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.
Simple vs Qualified Rape: Why Allegations in the Information Matter
The Supreme Court explains why the death penalty for qualified rape requires both minority and relationship to be alleged in the information.
Defining Jurisdiction When Specific Performance Claims Outweigh Monetary Demands In Contract Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies RTC jurisdiction over breach of contract cases where specific performance is the main action, not the monetary claim.
Seafarers' Employment Status: Contractual, Not Regular, Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers are contractual employees, not regular employees under Article 280 of the Labor Code.
Seafarers Are Contractual Employees: The Millares Ruling on Fixed-Term Overseas Work
The Supreme Court clarifies that Filipino seafarers are contractual, not regular, employees under Philippine law, and explains the limits of Article 280.
Father's Conviction for Raping Minor Daughter Upheld; Death Penalty Affirmed
The Supreme Court affirms the death sentence of a father convicted of qualified rape of his 14-year-old daughter, clarifying rules on victim credibility and damages.
Solidary Liability of Co-Principals in Agency: Agent May Collect Full Commission From Any Principal
When co-owners appoint an agent for a common transaction, they are solidarily liable. The agent can collect the full commission from any one of them.
Robbery With Homicide: Proving Conspiracy and the Limits of Band Aggravation
The Supreme Court explains when conspiracy makes co-accused liable for robbery with homicide, and why "band" aggravates only when three or more armed men are proven.
Intoxication Defense in Parricide: Understanding Mitigating Circumstances in Philippine Law
Explore how Philippine courts treat intoxication as a mitigating circumstance in criminal cases, and why it failed in this parricide appeal.
Rape With a Deadly Weapon: Understanding Penalties and Aggravating Circumstances in Philippine Law
A guide to how Philippine courts treat rape with a deadly weapon, the penalties involved, and when aggravating circumstances apply.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: What Republic v. Ker Teaches About Property Valuation
The Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is determined in eminent domain cases, emphasizing fair market value over tax declarations.
Witness Protection for Police Testifying in Senate Inquiries: Acop v. Guingona
Can police officers join the Witness Protection Program when testifying in Senate inquiries? The Supreme Court explains the rule.
Venue in Philippine Breach of Contract Cases: The DAPCO v. Dole Lesson
Learn how Philippine courts determine venue in lease disputes, and why filing in the wrong place can get your case dismissed.
Loan or Partnership: Supreme Court on Novation and Acknowledgment Receipts
When does a loan become a partnership contribution? The Supreme Court clarifies novation, acknowledgment receipts, and payment application rules.
Rape Conviction Hinges on Specificity: Charges Define the Crime
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why specific allegations in rape informations matter, and how penetration is proven in statutory rape cases.
Voluntary Surrender as a Mitigating Circumstance: When Murder Is Reduced to Homicide
The Supreme Court explains when voluntary surrender mitigates a killing and why a heated argument negates treachery, reducing murder to homicide.
When Sexual Assault Is Acts of Lasciviousness, Not Attempted Rape: Perez v. People
The Supreme Court clarifies the line between attempted rape and acts of lasciviousness in a case with no eyewitnesses.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise and Defenseless Victims
Understand treachery in Philippine criminal law through People v. Zeta, where the Supreme Court explains why surprise at the inception of attack matters.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Intimidation With a Weapon Constitutes Force in Sexual Assault
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction, ruling that threatening a victim with a bolo constitutes the force or intimidation required by law.
When Do Labor Tribunals Have Jurisdiction Over Employer Claims? Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court clarifies when labor tribunals, not regular courts, hear employer claims for damages arising from an employee's resignation.
Incestuous Rape: The Gravity of Offenses and Improvident Guilty Pleas in Philippine Law
A father's guilty plea to raping his daughter tests the rules on capital offenses, searching inquiry, and penalties under Philippine law.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Father Figure's Moral Ascendancy Equals Force and Intimidation
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that a father figure's moral ascendancy over a minor victim substitutes for force and intimidation.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When a Bank Isn't Liable for a Foreclosed Firm's Debts
PNB acquired PASUMIL's foreclosed assets but wasn't liable for its debts. The Supreme Court explains when corporate veil piercing applies.
Rape and Stepfather Relationship: When Death Penalty Applies in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a stepparent's rape of a minor warrants death penalty versus simple rape.
Judge Fined for Delay in Rendering Judgment: Lessons from A.M. No. MTJ-02-1409
The Supreme Court fined a retired judge for gross inefficiency after a 15-month delay in deciding an ejectment case, underscoring the mandatory 30-day period for summary procedure judgments.