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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Understanding Sub-Transmission Assets: The EPIRA Impact on Power Line Classification in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies who classifies power lines as transmission or sub-transmission assets under EPIRA, and why it matters.
Understanding the Consequences of Notarial Misconduct in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains the penalties for notarizing documents without a valid commission and other notarial violations.
Seafarers Concealing Pre-Existing Illness: Impact on Disability Benefits Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that a seafarer's concealment of pre-existing illness in the PEME bars disability claims.
Unlawful Detainer vs Accion Publiciana: Key Property Dispute Lessons
Learn how the Supreme Court distinguishes unlawful detainer from accion publiciana, and why forum shopping can void administrative rulings.
Protection Orders and Adult Children: The Estacio v. Estacio Ruling on RA 9262
The Supreme Court clarifies that protection orders under RA 9262 can include adult children used as tools of coercion or harassment.
Consent and Intimidation in Rape Cases: Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court acquitted in a rape case, showing how weak proof of force or intimidation can defeat a criminal charge.
Understanding Backwages and Separation Pay: A Landmark Ruling for Illegally Dismissed Employees in the Philipp
The Supreme Court clarifies how backwages and separation pay are computed for illegally dismissed employees, including guaranteed salary increases.
One Vote, Unequal Weight: Party-List Seat Allocation and Equal Protection in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the party-list seat allocation formula under RA 7941, rejecting claims of vote double-counting and equal protection violations.
Limits of University Board Powers: Disallowed Benefits and Good Faith
Supreme Court clarifies when university boards exceed their powers in granting benefits, and when good faith excuses refund liability.
Eminent Domain for Uninterrupted Electricity: MORE Power vs. PECO Explained
The Supreme Court upholds the constitutionality of expropriating an old franchise holder's distribution system to ensure uninterrupted electricity in Iloilo City.
Understanding Gross Immorality When Personal Conduct Leads to Disbarment in the Philippines
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer-judge for continuing an illicit relationship despite prior warning. Learn the rules on gross immorality.
Regulatory Discretion vs. Criminal Liability: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of R.A. 11212's expropriation provisions, clarifying the fine line between regulatory discretion and criminal liability.
Court Employees and Private Loans: When Public Office Creates a Conflict of Interest
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a court or government employee's private loan becomes an administrative offense, and the proper remedy for dismissed complaints.
Understanding Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases: A Landmark Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies how conspiracy and treachery are proven in murder cases, and explains the liability of co-conspirators.
Positive Identification Prevails Over Alibi in Robbery with Physical Injuries Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why positive identification beats alibi in robbery with physical injuries cases, with practical takeaways.
Grave Misconduct and Personal Loans: When Public Officials Cross Legal Lines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public official's personal loan becomes grave misconduct, and the proper remedy to question Ombudsman dismissals.
Backwages After a Return-to-Work Order: Lessons from ALECO v. ALEO
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when backwages are due after the Labor Secretary assumes jurisdiction over a strike and issues a return-to-work order.
Understanding Inordinate Delay and Your Right to Speedy Disposition of Cases in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts determine inordinate delay in criminal cases, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Quemado v. Sandiganbayan.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse and Lascivious Conduct: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Cas
A 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when acts of lasciviousness against children under 12 are punished under RA 7610 and the Revised Penal Code.
Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service: SC on Inordinate Delay
The Supreme Court clarifies when the period for inordinate delay begins in Ombudsman cases, citing Quemado v. Sandiganbayan.
Seafarers' Disability Claims: The Rule on Non-Appellants and Compassionate Justice
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on seafarers' disability claims, the non-appellant rule, and compassionate financial assistance in Pajares v. North Sea.
Understanding Disability Benefits for Seafarers: Insights from a Supreme Court Ruling on Financial Assistance
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when seafarers get disability benefits versus financial assistance, and why appeals matter.
Seafarer Disability Claims: The Rule on Appeals and Financial Assistance
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when heirs of a deceased seafarer may claim disability benefits and when only financial assistance is due.
When Does Inordinate Delay Begin in Ombudsman Cases? Quemado v. Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court clarifies that fact-finding investigations do not count in computing inordinate delay in Ombudsman cases.