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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Reckoning Backwages and Separation Pay: Finality of Illegal Dismissal Judgments
When illegal dismissal judgments become final, backwages and separation pay must be computed up to that date, not just the labor arbiter's decision date.
Jurisdiction vs Finality: Balancing Labor Rights and Procedural Rules
A Supreme Court ruling on when alleged lack of jurisdiction can—and cannot—be raised to overturn a final labor order.
When Notice to Counsel Binds the Client: Due Process in Philippine Administrative Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why notice to a deputized counsel binds the government client, and what this means for due process and finality of judgments.
Re-Computation of Monetary Awards in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Ensuring Complete Relief
The Supreme Court clarifies that monetary awards in illegal dismissal cases may be recomputed up to finality of judgment, ensuring full relief.
Finality of Foreclosure: Rights and Duties After a Mortgage Default
What happens after a mortgage default and foreclosure sale becomes final? The Supreme Court clarifies the mortgagor's rights and duties.
Finality of Judgments in Forcible Entry: Why Prohibited Motions Do Not Stop the Clock
A motion for reconsideration is prohibited in summary procedure cases and does not stop the appeal period. Learn the rules and the doctrine of immutability of judgments.
Final Judgments and the Law of the Case: Why Courts Cannot Reopen Settled Land Registration Claims
A look at how the doctrine of finality and the law of the case prevent relitigation, using a land registration case as a guide.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and the Finality of COA Decisions
Court personnel who certify documents without verifying records face dismissal for gross neglect of duty, as this ruling shows.
Article 448 and Final Judgments: Clarifying an Incomplete Fallo in Property Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling on when courts may complete an ambiguous dispositive portion even after finality, applying Article 448.
Residency Rules in Election Law: Limbona v. Comelec on Disqualification
A look at Limbona v. Comelec on one-year residency, domicile rules, and finality of disqualification rulings.
Laches and Prescription in Construction Contract Disputes: IBEX v. GSIS
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on prescription, laches, and finality of CIAC factual findings in construction disputes.
Respecting Final Judgments: The Imperative of Closure in Legal Proceedings
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling in Ibasco v. PDCP on finality of judgments, timely appeals, and the limits of injunctive relief in foreclosure cases.
Finality of Judgment in Disbarment Cases: Lessons from Bihag v. Era
A disbarred lawyer's belated bid to reopen his case fails; the Court enforces finality, cites contempt, and orders execution.
Family Home vs Creditors: When Annulment Doesn't Shield Property From Sale
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a family home can be sold to settle debts after marriage annulment, and the finality of court orders.
Finality of Judgment: The Immutability Principle and Its Exceptions in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a final judgment cannot be altered, even if erroneous, and what this means for litigants.
Finality of Judgments: Why Prior Dismissals Can Prevent New Lawsuits
A dismissed case can bar a refiled lawsuit. The Supreme Court explains the doctrine of res judicata and finality of judgments.
Finality of Judgment: Disbarred Lawyer’s Bid to Reverse Disbarment Fails
The Supreme Court denies a disbarred lawyer's motion to reverse his disbarment, citing the doctrine of finality of judgment and citing him for indirect contempt.
Default Orders and the Law of the Case: When Prior Rulings Bind Subsequent Appeals
The Supreme Court explains how the doctrine of law of the case bars relitigating a default order previously upheld with finality.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Statutory Rape and the Testimony of Child Victims in Philippine Law
A look at People v. Obero, where the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction, affirming how courts assess a child victim's testimony and the finality of judgments.
Irrevocable Tax Options: Understanding the Finality of Choosing Between Tax Credit and Refund
Philippine Airlines' Supreme Court win clarifies when tax options become irrevocable and how franchise tax exemptions work.
Double Titling Risk: How Courts Balance Finality and Preventing Land Ownership Errors
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts balance finality of judgments against preventing double titling and land ownership errors.
Finality of Tax Assessments: Why Collection Efforts Don't Reopen Tax Disputes
When do collection letters and lawsuits reopen settled tax assessments? The Supreme Court clarifies in Pilipinas Shell v. Commissioner of Customs.
Upholding Final Judgments: A Judge's Duty to Execute Without Alteration
Exploring the Supreme Court's ruling on the finality of judgments and a judge's ministerial duty to execute them without modification.
Missed Your Appeal Understanding Finality of Judgments and Procedural Deadlines in Philippine Courts
Learn how missing appeal deadlines makes judgments final and binding, using a Philippine Supreme Court case on union elections as guide.