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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Shareholder Rights vs Corporate Autonomy: When Can a Stockholder Intervene in a Corporate Dispute
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when stockholders may intervene in corporate disputes, emphasizing the separate legal personality of corporations.
Rehabilitation Proceedings: The "Serious Financial Situation" Requirement for Corporate Recovery
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the "serious situation test" for corporate rehabilitation petitions under the Interim Rules, citing Pryce Corporation v. Court of Appeals.
When Apparent Authority Binds a Corporation: Lessons from Filipinas Life v. Pedroso
When can a corporation be liable for its agent's unauthorized acts? The Supreme Court explains apparent authority and ratification in Filipinas Life v. Pedroso.
Family Feuds and Corporate Control: Navigating Share Ownership Disputes in Philippine Corporations
The Supreme Court clarifies how Philippine courts resolve family disputes over corporate shares, trusts, and injunctions.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Name Change vs. Corporate Identity in Insurance Claim Execution
When can a judgment be enforced against a corporation that merely shares a name with the judgment debtor? The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between a name change and corporate identity.
Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations and Proper Summons in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when foreign corporations are "doing business" and how summons must be served on them.
Debt-to-Equity Conversions and Stockholder Rights in Sequestered Corporations
The Supreme Court clarifies that ordinary courts lose jurisdiction over disputes involving sequestered corporations, which must be heard by the Sandiganbayan.
Valid Service of Summons: Who Counts as a Corporate Agent in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when service of summons on a corporate employee binds the corporation, using Weena Express v. Rapacon.
Private or Public? COA Audit Authority Over Animal Welfare Societies
When is a corporation created by special law a government entity subject to COA audit? The Supreme Court clarifies the test.
Rehabilitation Proceedings Suspension of Claims Against Corporations
Philippine Airlines v. PALEA clarifies how corporate rehabilitation automatically suspends all claims, including labor disputes, under PD 902-A.
When Can Foreign Corporations Sue in the Philippines? A Guide
Learn when unlicensed foreign corporations can sue in Philippine courts under the Corporation Code and Foreign Investments Act.
Service of Summons on Corporations: When Courts Acquire Jurisdiction
Learn when Philippine courts acquire jurisdiction over a corporation—valid service of summons or voluntary appearance—from Orion Security v. Kalfam.
Perfecting Appeals Timeliness AND Required Documents IN Philippine LAW
Learn the rules on timely appeals and required documents in Philippine law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in National Power Corporation v. Codilla.
Amendment of Pleadings: When Leave of Court Is Required
Learn when Philippine courts require leave of court for amended pleadings, based on the Supreme Court ruling in Maranan v. Manila Banking Corporation.
When Bounced Checks by a Corporation Trigger Forum Shopping Risks
Learn when filing separate civil and criminal cases over bounced corporate checks constitutes forum shopping, and the risks involved.
Director Ousted Understanding Valid Removal OF Corporate Directors IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court explains the valid removal of corporate directors and officers under the Corporation Code, and the required vote.
Right of Way and Fair Compensation: When Attorney's Fees and Exemplary Damages Are Not Warranted
The Supreme Court clarifies when attorney's fees and exemplary damages may be awarded, reversing an award against Petron Corporation in a property dispute.
Suspension of Claims Against Corporations Under Rehabilitation: Philippine Law Explained
Learn how corporate rehabilitation suspends all claims, including labor cases, under Philippine law, based on the PAL v. Zamora ruling.
Regular Employment Status and Labor-Only Contracting: The San Miguel Corporation Case
Learn how the Supreme Court protected a worker's regular employment status against labor-only contracting schemes in San Miguel Corporation v. NLRC.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Holding Parent Companies Liable for Labor Violations in the Philippines
When can a corporation be held liable for another entity's labor violations? The Supreme Court explains the doctrine of piercing the corporate veil.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction: Defining Government-Owned Corporations and Official Authority in Graft Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court defined government-owned corporations and official authority for Sandiganbayan jurisdiction in graft cases.
MCIT Grace Period for Reopened Banks: The Manila Banking Corporation Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies when a bank that reopens after receivership starts its four-year MCIT grace period under the Tax Code.
Corporate Authority and Debt: When a Corporation Is Not Liable for Its President’s Loan
A corporation is not liable for a president’s personal loan unless authorized or ratified. Learn the rules from a 2006 Supreme Court case.
Quorum in Nonstock Corporations: Counting Only Living Voting Members
Supreme Court ruling on quorum in nonstock corporations—dead members excluded, only living voting members count.