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.
When Cases Become Pointless: Mootness and a Lawyer's Duty to the Court in Philippine Law
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on procedural rules and the burden of proof in the Pacific Banking Corporation liquidation case.
Preventive Suspension Under RA 3019: When Public Officials Must Step Aside
The Supreme Court clarifies that preventive suspension of public officials facing graft charges under RA 3019 is mandatory, not discretionary. Learn the rules.
Circumstantial Evidence in Kidnapping: Conspiracy, Principal and Accessory Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence proves conspiracy or principal liability, and when it only supports accessory liability in kidnapping.
Credibility of Child Witnesses in Rape Cases: Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence
How Philippine courts assess a minor rape victim's testimony, and why child witnesses are often deemed credible in incest cases.
Burden of Proof in Stock Trading: Why Unverified Profit Statements Fail in Court
A portfolio manager sued for fees but lost because his profit statements were unverified. The Supreme Court explains why proof matters.
When a Child Eyewitness Fails: The Roman Meneses Acquittal and the Law on Identification
The Supreme Court acquitted Roman Meneses due to unreliable eyewitness identification, explaining when a child's testimony and police show-ups fail the test of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Motion to Dismiss Denied: Courts Must First Examine the Merits, Not Just Allegations, in Philippine Property D
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a motion to dismiss for lack of cause of action requires courts to examine the merits of a property dispute, not just the allegations.
Are Employee Quitclaims Always Valid? The Alcosero v. NLRC Ruling
When are employee quitclaims valid in the Philippines? The Supreme Court explains in Alcosero v. NLRC.
When Alibi Fails: The Vital Role of Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a murder accused when a child's sole eyewitness identification proves unreliable, showing how weak prosecution evidence cannot be cured by a weak alibi.
Election Disqualification Cases: COMELEC's Continuing Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court rules that COMELEC must continue hearing disqualification cases even after a candidate's proclamation, citing Section 6 of RA 6646.
Justice Delayed IS Justice Denied Understanding Undue Delay IN Philippine Ejectment Cases
A Philippine judge was fined for undue delay in an ejectment case. Here's what the Supreme Court's ruling means for litigants.
Rent-a-Car Liability in the Philippines: When Is the Owner Liable for Lessee’s Negligence?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when rent-a-car companies are liable for lessee negligence under quasi-delict and vicarious liability rules.
Limits of NLRC Injunction Power in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Philippine Airlines v. NLRC
The Supreme Court clarifies that the NLRC cannot issue injunctions in illegal dismissal cases without a pending case before the labor arbiter.
Tuition Fee Hikes and Wage Increases: Employee Rights in Philippine Schools
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on how tuition fee increases relate to mandatory wage hikes for school employees under Philippine law.
Fair Certification Elections Ensuring Workers Rights To Self Organization IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how tuition fee increases interact with wage orders and the 70% employee share under RA 6728.
Seafarer Transfers Understanding Crewmember Rights AND Employer Prerogatives IN Vessel Assignments
Learn how the Supreme Court balanced crewmember rights and employer prerogatives in vessel transfer assignments for Filipino seafarers.
Attorney Ethics: Navigating Conflicts of Interest in the Philippines
A lawyer cannot represent conflicting interests, even in good faith. The Supreme Court explains the rule and its penalties.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: Why Lawyers Face Suspension for Filing Multiple Cases
Learn how forum shopping in the Philippines can lead to lawyer suspension, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Benguet Electric Cooperative vs. Atty. Flores.
When Can the LRA Refuse to Issue a Decree of Registration? Mandamus Limits Explained
The Supreme Court explains when the Land Registration Authority may validly refuse to issue a decree of registration and why mandamus cannot compel it.
Undue Injury in Philippine Anti-Graft Law: Why Actual Damage Is Crucial
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Llorente v. Sandiganbayan that in graft cases.
Navigating NLRC Appeals: Why Proof of Receipt and Timeliness Are Critical
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved a labor appeal dismissed for being late, and why proving the exact date of receipt matters.
Justice Delayed Rights Denied Understanding Judicial Delay AND Injunction Bonds IN Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies venue rules in labor cases, prioritizing worker convenience and substantial justice over technicalities.
Upholding Integrity: Why Government Employee Absenteeism and Dishonesty Lead to Dismissal in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how habitual absenteeism and dishonesty by a court employee warranted dismissal from service with forfeiture of benefits.
Unshaken Testimony: How Philippine Courts Determine Eyewitness Credibility in Criminal Cases
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness credibility in criminal cases, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on murder.