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.
Understanding Qualified Trafficking in Persons: Consent and Vulnerability in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how consent does not negate trafficking when victims are vulnerable minors recruited for sexual exploitation.
Lawyer Misconduct: Disbarment for Dishonesty and Misappropriation of Client Funds
When lawyers deceive clients and misuse entrusted funds, the Supreme Court can impose the ultimate penalty: disbarment. Learn from a recent case.
Understanding Regular Employment: How the Nature of Work Determines Employee Status in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers become regular employees entitled to security of tenure, not merely project-based hires.
The Doctrine of Reasonable Reliance: When Public Officials Are Not Liable for Subordinates' Errors
The Supreme Court clarifies that heads of office may rely on subordinates in good faith, reversing a gross neglect finding against a Registrar of Deeds.
Understanding Administrative Liability in Law Enforcement Raids: Lessons From a Landmark Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when judges face administrative liability for delayed decisions, offering lessons on accountability in the justice system.
Limits of Clerks of Court Misconduct and Judicial Integrity
A clerk of court dismissed for simple misconduct after overstepping duties during writ implementation. Learn the boundaries of court personnel authority.
Navigating Civil Service Misconduct: Penalties and Mitigating Factors in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling on fake civil service eligibility explains when mitigating circumstances can reduce dismissal to suspension.
Understanding Bad Faith in Property Encroachment: Rights and Responsibilities
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a builder is in bad faith in property encroachment cases, and what remedies a landowner has under Philippine law.
Forum Shopping in Land Expropriation: When Separate Claims for Just Compensation Are Allowed
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing separate cases for just compensation over different lots taken by the government does not constitute forum shopping.
Bad Faith Dismissals: PBAC Members Liable for Irregular Government Procurement
A provincial legal officer's dismissal for grave misconduct shows how PBAC members face liability for bad faith in government procurement.
When Is Filing Two Cases Forum Shopping? Supreme Court Clarifies in De Guzman v. Republic
The Supreme Court explains when filing separate cases amounts to forum shopping, using the De Guzman expropriation and recovery case as an example.
Understanding the Time Limits for Executing Court Judgments in the Philippines
Learn the prescriptive periods for enforcing court judgments in the Philippines, including the rules on execution, revival, and important exceptions.
Understanding Lawyer Disbarment: Deceit and Disrespect to Legal Processes in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how issuing worthless checks and evading legal proceedings can lead to a three-year suspension from law practice.
Moral Character and Bar Admission: Overcoming Obstacles to Legal Practice
How the Supreme Court weighed pending criminal cases against moral fitness in bar admission, and when a bar applicant may finally take the oath.
Understanding Robbery With Rape Legal Insights AND Victims Rights IN THE Philippines
Learn about robbery with rape in the Philippines, including legal definitions, penalties, and victims' rights under Philippine law.
Consent in Contracts: Supreme Court Voids Mortgage for Lack of Genuine Agreement
Supreme Court voids mortgage where a bank misled an elderly woman into signing a loan document she believed was a mere guarantee.
Untangling Defamation: Navigating Appeals and Evidence in Honor-Related Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the proper appellate route for prosecutor resolutions and the evidence needed for oral defamation cases.
Presence During Hazing as Prima Facie Evidence: The Supreme Court's Ruling on the Anti-Hazing Law
The Supreme Court upheld the Anti-Hazing Law's presumption that presence during hazing is prima facie evidence of participation as a principal.
Upholding Ethical Conduct Lawyers Responsibility Beyond Professional Capacity
A lawyer's duty to a client does not end with accepting a case. The Supreme Court reminds lawyers of their ethical obligations in this disciplinary case.
Regular vs Project Employee: When Rehiring Without a Fixed Term Creates Security of Tenure
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a project employee becomes regular, securing tenure and protection from illegal dismissal.
Malicious Mischief in Property Disputes: What the Supreme Court Said
The Supreme Court clarifies when destroying property in a dispute becomes malicious mischief, and why claims of ownership do not justify taking the law into one's own hands.
Attorney Suspended for Neglect and Misappropriation of Client Funds in Annulment Case
Lawyer suspended two years for taking P57,000 in legal fees but failing to file annulment petition and refusing to return client's money.
Eminent Domain and Private Property: Clarifying Expropriation Powers in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when state-owned land is private property subject to expropriation, and the limits of delegated eminent domain.
Due Process and Employee Dismissal: Balancing Rights and Employer Authority in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the twin-notice rule in dismissals and when a flawed procedure still yields a valid termination.