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.
Serving Multiple Prison Terms in the Philippines: The Rule on Successive Sentences
Philippine law requires imprisonment terms for multiple offenses to be served successively, not simultaneously. Learn the rule under the Revised Penal Code.
Sale vs Commodatum: Property Rights and Contractual Intent in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to distinguish sale from commodatum, and why proving ownership in recovery actions requires clear evidence of title and identity.
Mental Capacity and Rape in Philippine Law: The Hamto Case
How Philippine courts treat mentally retarded rape victims' testimony, and why mental age matters in proving rape.
Treachery Defined: Justice for Victims Attacked While Defenseless
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, ruling that attacking a sleeping victim qualifies, ensuring justice for defenseless victims.
Unlawful Search and Seizure: Protecting Individual Rights Against Government Intrusion
The Supreme Court acquits a barangay captain of drug charges after police conducted a warrantless search of his home, reaffirming constitutional protections.
Liability in Highway Robbery: Conspiracy and Identifying Perpetrators
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy in highway robbery, eyewitness identification, and liability of accused under PD 532.
Attorney Accountability: The Duty of Candor and Knowledge in Legal Practice
A lawyer cited an inexistent Supreme Court circular to defend a drug case client. The Court held him in contempt, reaffirming counsel's duty of candor and diligence.
Self-Defense vs. Accidental Killing: Proving Treachery in Philippine Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a sudden stabbing from behind constitutes treachery, elevating homicide to murder, and when intoxication mitigates liability.
Treachery Defined: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attack in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains when a sudden, unexpected attack qualifies as treachery, raising a killing to murder under Philippine law.
Judicial Accountability: Health Issues vs Duty to Decide Cases Promptly
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a judge's health condition can mitigate—but not excuse—delay in deciding cases.
Lawyer Suspended Two Years for Misappropriating Client Funds and Ignoring Court Orders
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a lawyer's failure to file pleadings and misuse of client money led to a two-year suspension.
Judicial Misconduct: Upholding Honesty and Efficiency in the Philippine Judiciary
A judge's delay in deciding cases and dishonesty in JBC forms led to suspension and fine, reinforcing judicial accountability.
Expropriation and Urban Development: When Can a City Take Private Land for Socialized Housing?
The Supreme Court clarifies the two-stage process of expropriation and when compliance with RA 7279's acquisition priorities must be shown.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies: Agency Prerogative and Orderly Legal Process
Explore how the Supreme Court upheld SEC disclosure rules for listed banks, clarifying the doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies and SEC Jurisdiction Over Listed Banks
Supreme Court clarifies that listed banks must comply with SEC disclosure rules despite BSP supervision, explaining agency jurisdiction and administrative remedies.
When Military Status Impacts Criminal Liability: Arbitrary Detention Explained
Understand how CAFGU membership affects criminal liability and why the Court acquitted in People v. Flores.
Forum Shopping in Philippine Courts: When Filing Multiple Petitions Backfires
Philippine Supreme Court explains forum shopping through a barangay captain's dismissed petition against an Ad Hoc Committee.
Witness Credibility and the Perils of Delayed Justice: Analyzing Testimonial Inconsistencies in Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on witness credibility, police blotter discrepancies, and why aggravating circumstances must be alleged in the information to justify the death penalty.
Judges Must Decide Cases Within 90 Days: Lessons from Montes v. Bugtas
The Supreme Court reminds judges that failing to decide cases within the constitutional 90-day period is gross inefficiency, even with heavy workloads.
Psychological Incapacity in Marriage: Defining Utter Insensitivity Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that psychological incapacity requires grave, incurable personality disorders, not mere emotional immaturity or irresponsibility.
Treachery in Criminal Law: Establishing Intent in Sudden Attacks
The Supreme Court explains how sudden, unexpected attacks establish treachery in murder cases, even when attacker and victim exchange words first.
Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Attempted Rape: Credibility of Witnesses Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on attempted rape, witness credibility, and proof beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases.
Abuse of Authority: Clerks of Court Must Not Issue Subpoenas Without a Pending Case
A clerk of court who issued a subpoena without any pending case was fined P5,000 for grave misconduct. Know the limits of court authority.
Beyond the Ballot: The Limits of Pre-Proclamation Authority in Philippine Elections
Pre-proclamation controversies have strict limits under Philippine election law. This article explains when COMELEC can act and when courts take over.