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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Condonation Doctrine in Philippine Administrative Law: What Re-Election Means for Elected Officials
Explaining the condonation doctrine, its prospective abandonment by the Supreme Court, and how re-election can absolve prior administrative misconduct.
DST and GRT on Special Savings Accounts: Philippine Veterans Bank Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled special savings accounts are subject to documentary stamp tax and that final withholding taxes count toward gross receipts tax.
Forcible Entry vs. Unlawful Detainer: A Philippine Property Owner’s Guide
Learn the difference between forcible entry and unlawful detainer in Philippine ejectment cases, and how the Supreme Court clarified the rules in a recent ruling.
Gross Neglect of Duty and Mitigating Circumstances in Philippine Civil Service
When can mitigating circumstances lessen the penalty for gross neglect of duty? The Supreme Court clarifies in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas v. Bool.
Expropriation and Just Compensation: Clarifying Consequential Damages in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how road right-of-way is measured in expropriation cases and when consequential damages may be awarded.
Quasi-Delict Liability After a Vehicular Accident: Lessons from Laza v. Standard Insurance
The Supreme Court clarifies when a driver is negligent in a collision, the rules on vicarious liability, and what it takes to overturn factual findings on appeal.
Fairness in Land Valuation: Determining Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is determined in agrarian reform cases, balancing landowner rights and agrarian justice.
Understanding Witness Reliability in Criminal Cases: Insights from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how insanity defenses work in criminal cases and why witness credibility remains central to convictions.
Land Title Reversion in the Philippines: What Property Owners Should Know
A Supreme Court ruling on land title reversion explains when the State can cancel titles over public domain lands, even against innocent purchasers.
Insanity Defense in Philippine Rape Cases: Key Insights from People v. Toledo
The Supreme Court clarifies when insanity can exempt an accused from criminal liability in rape cases, and why the defense failed in this case.
Attempted Rape with Homicide: Circumstantial Evidence and the Cabornay Case
The Supreme Court affirms that circumstantial evidence can convict in attempted rape with homicide, clarifying the standards under Philippine law.
Understanding the Real Estate Service Act Integration Ruling: What the Supreme Court Decided
The Supreme Court upheld the IRR defining the AIPO for real estate practitioners. Learn what this landmark ruling means for RESPs.
COMELEC Cannot Disqualify Candidates for Election Offenses: Erice v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court rules COMELEC exceeded its jurisdiction in disqualifying a candidate for an election offense not listed under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Quasi-Delict Claims and Negligence: Supreme Court Affirms Insurer's Subrogation Recovery
Supreme Court clarifies negligence standards in vehicular accidents, affirming insurer's right to recover repair costs from negligent driver and vehicle owner.
When a Notarized Deed of Sale Fails: Consent Is Key in Philippine Property Transfers
A notarized deed does not guarantee a valid sale. The Supreme Court explains why genuine consent is essential in property transactions.
Navigating the Philippine Electric Power Industry: Mandatory vs Voluntary Migration
The Supreme Court clarifies when electricity end-users may be compelled to leave the captive market under the EPIRA.
Navigating Corporate Disputes: Lawyer Responsibilities and Ethical Boundaries
A Supreme Court ruling on lawyer conduct in corporate board disputes, highlighting duties to courts and ethical limits of advocacy.
Understanding Treachery in Murder Cases: Insights From a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how treachery must be alleged in an Information and when an accused waives the right to question it.
When Lawyers Cross the Line: The Limits of Advocacy in Corporate Disputes
A lawyer's duty to the court limits zeal for clients. The Supreme Court suspends counsel for evading a TRO in a corporate control fight.
Understanding the Chain of Custody Rule in Philippine Drug Cases: Insights from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling explains the chain of custody rule in drug cases and why compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165 is crucial.
Understanding Unlawful Detainer When Tolerance Turns Into Legal Disputes Over Property
The Supreme Court clarifies when tolerated possession in unlawful detainer cases must begin and how co-ownership affects ejectment suits.
Good Faith Defense in Graft Cases: Insights from the Feliciano and Aquitania Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquitted water district officials of graft and malversation, clarifying the limits of criminal liability for good faith actions.
Understanding the Critical Role of Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme
A Supreme Court ruling on drug possession shows why strict compliance with Section 21, RA 9165, is essential for conviction.
Correcting Birth Certificate Entries Under Rule 108: What the Supreme Court Says
The Supreme Court clarifies when Rule 108 proceedings can correct birth certificate entries, and when they cannot.