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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Homicide vs Murder in the Philippines: Distinguishing Intent and Treachery in Criminal Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a killing is homicide, not murder, and why treachery must be proven conclusively.
Surety vs Guarantor: Co-Maker Liability in Philippine Loans Explained
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the difference between a surety and a guarantor in co-maker loan agreements, and when a creditor may sue one alone.
Cross-Examination Essentials: Why Properly Impeaching a Witness Testimony Is Crucial in Philippine Courts
Learn the proper way to impeach a witness in Philippine courts, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. De Guzman.
Preventive Suspension Under RA 3019: When Public Officials Must Step Aside
The Supreme Court clarifies that preventive suspension of public officials facing graft charges under RA 3019 is mandatory, not discretionary. Learn the rules.
Circumstantial Evidence in Kidnapping: Conspiracy, Principal and Accessory Liability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when circumstantial evidence proves conspiracy or principal liability, and when it only supports accessory liability in kidnapping.
Credibility of Child Witnesses in Rape Cases: Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence
How Philippine courts assess a minor rape victim's testimony, and why child witnesses are often deemed credible in incest cases.
Burden of Proof in Stock Trading: Why Unverified Profit Statements Fail in Court
A portfolio manager sued for fees but lost because his profit statements were unverified. The Supreme Court explains why proof matters.
When Cases Become Pointless: Mootness and a Lawyer's Duty to the Court in Philippine Law
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on procedural rules and the burden of proof in the Pacific Banking Corporation liquidation case.
Motion for Reconsideration in NLRC Cases: A Jurisdictional Requirement, Not a Mere Technicality
Filing a Motion for Reconsideration with the NLRC is mandatory before seeking certiorari. Missing this step can be fatal to an otherwise meritorious case.
Eyewitness Testimony WHY IT Reigns Supreme IN Philippine Courts Bautista V Court OF Appeals
Motion to Dismiss Denied: Courts Must First Examine the Merits, Not Just Allegations, in Philippine Property D
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a motion to dismiss for lack of cause of action requires courts to examine the merits of a property dispute, not just the allegations.
When Alibi Fails: The Vital Role of Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Murder Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a murder accused when a child's sole eyewitness identification proves unreliable, showing how weak prosecution evidence cannot be cured by a weak alibi.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: When Is Termination Valid in the Philippines
Philippine law requires both valid cause and procedural due process for lawful dismissal. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court case.
Are Employee Quitclaims Always Valid? The Alcosero v. NLRC Ruling
When are employee quitclaims valid in the Philippines? The Supreme Court explains in Alcosero v. NLRC.
When a Child Eyewitness Fails: The Roman Meneses Acquittal and the Law on Identification
The Supreme Court acquitted Roman Meneses due to unreliable eyewitness identification, explaining when a child's testimony and police show-ups fail the test of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Due Process in Employee Dismissal: What Philippine Law Requires to Avoid Illegal Termination
Philippine law requires employers to observe two-notice rule and just cause in dismissals. Learn from a Supreme Court case on illegal termination.
Election Disqualification Cases: COMELEC's Continuing Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court rules that COMELEC must continue hearing disqualification cases even after a candidate's proclamation, citing Section 6 of RA 6646.
Justice Delayed IS Justice Denied Understanding Undue Delay IN Philippine Ejectment Cases
A Philippine judge was fined for undue delay in an ejectment case. Here's what the Supreme Court's ruling means for litigants.
Rent-a-Car Liability in the Philippines: When Is the Owner Liable for Lessee’s Negligence?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when rent-a-car companies are liable for lessee negligence under quasi-delict and vicarious liability rules.
Limits of NLRC Injunction Power in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Philippine Airlines v. NLRC
The Supreme Court clarifies that the NLRC cannot issue injunctions in illegal dismissal cases without a pending case before the labor arbiter.
Tuition Fee Hikes and Wage Increases: Employee Rights in Philippine Schools
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on how tuition fee increases relate to mandatory wage hikes for school employees under Philippine law.
Fair Certification Elections Ensuring Workers Rights To Self Organization IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how tuition fee increases interact with wage orders and the 70% employee share under RA 6728.
Seafarer Transfers Understanding Crewmember Rights AND Employer Prerogatives IN Vessel Assignments
Learn how the Supreme Court balanced crewmember rights and employer prerogatives in vessel transfer assignments for Filipino seafarers.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: Why Lawyers Face Suspension for Filing Multiple Cases
Learn how forum shopping in the Philippines can lead to lawyer suspension, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Benguet Electric Cooperative vs. Atty. Flores.