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.
Malicious Prosecution: Probable Cause and Legal Malice in Unfair Competition Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when filing unfair competition charges constitutes malicious prosecution, requiring proof of absent probable cause and legal malice.
Homicide vs Robbery With Homicide: Key Distinctions in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when a killing is simple homicide, not robbery with homicide, and why robbery must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Upholding Judicial Competence: The Cost of Ignoring Basic Procedural Rules
A judge's severe reprimand for gross ignorance of appeal rules underscores the high standard of competence expected of Philippine courts.
Common Carriers and Fortuitous Events: When Is a Carrier Liable for Passenger Injury
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a tire blowout is not a fortuitous event and why common carriers face a presumption of negligence in passenger injury cases.
Right of First Refusal in Lease Agreements: A Philippine Law Analysis
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a right of first refusal in a lease binds the lessor, and why sublessees generally cannot enforce it.
Illegal Dismissal: Proving Regular Employment and Due Process in Termination
Learn how the Supreme Court protects employees from illegal dismissal when employers fail to prove just cause and observe due process.
Upholding Ethical Standards in Public Service: Lessons from a Clerk's Neglect of Duty
A Supreme Court ruling on a court clerk's neglect of duty underscores the high ethical standards demanded of every public servant in the Philippines.
Judicial Misconduct Case: Upholding Impartiality and Competence in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on a court employee's neglect of duty underscores the high standards of ethics and competence required in the Philippine judiciary.
Security of Tenure vs Presidential Prerogative Reinstatement After Acquittal
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on project employee security of tenure, illegal dismissal, and back wages in SODECO v. NLRC.
Judicial Immunity and the 90-Day Rule: When Judges Face Liability for Delay
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that judges are immune from suit for erroneous decisions, but delay in deciding cases within 90 days is administrative liability.
Consent Is Key: Understanding Rape and Consensual Sex in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains why lack of consent defines rape, using a robbery-with-rape case to clarify the law.
Sheriff Misconduct: When Can a Sheriff Be Held Liable
Learn when Philippine sheriffs can be held liable for misconduct in property execution, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Project vs Regular Employee: What Brahm Industries Teaches About Valid Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between project and regular employees, and the due process required for lawful dismissal in the Philippines.
Probationary Employment in Philippine Schools: Contract Terms and Termination Rights
Understand probationary employment rules in Philippine schools, including contract terms, termination rights, and recent Supreme Court guidance.
Habitual Absenteeism of Government Employees: Penalties and Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
Habitual absenteeism is a grave offense for Philippine government employees. Learn the rules, penalties, and key lessons from a landmark Supreme Court case.
Project Employee vs Regular Employee: Security of Tenure Under Philippine Labor Law
Learn how the Supreme Court distinguishes project from regular employees and protects workers' security of tenure under Article 280 of the Labor Code.
Strikes and Return-to-Work Orders: Balancing Labor Rights and Employer Interests in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strikes, return-to-work orders, and the delicate balance between labor rights and employer interests.
Eyewitness Testimony and Reasonable Doubt: When Identification Fails in Philippine Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court acquits in People v. Galera, showing how shaky eyewitness identification and inconsistent testimony create reasonable doubt.
Overriding Commissions After Retirement: Employee Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether employees can claim commissions earned before retirement but paid after. Learn the rules.
Perfecting Appeals and Timelines in Philippine Labor Cases: The PAL v. Brillantes Guide
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved PAL v. Brillantes, balancing strict appeal timelines, labor law, and equitable justice.
Conditional vs. Absolute Sale: How Philippine Courts Determine True Property Ownership
Philippine courts look beyond contract labels to determine if a sale is absolute or conditional. Learn the key rules from a landmark Supreme Court case.
Perfecting Land Titles: Vested Rights and Corporate Land Ownership in the Philippines
Understand how the Supreme Court ruled on vested rights, corporate acquisition of public lands, and the limits of land ownership claims.
Rape Conviction: Slightest Penetration Suffices; Escape Injuries Count
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that slight penetration consummates rape, and injuries from escaping the assault are chargeable to the rapist.
Contract to Sell Rescission: When Installment Buyer Protections Do Not Apply
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when Republic Act 6552 protections do not apply and how contract to sell rescission works under Civil Code.