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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Upholding Public Trust Accountability for Dishonored Debts in Government Service
Court interpreter reprimanded for willful failure to pay just debts. Learn the ethics rules for government employees and their personal obligations.
Credible Testimony and Rape Conviction: Affirming Guilt Despite Alibi
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible victim testimony, rejecting alibi and explaining delay in reporting.
Security of Tenure: Defining Agricultural Tenancy in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies what makes a person an agricultural lessee entitled to security of tenure under Philippine agrarian laws.
Dismissal of Appeal: The High Cost of Missed Deadlines in Philippine Courts
Audi AG's certiorari petition dismissed for skipping motion for reconsideration and ignoring hierarchy of courts. A lesson in procedural rules.
Unauthorized Real Estate Mortgage: Strict Interpretation of Special Power of Attorney
When a special power of attorney fails to identify the exact property, a mortgage over it is unenforceable. The Supreme Court explains why banks must verify authority.
Upholding Judicial Integrity: Consequences of Impropriety and Insubordination in the Philippine Judiciary
A clerk of court dismissed for gross dishonesty and grave misconduct over misappropriated cash bail bonds, reaffirming the judiciary's high ethical standards.
Judge Dismissed for Misappropriation of Court Funds and Gross Misconduct
Supreme Court dismisses judge for in-chambers meetings with litigants, misappropriating support funds, and defying Court orders.
Prescription IN Anti Graft Cases THE States Right TO Recover ILL Gotten Wealth VS Timely Prosecution
DAR vs DARAB: Who Decides Beneficiary Selection in Agrarian Reform Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between DAR's administrative power to pick agrarian reform beneficiaries and DARAB's adjudicative role.
Labor Arbiter Jurisdiction Over Employee Claims: Incon Industrial Corp. Case
When do labor claims belong to the Labor Arbiter, not the RTC? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdictional boundaries in Incon Industrial Corp.
When Alibi Falls Short: The Weight of Credible Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a homicide conviction based on a single eyewitness's credible testimony, explaining why alibi failed.
Admissibility vs Probative Value in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Burden of Proof on Employers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that admissible evidence may still lack probative value in illegal dismissal cases, reaffirming employer's burden of proof.
Future Inheritance Contracts Are Void: Arrogante v. Deliarte Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void contracts over future inheritance, and the exceptions that can save family property arrangements.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: When a Public Facebook Post Leads to a Higher Penalty
The Supreme Court clarifies how social media posts can prove psychological abuse under RA 9262 and why using Facebook raises the penalty.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Disciplining Court Personnel for Misconduct and Neglect of Duty
The Supreme Court suspended a sheriff and fined a clerk for demanding unauthorized fees and delaying court records, reinforcing accountability in the judiciary.
Deposition Deadlines in Corporate Disputes: What Philippine Computer Solutions v. Manzo Teaches
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies deposition deadlines in intra-corporate disputes and why interlocutory orders must be raised on appeal.
Deposition Deadlines in Intra-Corporate Cases: Philippine Computer Solutions v. Hernandez
The Supreme Court clarifies the 15-day discovery period under the Interim Rules on Intra-Corporate Controversies and the rule on interlocutory orders.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Remedy in Administrative Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why certiorari cannot substitute for a lapsed appeal in Ombudsman administrative cases, and explains the proper remedy.
Void Judgments Create No Rights: The Borres Heirs Case
A judge who decides after retirement acts without authority. His decision is void ab initio and can never become final or create rights.
Universal Charge Under EPIRA: Balancing Regulatory Power and Consumer Protection
The Supreme Court upheld the EPIRA universal charge as a valid police power exaction, not a tax, and affirmed ERC's delegated authority.
Universal Charge Under EPIRA: Police Power, Not Taxation, Says Supreme Court
The Supreme Court upheld the EPIRA's Universal Charge as a valid police power exaction, not a tax, and found no undue delegation of legislative authority.
Usury Law in the Philippines: When Courts Cut Excessive Interest Rates
The Supreme Court struck down a 48% annual interest rate as unconscionable in Bulos v. Yasuma, showing courts can reduce excessive loan interest even without the Usury Law.
Custody of Minors and Habeas Corpus: Understanding Court Jurisdiction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that family courts and the Court of Appeals share concurrent jurisdiction over habeas corpus petitions involving custody of minors.
Contempt of Court and Lawyer Accountability: The Roxas Case
A lawyer's intemperate letter to a Supreme Court Justice led to a P30,000 fine for indirect contempt and a reminder of professional ethics.