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.
Fishermen Are Not Field Personnel: Service Incentive Leave for Sea-Based Workers
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that supervised fishermen are not "field personnel" and are entitled to service incentive leave under Philippine law.
Proving Murder Without a Body: Conspiracy and Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions despite no body found, explaining how conspiracy and circumstantial evidence can prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: When Presence Means Principal Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in robbery with homicide makes all participants liable as principals, even without direct participation in the killing.
Navigating Philippine Election Disputes Understanding Comelec AND Hret Jurisdiction
A clear guide to the division of authority between the Commission on Elections and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal in election contests.
Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention: Proving Deprivation of Liberty Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on what evidence proves kidnapping and serious illegal detention, including the essential element of deprivation of liberty.
Enforcing Foreign Judgments in the Philippines: Lessons from Oil and Natural Gas Commission v. Pacific Cement
A Philippine Supreme Court case clarifies when foreign judgments are enforceable and how courts interpret arbitration clauses in commercial contracts.
Navigating Corporate Officer Dismissals: SEC vs. NLRC Jurisdiction in the Philippines
Learn when the SEC, not the NLRC, has jurisdiction over corporate officer dismissals, based on De Rossi v. NLRC.
Surety Bonds and Customs Liabilities in the Philippines: Understanding Importer Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on surety bonds, customs duties, and importer liability when re-export obligations are breached.
Strict Deadlines in Ejectment Cases: Why Missing the Answer Deadline Can Cost You Your Property in the Philipp
Learn how missing answer deadlines in ejectment cases can cost you your property, and understand the due process protections that may still apply.
Territorial Integrity First: Why Boundary Disputes Must Be Resolved Before Barangay Plebiscites
Philippine Supreme Court rules boundary disputes are prejudicial questions that must be settled before barangay creation plebiscites can proceed.
Sequestration vs Lis Pendens: When a Notice Fails and Titles Get Cleared
Understand the Supreme Court's ruling on void PCGG sequestration notices and how property titles can be cleared when requirements are not met.
Customs Forfeiture in the Philippines: Illegal Removal of Goods and the Buyer Beware Rule
When goods are illegally removed from customs custody, forfeiture can reach any buyer, even one claiming good faith. Learn the rules.
Partnership Dissolution and Receivership: Protecting Assets in Business Disputes Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains when receivership is proper after partnership dissolution, and why due process requires hearing all affected parties.
Missed Deadline Dismissed Case Understanding THE 60 Day Certiorari Rule IN Philippine Labor Disputes
Learn how the 60-day certiorari rule works in Philippine labor cases, including how motions for reconsideration affect the deadline, from a Supreme Court ruling.
Election Disqualification: Why Strong Evidence Is Crucial to Unseat a Winner
A dismissed disqualification case shows why clear, credible evidence is vital when challenging an election winner under Philippine law.
Conspiracy and Mastermind Liability in Philippine Murder Cases: The Sanchez Doctrine
How Philippine courts hold crime masterminds liable for murder through conspiracy, even when they never appear at the crime scene.
Ensuring Fair Retirement Benefits for Government Employees with Work-Related Illnesses
Supreme Court ruling on permanent total disability benefits for government employees who retire early due to work-related illnesses.
Senate Electoral Tribunal Your Sole Remedy After Senatorial Proclamation
After a senatorial proclamation, election contests belong exclusively to the Senate Electoral Tribunal, not the Comelec or courts.
Illegal Dismissal and Early Retirement: Protecting Employees from Unjust Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies when a demotion becomes illegal dismissal and the rules on optional retirement under Philippine labor law.
Accomplice or Conspirator? Decoding Criminal Liability in Philippine Murder Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a lookout is an accomplice, not a conspirator, in murder cases.
Separation of Church and State: Supreme Court Upholds Labor Rights of Religious Workers
The Supreme Court rules that a pastor's dismissal is a secular employment matter, not an ecclesiastical affair, affirming labor protections.
Second Chances in Appeals: Leniency for Late Docket Fee Payments in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts may relax procedural rules on late appeal docket fees when justice requires, as shown in this 1999 ruling.
Presidential Appointments in the Philippines: Limits of the Commission on Appointments' Confirmation Power
The Supreme Court clarifies which presidential appointments need Commission on Appointments confirmation under the 1987 Constitution.
Valid Mortgage Even Before Title Transfer Philippine Property LAW Explained
Philippine Supreme Court explains why a mortgage can be valid even if the title transfers after the mortgage contract is signed.