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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Finality of Judgments: Ducat v. Court of Appeals and the Bar Against Relitigating Settled Issues
Why the Supreme Court barred a losing litigant from re-opening a settled execution sale and warned against forum-shopping.
CPE Compliance Mandatory OR Moot Examining Professional License Renewal IN THE Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies that IBP dues are mandatory for lawyers, and senior citizen exemptions do not cover them.
Treachery Unveiled: Criminal Liability in Sudden Armed Attacks
How the Supreme Court distinguished treachery from mere sudden attacks, and why alibi fails against positive identification by eyewitnesses.
Prescription and Quashal in Anti-Graft Cases: Domingo v. Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court clarifies prescription periods, motion to quash standards, and speedy trial rights in Anti-Graft cases under RA 3019.
The Unexpected Strike Establishing Treachery in Sudden Attacks
When does a sudden attack qualify as treachery? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules in People v. Aquino.
Eyewitness Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Philippine Murder Convictions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification versus alibi in murder cases, explaining standards for credibility and positive identification.
Ensuring Fair Elections: COMELEC's Authority to Suspend Proclamation Amid Voting Irregularities
The Supreme Court affirms COMELEC's power to suspend a mayor's proclamation when precincts fail to function, protecting voter enfranchisement.
Corporate Liquidation vs Labor Claims: How the Supreme Court Resolved the Conflict
When a company under rehabilitation is ordered liquidated, labor claims must be filed with the liquidator, not executed separately. Learn the rule.
Beyond Consanguinity: Redefining Consent in Familial Rape Cases Under Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court in People v. Servo clarified that stepfathers can commit rape through moral ascendancy, not just physical force.
Gross Ignorance of the Law: Judges Must Apply Established Doctrines in Election Cases
When a judge misapplies contempt powers and ignores elementary appeal rules, the Supreme Court steps in to correct the error.
Habeas Corpus and Drug Offenses: Ensuring Fair Application of Penalties
A look at how the Supreme Court used habeas corpus to correct an excessive penalty for a minor drug offense.
Rape and Credibility: A Stepfather’s Betrayal and the Weight of a Child’s Testimony
A stepfather’s rape conviction upheld: how Philippine courts weigh a child’s testimony, delayed reporting, and credibility in sexual abuse cases.
Multiple Victims, Separate Crimes: Complex vs. Multiple Offenses in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when multiple shootings of several victims constitute separate crimes, not a complex crime, under Article 48.
Extrajudicial Partition and Property Rights in Philippine Inheritance Disputes
Understand how the Supreme Court upheld a 1951 extrajudicial partition, clarifying heirs' property rights, prescription, and laches in inheritance disputes.
When Excessive Force Destroys a Self-Defense Claim in Philippine Homicide Cases
The Supreme Court explains why 16 stab wounds negate self-defense and how excessive force turns a killing into homicide, not murder.
Unions Cannot Waive Individual Workers' Rights Without Their Consent
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether unions can compromise individual workers' claims without their consent, and the limits of collective bargaining authority.
Ejectment vs. Ownership: Why Forcible Entry Cases Can Proceed Despite Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that forcible entry cases proceed independently of ownership disputes; RTC erred in dismissing ejectment appeal.
Accomplice vs Principal in Murder Cases: Key Distinctions Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a person is a principal rather than an accomplice in murder, and how complex crimes apply to multiple shootings.
When "May" Means Optional: Advance Payments in Property Sales
Supreme Court ruling on whether a buyer's advance payment obligation in a property sale is mandatory or discretionary, and its effect on contract rescission.
When Silence Isnt Enough Understanding Conspiracy AND Liability IN Murder Cases
When is a bystander guilty of murder? The Supreme Court explains conspiracy and liability in People v. Orbita.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over Graft Cases: Municipal Mayors and Salary Grade 27
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Sandiganbayan, not trial courts, hears graft cases against municipal mayors based on salary grade.
Self-Defense and Unjustified Aggression: Evaluating Claims in Homicide Cases
When does self-defense hold in Philippine homicide cases? The Supreme Court explains the burden of proof and the elements required.
Physical Evidence Prevails Over Witness Testimony in Traffic Collision Liability
Supreme Court ruling on vehicular accidents: physical evidence outweighs biased witness testimony in determining fault and liability.
When Can a Motion to Dismiss Be Filed After Answer? Obando v. Figueras Explained
The Supreme Court explains when a motion to dismiss may be granted even after an answer is filed, and what happens when a party loses legal standing mid-case.