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.
Night Shift Differential Pay in the Philippines: Who Bears the Burden of Proof?
In claims for night shift differential pay, the employer bears the burden of proving payment, not the worker. Learn the rule from this Supreme Court case.
Final and Executory Judgments: When Can They Be Modified?
Explore the narrow exceptions to the finality of judgments in Philippine law, explained through a Supreme Court ruling.
Eviction and Tolerance: Understanding Tenant Rights Under Philippine Law
A 1998 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that tolerated occupants are not tenants under PD 1517 and may be evicted on demand.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Understanding Sudden Attack in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases through a sudden stabbing attack, clarifying the elements and legal consequences.
Seasonal Workers as Regular Employees: Rights Under Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when seasonal workers become regular employees entitled to CBA benefits and labor arbiter jurisdiction.
Regular Employee Status, Security of Tenure, and CBA Benefits in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when seasonal workers become regular employees entitled to CBA benefits and security of tenure.
Judicial Accountability in the Philippines: Ensuring Timely Justice and Efficient Court Management
A Supreme Court ruling on a deputy sheriff's neglect of duty underscores the exacting standards of judicial accountability in the Philippines.
When Health Is Not an Excuse: Understanding Neglect of Duty for Public Servants in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that illness does not excuse neglect of duty for public servants, defining the distinction from negligence.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails When Circumstantial Evidence Falls Short in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court acquits rape accused, stressing prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, not rely on defense weakness.
When Employee Criticism Becomes Illegal Dismissal: The Open Letter Case
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when employee expression is protected and when dismissal for misconduct is illegal.
Home Lot Rights in Philippine Tenancy: Only the Tenant is Entitled
The Supreme Court clarifies that only the tenant, not family members, may claim a home lot under RA 1199, Section 22(3).
Reconstitution of Lost Title: Supreme Court Clarifies Rules on Lost Owner's Duplicate
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may order reconstitution of a lost title based on documents other than the owner's duplicate, applying RA 26.
When Can a Judge Issue an Arrest Warrant in the Philippines: Probable Cause and Necessity
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when judges may issue arrest warrants during preliminary investigations, emphasizing the necessity requirement beyond probable cause.
Upholding Workers' Right to Organize: Certification Elections Free From Employer Interference
Supreme Court ruling protects workers' right to organize and underscores that certification elections must remain free from employer interference.
Lost Inheritance: The Perils of Delay in Philippine Estate Law
A 1998 Supreme Court ruling shows how heirs who sleep on their rights can lose their inheritance to laches and final judgments.
Bouncing Checks and Estafa in the Philippines: The Tongko Case Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court in People v. Tongko clarified when issuing bouncing checks constitutes estafa under Philippine law.
Robbery With Homicide Establishing Intent AND Liability IN Philippine LAW
Explains the Supreme Court ruling on probable cause for falsification of public documents and illegal use of alias under Philippine law.
Inheritance Rights of Nephews and Nieces: Proving Filiation and Overcoming Legal Presumptions
Can a death certificate block an ejectment suit? The Supreme Court clarifies provisional findings and inheritance rights of nephews and nieces.
Lawyer's Disbarment Does Not Erase Liability for Prior Misconduct: A.C. No. 11508
The Supreme Court fines a disbarred lawyer for pre-disbarment misconduct, clarifying that disbarment does not erase liability for earlier ethical violations.
Buyer Beware Inheriting Obligations IN Philippine Property Foreclosures
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on property foreclosures: buyers may inherit seller's obligations to installment buyers, even without written contracts.
When Loss of Trust Fails: Understanding Illegal Dismissal in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employers face liability for illegal dismissal and wage claims of security guards under labor law.
Contracts Still Stand: Why Bounced Checks Don't Always Void a Pacto de Retro Sale
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why dishonored checks don't invalidate a pacto de retro sale when consideration existed at execution.
Solidary Liability for Security Guard Wages: Employer Obligations in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when companies are solidarily liable for security agency employees' wages, back pay, and separation pay.
Absolute vs Conditional Sale Understanding Philippine Real Estate Contracts
Learn the key differences between absolute and conditional sales in Philippine real estate, and what the Supreme Court says about buyer and seller rights.