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.
Voluntary Submission Cures Procedural Defects in Administrative Cases
Learn how voluntary participation in administrative proceedings can cure procedural defects, as ruled in NAPOLCOM v. Bernabe.
Due Process and Judicial Conduct: When Speedy Action Becomes Abuse of Authority
A judge who ruled on a motion before the scheduled hearing was fined for violating due process. Learn the rules on notice and hearing.
Attorney Negligence: Upholding a Lawyer's Duty of Diligence and Competence
A lawyer's failure to file briefs caused a client's case to be lost. The Supreme Court suspended him for one year.
Union Dues and Attorney's Fees: Protecting Employee Rights in Collective Bargaining
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees can be charged to union members and the strict rules on check-off deductions.
Balancing Justice and Procedure When Technical Rules Give Way
When a defective notice of hearing cost a man his appeal and his liberty, the Supreme Court showed when technical rules must yield to substantial justice.
Breach of Banking Duty: Bank Liable for Mortgage Fraud Due to Negligence in Identifying Impostors
Philippine Supreme Court holds bank liable for mortgage fraud when it failed to verify impostors' identity, applying the last clear chance doctrine.
Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Donation vs. Inheritance Rules
Philippine law bars foreigners from owning land except by inheritance. Learn why a quitclaim deed to an American son failed as a donation.
Notarial Duty and Due Diligence: Attorneys Cannot Notarize Documents They Sign for Others
A lawyer who signs a verification for clients and then notarizes it violates the Notarial Law. The Supreme Court explains the limits of a notary's duties.
Perfecting Imperfect Titles: The Burden of Proof in Land Registration Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the heavy burden of proof in land registration cases, requiring clear evidence of open, continuous possession for at least 30 years.
Lease Renewal Clauses: Mutual Consent vs Unilateral Option Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lease renewal clause requires mutual consent rather than a unilateral lessee option, with practical guidance.
Breach of Trust: Safeguarding Employee Rights in Termination Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on dismissal of court employees for immorality, highlighting integrity standards and due process in administrative cases.
Rape Conviction: Credibility of Testimony and the Nuances of Penetration
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on the victim's credible testimony, clarifies penetration nuances, and adjusts penalties and damages.
Tourist Duty Free Shops v. Sandiganbayan: Limits of PCGG Sequestration and Litis Pendentia
The Supreme Court clarifies when litis pendentia applies and the limits of PCGG sequestration powers over corporations.
Confessions and Counsel: Safeguarding Rights During Custodial Investigation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains what makes an extrajudicial confession valid, focusing on the right to counsel during custodial investigation.
Injunctions and Property Rights: Safeguarding Possession in Philippine Law
Philippine law protects possession through injunctions and property rights. This article explains how courts balance these interests.
Philippine Oil Deregulation Upheld: Supreme Court Defers to Market Freedom and Congress
The Supreme Court upheld oil deregulation under RA 8479, ruling that price controls are policy choices for Congress, not constitutional requirements.
Reformation of Contracts in the Philippines: Navigating Unforeseen Events and Economic Shifts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on contract reformation, fortuitous events, and extraordinary inflation in lease agreements. Learn key legal principles.
Proving Psychological Incapacity for Marriage Annulment in the Philippines: The Hernandez Case
Learn how the Supreme Court in Hernandez v. Hernandez clarified what evidence is needed to prove psychological incapacity for marriage annulment.
Filing Fees in Philippine Election Protests: Jurisdictional Rules and Timelines
Philippine election protest filing fees are jurisdictional. Late payment does not cure defects. Learn the rules and deadlines.
NLRC Appeal Bond Rules: Why Missing the Deadline Kills Your Labor Appeal
Learn why failing to post the NLRC appeal bond on time can dismiss your labor appeal, and how the DORELCO case shapes the rules.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: Notice and Hearing Requirements in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on due process in employee dismissal, appeal bonds, and finality of labor arbiter decisions.
Self-Defense in Philippine Law: Understanding Justifiable Homicide and the Burden of Proof
Explaining self-defense and justifiable homicide under Philippine law, including the requisites and the burden of proof on the accused.
Dismissed on a Technicality: The Strict Rule on Certification Against Forum Shopping in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts strictly require a certification against forum shopping in every initiatory pleading. Learn why late compliance can get a case dismissed.
Who Pays for an Illegal Strike? National Union Liability Under Philippine Law
When a local union stages an illegal strike, can the national union be held liable for damages? The Supreme Court clarifies agency and responsibility.