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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Lease vs. Good Faith: When Hotel Improvements Don't Mean Ownership Rights
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that lessees are not builders in good faith, limiting their rights to Article 1678 reimbursement.
Breach of Trust and Confidence: When Managerial Employees Lose Separation Pay
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when loss of trust and confidence justifies termination and bars separation pay for managerial employees.
Why Retractions and Delayed Reports Don't Weaken Rape Cases in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that delayed reporting and lack of resistance do not weaken rape cases, reaffirming victim protection.
Rehabilitation Petitions Technical Insolvency AND Creditors Rights IN Corporate Recovery
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a technically insolvent corporation may file for rehabilitation and how creditor rights are affected.
Continuing Surety Agreements: When a Surety Is Liable for Another's Loan
Philippine Supreme Court explains continuing surety agreements and when a surety becomes liable for a principal debtor's obligations.
Continuing Surety Agreements: When a Surety Stays Liable Despite Principal Default
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on continuing surety agreements and a surety's joint and several liability despite the principal debtor's default.
Just Compensation for Agrarian Reform: Land Value at Time of Payment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on valuing agrarian reform land at payment time, not 1972 taking, for just compensation.
Illegal Strikes and Unfair Labor Practices: When Employee Remedies Survive
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employees who joined an illegal strike may still claim backwages and separation pay for unfair labor practices.
When Court Personnel Overstep: The Limits of Judicial Authority in Execution Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on sheriffs and clerks of court who bypass judicial authority in executing judgments.
Torrens Title Stability: Courts Cannot Collaterally Attack Titles in Land Registration Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why Torrens titles cannot be collaterally attacked in administrative reconstitution proceedings.
Adultery and Public Service: Proving Immorality Beyond Suspicion in Administrative Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on immorality cases against court employees: the need for competent evidence and the limits of double jeopardy in administrative proceedings.
Challenging a Judge's Qualifications: The Fine Line Between Direct and Indirect Attacks
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between direct and indirect attacks on a judge's qualifications in administrative cases.
Proportionality in Employee Discipline: When Is Dismissal Too Harsh?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when dismissal is too harsh a penalty for workplace policy violations, explained in plain language.
Substantial Compliance in Appeals: When Technicalities Yield to Justice
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that substantial compliance with procedural rules can save an appeal from outright dismissal, prioritizing merits over technicalities.
Surety Still Liable: Insolvency of Principal Debtor Does Not Extinguish Surety's Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a surety remains liable even if the principal debtor is declared insolvent. Learn the key principles from Gateway Electronics v. Asianbank.
Consummated Rape: Degree of Penetration and Victim Testimony in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape penetration, victim testimony, and proof of qualifying circumstances for proper conviction.
Conspiracy and Treachery: Guilt Without Direct Action in People v. Bohol
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy, treachery, and murder liability for an accused who did not directly kill.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain, just compensation, and property rights when government takes land without expropriation proceedings.
When Actions to Nullify Deeds of Sale Based on Fraud Do Not Prescribe
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that actions to declare void contracts, like deeds of sale tainted by fraud or lack of consent, are imprescriptible.
When Sangguniang Approval Is Needed for Local Government Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when local chief executives need sanggunian approval before signing contracts binding their LGUs to new obligations.
Unfair Competition: Likelihood of Confusion vs. Actual Deception in Philippine Trademark Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that unfair competition requires actual intent to deceive, not just confusing similarity, and explains the proper remedy for DOJ rulings.
Rape and Parental Betrayal: Upholding Convictions in Incestuous Assault Cases
Philippine Supreme Court affirms qualified rape conviction of a father, explaining how clear testimony and flight from detention support guilt.
Correcting Dispositive Errors When Can A Final Judgment BE Clarified
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a final and executory judgment may still be corrected for clerical errors or inadvertent omissions.
Perfecting Appeals: Understanding Timeliness and Exceptions in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains why appeal deadlines are mandatory and jurisdictional, and when exceptions may apply.