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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Tax Exemptions for Government Corporations: The Philippine Ports Authority Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations like the PPA must pay local taxes, and when they cannot change legal theories on appeal.
The Boundaries of Self Defense When Force Becomes Unlawful Aggression in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense is valid and when force becomes unlawful aggression in criminal cases.
When Constitutional Limits Bar Recovery of Illegally Acquired Property
Philippine Supreme Court explains why an alien who bought land through a Filipino cannot recover the property or his money.
Environmental Clearance and Exhaustion of Remedies: Protecting Fisherfolk Rights in Minolo Cove
Supreme Court ruling on why fisherfolk must exhaust administrative remedies before challenging an Environmental Clearance Certificate in court.
Judicial Accountability: Dismissal of Charges Requires Evidence Beyond Bare Allegations
Administrative complaints against judges must rest on competent evidence, not suspicion. The Supreme Court's ruling in Mijares clarifies when judges may be held liable.
Safeguarding Suffrage: Residency and Congressional Oversight in Overseas Voting
The Supreme Court upholds overseas absentee voting law, clarifying residency rules, COMELEC's proclamation powers, and limits on congressional oversight.
Control Is Key: Determining Employer-Employee Relationships in Outsourcing Arrangements
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal employer becomes liable for outsourced workers, emphasizing control over contractual labels.
Judicial Overreach Approving Bail Outside Jurisdictional Boundaries 2
Supreme Court clarifies venue, exhaustion of administrative remedies, and limits on injunctions in environmental cases.
Treachery Defined: How Sudden Attacks Qualify as Murder Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases—when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as a qualifying circumstance under Philippine law.
Judicial Discretion vs Mandatory Rules: Extending Search Warrant Validity
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's erroneous extension of a search warrant's validity is an administrative offense or a protected error of judgment.
Beyond Physical Loss: Defining Permanent Total Disability in Philippine Employment Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that permanent total disability is not about physical helplessness but the inability to earn wages in one's trained work.
Airline Passenger Rights: When Rerouting Breaches the Contract of Carriage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when airlines breach carriage contracts by rerouting passengers without consent, and what damages apply.
Upholding Final Judgments The Limits of Annulment Based on Jurisdictional Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments and limits of jurisdictional challenges in annulment cases.
Tax Refund Limitations: The One-Year Rule for Carry-Over of Excess Income Tax Payments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that excess income tax payments may only be carried over to the immediately succeeding taxable year under the old NIRC.
Forum Shopping in Labor Disputes: Simultaneous Appeals Lead to Dismissal
Filing an appeal with the Supreme Court while a prohibited second motion for reconsideration is pending before the Court of Appeals constitutes forum shopping.
Ejectment Suits: Registered Ownership vs. Co-Ownership Claims in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, registered ownership prevails over co-ownership claims, but only for possession purposes.
Finality Prevails: Execution of Judgments and Limits to Appeals in Labor Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that execution orders of final labor judgments are not appealable, preventing endless litigation.
Final Executory Labor Judgments Cannot Be Appealed: King Integrated Security Services v. Gatan
Labor judgments that become final and executory can no longer be appealed — only executed. The Supreme Court explains why.
Certiorari Deadlines: When Does the 60-Day Clock Really Start
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that orders executing final judgments are not appealable, and the 60-day certiorari period cannot revive settled cases.
Integrity of Election Returns: Ensuring Accurate Vote Canvassing in Pre-Proclamation Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when election returns with material defects may be excluded and how canvassing boards must verify ballot integrity.
Judicial Conduct: Errors of Judgment vs Misconduct in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's error is mere error of judgment versus administrative misconduct requiring bad faith.
Upholding Employee Rights: Proving Just Cause for Termination in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer's burden of proof in dismissal cases, explaining just cause requirements and employee rights.
Valid Search Warrants Despite Name Discrepancies and Scope Limits in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when name errors in search warrants are valid and when warrantless car searches are illegal.
Land Title Registration: Proving Ownership and Alienability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for land registration: possession since June 12, 1945 and proof the land is alienable public domain.