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.
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Extrinsic Fraud, Laches, and Res Judicata: Protecting Land Titles in the Philippines
Learn how final judgments, res judicata, and the rules on extrinsic fraud protect land titles from collateral attacks in the Philippines.
Lis Pendens and Good Faith Purchasers: Property Rights After Notice Cancellation in the Philippines
Learn how lis pendens, notice cancellation, and good faith purchasers affect Philippine property rights, with insights from a 2001 Supreme Court ruling.
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in the Philippines: Summary Judgment and Forum Non Conveniens
Philippine courts explain when summary judgment is proper in enforcing foreign judgments and when forum non conveniens applies.
Incestuous Rape: Proving Guilt and Ensuring Fair Sentencing in the Philippines
A father's rape conviction affirmed but death penalty reduced—explaining the rules on victim credibility, force, and proving minority.
The Weight of Circumstantial Evidence in Securing Justice for Victims in the Philippines
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining the rules for proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Void Marriages and Inheritance Rights: Determining Legal Heirs in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void marriages, death benefits, and who qualifies as legal heirs under the Family Code.
Check Fraud and Bank Liability: Lessons from Ford Philippines vs. Citibank and PCIBank
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on bank liability for fraudulently negotiated checks, crossing, due diligence, and comparative negligence.
Self Defense and Credibility: Redefining Homicide Conviction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains Philippine rules on self-defense, defense of a relative, and witness credibility in affirming a homicide conviction.
Accountability FOR ALL THE Legal Consequences OF Group Violence IN THE Philippines
Revoking a Donation for Ingratitude in the Philippines: The Noceda Case
Philippine law allows donors to revoke gifts when donees show ingratitude, such as usurping the donor's property. Learn the rules and limits.
Conspiracy and Treachery in Murder Cases: Lessons from People v. Pablo
The Supreme Court explains how conspiracy and treachery define murder in the Philippines, using the 2001 People v. Pablo ruling.
Strict Accountability for Court Funds: Consequences for Clerks of Court Mismanagement in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on clerk of court liability for mismanaged judiciary funds, emphasizing strict accountability and administrative consequences.
Perfecting Real Estate Sales in the Philippines When Receipts Seal the Deal
Learn when receipts perfect real estate sales in the Philippines, and the legal rules on ownership transfer.
Conspiracy in Estafa: How Mere Presence Can Lead to Fraud Conviction in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in estafa can be proven by acts showing unity of purpose, even without direct participation in every detail.
Malversation in the Philippines: Why Failure to Liquidate Cash Advances Can Lead to Criminal Charges
A clerk of court's failure to account for missing public funds triggered malversation charges under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.
Statutory Rape IN THE Philippines AGE OF Victim AND Evidence Admissibility Explained
Leasehold Improvements in the Philippines: Rights of Lessors and Lessees
Learn how Philippine law treats leasehold improvements, when Article 1678 applies, and why contract stipulations usually prevail over default rules.
Illegal Strikes in the Philippines: Return-to-Work Orders and Employment Consequences
Understand when a strike becomes illegal in the Philippines, the binding effect of return-to-work orders, and the employment consequences for defiant strikers.
Protecting Children: Understanding Qualified Rape and Parental Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the death penalty for a father who raped his daughter, clarifying qualified rape and accomplice liability.
Airport Security Checks and Your Rights: The Johnson Case Explained
Understand your rights during airport security frisks in the Philippines, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Johnson.
Limits of Judicial Authority: Understanding Preliminary Investigations in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that judges conducting preliminary investigations cannot reclassify crimes—that power belongs to the prosecutor.
No License, No Case: Understanding Illegal Recruitment Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a recruiter for lack of POEA certification, clarifying the prosecution's burden in illegal recruitment cases.
When a Lawyer's Negligence Can Void a Judgment: Extrinsic Fraud in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when lawyer negligence amounts to extrinsic fraud that can annul a judgment, and when it does not.
Fair Reporting Privilege When Media Coverage of Official Proceedings Is Protected From Libel Suits in the Phil
Learn how the fair reporting privilege shields media coverage of official proceedings from libel suits in the Philippines, with rules and limits explained.