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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Attorney Negligence and Misconduct: Upholding Ethical Standards in Legal Practice
A lawyer who absconds with client funds and solicits money to bribe a judge faces suspension, reaffirming strict ethical standards for the Philippine bar.
When Lawyers Fail Clients: Suspension for Misappropriating Visa Fees
A lawyer who took P345,000 for US visa services but did nothing was suspended for one year and ordered to return the money.
Forum Shopping in Annulment Cases: A Lawyer's Suspension and the Integrity of Legal Processes
A prosecutor's suspension for filing two marriage dissolution petitions in different courts highlights the strict rule against forum shopping.
Tax Suspension Bonds: When the CTA Must Hear the Taxpayer First
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Court of Tax Appeals may require a bond to suspend tax collection, and why a preliminary hearing is essential.
Indefinite Preventive Suspension Is Constructive Dismissal: Agcolicol v. Casiño
When an employer suspends a worker indefinitely beyond 30 days, the suspension ripens into constructive dismissal, entitling the employee to backwages and separation pay.
Indefinite Preventive Suspension Is Constructive Dismissal: Employee Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court rules that an indefinite preventive suspension beyond 30 days amounts to constructive dismissal, entitling the employee to backwages and separation pay.
Practicing Law While Suspended: When Disobeying a Suspension Order Leads to More Penalties
A lawyer who continued working as a prosecutor while suspended faced an additional six-month suspension. Learn the rules on complying with disciplinary orders.
Upholding Ethical Conduct Disciplinary Action for Unauthorized Notarization
A lawyer who notarizes documents without a valid commission faces suspension and a permanent ban from notarial practice, as this case shows.
Ethical Standards Upheld: Lawyer Suspended for Issuing a Bouncing Check
A lawyer's two-year suspension for issuing a bouncing check under BP 22, and the ethical duties it reinforces for the legal profession.
Breach of Trust Attorney Suspended for Misusing Client Funds and Violating the Code of Professional Responsibi
A lawyer's failure to return client funds after a bail petition was denied led to a one-year suspension for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Pension Rights and Regulatory Board Abolition When Retirement Benefits Remain Fixed
When a regulatory board is abolished and replaced, do its retirees get the new body's higher pensions? The Supreme Court says no.
Failure to Disclose Administrative Offense in PDS Results in One-Year Suspension
A judge's failure to disclose a prior administrative case in his Personal Data Sheet constitutes dishonesty, resulting in suspension.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Attorney Neglect and Suspension From Legal Practice
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for two years for neglecting a client's case and failing to file a motion for reconsideration.
Forum Shopping by Lawyers: Ethical Duty and the Price of Misconduct
A lawyer's filing of successive petitions constituted forum shopping, resulting in a six-month suspension from the practice of law.
Union Members' Right to Due Process in Suspension and Expulsion Cases
Supreme Court rules union officers liable for unfair labor practices when they ignore members' appeals from suspension and expulsion.
Second Chances IN Public Service When CAN Dismissal BE Replaced With Suspension
Preventive Suspension for Separate Offenses: Smart Communications v. Solidum
Supreme Court clarifies that employers may impose fresh preventive suspensions for newly discovered offenses, and explains the limits of the rule.
Preventive Suspension Limits and Employer Rights in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when employers may impose successive preventive suspensions and the rules on appeal bonds in labor cases.
Upholding Integrity: Attorney Liability for Altered Notarial Documents
A lawyer who alters a notarized document without proper safeguards faces suspension and loss of notarial commission, as ruled by the Supreme Court.
Upholding Attorney Accountability: Negligence and the Duty to Client
A lawyer's failure to file an appellant's brief and keep a client informed leads to a six-month suspension, while a contingent fee contract is upheld.
Attorney Suspension Case Dismissed: Res Judicata and Burden of Proof in Administrative Cases
Supreme Court dismisses administrative complaint against lawyer, applying res judicata and the clear preponderance of evidence standard in disciplinary proceedings.
Lifetime Pension for Jurisconsults: Expanding Retirement Benefits Under RA 910
The Supreme Court grants a retired Jurisconsult a lifetime monthly pension under RA 910, clarifying that judicial rank includes retirement benefits.
Judicial Independence Retirement Benefits and the Scope of Fiscal Autonomy
The Supreme Court clarifies that judicial rank privileges include retirement pensions under RA 910, even for non-judge court officials.
Lawyer Suspended for Misappropriating Client Funds in Labor-Adjacent Case
A lawyer's failure to file documents and return client money leads to one-year suspension, highlighting ethical duties under the CPR.