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.
Supreme Court on Buy-Bust Operations: Credibility of Police Testimony and Drug Penalties
The Supreme Court affirms death penalties in a drug buy-bust case, explaining the objective test for police testimony and conspiracy.
Spousal Consent and Conjugal Property: What the Supreme Court Requires
The Supreme Court explains why a wife's written consent is essential before a husband can sell conjugal property, and when court approval may apply.
Partnership vs Employment: Sharing Profits in Lending Ventures Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when profit-sharing in a lending business creates a partnership, not an employment relationship, and how profits are computed.
Reforming Insurance Policies How Manifest Intent Prevails Over Technical Descriptions In Property Claims
A fire insurance dispute shows how courts prioritize the parties' true intent over technical misdescriptions in policies.
Encroachment and Good Faith: What Builders Must Know Under Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on encroachment, good faith, and accion reinvindicatoria in Evadel Realty v. Soriano.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
How Philippine courts apply treachery to qualify killings as murder, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on a sudden stabbing.
Conspiracy and Homicide vs Murder: Understanding Criminal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy, treachery, and qualifying circumstances in homicide versus murder convictions.
Reversion Rights After Expropriation: What MCIAA v. Chiongbian Means for Landowners
When government expropriation is unconditional, former owners generally cannot reclaim land even if the public purpose ends. Learn the rules.
Lease Agreements in the Philippines: Why Written Consent Before Construction Matters
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in Bugatti v. Baguilat underscores the need for a perfected lease contract before construction begins.
Documentary Evidence vs Verbal Agreements: Why Written Contracts Prevail in Philippine Courts
When a verbal claim of discount conflicts with written invoices, Philippine courts rely on documentary evidence. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling.
Parol Evidence Rule: When Prior Agreements Can Modify a Contract
Philippine Supreme Court explains when prior negotiations can alter a written contract under the parol evidence rule.
Venue Stipulations in Contracts: Who Is Bound Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on venue stipulations in contracts and who is bound, including assignees and privies.
Rescission of Contract to Sell: Your Rights to Refunds and Interest in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on contract to sell rescission clarifies buyer's right to refund of installments and interest payments.
Verbal Contracts in the Philippines: Why Written Agreements Win in Court
Verbal contracts are valid in the Philippines but hard to prove. Learn from Romago v. Court of Appeals why written agreements prevail.
Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Donation vs. Inheritance Rules
Philippine law bars foreigners from owning land except by inheritance. Learn why a quitclaim deed to an American son failed as a donation.
Treachery in Concerted Attacks: Establishing Liability in Group Violence
How Philippine courts determine criminal liability when multiple persons attack a victim, using the Alberto Blanco murder case as a guide.
Regular vs Project Employees: Key Differences and Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies regular vs project employee status, tenure security, and monetary claims under Article 280 of the Labor Code.
Reformation of Contracts in the Philippines: Navigating Unforeseen Events and Economic Shifts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on contract reformation, fortuitous events, and extraordinary inflation in lease agreements. Learn key legal principles.
Understanding Attorney's Fees in the Philippines: Quantum Meruit and Fair Compensation
Learn how Philippine courts determine attorney's fees through quantum meruit, ensuring fair compensation for legal services rendered.
Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: When Presence Means Guilt
Under Philippine law, conspiracy makes every participant equally liable for a crime, even without inflicting the fatal blow. People v. Gallo explains how.
Individual Proof IS KEY IN Illegal Dismissal Cases Understanding Employee Status IN Philippine Labor LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on regular vs. seasonal employment and why individual proof is required in illegal dismissal claims.
Single Witness Testimony: How It Can Lead to a Murder Conviction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when the testimony of one eyewitness is enough to convict for murder, and how delay in reporting is excused.
Reasonable Attorneys Fees in the Philippines: Understanding Quantum Meruit
Learn how Philippine courts determine reasonable attorney's fees under quantum meruit, with key rules from Pimentel v. Court of Appeals.
Philippine Contract Law: When Written Agreements Prevail Over Verbal Claims
Explaining Gold Loop Properties v. PITC, where the Supreme Court upheld a written contract over claims of a different verbal agreement.