why timing matters.
Tax Assessment and Collection: Understanding the 10-Year Rule in the Philippines
Learn when the 10-year prescriptive period applies to tax assessment and collection in the Philippines, explained through the Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Tulio case.
Acting Secretaries and the Commission on Appointments: The Pimentel Ruling
The Supreme Court explains when the President may appoint acting department secretaries without Commission on Appointments consent.
Upholding Civil Service Integrity: The CSC's Power to Investigate Eligibility Falsification
The Supreme Court affirms the Civil Service Commission's power to directly investigate and prosecute cases of falsified eligibility, protecting the integrity of the civil service.
Ombudsman's Authority Prevails: Challenging Jurisdiction After Participating in Proceedings
Supreme Court rules that participating in NLRC proceedings does not bar challenging jurisdiction when Civil Service Commission has exclusive authority over government employees.
Duty Free Philippines v. Mojica: Civil Service, Not Labor Courts, Governs GOCC Employees
Employees of government-owned corporations with original charters must file dismissal cases with the Civil Service Commission, not the NLRC.
Negligence in Notarization Leads to Revocation and Disqualification for Notary Public
A notary public's failure to keep proper records and follow notarial formalities results in revocation of commission and one-year disqualification.
Fiscal Autonomy vs Budgetary Control: Protecting Constitutional Commissions' Independence
The Supreme Court rules on the scope of fiscal autonomy for constitutional commissions, striking down the "no report, no release" policy.
Fiscal Autonomy of Constitutional Commissions: The "No Report, No Release" Rule Struck Down
Supreme Court rules DBM cannot impose conditions or withhold funds from fiscally autonomous bodies like the Civil Service Commission.
Contractual Obligations Mutuality AND Modification IN Commission Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the mutuality of contracts principle in a commission dispute, protecting a manager's right to earned franchise fees.
Lawyer's Neglect of Client's Case Warrants Suspension from Practice
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for three months for gross negligence in failing to file position paper and attend hearings before the Social Security Commission.
Notarial Misconduct Upholding Public Trust in Legal Documentation
A notary who acts outside her commission undermines public trust. The Court fined a lawyer P10,000 for notarizing documents in Bayombong without authority.
Brokers Commission Rights When Can a Seller Evade Payment After a Sale
Can a seller evade paying a broker's commission after a sale closes? This case explains when fees remain due.
Unauthorized Notarization Lawyers Face Suspension FOR Expired Commissions
Notarizing documents without a valid commission is lawyer misconduct. A Supreme Court ruling shows the penalties for unauthorized notarization.
Notarial Negligence: Holding Notaries Public Accountable for Improperly Authenticated Documents
A notary public's commission was revoked for notarizing a deed signed by deceased persons without verifying identities. Learn the rules.
Court Employees Must Avoid Even the Appearance of Impropriety: Balajadia v. Gatchalian
The Supreme Court fined a court stenographer P3,000 for simple misconduct after she hinted at a "commission" in exchange for faster work.
Ex Officio Representatives Cannot Receive Honoraria: National Amnesty Commission v. COA
The Supreme Court ruled that representatives of ex officio members cannot receive honoraria or per diems, as they merely act by designation and not by appointment.
Notarial Negligence and Lawyer Accountability: Serzo v. Flores on Falsified Deeds
The Supreme Court revoked a notary's commission and suspended him for two years after he notarized a deed of sale signed by a man who had already died.
Upholding Notarial Duty Consequences For False Attestation In Legal Documents
Supreme Court revokes notary commission and suspends lawyer for notarizing a deed after the signatory had already died, underscoring strict notarial duties.
Status Quo Ante Orders and Election Disputes: The Estrella v. COMELEC Ruling
A mayor's battle for his seat shows why COMELEC commissioners cannot partially inhibit and still vote en banc. Learn the rule on quorum.
Notarizing Without the Parties: Administrative Liability for Falsified Acknowledgment
When a notary public notarizes a deed without the parties appearing, the Supreme Court can revoke the notarial commission and suspend the lawyer.