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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Ensuring Election Integrity: The Role of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails in Philippine Elections
The Supreme Court clarifies the scope of the VVPAT requirement, digital signatures, and the prohibition on capturing devices in Philippine elections.
Understanding Treachery and Alibi in Philippine Murder Cases: A Deep Dive into Legal Standards and Evidence
The Supreme Court clarifies treachery, conspiracy, and alibi in murder cases, affirming convictions based on credible eyewitness testimony.
Understanding Treachery and Conspiracy in Murder Cases: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A look at how the Supreme Court applied treachery and conspiracy doctrines in a murder conviction, and what this means for criminal cases.
Lawyer Disbarred for Borrowing From Client and Using Fake Title
A Supreme Court ruling shows how a lawyer's loan from a client, fake title, and bounced check led to disbarment.
Service of Summons and Due Process: A Philippine Property Dispute Lesson
The Supreme Court nullified a property ruling because summons was served at the wrong address, violating due process. Learn the rules.
Notarizing With an Expired Commission: A Cautionary Tale for Legal Practitioners
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for notarizing with an expired commission. Learn the rules, the ruling, and the practical takeaways.
Notarial Seal Misuse: Supreme Court Ruling on Lawyer Accountability in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that lawyers cannot escape liability when their notarial seal is misused, even if signatures are forged.
Safeguarding Notarial Seals: A Lesson from a Philippine Supreme Court Case
What happens when a notary's seal is used without authorization? A Supreme Court ruling on a lawyer's administrative liability.
Force and Intimidation in Rape Cases: Lessons from People v. Licaros
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Licaros clarifies how force and intimidation are proven in rape cases, emphasizing the power of a victim's credible testimony.
Boundary Disputes and Court Jurisdiction: Lessons from Palacat v. Heirs of Hontanosas
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies which court hears boundary disputes and when exhaustion of administrative remedies applies in possession cases.
Navigating Labor Disputes: The Importance of Procedural Compliance in Philippine Employment Law
A look at Luces v. Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., where the Supreme Court clarified labor-only contracting rules and the need for procedural compliance.
Reliable Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Rape Cases: People v. Dereco
The Supreme Court affirms a rape conviction based on credible victim testimony, explaining how Philippine courts weigh eyewitness accounts and alibi defenses.
Understanding the Elements of Rape: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the elements of rape under Article 266-A, the importance of the victim's credible testimony, and the limits of charging.
Simple vs Gross Negligence in Public Service: The Trinidad Case
Understanding the fine line between simple and gross negligence in public service through the Supreme Court's ruling in Trinidad v. Ombudsman.
Understanding Heirs' Obligations in Philippine Property Sales: A Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
Learn how a 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies heirs' obligations and foreign will probate requirements in Philippine property sales.
Execution Sales, Cash Payment Rules, and Third-Party Claims in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when failure to pay bid in cash or state third-party claims voids execution sales.
Navigating Land Acquisition Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program: Understanding Jurisdictional Limi
A landowner's challenge to CARP coverage and valuation fails because he used the wrong remedy, missing the deadline to file with the Special Agrarian Court.
Finality of Judgment in Agrarian Cases: Why the Wrong Remedy Can Be Fatal
A landowner who used the wrong remedy in an agrarian compensation dispute lost his case when the PARO decision became final and executory.
Understanding the Nuances of Statutory Rape and Intimidation in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how force, threat, or intimidation defines rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code.
Understanding Trust and Misappropriation in Philippine Estafa Cases: Key Lessons from a Landmark Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies estafa under Article 315(1)(b), explaining trust receipt obligations, demand requirements, and why partial payment does not erase criminal liability.
Proving Illegal Dismissal: The Burden of Substantial Evidence in Philippine Labor Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court defines the employee's burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases, based on the Jarabelo ruling.
Overlapping Land Titles in the Philippines: Priority of Registration and Legal Remedies
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier registered title prevails. Learn the rules and remedies in Philippine property disputes.
Understanding Good Faith in Government Contract Disputes When Public Officers Are Excused From Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when public officers may be excused from liability in government contract disputes involving disallowed disbursements.
Robbery With Rape vs. Separate Offenses: The Barrera Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when robbery with rape applies versus separate robbery and sexual assault charges, and why the distinction matters.