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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Summary Procedure Deadlines Binding on Judges; Self-Representation Not Law Practice
Court rules on judge's delay in ejectment case and clerk of court's right to self-representation versus appearing for co-plaintiff.
Buy-Bust Operations and Fair Representation: Ensuring Due Process for the Accused
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on buy-bust operations, the right to counsel, and due process protections for accused persons in drug cases.
Attorney Negligence Upholding Diligence AND Competence IN Legal Representation
Party List Representation: Qualified Parties and Proportional Seat Allocation
Explains the Supreme Court's ruling on party-list qualification, the 2% threshold, and proportional allocation of seats under RA 7941.
Misrepresentation and Estafa: When Silence Isn't Golden in Property Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on estafa under Article 316(2) RPC, the need for express misrepresentation, and civil liability for bad faith sales.
Due Process in Land Disputes: Why Fair Resurveys Matter for Property Owners
The Supreme Court reminds courts that relocation surveys in land disputes must respect due process—both parties need notice and representation.
Attorney Negligence Upholding Client Trust AND Accountability IN Legal Representation
Proportional Representation in Electoral Tribunals: The Pimentel Case
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on proportional representation of party-list groups in the HRET and Commission on Appointments.
Estate Administration Discretionary Power in Appointing Special Administrators
The Supreme Court clarifies that probate courts have sound discretion in appointing special administrators, and heirs have no absolute right to representation.
Attorney Accountability: Negligence and Breach of Duty in Legal Representation
A lawyer's failure to file an appellant's brief led to dismissal of an appeal and a six-month suspension. Learn the ethical rules and lessons from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
When Misrepresentations Lead to Estafa: The Dangers of Falsely Claiming the Ability to Process Travel Document
The Supreme Court clarifies when false claims about processing travel documents constitute estafa, even without promises of employment abroad.
Who Can Answer a Request for Admission? Rule 26 and Legal Representation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies whether a lawyer may answer a request for admission for a client under Rule 26 of the Rules of Court.
Rescission Rights Protecting Buyers From Misrepresentation IN Real Estate Sales
Fraud in Free Patent Application Makes Land Title Voidable: Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a free patent obtained through fraud and misrepresentation is voidable, protecting co-owners' rights.
Attorney Negligence Upholding Diligence AND Accountability IN Legal Representation
A lawyer's failure to file an appellant's brief led to a one-year suspension, reinforcing the duty of diligence in legal representation.
Attorney Neglect: Upholding Diligence and Communication in Client Representation
A lawyer who forgets a client's case and fails to inform them of its status breaches the Code of Professional Responsibility and faces sanctions.
Conflict of Interest and Informed Consent in Attorney Representation
The Supreme Court dismissed a disbarment complaint against a lawyer who represented clients with potentially conflicting interests, clarifying the written-consent rule.
Party Representation Prevails in Filling Sanggunian Vacancies Under Local Government Code
Supreme Court clarifies how permanent vacancies in the Sanggunian are filled, emphasizing party representation under the Local Government Code.
Philippine Party List Elections: Proportional Representation and the 2% Threshold
The Supreme Court explains the rules for party-list seats: the 2% threshold, three-seat limit, and proportional representation formula.
Representation in Legal Disputes: Clarifying Counsel Rights for Local Government Officials
Learn when local government officials may hire private counsel and how service of notices affects appeals, based on a 2000 Supreme Court ruling.
Tax Exemption Boundaries: PAGCOR Privileges and the Perils of Misrepresentation
Supreme Court clarifies that PAGCOR's tax exemption on importations does not automatically extend to concessionaires, and warns against fraudulent claims.
Attorney Neglect, Due Process, and Accountability in Philippine Legal Representation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on attorney negligence, due process, and accountability in legal representation under the Rules of Court.
Philippine Election Districting: Ensuring Fair Representation in Local Governance
How the Supreme Court upheld COMELEC's power to divide provinces into Sangguniang Panlalawigan districts, and what "equitable apportionment" really means.
Surname Use in Philippine Elections: When It Is Not a Material Misrepresentation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when using a surname in a certificate of candidacy is not a material misrepresentation under election law.