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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Reopening Criminal Cases in the Philippines: The Hearing Requirement Under Rule 119
When can a Philippine court reopen a criminal case before judgment? The rules require a hearing—and the Supreme Court has enforced that requirement.
When an Accused Is Arraigned: DOJ Review of Prosecutor’s Ruling Barred
Philippine Supreme Court rules on DOJ Circular No. 70: arraignment bars the Secretary of Justice from reviewing a prosecutor’s resolution.
Employer-Employee Relationship for Foreign Nationals: The Pacific Consultants Case
Learn how Philippine courts determine employer-employee relationships for foreign nationals seconded to local subsidiaries, based on the Pacific Consultants ruling.
Disbarment Cases in the Philippines: Why Evidence Is Key to Proving Misconduct
Learn how Philippine disbarment cases turn on solid evidence, using the Adasa v. Abalos ruling to explain proof standards.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Parent Company Can Be Liable for Its Subsidiary's Debts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a parent company and its subsidiary can be treated as one employer for labor liability.
Deadline Is King: Perfecting Your Real Property Tax Appeal in the Philippines
Learn why filing a motion for reconsideration with the assessor won't stop the 60-day clock for appealing to the Local Board of Assessment Appeals.
Bank Closures Under RA 7653: Why a Report Suffices Without Full Examination
Supreme Court clarifies that under RA 7653, the BSP Monetary Board may close a bank based on a department head's report, not a full examination.
Reconveyance of Land Titles: Protecting Homesteaders From Fraudulent Land Grabs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconveyance of land titles obtained through fraud, protecting homesteaders' rights against deceptive schemes.
Fighting Corruption Why Government Contracts Must BE Above Board
Why PAGCOR's tax exemption in Acesite v. CIR shields contractors from VAT—and what this means for government procurement transparency.
VAT Exemption for PAGCOR Transactions: What Acesite Means for Philippine Businesses
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that services to PAGCOR are zero-rated VAT, sparing suppliers from paying the 10% tax.
Right of Way and Fair Compensation: When Attorney's Fees and Exemplary Damages Are Not Warranted
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees and exemplary damages may be awarded, reversing an award against Petron Corporation in a property dispute.
Fixed-Term Contracts in the Philippines: When Are They Valid? Caparoso v. Court of Appeals Explained
Understand when fixed-term employment contracts are valid in the Philippines, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Caparoso v. Court of Appeals.
Finality of Ombudsman Decisions: When an Exoneration Becomes Truly Final
Philippine law on when an Ombudsman exoneration becomes final and unappealable, explained through the Alano case.
Resolving Land Disputes: Boundary Relocation and Title Amendments in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle boundary disputes, relocation surveys, and when title corrections require court approval under PD 1529.
Missed Your Appeal Understanding Finality IN Philippine Election PRE Proclamation Cases
Learn when Ombudsman decisions become final and unappealable, and why exonerations cannot be reversed later.
Habitual Tardiness in Philippine Government Service: What the Supreme Court Says
The Supreme Court clarifies when tardiness becomes habitual in government service and why common excuses do not justify it.
Fixed-Term Employment and Security of Tenure: When Contracts Expire Without Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court explains when fixed-term employment is valid and why expiration of a contract is not illegal dismissal.
Philippine Search Warrants: Why the Two-Witness Rule Is Crucial for Valid Searches
The Supreme Court explains why the two-witness rule under Rule 126 is mandatory, and why violating it makes seized evidence inadmissible.
Ejectment Case Jurisdiction in the Philippines: MTC vs RTC After Bejar v. Caluag
Filing an ejectment case in the wrong court risks dismissal. Learn how Bejar v. Caluag clarifies MTC vs RTC jurisdiction.
Sheriffs' Neglect of Duty: Upholding Timely Justice in Philippine Courts
When sheriffs delay executing court writs, justice fails. This case explains the duty to act promptly and the penalties for neglect.
Decoding Philippine Procurement When Loan Agreements Trump Local Law in Public Bidding
When can a foreign loan agreement override Philippine procurement law? The Supreme Court explains in Abaya v. Ebdane.
Checkpoint Legality and the Plain View Doctrine in the Philippines: A Guide for Citizens
Learn when police checkpoints are legal, what the plain view doctrine allows, and how the Supreme Court ruled in Abenes v. People.
Unjustified Meralco Bills: Know Your Rights and Fight Back
A Supreme Court ruling protects consumers from unjust differential billing. Learn the limits on electric companies' collection powers.
Preliminary Investigation Rights and the Definition of Rape: Key Lessons from De Castro
Learn when the right to preliminary investigation is waived and why finger insertion constitutes rape through sexual assault under Philippine law.