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.
Tax Exemption Boundaries: PAGCOR Privileges and the Perils of Misrepresentation
Supreme Court clarifies that PAGCOR's tax exemption on importations does not automatically extend to concessionaires, and warns against fraudulent claims.
Docket Fees and the Right to Amend: Balancing Access to Justice in Patent Infringement Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on docket fees, amendments to complaints, and equitable access to justice in patent cases.
Employers' Subsidiary Liability and Due Process in Criminal Proceedings
When can an employer be held subsidiarily liable for an employee's crime? The Supreme Court explains the due process requirements.
Union Dues and Attorney's Fees: Protecting Employee Rights in Collective Bargaining
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees can be charged to union members and the strict rules on check-off deductions.
Service of Summons on Corporations: Due Process and Jurisdictional Validity
When is service of summons on a corporation valid? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on proper service, substantial compliance, and jurisdiction.
Defining Sandiganbayan’s Jurisdiction Over Sequestered Assets and PCGG Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies the Sandiganbayan’s exclusive jurisdiction over incidents related to sequestered assets, reinforcing PCGG’s authority to protect ill-gotten wealth.
Unilateral Rescission Limits in Philippine Contract Law: PNCC v. Mars Construction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unilateral rescission, contract interpretation, and damages in PNCC v. Mars Construction (G.R. No. 133909).
Written Authority Required for Real Estate Agents: The City-Lite Realty Rule
Under Article 1874 of the Civil Code, an agent selling land must have written authority; otherwise, the sale is void. Learn the rules.
Overtaking at a Curve and Common Carrier Liability: Mallari v. Court of Appeals
A jeepney driver's reckless overtaking at a curve makes both driver and owner liable for a passenger's death.
Power Rate Differentials: ERB Authority to Protect Utility Companies Upheld
Supreme Court affirms ERB power to set rate differentials favoring utilities over direct industrial customers of NAPOCOR.
Wage Order Obligations: Contractor and Principal Liability in Security Service Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when security agencies can recover wage order increases from principals under solidary liability rules.
Power Rate Differentials: When Regulators May Favor Utilities Over Direct Consumers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ERB authority to set power rate differentials between utilities and direct industrial consumers.
Overtaking at a Curve: Determining Negligence and Liability in Vehicular Accidents
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on overtaking at curves, negligence presumption, and common carrier liability for passenger deaths.
Eminent Domain: Necessity, Procedure, and the Writ of Possession in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when the government may expropriate private land, the necessity requirement, and the rule on writs of possession.
Tourist Duty Free Shops v. Sandiganbayan: Limits of PCGG Sequestration and Litis Pendentia
The Supreme Court clarifies when litis pendentia applies and the limits of PCGG sequestration powers over corporations.
Tenant Rights Prevail: Security of Tenure in Agrarian Reform Disputes
The Supreme Court affirms that agricultural lessees retain security of tenure under CARL, even when landowners claim conversion or termination of lease.
Upholding Tenant Rights Establishing Tenancy Despite Conflicting Evidence
Supreme Court ruling clarifies how substantial evidence and rental receipts establish bona fide tenancy under agrarian law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Store Owner Liability for Customer Safety: Lessons from the Jarco Marketing Case
When a defective store fixture injures a customer, who pays? The Jarco case clarifies premises liability and negligence rules in the Philippines.
SEC Jurisdiction Over Government-Owned Corporations: The PNCC Case
The Supreme Court clarifies SEC jurisdiction over GOCCs organized under the Corporation Code, using the PNCC dispute as a landmark example.
Ejectment and Your Business: Understanding Privity to Avoid Surprises
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a business can be bound by an ejectment case even if not named as a party-defendant.