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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One Act One Crime: Continuing Offenses and the Anti-Graft Law in the Philippines
Understand how Philippine courts treat continuing offenses under the Anti-Graft Law, including key principles and practical implications.
How Courts Read Ballots: Voter Intent in Philippine Barangay Elections
A one-vote barangay election dispute shows how Philippine courts apply the idem sonans, neighborhood, and written-by-two rules to honor voter intent.
When Courts Can Bend Procedural Rules: The Duty to Decide Cases on Time
Philippine courts must decide cases within 90 days. Learn when extensions are allowed and the consequences of delay.
Treachery and Murder: Proving Deliberate Intent in Philippine Criminal Law
A look at how Philippine courts distinguish murder from homicide, and why proving deliberate intent matters.
Website Activity as Proof of Commercial Use in Philippine Trademark Law
How Philippine courts treat website activity as evidence of commercial use in trademark cases, and what this means for brand owners.
The High Cost of Homicide: Establishing Liability in Robbery With Homicide Cases
A look at how Philippine courts convict in robbery with homicide, from proving intent to the price of damages.
Eyewitness Testimony and Alibi Defense: Credibility in Murder Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness identification against alibi and denial in murder prosecutions, explained through a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
Regular Employment vs Contractual Work: Defining Employer-Employee Relationships in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts determine regular employment, labor-only contracting, and employer liability using the Coca-Cola bottlers case.
Procedural Rigidity vs Substantive Justice: Dismissal for Non-Compliance in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts may dismiss petitions for certiorari for procedural lapses like defective forum shopping certificates. Learn the rules.
Finality of Judgment vs Supervening Events: Computing Backwages and Separation Pay in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Learn how Philippine courts compute backwages and separation pay when reinstatement becomes impossible due to supervening events after judgment finality.
Victim Credibility in Rape Cases: The Role of Corroborating Medical Evidence
How Philippine courts weigh victim testimony, medical findings, and identification in rape convictions, explained through a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
How Philippine Courts Assess Credibility and Consent in Rape Cases
A look at how the Supreme Court evaluates witness credibility, consent, and damages in rape convictions, using People v. Bugna.
Circumstantial Evidence and Conspiracy in Homicide Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence and conspiracy to establish guilt in homicide cases beyond reasonable doubt.
Philippine Piracy Law: Jurisdiction and Positive Identification in Maritime Crimes
A look at how Philippine courts establish jurisdiction and rely on positive identification in piracy cases under PD 532.
When Trespassers Meet Prior Court Rulings Understanding Property Rights IN THE Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle property disputes involving trespassers and prior rulings, and what it means for landowners.
Untimely Filing: The High Cost of Ignoring Procedural Rules in Philippine Courts
A bank's appeal was dismissed because its motion for reconsideration was served by private courier without proper proof. Learn the procedural rules.
Transnational Marital Infidelity and Psychological Violence: Jurisdiction Under R.A. 9262
Philippine courts can hear psychological violence cases under R.A. 9262 even if the illicit affair abroad caused the wife's anguish at home.
Subsidiary Imprisonment: When Can a Fine Turn Into Jail Time
Learn when Philippine courts can impose subsidiary imprisonment for unpaid fines, and why the penalty must be stated in the judgment.
Upholding Judicial Conduct: Lawyers Must Show Courtesy and Punctuality for Fair Justice
A lawyer's two-year suspension for harassing judges and opposing counsel underscores the ethical limits of zealous advocacy in Philippine courts.
Protecting Labor Rights: Resolving Doubt in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When evidence is equally balanced in illegal dismissal cases, Philippine courts resolve doubt in favor of the employee. Learn the rules.
Chain of Custody Breaks: When Drug Evidence Fails in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police broke the chain of custody rule under RA 9165, Section 21.
Eyewitness Reliability and Positive Identification in Murder Cases
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness reliability and positive identification in murder cases, and when an accused's death extinguishes criminal liability.
Positive Identification and Circumstantial Evidence in B.P. 22 Cases: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
How Philippine courts use eyewitness identification and circumstantial evidence to convict in Bouncing Checks Law cases, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Just Compensation for Expropriated Improvements: The Replacement Cost Standard
Learn how Philippine courts value improvements in expropriation cases and why the Supreme Court remanded this case for proper evidence.