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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Court Funds in Personal Accounts: A Lesson in Public Fiduciary Duty
Court employee fined for depositing court-entrusted funds in personal account. A lesson on public trust and ethics.
Judicial Ethics Under Scrutiny: Accountability for Misconduct Outside the Courtroom
A look at how the Supreme Court treats judicial misconduct committed outside court, and what it means for public trust in the judiciary.
When a Child Is Taken: Proving Parentage in Habeas Corpus Cases
The Supreme Court explains how courts determine a child's identity and parentage in habeas corpus custody disputes.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Sudden Attacks
How Philippine courts apply treachery to qualify killings as murder, explained through a Supreme Court ruling on a sudden stabbing.
Deceptive Recruitment Establishing Guilt In Large Scale Illegal Recruitment Cases
Learn how deceptive recruitment schemes establish guilt in large-scale illegal recruitment cases under Philippine law.
Finality of Judgments, Jurisdiction, and Forum Shopping in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains when judgments become final, how appeals affect jurisdiction, and what constitutes forum shopping.
Intent Matters Distinguishing Robbery With Rape From Separate Crimes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a sexual assault followed by taking property is one complex crime or separate offenses.
Marital Discord Establishing Parricide Beyond Reasonable Doubt Through Circumstantial Evidence
How circumstantial evidence—marital fights, a chase, autopsy findings—proved parricide beyond reasonable doubt in People v. Velasco.
Due Process in Labor Disputes: Fair Hearings and Just Outcomes in Philippine Law
Explore how Philippine courts ensure due process in labor disputes, balancing employer rights and employee protections for fair hearings.
Company-Designated Physician and Seafarer Disability Claims: Key Lessons from German Marine Agencies v. NLRC
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a company-designated physician need not be POEA-accredited for a seafarer's disability claim to prosper.
Timely Payment Matters Retroactivity Of Docket FEE Rules IN Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on retroactive docket fee rules and the importance of timely payment in civil cases.