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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Res Judicata in the Philippines: When a Dismissed Case Cannot Be Refiled
Learn when a dismissed case can be refiled in the Philippines and how res judicata bars re-litigation, based on a Supreme Court ruling on failure to prosecute.
Child Sexual Abuse Under RA 7610: Key Ruling on Section 5(b) vs. 10(a)
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual abuse of a child falls under Section 5(b) rather than 10(a) of RA 7610, affecting penalties and prosecution.
Duty to Account: Belated Compliance Does Not Erase Criminal Liability for Public Officers
The Supreme Court rules that a public officer's belated liquidation of cash advances does not erase criminal liability under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code.
Backwages for Premature Dismissal: When Execution Beats Finality
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a government employee dismissed before a decision becomes final can claim backwages despite not being fully exonerated.
PNCC Ruling: Labor Code Applies to Non-Chartered GOCCs, But RA 10149 Limits Benefits
Supreme Court clarifies that non-chartered GOCCs like PNCC are under the Labor Code, yet RA 10149 restricts employee benefits without presidential approval.
PNCC Ruling Clarifies GOCC Status and Employee Bonus Rules
Supreme Court rules PNCC is a GOCC under RA 10149, allowing it to stop mid-year bonuses without violating non-diminution rules.
Tuition Fee Increases and Employee Benefits: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Allocation of Incremental Proceeds
The Supreme Court clarifies that retirement plan contributions may be charged against the 70% tuition fee incremental proceeds under RA 6728.
Regulatory Fees vs Taxes: When Local Government Impositions Are Valid
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between regulatory fees and taxes in local ordinances, and the burden of proving invalidity.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in Labor Cases: When Owners and Related Companies Can Be Held Liable
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts can pierce the corporate veil in labor disputes and hold owners and related firms solidarily liable for judgments.
Seafarer Disability Claims and Quitclaims: Lessons from the Idul Case
Understand how the Supreme Court resolved a seafarer's disability claim, the role of company-designated physicians, and why procedural rules matter.
Understanding Estafa in Trust Receipt Transactions: Key Lessons from Barlin v. People
Learn how the Supreme Court applied estafa under Article 315(1)(b) to trust receipt violations, and what businesses should know.
Unlocking Inheritance Rights Understanding Illegitimate Childrens Entitlement TO Estate Partition IN THE Phili
The Supreme Court clarifies how illegitimate children inherit from their father's estate and when they can demand partition.
Understanding Penalties and Probation: Key Insights From a Landmark Social Security Fraud Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies penalties for SSS fraud, probation disqualification, and why courts cannot impose outdated sentences.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in Labor Cases: A Supreme Court Guide
The Supreme Court explains when courts can pierce the corporate veil to hold owners liable for unpaid labor judgments.
Property Partition and Agrarian Reform: When a Final Land Conversion Order Prevails
The Supreme Court explains when a final land conversion order bars agrarian reform coverage, and why finality and estoppel protect landowners.
Judicial Ethics Lessons from a Judge's Misconduct: The Alzate Case
The Supreme Court's ruling in the Alzate administrative case offers key lessons on judicial ethics, propriety, and accountability for Philippine judges.
Foreigners Can File for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines: The Ambrose Case
The Supreme Court clarifies that foreign spouses may file for declaration of nullity of marriage in Philippine courts, applying lex loci celebrationis.
Employee Dismissal and Loss of Trust: Balancing Discipline with Fairness in Philippine Labor Law
Explore when loss of trust justifies dismissal in Philippine labor law and why the Supreme Court ruled a 17-year employee's termination too harsh.
When Death Extinguishes Criminal Liability: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling explains how an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal and civil liability ex delicto.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Medical Assessments
A seafarer's disability claim can fail if the company doctor's assessment is not timely challenged. Learn the rules from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Understanding Illegal Recruitment and Human Trafficking: Insights From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Cas
The Supreme Court explains the elements of illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons in a case involving a worker bound for Beijing.
Illegal Arrests and the Ombudsman's Role: What the Somira Drug Case Teaches
A 2021 Supreme Court ruling clarifies buy-bust arrests, chain of custody, and why the Ombudsman matters in drug cases.
Foreign Spouses Can File for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines: The Ambrose Ruling
Foreign spouses married in the Philippines have legal standing to file for nullity of marriage, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Ambrose v. Suque-Ambrose.
Navigating Employee Incentives Understanding THE Limits OF Government Agency Compensation Powers
The Supreme Court affirms COA's disallowance of CNA incentives given to non-rank-and-file SSS employees, clarifying limits on agency compensation powers.