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.
Lawyer Suspended for Borrowing from Client: Anacay v. Alberto Explained
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for two years for borrowing money from a client without protecting the client's interests, reaffirming strict fiduciary duties.
When Can Employers Fire for Loss of Trust? Key Accounts Manager Case Explained
Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissal of a Key Accounts Manager who falsified documents.
Eyewitness Identification in Philippine Criminal Cases: Lessons from People v. Torres
The Supreme Court acquitted Michael Torres, ruling that unreliable eyewitness identification cannot sustain a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: When the Land Was Taken Matters
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Land Bank v. Paliza on the reckoning date for just compensation in agrarian reform cases.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The 120/240-Day Rule and the Third Doctor Requirement
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's disability becomes permanent and total, and why skipping the third-doctor referral can defeat a claim.
Employer Liability and Disability Benefits for Overseas Filipino Workers
Learn how the Supreme Court clarifies employer liability and disability benefits for overseas Filipino workers in this detailed legal analysis.
Understanding the Elements of Rape and the Power of Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
A 2021 Supreme Court ruling explains the elements of rape and why a credible victim's testimony can be enough to convict.
Understanding the Chain of Custody in Philippine Drug Possession Cases
Why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug possession convict when a DOJ witness was absent from the inventory—and what this means for similar cases.
Illegal Discharge of Firearm: Key Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that firing a gun without intent to kill is still a crime, even without bullet holes or injury.
Chain of Custody and the Objective Test: Why Drug Convictions Fail
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused where the prosecution failed the objective test and chain of custody rules.
Understanding Witness Reliability in Criminal Cases: Insights from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how insanity defenses work in criminal cases and why witness credibility remains central to convictions.
Attempted Rape with Homicide: Circumstantial Evidence and the Cabornay Case
The Supreme Court affirms that circumstantial evidence can convict in attempted rape with homicide, clarifying the standards under Philippine law.
Malversation and Anti-Graft Laws: Lessons from Sarion v. People on Public Fund Management
A Supreme Court ruling on malversation clarifies the duty of public officials to verify disbursements, with key lessons for government and contractors.
Statutory Rape and Intellectual Disability: The Villena Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that rape of an intellectually disabled person with a mental age below 12 constitutes statutory rape under Philippine law.
The President’s Power to Withdraw from Treaties: What the Supreme Court Ruled
The Supreme Court clarified the limits of the President’s power to withdraw from international treaties. Learn the rules from the Rome Statute case.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Chain of Custody
A buy-bust conviction reversed because police failed the chain of custody rule under RA 9165. Learn the required links and witnesses.
Arson with Homicide: How Circumstantial Evidence Secured a Conviction
The Supreme Court affirmed an arson-with-homicide conviction based solely on circumstantial evidence. Learn the legal standard and key lessons.
Rape Convictions and Victim Credibility: Lessons from a Robbery with Rape Case
The Supreme Court explains how victim testimony and conspiracy principles shape rape convictions in robbery with rape cases.
Understanding Government Contract Disallowances: Detailed Engineering and Quantum Meruit
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on COA disallowances for overestimated embankment materials in government road projects and the limits of quantum meruit.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When Facebook Posts Become a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and why using Facebook raises the penalty.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Falsifying the PDS and CSC Jurisdiction Over Exam Anomalies
The Supreme Court affirms dismissal for dishonesty when a police applicant cheats on exams and lies in the Personal Data Sheet.
Unlocking Compensation for Government Contracts: The Power of Quantum Meruit in Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts apply quantum meruit to recover unpaid work in government contracts, with key rules and practical guidance.
The Fiduciary Duty of Banks in Loan Accounting: A Guide to Metrobank v. Cruz
The Supreme Court affirms that banks owe clients a fiduciary duty to keep accurate loan records and render full accounting, beyond any internal retention policy.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: Lessons from the Ong Case
The Supreme Court partly grants former Sandiganbayan Justice Ong's plea for judicial clemency, restoring benefits and lifting reemployment ban.