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.
Defense of a Relative in the Philippines: Proving Unlawful Aggression
Philippine law allows defense of a relative, but only if unlawful aggression is clearly proven. A Supreme Court case shows why.
Admissibility of Confessions: Protecting Rights During Custodial Investigation in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when a confession obtained without counsel during custodial investigation is inadmissible in evidence.
Club Membership Disputes: When Suspension and Due Process Collide
A Supreme Court ruling on club suspensions, delinquent lists, and the limits of due process in private associations.
Rape and the Limits of Relationship in Philippine Law: When Kinship Aggravates the Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies when a relationship between offender and victim can aggravate rape, and when it cannot.
COMELEC's Power to Prosecute Election Offenses: Independent Authority Affirmed
Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's exclusive authority to prosecute election offenses, ruling that deputized prosecutors cannot override its decisions.
Philippine Coconut Authority Cannot Abandon Its Regulatory Power
Supreme Court rules PCA cannot deregulate coconut processing industry by resolution, as only Congress can dismantle statutory regulation.
Judicial Delay: When Inaction Becomes Neglect of Duty
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a judge's prolonged inaction on pending motions constitutes neglect of duty, even after case transfer.
Dying Declarations: When Can a Victim's Statement Be Used in Court?
Learn when a dying victim's statement is admissible in Philippine courts, based on the Supreme Court ruling in People v. Viovicente.
Patent Infringement in the Philippines: Who Can Sue and Why a Patent Matters
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that only patent holders or their successors can sue for infringement, not mere first inventors.
When Real Property Tax Assessments Can Be Challenged: Lessons from Callanta v. Ombudsman
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when property owners may challenge real property tax assessments and the limits of city assessors' authority.
Annulment of Judgment Protects Property Rights From Fraudulent Land Titles
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on annulling fraudulent land titles and protecting true owners' property rights from bogus cadastral proceedings.
Conspiracy and Warrantless Searches in Drug Transport Cases: People v. Correa
A 1998 Supreme Court ruling clarifies conspiracy in drug transport, warrantless searches, and why using a vehicle is not aggravating.
Warrantless Arrests and Transporting Illegal Drugs: Key Philippine Rulings
A look at the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Correa on warrantless arrests, transporting illegal drugs, and the "use of a motor vehicle" aggravating circumstance.
Rape Acquittal When Consent and Evidence Collide: People v. Estrera
The Supreme Court acquits a rape accused, showing how delayed reporting, lack of injuries, and consent evidence can defeat a conviction.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa in the Philippines: A Supreme Court Case Analysis
A 1998 Supreme Court ruling explains how illegal recruitment and estafa are charged and penalized separately in the Philippines.
Converting Partial Disability to Total Disability: GSIS v. Balais Explained
When can partial disability benefits be converted to total? The Supreme Court's ruling in GSIS v. Balais provides clear guidance for Filipino workers.
Airline Liability for Lost Luggage: What Passengers Need to Know in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on airline liability for lost luggage, limited liability waivers, and third-party claims explained.
Election Tampering Safeguarding the Integrity of Philippine Elections
How the Supreme Court upheld COMELEC's power to annul tampered election returns and order recanvassing to protect electoral integrity.
Admissibility of Extrajudicial Confessions in Philippine Criminal Law
Explore when extrajudicial confessions are admissible in Philippine courts, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Jerez.
Rape Conviction on Victim's Testimony: Credibility Standards in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on credible lone victim testimony, clarifies damages and reclusion perpetua rules.
Attorney Negligence Consequences of Missing Deadlines in Philippine Law
Learn how missed legal deadlines and attorney negligence affect cases in the Philippines, with insights from Supreme Court rulings on procedural rules.
Rape and Robbery: How Philippine Courts Determine Criminal Intent
A look at how the Supreme Court distinguished rape from robbery with rape, and why the accused's original intent matters in criminal prosecution.
When Can a Lawyer Be Disbarred in the Philippines? A Landmark Case on Misconduct
Learn when Philippine courts discipline lawyers for private misconduct, based on a 1998 Supreme Court ruling on a lawyer's bad checks.
Judicial Delay and Falsification: When a Judge's Certificates of Service Become Grounds for Dismissal
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling shows how delayed case decisions and falsified certificates of service led to a judge's dismissal from the bench.