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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The Fiduciary Duty of Banks in Loan Accounting: A Guide to Metrobank v. Cruz
The Supreme Court affirms that banks owe clients a fiduciary duty to keep accurate loan records and render full accounting, beyond any internal retention policy.
Client Money and Bouncing Checks: A Lawyer’s Fiduciary Duty After Bernasconi v. Demaisip
A Supreme Court ruling on lawyer suspension clarifies the strict fiduciary duty to account for client funds and the consequences of issuing bouncing checks.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: Lessons from the Ong Case
The Supreme Court partly grants former Sandiganbayan Justice Ong's plea for judicial clemency, restoring benefits and lifting reemployment ban.
Seafarer Rights and Agency Duties: The Corpuz Case on POEA Contract Substitution
A Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability claims, the 3-day medical exam rule, and agency liability for contract substitution.
Theft by Misappropriation of Found Property: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine law punishes keeping found property as theft. Learn the finder's duties and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty: Lessons from Pantaleon v. Ombudsman-Mindanao
A revenue clerk's unauthorized lending of public funds led to dismissal. The Supreme Court explains grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.
Finality of Judgment and Penalty Recomputation Under RA 10951: Insights from Aguinaldo v. People
A Supreme Court ruling explains when final judgments may be modified and how RA 10951 affects penalties for estafa.
Navigating Fraud in Land Patent Applications: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when the State can cancel a free patent obtained through fraud, even if the land is no longer public domain.
Understanding Psychological Violence Under RA 9262: Insights From a Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies what constitutes psychological violence under RA 9262, including marital infidelity, hearsay exceptions, and penalties.
Final Judgments and Penalty Correction: Aguinaldo IV v. People Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a final criminal conviction can still be modified, applying RA 10951 to reduce an estafa penalty.
Navigating the Fine Line: Gross Inexcusable Negligence in Public Office
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's acts amount to gross inexcusable negligence under the Anti-Graft Law, using a sequestered corporation case.
Understanding the Right of Redemption for Agricultural Tenants in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified the 180-day period and consignation requirement for agricultural tenants' right of redemption under RA 3844.
Teacher Misconduct and Child Abuse: When Dismissal Is Justified in the Philippines
When does teacher misconduct justify dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of compassionate justice in child abuse cases.
Co-Ownership and Property Rights in the Philippines: The Racho Case on Consent
The Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners may sell inherited property and why consent of all heirs is required before partition.
Due Diligence in Property and Payment Transactions: Lessons from a Landmark Fraud Case
A Supreme Court ruling on ghost repairs shows why due diligence in verifying documents is critical before approving payments or entering transactions.
Navigating Beneficiary Designation in Life Insurance: A Guide for Policyholders
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when beneficiary changes in life insurance take effect, and why insurer internal rules cannot override policy terms.
Direct Contracting and Overpricing in Government Purchases: Lessons from Lee v. Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a governor for direct contracting and overpricing fertilizers, clarifying the limits of this procurement mode.
Understanding Treachery and Eyewitness Identification in Philippine Murder Cases
A murder conviction hinged on eyewitness testimony and treachery. The Supreme Court explains when identification is reliable and how qualifying circumstances must be pleaded.
When Mayors Face Criminal Liability for Unremitted GSIS Contributions
Supreme Court clarifies when municipal mayors can be held criminally liable for failure to remit GSIS premium contributions under RA 8291.
Understanding the Legal Duties of Public Officials in Remitting GSIS Contributions
A mayor's duty to remit GSIS premiums explained through a Supreme Court ruling on criminal liability for non-remittance.
Understanding the Limits of Garnishment in Tax Collection: Insights From the Philippine Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies that impeachment only removes an official from office, not forfeits retirement benefits without judicial conviction.
Understanding Estafa and Falsification: Insights From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A disbarment case clarifies the evidentiary standard for lawyer discipline and the role of a Special Power of Attorney in signing judicial affidavits.
Understanding Apparent Authority: How Corporate Actions Bind Agreements in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a corporation is bound by an officer's acts under the doctrine of apparent authority.
DNA Testing in Paternity Disputes: Supervening Events and Final Judgments in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a supervening event can stop a final DNA testing order in paternity cases.