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.
Correspondent Banks' Right to Reimbursement in Dishonored Letters of Credit
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on correspondent banks' right to reimbursement when letters of credit are dishonored, explained in plain language.
Lease Default and Lessor Rights: Reading Contract Clauses Literally
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lessor rights upon lessee default, contract interpretation, and enforcement of claims against a deceased lessee's estate.
Upholding Judicial Stability: No Interference with Execution of Final Judgments
A losing party cannot file a separate action to stop execution of a final judgment. The proper remedy is before the issuing court.
Unconscionable Penalties: Reassessing Loan Obligations in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may reduce penalty charges and attorney's fees in deficiency claims after foreclosure.
Appeal Dismissed Understanding Questions OF LAW VS Questions OF Fact IN Summary Judgments
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between questions of law and fact in appeals from summary judgments, and the proper remedy.
Bail and Humanitarian Considerations: Balancing Constitutional Rights and Individual Circumstances
The Supreme Court affirms that bail may be granted on humanitarian grounds, weighing an accused's health and flight risk against constitutional rights.
Beyond the Road: Field Personnel Status and Overtime Rights for Bus Employees in the Philippines
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that bus drivers and conductors are not field personnel, entitling them to overtime and service incentive leave pay.
Clarifying Debt Liability When Personal Obligations Meet Family Debts
Supreme Court clarifies when assuming a parent's debt creates novation and when interest is due under Philippine law.
Coca-Cola Route Helpers: Regular Employees Despite Agency Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court rules route helpers remain regular Coca-Cola employees despite transfers to labor contractors, applying stare decisis.
Labor-Only Contracting: When a Principal Becomes the True Employer
The Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is merely a labor-only contractor and who may question that arrangement.
Breach of Contract and Surety Bonds: When Extensions Don't Discharge a Surety
A contractor's failure to complete works on time triggers liability for breach and its surety's bond, even when extensions are granted.
Due Process in Administrative Actions: Fair Notice in Recruitment Cases
The Supreme Court rules that administrative due process requires furnishing the accused with the evidence against them, not just a hearing.
BSP Authority to Engage Private Counsel and Jurisdiction in Legal Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies BSP's power to hire private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property cases involving assessed value.
Substitution of Parties: Due Process Prevails Despite Procedural Lapses in Estate Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules that failure to formally substitute deceased parties is not fatal when heirs actively participate in the case.
Surety Liability After Foreclosure: Carodan v. China Banking Corporation
When a bank releases a principal debtor's collateral, a surety may still be liable for the deficiency if the surety agreement expressly allows it.
Surety Agreements: Solidary Liability and Waiver of Rights in Loan Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on surety liability, accommodation mortgagors, and waiver clauses in loan deficiency claims.
When a Lawyer Can Challenge a Court Order: The Rule 65 "Aggrieved Party" Exception
Explaining when a lawyer can file a certiorari petition despite not being a party, based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling.
Corporate Rehabilitation Venue and Joint Petitions Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies venue rules for corporate rehabilitation and disallows joint petitions by separate corporations under the Interim Rules.
Labor-Only Contracting: Identifying the True Employer and Protecting Workers' Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies who the true employer is in labor-only contracting arrangements, protecting workers' rights under Philippine law.
Defining Construction Cost Interest Expenses and Reserved Units in Joint Development Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what counts as actual construction cost in joint development agreements, excluding interest expenses from the computation.
Loan Transfers and Corporate Rehabilitation: Clarifying Creditor Rights in Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on whether loan sale proceeds deposited with a creditor are covered by a loan transfer during corporate rehabilitation.
Inducement in Homicide: When Words Lead to Criminal Liability
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in Ambagan v. People on when spoken words can make a person liable as principal by inducement in homicide.
Spontaneous Confessions in Parricide Cases: When the Right to Counsel Does Not Apply
A son's spontaneous confession to police was admissible despite no lawyer present, because custodial investigation had not yet begun.
When Aiding a Principal Overshadows Accessory Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when helping a principal offender may constitute grave misconduct rather than mere accessory liability in administrative cases.