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.
Judicial Overreach Defining Jurisdictional Boundaries IN Marriage Solemnization
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies judges' authority in marriage solemnization, ruling on jurisdiction limits and administrative liability.
Privity of Contract in the Philippines: Why Third Parties Are Not Bound by Your Agreement
Learn how privity of contract protects banks and third parties from obligations they never agreed to, explained through the Villalon case.
Tortious Interference in the Philippines: Upholding Contractual Rights in Business Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies tortious interference with contract elements, malice requirement, and attorney's fees in business lease disputes.
Reinstatement vs. Separation Pay: Proportionality in Philippine Labor Law
PAL v. NLRC clarifies when redundancy justifies dismissal and why separation pay, not reinstatement, is the proper remedy.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law (Ushio Marketing Case)
The Ushio Marketing case clarifies the control test for determining employer-employee relationships in Philippine labor law.
Labor-Only Contracting vs. Legitimate Job Contracting: Supreme Court Clarifies Employer Liability
The Supreme Court explains the difference between labor-only contracting and legitimate job contracting, and who bears liability for workers' claims.
Regular vs Casual Employment in the Philippines: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations
Understand the difference between regular and casual employment in the Philippines, and learn how labor-only contracting affects employee rights and employer liability.
Caveat Emptor in Philippine Law: The Fule Case on Buyer Beware in Property and Jewelry Deals
Philippine law applies caveat emptor—buyers must inspect goods before purchase. The Fule case shows how failure to verify authenticity can defeat fraud claims.
Common Carriers and Fortuitous Events: When Is a Carrier Liable for Passenger Injury
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a tire blowout is not a fortuitous event and why common carriers face a presumption of negligence in passenger injury cases.
Probationary Employment in Philippine Schools: Contract Terms and Termination Rights
Understand probationary employment rules in Philippine schools, including contract terms, termination rights, and recent Supreme Court guidance.
Solidary Liability of Recruitment Agencies: Protecting Overseas Filipino Workers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint and solidary liability of recruitment agencies and foreign employers for overseas workers' claims.
Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale: What the Supreme Court Looks At
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling clarifies what makes illegal recruitment "large scale" and why victim testimony alone can secure a conviction.
Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale: Elements and Penalties Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains what makes illegal recruitment "large scale" and why it amounts to economic sabotage.
Void Contracts: When Lack of Consent Invalidates a Sale
A sale by an unauthorized board is void. Learn the consent requirement in Philippine contract law from this Supreme Court ruling.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Are Company Officers Liable for Corporate Debts in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when corporate officers and close corporation stockholders can be held personally liable for separation pay.
Navigating Illegal Recruitment: Understanding Your Rights and Risks in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts define illegal recruitment, the penalties for large-scale offenses, and practical tips to avoid scams.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa in the Philippines: Key Lessons from a Supreme Court Case
Learn how Philippine courts handle illegal recruitment and estafa, and what job seekers must know to avoid scams.
Navigating Illegal Recruitment: Protecting Yourself From Scams and Fraud
The Supreme Court affirms that illegal recruitment in large scale is economic sabotage. Learn how to spot and avoid overseas employment scams.
Employee Transfers: Understanding Employer Rights and Limits in the Philippines
Learn the rules on employee transfers in the Philippines—when employers can validly transfer workers and what limits the law imposes.
Diplomatic Immunity in the Philippines: Protecting International Organizations From Legal Suits
The Supreme Court explains how diplomatic immunity shields international organizations like the Asian Development Bank from local lawsuits, and why courts must respect it.
Judge's Authority in Marriage Solemnization: Jurisdiction and Validity Rules
Learn the jurisdictional limits of judges solemnizing marriages in the Philippines and the mandatory presumptive death proceeding under the Family Code.
Mutuality of Contracts: Why Banks Cannot Unilaterally Change Interest Rates
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why banks cannot unilaterally raise loan interest rates without borrower consent, citing mutuality of contracts.
How Philippine Courts Interpret Lease Agreements and Advance Deposits
Clear lease terms and receipts control contract interpretation. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on advance deposits and rescission.
Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations Doing Business in the Philippines
Philippine courts can assert jurisdiction over foreign corporations doing business locally, even for a single transaction, under Rule 14, Section 14.