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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Prescription Periods in Philippine Anti-Graft Cases: When Does the Clock Really Start
Learn how Philippine courts determine when the prescriptive period for anti-graft offenses begins, based on recent Supreme Court rulings.
Navigating Anti-Graft Laws in Philippine Government Transactions: Good Faith and Due Diligence
Learn how Philippine courts apply good faith and due diligence standards in government asset sales under the Anti-Graft Law.
Graft and Corruption in Philippine Law: Lessons from a Falsified Daily Time Record Case
A Supreme Court administrative case shows how falsifying daily time records constitutes dishonesty and graft in Philippine government service.
Mandatory Suspension for Graft Charges: What Bedruz v. Sandiganbayan Teaches Philippine Public Officers
Charged with graft? Philippine law requires suspension from office while trial is pending. Bedruz v. Sandiganbayan explains when and how that suspension applies.
Delayed Budget Undue Injury Ombudsmans Discretion IN Graft Cases
Speedy Disposition vs Public Justice: Balancing Rights in Anti-Graft Cases
Supreme Court clarifies that the right to speedy disposition is flexible and may be waived by silence, especially when public funds are involved.
Graft Case Lessons When Good Faith Defenses Fail Public Officials
A mayor's conviction under Section 3(e) of RA 3019 shows when good faith defenses fail public officials in graft cases.
Expanding Sandiganbayan's Reach: Jurisdiction Over Graft Cases in Government-Owned Corporations
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over officers of government-owned corporations, regardless of how they were created.
Ombudsman’s Power to Appoint vs CSC Rules: The Graft Investigation Officer III Case
The Supreme Court rules that the Ombudsman’s appointees to highly technical positions need not secure CES eligibility to gain permanency.
Pecuniary Interest VS Unlawful Intervention Defining Graft IN Local Governance
Speedy Trial Rights: When One-Day Delay in Graft Appeals Is Excusable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when late appeal filings in criminal cases may be excused to serve substantial justice.
Navigating Anti-Graft Law: The Balance Between Undue Injury and Unwarranted Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies the two modes of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft Law, guiding public officers and prosecutors.
Prescription in Graft Cases: When Does the Clock Really Start Ticking
Learn how Philippine courts determine when the prescriptive period for graft cases begins, based on recent Supreme Court rulings.
Ombudsmans Discretion Evaluating Probable Cause IN Anti Graft Cases
Speedy Trial Rights: How Delays Impact Anti-Graft Cases in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts balance delays in anti-graft cases against the constitutional right to speedy disposition, using the Mendoza-Ong ruling as a guide.
Ombudsman's Discretion in Dismissing Graft Complaints: Samson v. Ombudsman
When can courts overturn the Ombudsman's dismissal of an anti-graft complaint? The Supreme Court explains the limits of judicial review.
When the Ombudsman Dismisses a Graft Complaint: The Limits of Judicial Review
Explore Samson v. Ombudsman, where the Court upheld the Ombudsman's dismissal of a graft complaint for lack of probable cause, clarifying the limits of certiorari and mandamus.
Speedy Disposition vs Public Justice: Balancing Rights in Anti-Graft Cases
The Supreme Court balances the right to speedy disposition against the public's right to justice in anti-graft cases, clarifying when delay may be excused.
Suspension of Public Officials: Fraudulent Acts and the Anti-Graft Law
Explore how the Supreme Court handled a mayor's suspension and reinstatement in an Anti-Graft case, clarifying undue injury under RA 3019.
Challenging Anti-Graft Law: Balancing Due Process and Public Accountability
The Supreme Court upholds Section 5 of RA 3019 against vagueness challenges, clarifying rules on repetitive motions, prescription, and immunity.
Preventive Suspension Applies Regardless of Current Office in Philippine Graft Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that preventive suspension under RA 3019 applies to any office a public officer currently holds, not just the position held when charged.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over City Councilors: The Inding Doctrine on Salary Grades
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Sandiganbayan, not lower courts, has jurisdiction over local officials charged with graft — regardless of salary grade.
Reelection Does Not Erase Criminal Liability for Prior Misconduct
Philippine Supreme Court ruling that reelection condones only administrative liability, not criminal charges under the Anti-Graft law.
Ombudsman's Discretion in Dismissing Graft Complaints: Kara-an v. Office of the Ombudsman
The Supreme Court affirms the Ombudsman's wide discretion in dismissing graft complaints, clarifying the proper remedy and standard of review.