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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Judicial Ethics in the Philippines: The Prohibition Against Private Practice for Judges
A Supreme Court ruling explains why judges cannot serve as private administrators or practice law, and the narrow exceptions allowed.
Combatting Case Delays: Upholding Judicial Efficiency and Integrity in Philippine Courts
How the Supreme Court in Balagtas v. Court of Appeals reinforced the real-party-in-interest rule and judicial efficiency in habeas corpus cases.
Rape Conviction on Credible Testimony: The Tabion Case and the Requirement of Alleging Minority
The Supreme Court affirms a father's rape conviction based on the victim's credible testimony, but reduces the penalty from death to reclusion perpetua because the Information failed to allege the vic
Probationary Employment in the Philippines: Security of Tenure and Illegal Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on probationary employees' security of tenure and illegal dismissal, explained in plain language.
Precision in Criminal Indictments: Why a Missing Detail Can Mean the Difference Between Life and Death in Qual
The Supreme Court explains why a missing allegation of the victim's age in a rape information bars the death penalty, reducing conviction to simple rape.
Decoding Deeds Philippine Supreme Court Clarifies Contract Interpretation IN Property Sales
How the Supreme Court applied the parol evidence rule and literal interpretation in a disputed property sale with mortgage assumption.
Unlawful Aggression: The Cornerstone of Self-Defense in Philippine Criminal Law
Understand unlawful aggression, the indispensable element of self-defense in Philippine criminal law, as explained through Supreme Court jurisprudence.
Honesty is the Best Policy: Understanding Concealment in Philippine Insurance Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when an insurer may deny a claim for concealment, and who may sue on a mortgage redemption insurance policy.
Extrajudicial Foreclosure and Redemption: Lessons from DBP v. Piñeda
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified the one-year redemption period in extrajudicial foreclosure and the good faith rule for mortgagee possession.
Breach of Contract in the Philippines: Rescission and the Risks of Buying Property with a Notice of Lis Penden
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rescission, reciprocal obligations, and why a notice of lis pendens binds any buyer of disputed property.
Judicial Ethics: Dismissal of Judge for Sexual Harassment and Conduct Unbecoming
Supreme Court dismisses judge for sexual harassment, harassment of employees, and improper dealings with a litigant before his sala.
Legally Binding Family Agreements: Extrajudicial Settlements and Inheritance in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on extrajudicial settlements, forgery claims, prescription, and laches in family inheritance disputes.
Arraignment Admissions When Open Court Statements Cant BE Used Against YOU IN Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a witness's open court statements may be disregarded and why physical evidence prevails over testimony.
Moral Ascendancy as Intimidation: Understanding Familial Rape in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how a relative's moral ascendancy can constitute intimidation in rape, affirming a conviction for familial sexual assault.
Safeguarding Due Process: TRO Issuance and Judicial Misconduct in the Philippines
A look at the Supreme Court's ruling on a judge's improper TRO issuance and failure to resolve incidents, highlighting due process duties.
Credible Eyewitness Testimony Prevails Over Weak Alibi in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why positive eyewitness identification outweighs alibi and denial defenses in murder prosecutions.
Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Courts: Key Principles from People v. Agunos
Learn how Philippine courts assess eyewitness credibility in rape cases, from the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Agunos.
Safeguarding Justice: The Vital Searching Inquiry for Guilty Pleas in Capital Offenses
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why courts must conduct a searching inquiry before accepting admissions or guilty pleas in capital offenses.
Undue Injury in Graft Cases: Actual Damage to Government Is Essential
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that actual damage to government is essential for conviction under Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft Law.
Second Chances in Court: Motions for Reconsideration and Grave Abuse of Discretion in Philippine Appeals
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the strict 15-day period for motions for reconsideration and the distinction between appeal and certiorari.
Motion for Reconsideration Deadlines and Jurisdictional Challenges in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict enforcement of motion for reconsideration deadlines and distinguishes certiorari from appeal in jurisdictional challenges.
When Does Withholding Tax Obligation Arise? Filipinas Synthetic Fiber Corp. v. CA
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the duty to withhold tax on payments to foreign corporations arises—at accrual or payment.
When Silence Condemns: The Decisive Role of Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Robbery Homicide Cases
How the Supreme Court upheld a robbery-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, not direct testimony, in People v. Raganas.
When Group Action Turns Deadly: Conspiracy and Abuse of Superior Strength in Philippine Murder Cases
A Supreme Court ruling explains how conspiracy and abuse of superior strength can elevate a deadly group attack to murder in the Philippines.