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.
Court Clerk’s 6-Year Appeal Delay: Gross Negligence of Duty
Branch clerk fined P20,000 for gross negligence in failing to transmit appeal records to the Court of Appeals within the 30-day rule.
Conditional Certifications vs Bank Guarantees: When a Bank Is Not Liable
Supreme Court clarifies when a bank's conditional certification of a credit line application does not constitute a binding bank guarantee.
When Courts Overturn Convictions: Lessons on Evidence and Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court acquits a rape convict, explaining when appellate courts may disregard trial court credibility findings and why prosecution evidence must stand on its own.
Caught in the Act: Upholding Warrantless Arrests in Philippine Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains when police may arrest without a warrant under the in flagrante delicto rule in drug cases.
Plain View Doctrine: When Warrantless Seizures Are Admissible in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court explains the plain view doctrine and when evidence seized without a warrant can be used in court.
Buyer Beware: Due Diligence in Philippine Real Estate Transactions
The Supreme Court reminds buyers of registered land that a title is not enough—due diligence requires inquiry beyond its four corners.
When Can Employees Be Fired for Participating in a Strike in the Philippines
Philippine law protects rank-and-file strikers from dismissal for mere participation in an illegal strike, but union officers face stricter liability.
Bank Not Subsidiarily Liable Without Clear Obligation: Prudential Bank v. Abasolo
Supreme Court rules a bank is not subsidiarily liable for a loan officer's alleged promises absent a clear obligation or written request.
Bank Not Subsidiarily Liable for Loan Proceeds Released to Borrower
Supreme Court rules banks are not automatically liable when loan proceeds go to a borrower instead of a third-party seller.
Bank Not Liable for Employee's Promise to Seller: Relativity of Contracts in Loan Proceeds Release
Supreme Court rules bank not subsidiarily liable for employee's alleged promise to pay seller directly from loan proceeds, citing relativity of contracts.
Reconveyance vs Quieting of Title: When Co-Owner Claims Do Not Prescribe
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an action for reconveyance is imprescriptible, treating it as a suit to quiet title when the claimant remains in possession.
Freight Forwarder Liability and the $500 Package Limitation Rule in Shipping Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a freight forwarder becomes a common carrier and the COGSA package limitation rule.
Probable Cause and Judicial Discretion: Safeguarding Rights in Criminal Arrests
The Supreme Court clarifies a judge's duty in determining probable cause for warrants of arrest and limits on enjoining criminal prosecutions.
When Cross Collateral Clauses Clash With Verbal Agreements: Understanding Mortgage Obligations
The Supreme Court clarifies that bank branch managers cannot verbally alter mortgage contracts containing cross-collateral or dragnet clauses.
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.
Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases: The Duty of Care and Protection
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how moral ascendancy substitutes for force in rape, and the duty of a mother's live-in partner.
Easement of Right of Way: Actual Knowledge Binds Even Without Registration
A registered owner cannot ignore an existing right of way he knows about, even if the easement is not annotated on the title.
Unregistered Land Sales: Why Registration Matters in Ownership Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling explains why an unregistered deed of sale cannot bind third parties in property disputes over unregistered land.
Surety Bond Validity: The Impact of Accreditation on Appeal Perfection in Labor Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that a surety bond remains valid if the bonding company was accredited at the time of issuance, affecting labor appeal perfection.
Marital Cohabitation and Consensual Acts: Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when cohabitation does not imply consent, and how rape and acts of lasciviousness are distinguished in Philippine criminal law.
Easement Rights in Property Use Disputes: The Legaspi Towers 300 Case
Supreme Court clarifies when easements arise in property disputes, explaining voluntary easements, apparent signs, and unjust enrichment under Philippine law.
Quashal vs Provisional Dismissal: Understanding the Nuances of Criminal Procedure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the key differences between a motion to quash and provisional dismissal under Rule 117, and why the time-bar rule does not apply to quashal orders.
Possession Is Key: Upholding Convictions Despite Warrantless Searches in Forestry Code Violations
The Supreme Court explains when warrantless seizures of lumber are valid and why mere possession without documents is a crime.
OFW Death Liability: Protecting Overseas Workers and Ensuring Accountability
Supreme Court ruling holds recruitment agencies solidarily liable for OFW deaths, imposing moral and exemplary damages for abandoning workers in distress.