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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Corporate Veil and Judgment Execution: Can a Successor Corporation Be Held Liable?
When a judgment debtor's assets pass to another corporation, can the winner enforce the judgment against the successor? The Supreme Court explains.
Protecting Due Process in Administrative Rulings: The Need for Clear Factual and Legal Bases
The Supreme Court nullified an administrative ruling against an electric cooperative GM for lacking clear factual and legal bases, reaffirming due process.
Constructive Dismissal and Contract Ambiguity: Lessons from Esico v. Alphaland
The Supreme Court's ruling in Esico v. Alphaland clarifies constructive dismissal claims and the consequences of ambiguous employment contracts.
Freedom of Expression vs Obscenity: The Limits of Local Ordinances in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when courts may review local anti-obscenity ordinances and why facial challenges face strict limits.
Ancestral Domain Disputes Between Same Indigenous Community: NCIP Jurisdiction Explained
When both parties belong to the same indigenous cultural community, the NCIP—not regular courts—has jurisdiction over ancestral domain disputes.
Constructive Dismissal vs. Just Cause Termination: Key Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies that constructive dismissal and just cause termination are incompatible, reinforcing due process and security of tenure.
Falsification and Misconduct by Court Officials: Lessons from a Clerk of Court's Dismissal
A clerk of court was dismissed for falsely certifying a document and mishandling demolition funds. Learn the rules and consequences.
Understanding the Legal Boundaries of Employee Incentives in Government Agencies: Insights from Recent Supreme
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that government agencies, including GOCCs like PhilHealth, must secure presidential approval before granting employee allowances and benefits.
When a Checklist is Not Enough: Supreme Court Reinstates PNP Officer in "Chopper Scam" Case
Supreme Court clarifies that administrative liability requires proof of intent, not mere involvement in a flawed procurement process.
Self-Defense and Intent to Kill: Understanding the Nuances in Philippine Law
When does self-defense apply in Philippine criminal law? The Supreme Court explains the fine line between justified killing and criminal liability.
Redundancy Dismissal Employers Must Prove Necessity NOT Just Inefficiency
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies redundancy dismissal rules: employers must prove good faith and actual redundancy, not mere inefficiency.
Due Process in Foreclosure: Banks Must Personally Notify Mortgagors
The Supreme Court now requires banks to personally notify mortgagors before extrajudicial foreclosure, reversing decades of precedent under Act No. 3135.
Disbarment for Deceitful Conduct and Disobedience to Court Orders: A Lawyer’s Duty to Uphold Integrity
A lawyer who deceives clients and defies court orders faces disbarment. The Supreme Court imposes a P100,000 fine in lieu of double disbarment.
Tenant's Right to Redeem Land Under LBP Financing and Agrarian Justice
The Supreme Court clarifies that tenant-farmers may redeem land without upfront cash payment when LBP finances the redemption under agrarian law.
Due Process in Local Tax Assessments: Lessons from the National Power Corporation Case
The Supreme Court clarifies that local governments must observe due process in tax assessments, as shown in the National Power Corporation case.
Robbery vs. Direct Bribery: What the Remolano Case Teaches About Due Process
The Supreme Court's Remolano ruling clarifies when extortion is robbery or bribery—and why accurate criminal charges are essential to due process.
Supreme Court Upholds Mandatory SOCE Filing Deadline, Balances Rule of Law with Equity
The Supreme Court ruled COMELEC gravely abused discretion in extending the SOCE filing deadline, but applied the operative fact doctrine.
Falsifying Court Orders: When Court Personnel Betray the Public Trust
A court stenographer who faked an order and certificate of finality to extort money was dismissed. Learn the legal consequences.
Truth and Consequences: False Affidavit Leads to Court Clerk's Suspension
A lawyer who forged a colleague's signature and misrepresented himself in court faces a two-year suspension from practice.
Employee Dismissal in the Philippines: Due Process and Substantial Evidence Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employers must prove just cause with substantial evidence and follow procedural due process when dismissing employees.
New Mayor’s Power to Withdraw Predecessor’s Motion: Berces v. CSC
Can a new mayor withdraw an administrative appeal filed by a predecessor? The Supreme Court clarifies succession, finality, and misconduct rules.
When CLOAs Can Be Cancelled: Due Process and Landowner Retention Rights in CARP
The Supreme Court ruled that CLOAs may be cancelled when landowners' due process and retention rights are violated during CARP implementation.
PhilHealth Personnel as Public Health Workers: The UHC Act's Curative Effect on Benefits
The Supreme Court confirms PhilHealth personnel are public health workers entitled to hazard, subsistence, and laundry allowances under RA 7305.
Serious Misconduct and Due Process in Employment Termination: Key Lessons from a 2021 Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies the standards for serious misconduct and procedural due process in dismissing employees, using a university professor's case.