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.
Capital Reduction Rules in the Philippines: What Shareholders Should Know After Metroplex v. Sinophil
The Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for reducing corporate capital stock under Section 38 of the Corporation Code, and limits SEC review.
Regular vs. Fixed-Term Employment: Key Lessons from Site for Eyes v. Daming
The Supreme Court ruled that repeated fixed-term contracts cannot defeat regular employment status. Learn the key lessons from this landmark case.
Shareholder Death and Corporate Meetings: Quorum and Voting Rights Under Philippine Law
How a shareholder's death affects quorum and voting rights in Philippine corporations, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Mallare v. A&E Industrial Corporation.
Protecting Privacy and Security: Understanding the Writ of Amparo in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that the writ of amparo protects families of suspected rebels from surveillance, upholding privacy and spousal privileges.
Loan Agreements and Interest Rates: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when banks may impose penalty charges and compound interest under loan restructuring agreements.
Understanding Hold Departure Orders and the Right to Travel in Philippine Criminal Cases
The Supreme Court explains when courts may issue hold departure orders and how bail affects an accused person's right to travel.
Right to Access Search Warrant Records: Due Process and Confidentiality in Philippine Law
Philippine courts balance due process rights against informant confidentiality when accused persons seek search warrant records.
Navigating Disability Benefits for Seafarers: The Importance of Timely Medical Assessments
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that seafarers must receive a copy of the company doctor's final disability assessment within 120 or 240 days, or they may be deemed totally and permanently disabled.
When Lawyer Silence Becomes Negligence: The Duty to Communicate with Clients
The Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer-client relationship can exist without a written contract, and silence can amount to professional negligence.
DST and GRT on Special Savings Accounts: Philippine Veterans Bank Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled special savings accounts are subject to documentary stamp tax and that final withholding taxes count toward gross receipts tax.
Gross Neglect of Duty and Mitigating Circumstances in Philippine Civil Service
When can mitigating circumstances lessen the penalty for gross neglect of duty? The Supreme Court clarifies in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas v. Bool.
Quasi-Delict Liability After a Vehicular Accident: Lessons from Laza v. Standard Insurance
The Supreme Court clarifies when a driver is negligent in a collision, the rules on vicarious liability, and what it takes to overturn factual findings on appeal.
Land Title Reversion in the Philippines: What Property Owners Should Know
A Supreme Court ruling on land title reversion explains when the State can cancel titles over public domain lands, even against innocent purchasers.
Substantial Evidence in Administrative Cases: The Mahinay Case Explained
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in the Mahinay case clarifies the substantial evidence standard in administrative cases against public servants.
Employee Dismissal and Due Process: Lessons from the TESDA v. Abragar Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a void judgment in labor cases can be attacked, and why impleading indispensable parties matters.
Indispensable Parties in Labor Cases: Lessons from TESDA v. Abragar
Learn why impleading all indispensable parties is critical in labor disputes, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in TESDA v. Abragar.
The President’s Power to Withdraw from Treaties: What the Supreme Court Ruled
The Supreme Court clarified the limits of the President’s power to withdraw from international treaties. Learn the rules from the Rome Statute case.
Unlawful Detainer vs. Accion Reivindicatoria: Key Differences in Philippine Property Law
Learn the difference between unlawful detainer and accion reivindicatoria in Philippine property law, and when each legal action applies.
Supreme Court: Direct Petitions to SC Violate Hierarchy of Courts Rule
SC dismisses Palafox petition for bypassing Court of Appeals, reaffirming strict rule on hierarchy of courts in Philippine litigation.
Understanding the Rule on Hierarchy of Courts: Implications for Legal Venue and Depositions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the hierarchy of courts rule in Palafox v. Mendiola, addressing venue for defamation cases and deposition timing.
Understanding the Distinction Between Attempted and Frustrated Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a shooting is attempted, not frustrated, murder—and why proving the wound's fatality matters.
Timely Intervention and Jurisdictional Limits in Philippine Estate Proceedings
Learn how the Constantino case clarifies intervention rules and probate court limits in Philippine estate proceedings.
One-Year Prescription Period for Insurance Claims: The Alpha Plus Ruling
Learn how the Supreme Court's Alpha Plus ruling clarifies the one-year prescription period for insurance claims and why timing matters.
Special Administrators in Estate Cases: Residency Matters More Than Citizenship
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that residency, not citizenship, determines who may serve as special administrator in estate proceedings.