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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Does Your Case Die With Your Client? Survival of Actions and Attorney's Fees in the Philippines
When a client dies before judgment, does a lawyer's claim for fees survive? The Supreme Court explains the rule on survival of actions.
Rape Conviction on Circumstantial Evidence: Lessons from People v. Tabarangao
The Supreme Court explains when circumstantial evidence suffices to convict for rape, and why alibi and denial often fail.
Upholding Judicial Efficiency: The Supreme Court's Stance on Court Working Hours and Accountability
The Supreme Court clarifies that answering nature's call is not abandonment of work, and dismissal for such trivial infraction is illegal.
Tax Assessment Deadlines: How the Supreme Court Protects Taxpayers From Belated BIR Claims
The Supreme Court ruled the BIR cannot issue deficiency assessments beyond the five-year prescriptive period, protecting taxpayers from belated claims.
Maximize Tax Credits: Sales Tax on Packaging Materials vs. Miller's Tax in the Philippines
Learn when sales tax on packaging materials can be credited against miller's tax, based on a key Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Higher Penalty for Social Media Harassment
The Supreme Court clarifies when Facebook posts constitute psychological abuse under RA 9262, and why using social media raises the penalty.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Rules in Co Shu Kiam v. Republic
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on judicial reconstitution of lost certificates of title, emphasizing practical evidence standards under Republic Act No. 26.
Employer-Employee Relationship and the Control Test: Lessons from Villa v. NLRC
The Supreme Court's ruling in Villa v. NLRC clarifies the control test in employer-employee relationships and the rules on evidence in illegal dismissal cases.
Unraveling Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Cases: Collective Guilt and the Limits of Self-Defense
How the Supreme Court applied conspiracy doctrine and rejected self-defense in a murder case where three men ganged up on a victim.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: When Can New Evidence Be Introduced on Appeal?
When can an employer introduce new evidence on appeal in a dismissal case? The Supreme Court explains the limits of due process.
Exhausting Administrative Remedies in Philippine Property Tax Disputes: A Guide for Property Owners
Learn the rule on exhaustion of administrative remedies in property tax disputes, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Lopez v. City of Manila.
Validating Foreclosure Sales: Due Process and Property Rights in Philippine Law
A 1999 Supreme Court ruling explains when extrajudicial foreclosure sales are valid despite claims of defective notice, low price, or holiday sale.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction When Graft Cases Against Local Officials Fall Under Anti Graft Court
Explains when the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over graft cases involving local officials, using the Supreme Court ruling in Rodrigo v. Sandiganbayan.
Writ of Preliminary Attachment: Abuse of Discretion and Judicial Misconduct
A look at a Supreme Court ruling on a judge and sheriff fined for improper issuance of a writ of attachment and misconduct.
Grave Misconduct in the Judiciary: Why Court Personnel Must Never Receive Money From Litigants
A Supreme Court ruling reminds all court employees that receiving money from litigants—even for alleged delivery to a lawyer—is grave misconduct.
Misappropriation vs Private Property: Understanding Malversation in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that malversation requires public property. A mayor's custody of a private gun is not malversation.
Certiorari Not a Substitute for Appeal: Lessons from Asian Trading v. Court of Appeals
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal, and the limits of due process claims in demurrer cases.
Child Support Cannot Be Waived: Res Judicata in Philippine Family Law
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a child's right to support cannot be renounced or barred by a prior dismissal, citing Civil Code Articles 301 and 2035.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Remedy in Philippine Courts
Learn when to file certiorari versus appeal in Philippine courts, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Asian Trading Corporation v. Court of Appeals.
Misconduct vs Initiative: Navigating Employee Discipline and Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a supervisor's irregular acts constitute grave misconduct or mere initiative, and the limits of dismissal as a penalty.
Self-Defense and Treachery: When Killing Becomes Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden attack from behind qualifies as treachery, elevating homicide to murder, and why self-defense claims fail.
Due Process in Labor Disputes: Why Ignoring Deadlines Can Cost Employers Dearly
A Supreme Court ruling shows why employers must respect due process and deadlines in labor cases, or face costly consequences.
Filing Deadlines vs Public Interest: SC Ruling on Foreshore Land Reversion
Supreme Court ruling on whether the OSG's late appeal brief should be excused when foreshore land reversion involves public interest.
Dismissal of Court Cases for Lack of Prosecution: When Is It Justified in the Philippines
Philippine courts may dismiss cases for lack of prosecution, but only for valid reasons. Learn the rules and limits from a Supreme Court ruling.