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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Piercing Corporate Veil: When Director Self-Dealing Undermines Corporate Opportunity
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on derivative suits, corporate opportunity doctrine, and director liability for self-dealing.
Good Faith Under Scrutiny Exploring THE Limits OF Mortgagee Protection IN Philippine LAW
Court Employee Suspended for Impropriety in Handling Litigant's Funds
Legal researcher suspended one year for receiving P130,000 from a litigant and helping secure counsel in a case before her own branch.
Workplace Stress and Heart Attacks: Protecting Employees Under Philippine Labor Law
Can a driver-messenger claim compensation for a heart attack? The Supreme Court says yes when work stress and strain contribute. Learn the rules.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Lawyer Suspended for Misleading the Court
A lawyer's two-month suspension for misleading the Supreme Court on appeal deadlines, and lessons on candor under Canon 10.
Malversation Conviction Affirmed Consenting To Misappropriation AS Grounds FOR Liability
Consent to misappropriation by a public officer can ground malversation liability even without personal gain, as this case shows.
When Heirs Can Skip Probate and Sue Directly to Annul a Property Title
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when putative heirs may file an ordinary civil action to annul a title without first going through probate proceedings.
Unlawful Detainer Jurisdiction Prevails Despite Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when MTC retains jurisdiction over unlawful detainer cases even if ownership is disputed.
Union Formation Validating Legal Personality Despite Procedural Lapses In Labor Cases
Supreme Court rules a local union may acquire legal personality on the date it files complete documents, even with procedural irregularities.
Inofficious Donation and Legitime: Protecting Compulsory Heirs' Inheritance Rights in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine law protects compulsory heirs from inofficious donations that impair their legitime, explained through a Supreme Court case.
Public Accountability: Mayor's Liability for Double Payments Despite Subordinate Reliance
A mayor cannot escape liability for double payments by blaming subordinates, especially when checks were made payable to him personally.
Tax Assessments and Double Jeopardy: Guarding Against Erroneous Government Actions
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of double jeopardy protection in tax assessments, ensuring fair treatment for taxpayers facing repeated government actions.
Lawyer Suspended for Selling Rights Over Inalienable Land in Bataan National Park
Lawyer suspended one year for deceitfully selling rights over land inside Bataan National Park, violating his oath and professional rules.
Breach of Contract vs Employer-Employee Dispute: Defining Jurisdiction in Post-Employment Obligations
Supreme Court clarifies when breach of non-compete clauses falls under regular courts, not labor arbiters.
When a Civil Case Can Resolve Inheritance and Property Disputes in the Philippines
Learn when Philippine regular courts, not labor arbiters, have jurisdiction over breach of contract and property disputes.
Finality of Judgments in Disbarment Cases: Enforcement and Contempt for Non-Compliance
Supreme Court enforces disbarment ruling, cites lawyer for contempt and disobedience for defying final judgment and return order.
Due Process in Dismissal: Nominal Damages for Procedural Violations in Philippine Labor Law
Learn when Philippine courts award nominal damages, not backwages, for procedural due process violations in employee dismissal cases.
Bouncing Checks AND DUE Process THE Importance OF Accurate Information IN B P 22 Cases
Buying All Shares Does Not Transfer Corporate Property Ownership: Silverio v. Filipino Business Consultants
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: acquiring controlling shares of a corporation does not give a stockholder ownership or possession of corporate assets.
Why Failing to Pay Appeal Docket Fees Can Cost You Your Case
Learn why the Supreme Court strictly requires payment of appellate docket fees on time and how negligence can cost you your appeal.
Dismissal of Administrative Cases: Complainants Lack Standing to Appeal
A complainant in an administrative case is a mere witness with no right to appeal. The Supreme Court explains in this PNP case.
Finality of Judgments: Why Closed Administrative Cases Cannot Be Reopened by Complainants
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments, collateral attacks, and why private complainants cannot reopen closed administrative cases.
Breach of Trust Justifies Dismissal: Equitable PCIBank vs. Caguioa
The Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of a bank manager found to have secretly profited from unauthorized check discounting, citing breach of trust under the Labor Code.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Clarifying Liability for Subsidiary Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a parent corporation may be held liable for its subsidiary's obligations, and when it cannot.