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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Local Autonomy vs Presidential Supervision: The Scope of Power in Granting Judges' Allowances
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of presidential supervision over local governments in granting allowances to judges.
Breach of Trust: The Grave Consequences of Parental Rape in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his 10-year-old daughter, highlighting the law's treatment of incestuous rape.
Brokers Entitlement Procuring Cause VS Consummation OF Sale IN Real Estate Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a real estate broker earns commission—procuring cause vs actual sale consummation.
Rape Conviction Credibility of Testimony and Proof of Minority in Statutory Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's death sentence for raping his 10-year-old daughter, clarifying rules on witness credibility and proof of minority.
Upholding Client Diligence Attorney Suspended FOR Neglect IN Handling Civil Case
Dishonesty in Public Service: Forging Signatures and the Limits of Forgiveness
A court employee forged a colleague's signature to encash a check. The Supreme Court explains why forgiveness does not erase administrative liability.
Proportional Representation in Electoral Tribunals: The Pimentel Case
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on proportional representation of party-list groups in the HRET and Commission on Appointments.
Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Fugitive Status
The High Court affirms a murder conviction even as the accused remains at large, ruling on treachery, alibi, and the retroactive application of procedural rules.
Habitual Tardiness in the Workplace: Offenses and Penalties in the Philippine Judiciary
The Supreme Court defines habitual tardiness and its penalties for court employees, stressing punctuality as a duty in public service.
Incestuous Rape in the Philippines: Why the Victim's Age Must Be Proven, Not Assumed
In People v. Caralipio, the Supreme Court reduced a death sentence to reclusion perpetua because the prosecution failed to prove the victim's minority beyond reasonable doubt.
Reinstatement vs. Separation Pay: When a Final Labor Decision Can Change
A final and executory labor ruling is generally immutable, but supervening events may justify modifying execution from reinstatement to separation pay.
Judicial Ethics: Dismissal of Judge for Extortion and Serious Misconduct
Supreme Court dismisses a judge for demanding money from a litigant, reaffirming strict standards of judicial ethics and integrity.
When Final Judgments Can Be Modified: Supervening Events in Labor Cases
The Supreme Court explains when a final and executory reinstatement order may still be modified due to supervening events.
Rape and Incest: Minor Testimony Inconsistencies Don't Undermine Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony don't weaken her credibility, and why minority must be proven.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Proving Minority and Relationship in Qualified Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction but reduces the death penalty to reclusion perpetua because the prosecution failed to prove the victim's minority beyond reasonable doubt.
Checks and Balances When Regional Prosecutors Overstep Local Authority in Preliminary Investigations
When can a regional prosecutor take over a city prosecutor's case? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of supervision and control.
Judicial Supervision When Judges ARE NOT Directly Liable FOR Clerks Errors
Judicial Efficiency and Prompt Case Resolution: Administrative Liability for Court Delays
Philippine Supreme Court holds judges administratively liable for delayed case resolution, emphasizing speedy disposition as a constitutional right.
Carnapping Conviction Affirmed: Penalties and Procedural Rules Under RA 6538
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified carnapping penalties and appeal rules in Mercado v. People, including key procedural takeaways.
Admission vs Confession: Why Weak Prosecution Evidence Led to Acquittal in Sanvicente
The Supreme Court explains the difference between an admission and a confession, and why double jeopardy barred the prosecution's appeal.
Estate Administration Discretionary Power in Appointing Special Administrators
The Supreme Court clarifies that probate courts have sound discretion in appointing special administrators, and heirs have no absolute right to representation.
Proving Online Abuse: Social Media Evidence in VAWC Cases
How the Supreme Court allows circumstantial evidence to prove authorship of harmful social media posts in psychological abuse cases.
Upholding Prior Possession HOW Forcible Entry Claims Protect Land Cultivators IN THE Philippines
Buy-Bust Operations and Admissibility of Evidence in Philippine Drug Cases
How the Supreme Court in People v. Razul balanced the protection of constitutional rights with the need to admit evidence from legitimate buy-bust operations.