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.
Lifting of Mining Closure Orders Revives Writ of Kalikasan Petitions
Supreme Court rules that lifting DENR closure orders revives environmental claims, keeping Writ of Kalikasan petitions alive.
Protecting Land Titles: Collateral Attacks on Torrens Certificates in Property Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court protects Torrens titles from collateral attacks in property disputes, and what this means for landowners facing title challenges.
Navigating Will Probate: Key Lessons From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A Philippine Supreme Court decision on property under custodia legis offers crucial lessons for lawyers and litigants in estate and will probate cases.
Compromise Agreements and Third Party Rights: Protecting Property Interests in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on compromise agreements, third party rights, property interests, and execution of judgments explained in plain language.
Reconstitution of Title Requires Strict Compliance and Proof of Existence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconstitution of lost titles: strict compliance with RA 26 and proof of title existence required.
Treachery in Murder Cases: Why a Heated Argument Can Downgrade the Crime to Homicide
The Supreme Court explains when a killing after a heated argument lacks treachery, reducing murder to homicide under Philippine law.
Corporate Opportunity Doctrine: Directors Cannot Take Business Deals for Themselves
Supreme Court clarifies when corporate directors breach their duty of loyalty by taking business opportunities meant for the corporation.
Solidary Liability and Interest Rates in Philippine Partnerships: Key Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
A look at a Supreme Court ruling on solidary liability, novation, and unconscionable interest rates in business loans and partnerships.
Equitable Interest: How Liquidating Dividends Impact Foreign Land Ownership in the Philippines
SC ruling on whether a foreign stockholder's liquidating dividends in Philippine land may be levied to satisfy judgment debts.
Conflict of Interest and Public Funds: When Cooperative Membership Does Not Equal Graft
Supreme Court clarifies that mere cooperative membership or past affiliation does not prove graft under the Anti-Graft Law.
Mutuality of Contracts and Foreclosure Rights in Philippine Loans
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that void interest stipulations do not invalidate foreclosure when the principal debt remains unpaid.
Corporate Veil and Judgment Execution: Can a Successor Corporation Be Held Liable?
When a judgment debtor's assets pass to another corporation, can the winner enforce the judgment against the successor? The Supreme Court explains.
Public Purpose in Government Loans to Private Entities: The Bawasanta Case
When can local governments lend public funds to private entities? The Supreme Court clarifies the public purpose rule in Bawasanta v. People.
Constructive Dismissal and Contract Ambiguity: Lessons from Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court's ruling in Esico v. Alphaland clarifies constructive dismissal claims and the consequences of ambiguous employment contracts.
Freedom of Expression vs Obscenity: The Limits of Local Ordinances in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when courts may review local anti-obscenity ordinances and why facial challenges face strict limits.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Fair Value for Delayed Government Takings
When the government delays payment in expropriation, landowners are entitled to more than the property's old value—here's why.
Treachery in Robbery with Homicide: The Supreme Court’s Ruling in People v. Juada
The Supreme Court clarifies when treachery aggravates robbery with homicide and affirms conviction based on circumstantial evidence in People v. Juada.
Deception and Exploitation: Defining Human Trafficking in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms a trafficking conviction, clarifying how fraud, deception, and vulnerability define the crime under RA 9208.
Upholding Agrarian Reform: Supervening CLOA Justifies Deviation from Immutability of Judgment
When a final judgment becomes inequitable due to a supervening event like a CLOA issuance, courts may relax the doctrine of immutability of judgment.
Forum Shopping in Nullity Cases: One Action for Property Settlement
Filing a separate property case while a nullity case is pending constitutes forum shopping. The Supreme Court explains why.
Dacion en Pago: How to Properly Extinguish Loan Obligations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains how dacion en pago works, when loan obligations are extinguished, and the pitfalls lenders must avoid.
Upholding Academic Freedom: Supreme Court Limits State Control Over Law School Admissions
The Supreme Court strikes down the PhiLSAT requirement as an unconstitutional intrusion on law schools' academic freedom to admit students.
When Can a Mother Challenge Child Legitimacy in the Philippines? The Ordoña Ruling
A mother cannot collaterally attack her child's legitimacy under Philippine law. The Supreme Court's Ordoña ruling explains why.
Understanding Preventive Suspension in Philippine Administrative Law: Rights and Remedies
Learn the rules on preventive suspension in Philippine administrative law, including grounds, duration, and the rights of public officers facing investigation.