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.
When a Guilty Plea Is Not Enough: Proving Murder Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains why a guilty plea to a capital offense still requires the prosecution to prove guilt and the precise degree of culpability.
Novation in Philippine Law: Understanding the Requirements for Extinguishing Obligations
Learn how novation extinguishes obligations under Philippine law, its requirements, and how the Supreme Court applies these rules in corporate rehabilitation cases.
Buy-Bust Operations and the Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Protecting Rights While Combating Crime
The Supreme Court explains the objective test for buy-bust operations and why chain-of-custody objections must be raised at trial.
Toll Regulatory Powers Defining Limits In Public Private Infrastructure
Supreme Court defines TRB's franchise powers, toll regulation, and public bidding requirements in Luzon expressway cases.
Untangling Agrarian Appeals When Is a Petition for Review Required
The Supreme Court clarifies when a petition for review—not an ordinary appeal—is required in agrarian cases, and why procedural lapses may be excused.
Corporate Rehabilitation Dismissed for Rule Violations and Creditor Opposition
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of corporate rehabilitation petition where debtor violated procedural rules and faced substantial creditor opposition.
Buy-Bust Operations and the Chain of Custody: Ensuring Integrity in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that minor lapses in Section 21 custody procedures do not automatically invalidate drug seizures if evidentiary integrity is preserved.
Federation Employee Eligibility Navigating Union Governance AND Election Rules
Supreme Court ruling on federation employees running for union office, election jurisdiction, and the binding force of constitutions.
Beyond Labels: Substance Over Form in Appellate Procedure and Drug Cases
A Supreme Court ruling on buy-bust operations shows how courts prioritize substance over form in procedural compliance and evidence.
Navigating Government Procurement: The Imperative of Protest Compliance in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on LRA v. Lanting Security clarifies mandatory protest rules under R.A. 9184 before courts can act.
Coalition Registration Deadlines Are Mandatory in Philippine Election Law
Supreme Court rules COMELEC deadlines for coalition registration are mandatory, not merely directory, in Liberal Party v. COMELEC.
Robbery With Rape Conviction: Victim Testimony Prevails Over Alibi Defense
Supreme Court affirms robbery with rape conviction, holding that a victim's positive identification prevails over an accused's weak alibi defense.
Upholding Possession Jurisdiction in Forcible Entry Cases and the Significance of Juridical Acts
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on forcible entry jurisdiction, possession through juridical acts, and the one-year prescriptive period.
Beyond Morality: LGBT Rights and Party-List Accreditation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court ruled that moral disapproval alone cannot bar LGBT groups from party-list accreditation, affirming equal protection and secular governance.
Constructive Dismissal Redefining Unreasonable Employee Transfers Under Philippine LAW
When does a job transfer become constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on unreasonable transfers in Philippine Veterans Bank v. NLRC.
Finality Prevails: Citizenship Challenges Barred After Judgment in Property Disputes
A losing party cannot raise a buyer's citizenship after judgment becomes final. The Supreme Court explains why res judicata bars such challenges.
Valid Service of Summons on Residents Temporarily Abroad: The Palma Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that substituted service of summons is valid for residents temporarily out of the country, and explains when voluntary appearance waives jurisdictional objections.
Jurisdiction by Estoppel: When Active Court Participation Bars a Jurisdictional Challenge
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a party's active participation in a case can bar it from later questioning the court's jurisdiction.
Challenging Election Results: Strict Rules for Pre-Proclamation Controversies in the Philippines
Learn the strict rules for pre-proclamation controversies in Philippine election law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Saño v. COMELEC.
Demolition Notices vs Due Process: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine law requires demolition notices to comply with due process. Learn the rules that protect property owners and occupants.
Minor Defects in Election Returns Do Not Justify Exclusion from Canvass
The Supreme Court rules that minor defects in election returns are not grounds for exclusion in a pre-proclamation controversy.
Jurisdiction in Swindling Cases: How Penalties Determine the Proper Court
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how penalties and fines determine which court hears swindling cases under the Revised Penal Code.
Annulment of Judgment in Criminal Cases: Llamas v. Court of Appeals
When can a criminal conviction be annulled? The Supreme Court clarifies Rule 47 applies only to civil cases, not criminal ones.
Breach of Trust and Misappropriation of Funds Justify Dismissal in Electric Cooperative
Supreme Court rules that misappropriating collections and gross negligence are valid causes for dismissing employees of an electric cooperative.