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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Foreshore Land Claims: Proving Ownership Against Government Reversion Suits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when the government can cancel free patents over alleged foreshore lands, and the burden of proof in reversion cases.
Outsourcing Validity: Management Prerogative vs. Union Bargaining Rights
Supreme Court ruling on when outsourcing is valid management prerogative and when it intrudes on union bargaining unit coverage.
Barangay Conciliation: The Key to Unlawful Detainer Cases in the Philippines
Learn why barangay conciliation is a mandatory prerequisite before filing unlawful detainer cases, based on a Supreme Court ruling.
Residency Requirement Upholding the Electorate's Will in Congressional Elections
Supreme Court ruling on congressional residency requirements, emphasizing that the electorate's choice prevails when evidence of non-residence is weak or inconclusive.
Tenant's Right of Redemption: Written Notice Is Key in Agrarian Reform
Supreme Court ruling on tenant redemption rights under RA 3844 and the importance of written notice in agrarian reform cases.
Prescription and Marital Consent: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on how prescription and laches can bar claims over conjugal property sold without the wife's consent.
Advertising Rights vs Public Authority: MMDA's Power Over MRT3 Advertisements
Supreme Court ruling on whether MMDA could dismantle billboards on MRT3, a private property under a build-lease-transfer agreement.
MMDA Has No Power to Dismantle Billboards on MRT3 Private Property
Supreme Court ruling that MMDA cannot dismantle billboards on MRT3 structures, clarifying the agency's limited administrative powers under RA 7924.
Good Faith vs Torrens Title Resolving Land Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a Torrens title or a deed of sale prevails in land possession disputes.
When Is a Statement an Admission? Lessons from a Prawn Feed Dispute
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a written statement counts as an admission and when corporate officers can be held personally liable.
Agrarian Reform vs Tourism: Resolving Land Use Conflicts in the Philippines
Supreme Court ruling on whether tourism zone proclamations automatically exempt agricultural lands from CARP coverage.
Navigating Drug Possession Laws: Evidence and Credibility in Shabu Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on drug possession explains why minor witness inconsistencies and the defense of frame-up often fail against credible police testimony.
Seafarers Disability: When Permanent Unfitness Means Full CBA Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a seafarer's disability is permanent and total, entitling full CBA compensation despite partial impediment grade.
Reinstatement vs Restructuring: Employee Rights in Corporate Changes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employee rights when corporate restructuring invalidates termination—reinstatement, backwages, and separation pay explained.
Reinstatement vs. Abandonment: How the Supreme Court Determines Illegal Dismissal and Employee Rights
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when an employee is illegally dismissed, when retirement is truly voluntary, and what backwages and separation pay are owed.
CBA Renegotiation Preserving Workers Rights TO Union Representation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how CBA renegotiation affects the 60-day freedom period for certification elections and union representation rights.
Traffic Violations and Negligence: When Res Ipsa Loquitur Applies in Vehicle Accidents
A Supreme Court ruling explains how traffic violations like illegal overtaking establish negligence, and when res ipsa loquitur applies.
Reconveyance and Good Faith: Protecting Land Ownership in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies reconveyance actions, good faith purchasers, and why registration alone does not vest land ownership in the Philippines.
Insubordination vs Humane Consideration: Balancing Employee Rights and Employer Authority in Termination Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on St. Luke's Medical Center v. Fadrigo clarifies when insubordination and loss of confidence justify dismissal.
Attorney's Fees and Quantum Meruit: Fair Compensation for Legal Services in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts determine reasonable attorney's fees and quantum meruit principles, with insights from a Supreme Court ruling on contractual obligations.
Mining Rights and State Control: The Limits of Exploration Permits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on exploration permits, vested rights, and state control over mineral reservations under the Mining Act.
When Loan Restructuring Terms Must Be in Writing: The Marcopper Case
A Supreme Court ruling on why unwritten conditions in loan restructuring cannot be enforced, and the binding nature of written agreements.
Liberty vs Military Authority: Balancing Rights in the Philippine Armed Forces
Supreme Court ruling on a general's preventive suspension and arrest, clarifying due process and injunctive relief in military discipline cases.
Judicial Overreach: Defining the Limits of Disciplinary Authority in the Philippine Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that executive judges cannot unilaterally impose penalties on court personnel, reaffirming the Court's exclusive disciplinary power.