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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Judicial Appointments: The President's Prerogative vs the JBC's Mandate
The Supreme Court ruled that the JBC's clustering of nominees for judicial vacancies is unconstitutional, affirming the President's appointing power.
Breach OF Trust Dismissal FOR Court Employees IN Title Reconstitution Fraud
Reconstitution of Titles: Strict Compliance With Legal Requirements Is Mandatory
A Supreme Court ruling on title reconstitution underscores that strict compliance with RA 26's jurisdictional requirements is mandatory, or proceedings are void.
Peace Agreements and Premature Constitutional Challenges: Why Courts Wait for Implementing Laws
The Supreme Court dismissed challenges to the Bangsamoro peace agreements as premature, explaining why courts wait for implementing laws before ruling on constitutionality.
Right to Counsel in Criminal Cases: When a Fake Lawyer Means Denial of Due Process
The Supreme Court ruled that conviction is void when an accused is represented by a non-lawyer, as it violates the constitutional right to counsel.
Foreign Ownership in Public Utilities: The High Court Defines "Capital"
The Supreme Court clarifies that Under the Constitution
Speedy Disposition of Cases: Inordinate Delay Violates Constitutional Rights
When the Ombudsman takes too long to investigate, the accused's constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases is violated.
Residency Requirements vs. Constitutional Rights: The Dano Case on Domicile and Elections
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that temporary absence does not break residency for election purposes, protecting candidates' constitutional rights.
Unlawful Arrest Invalidates Drug Possession Conviction Protecting Constitutional Rights
Explore how the Supreme Court acquitted an accused due to an unlawful arrest and broken chain of custody in drug cases.
Foreigners Cannot Own Philippine Land Even Through a Filipino Spouse
The Supreme Court voids a land sale to a foreigner's Filipino spouse, ruling it a constitutional violation and not a double sale.
Constitutional Ban on Land Ownership: Filipino Spouses and Foreign Nationals
The Supreme Court rules that land bought for a foreigner and titled in a Filipino spouse's name is void, reaffirming the constitutional ban.
Unlawful Arrest Nullifies Drug Possession Conviction Safeguarding Constitutional Rights IN Police Searches
Supreme Court acquits drug possession convict after police conducted warrantless arrest and search without immediacy, violating constitutional rights.
EDCA and Constitutional Limits: Senate Concurrence on Foreign Military Presence
The Supreme Court ruled EDCA is an executive agreement, not a treaty, so Senate concurrence is not required under the Constitution.
Bail and Humanitarian Considerations: Balancing Constitutional Rights and Individual Circumstances
The Supreme Court affirms that bail may be granted on humanitarian grounds, weighing an accused's health and flight risk against constitutional rights.
Safeguarding Speedy Trial Rights Dismissal FOR Prolonged Delays IN Ombudsman Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when prolonged Ombudsman delays violate the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.
Security of Tenure Limited to Rank, Not Position, in the Career Executive Service
The Supreme Court clarifies that security of tenure in the Career Executive Service attaches to rank, not to a specific position, allowing reassignments without violating constitutional guarantees.
Buy-Bust Operations: Where Entrapment Ends and Constitutional Rights Begin
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between valid entrapment in buy-bust operations and impermissible instigation, affirming a drug conviction under RA 9165.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: When "Other Documents" Suffice Under RA 26
Supreme Court clarifies when "other documents" may support reconstitution of lost land titles under Republic Act No. 26.
Reconstitution of Land Titles: Proving Prior Existence Under RA 26
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconstitution of lost titles: proof of prior issuance is required under RA 26, not just a decree.
Lost Title vs. Stolen Title: When Reconstitution Is Void in Philippine Property Law
Explore when a court-ordered title reconstitution is void, the limits of certiorari, and why technical rules yield to substantial justice.
Foreign Land Ownership Restrictions Lease Agreements As Virtual Transfers
Supreme Court voids 100-year lease to foreigner as virtual transfer of land ownership, reaffirming constitutional ban on alien landholding.
When Title Reconstitution Fails: Conflicting Claims and Enemy Property
The Supreme Court explains when a petition to reconstitute a lost title must be denied, using a World War II-era vesting order as key evidence.
Perfecting Appeals Strict Compliance AND Jurisdictional Requirements IN Philippine LAW
Reconstitution of a Torrens title requires clear proof the certificate was genuine and in force when lost or destroyed.
Biometrics and Ballots: Safeguarding Suffrage Through Voter Validation
The Supreme Court upheld RA 10367's mandatory biometrics validation, ruling it a procedural registration requirement, not an unconstitutional substantive qualification on suffrage.