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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Breach of Trust by Public Officials: Falsification and Malversation of Funds
A disbursing officer's conviction for malversation through falsification of public documents, and what it means for accountable public officers.
Supreme Court Strikes Down SSS Retirement Date Restriction on Survivor's Pension
The Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the SSS rule limiting survivor's pension to beneficiaries "as of the date of retirement," ruling it violates due process and equal protection.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: Why Choosing the Right Court Matters
Learn how Philippine courts penalize lawyer negligence and forum shopping, and why choosing the right court protects your case.
Bigamy and Presumptive Death: When a Second Marriage Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court explains why a judicial declaration of presumptive death is required before remarrying, and when bigamy applies.
Failure to Resolve Motions Promptly Is Gross Inefficiency for Judges
A judge who fails to resolve pending motions within the 90-day reglementary period commits gross inefficiency and faces administrative sanctions.
Poor Performance vs Neglect: Defining Just Cause for Employee Termination in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when poor work performance justifies termination and when it does not, explaining the legal distinction.
Counsel Negligence and Due Diligence: Lessons from a Lawyer's One-Year Suspension
A lawyer's repeated absences and failure to file an appeal brief led to a one-year suspension. Learn the professional responsibility rules at stake.
Expropriation Requires Formal Proceedings Resolutions Alone Cannot Halt Ejectment
A local government's resolution to expropriate property does not suspend an ejectment case. Formal expropriation proceedings must be filed first.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies in DENR Land Disputes: Key Lessons from Morcal v. Laviña
Learn the doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies in DENR land disputes through the Supreme Court's ruling in Morcal v. Laviña.
Amending Pleadings: The Right to Amend Before a Responsive Pleading
Learn the rules on amending pleadings before a responsive pleading is filed, and the consequences of missing appeal deadlines in Philippine civil procedure.
Due Process and Pre-Trial Notice: Protecting Litigants' Rights in Philippine Courts
A lawyer's missed hearings and failure to file appeal briefs led to suspension—a lesson on due process and client protection.
Moral Conduct Standards FOR Court Employees Maintaining Judicial Integrity
Waiver and the Family Home Claiming Exemption From Execution in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a family home exemption from execution is lost through waiver or delay in claiming it.
Blood AS A Public Resource Upholding THE National Blood Services ACT AND ITS Phase OUT OF Commercial Blood Banks
Truth and Oath in Attorney Discipline: When Perjury Allegations Against Lawyers Fail
Explaining Asturias v. Serrano, where the Supreme Court dismissed disbarment complaints for lack of clear evidence of willful falsehood.
Real Estate Installment Cancellation Rules Under the Maceda Law: Key Lessons from Fabrigas v. San Francisco De
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies Maceda Law cancellation rules, novation, and ratification in installment contract disputes.
Presidential Proclamations and Land Ownership: Military Reservations in the Philippines
Can a presidential proclamation override private land claims? The Supreme Court clarifies how military reservations affect ownership rights.
Contract to Sell Cancellation: Maceda Law Rules and Novation Explained
Learn the Maceda Law rules on cancelling a contract to sell, when a new contract can replace the old one, and key takeaways from Fabrigas v. San Francisco Del Monte.
Land Dispute Priority Rights of Actual Occupants vs Formal Applicants
Supreme Court ruling on whether actual occupants or formal applicants have priority rights in public land disposition cases under Philippine law.
Supervening Events Resolving Property Disputes Between Ownership AND Possession
When a final quieting of title ruling overturns an earlier ejectment judgment, the latter becomes unenforceable.
Establishing Cause OF Action IN Investment Disputes KEY Takeaways From Francia V Power Merge Corp
Annulment of Judgment: Abuse of Discretion vs. Lack of Jurisdiction in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that grave abuse of discretion is not a ground for annulment of judgment, which requires extrinsic fraud or lack of jurisdiction.
Trust Receipts vs Mortgage: Who Owns the Goods in Philippine Law?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on trust receipts versus chattel mortgages, ownership disputes, and the rights of entrustors over mortgaged goods.
POEA Contract or Labor Code: Which Governs Seafarer Rights in Domestic Waters?
Supreme Court clarifies when a POEA-approved seafarer contract ends and the Labor Code takes over for domestic voyages.