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.
B.P. 22 and the Corporate Veil: When Corporate Officers Face Personal Liability
The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil in B.P. 22 cases, holding officers personally liable for bouncing checks—but only with proper notice of dishonor.
Civil Registry Corrections: R.A. 9048 vs. Rules 103 and 108 Explained
Learn when to use R.A. 9048 versus Rules 103 and 108 for correcting civil registry entries, based on the Bartolome ruling.
Land Registration: Proving Land Is Alienable and Disposable Under Philippine Law
Learn the strict proof required to register land in the Philippines, including DENR certifications, and why possession alone is not enough.
Torrens Title vs. Possession: When a Registered Owner Prevails in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Torrens title prevails over possession claims in accion publiciana cases, reaffirming the indefeasibility of registered land titles.
Onerous Donations: When Failure to Fulfill Conditions Leads to Revocation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when failure to fulfill onerous donation conditions justifies revocation, and the prescriptive period for such actions.
Are Membership Fees of Recreational Clubs Taxable Income? SC Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when membership fees and assessment dues of recreational clubs are subject to income tax and VAT.
Nepotism in Government: Designation of Relatives Is a Prohibited Appointment
The Supreme Court ruled that designating a relative to government duties—even unpaid or off-plantilla—violates the ban on nepotism.
Reassignment vs. Transfer: What Public School Teachers Should Know
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public school teacher can be reassigned without consent, and how security of tenure applies.
Common Carriers and Stolen Goods: The Extraordinary Diligence Standard in the Philippines
Philippine law holds common carriers liable for stolen goods unless theft involved grave threat or irresistible force. Learn the extraordinary diligence standard.
Authority to File Suit: When a Missing SPA Defeats Court Jurisdiction
A complaint filed by an attorney-in-fact without a Special Power of Authority is invalid, depriving the court of jurisdiction over the case.
When Military and Civilian Tribunals Collide: Jurisdiction in AFP Misconduct Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how concurrent jurisdiction works between the Ombudsman and military courts in administrative cases against AFP personnel.
Loss of Trust and Confidence as Just Cause: Balancing Employer Rights and Due Process in Termination Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies dismissal, and when employers still owe employees procedural due process.
Sheriff Duties and Neglect in Attachment Cases: Protecting Your Property Rights
Learn how sheriffs must handle attached properties, their inventory duties, and what happens when they neglect these responsibilities.
Establishing Tenancy Requires Concrete Evidence: Landowner Rights Upheld
Supreme Court rules tenancy cannot be presumed; claimants must prove all elements with substantial evidence, not mere certifications.
CBA vs Bank Policy: Protecting Workers' Rights Against Unilateral Loan Changes
Supreme Court rules banks cannot impose credit-check requirements on CBA salary loans without negotiating with the union first.
Perpetual Disqualification and Material Misrepresentation in Election Candidacy
The Supreme Court ruled that filing a Certificate of Candidacy while under perpetual disqualification is material misrepresentation, voiding the CoC and making votes stray.
Judicial Overreach: Enjoining Ombudsman Suspension Orders and the Limits of Declaratory Relief
A judge was fined for gross ignorance of the law after issuing injunctions against an Ombudsman suspension order, exceeding RTC jurisdiction.
State's Right to Recover Public Funds: Prescription Does Not Run Against the Government
Supreme Court rules the government's right to recover illegally disbursed public funds does not prescribe, but limits COA's power over tax collection.
Disbarment for Deceit and Unauthorized Notarization: Ethical Standards for Lawyers
Supreme Court affirms suspension and notarial disqualification for a lawyer who used falsified documents and notarized outside his jurisdiction.
Qualified Rape: Moral Ascendancy as Substitute for Force in Step-Parent Abuse
Step-parent moral ascendancy can substitute for force in qualified rape, as shown in People v. De Guzman.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Valuing Property at the Time of Taking
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that just compensation for expropriated property is valued at the time of taking, not when the complaint is filed.
Intellectual Disability and Witness Credibility in Philippine Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that intellectual disability alone does not disqualify a rape victim from testifying, provided her account is coherent and consistent.
Defective Information Reduces Direct Assault Conviction to Homicide
A missing element in the information reduced a direct assault conviction to homicide, underscoring the constitutional right to be informed of charges.
Spousal Consent in Property Sales: Why a Sale Without Written Consent Is Void
Selling conjugal property without the other spouse's written consent is void under Philippine law. Learn the rules and buyer protections.