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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Taxing Transit: LRTA Exemption and the Public Good
The Supreme Court ruled the Light Rail Transit Authority is a government instrumentality exempt from real property tax, resolving conflicting rulings.
Jurisdiction Limits Intestate Courts AND Ownership Disputes IN Estate Proceedings
Estate vs Trustee: Intestate Courts Cannot Decide Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that intestate courts lack jurisdiction to adjudicate ownership of properties claimed by third parties under adverse title.
Circumstantial Evidence and Dying Declarations in Rape-Homicide Convictions
How the Supreme Court upheld a rape-homicide conviction using circumstantial evidence and the victim's dying declaration.
Dismissed Electric Cooperative GM Can't Claim Retirement: NEA Jurisdiction Ruling
Supreme Court affirms NEA's exclusive jurisdiction over electric cooperative GM retirement claims, forfeiting benefits upon valid dismissal.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: Examining the Boundaries of Mitigation in Administrative Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies when mitigating circumstances can—and cannot—reduce the penalty of dismissal for conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Proving Online Abuse: Supreme Court Sets Guidelines on Social Media Authorship in VAWC Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how to prove authorship of abusive social media posts and raises penalties when ICT is used in VAWC offenses.
Falsification of Public Documents and Anti-Graft Liability: The Maasin River Quarrying Case
A vice mayor's conviction for falsifying Sangguniang Bayan minutes and violating the Anti-Graft Law, explaining the legal principles involved.
Annulment of Judgment: Jurisdiction vs. Exercise of Authority in Land Title Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between lack of jurisdiction and excess of jurisdiction in annulment of judgment cases involving land titles.
Tenant Rights vs Landowner Control: Clarifying Agrarian Dispute Jurisdiction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts must refer ejectment cases to the DAR and what the DAR certification must contain.
Challenging Land Titles: Jurisdiction and Collateral Attacks Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may hear challenges to land titles, and when such actions amount to prohibited collateral attacks.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Agrarian Land Disputes and Beneficiary Rights
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over agrarian disputes and farmer-beneficiary rights even after title issuance.
Disbarment for Attorney Misconduct and Negligence in Handling Client Affairs
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for unauthorized representation, conflict of interest, and mishandling client funds in a revival of judgment case.
Standing to Sue: Examining the Boundaries of Judicial Review in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court dismisses a challenge to COMELEC Resolution No. 9371 on PDL voting, reaffirming the strict requisites of judicial review and locus standi.
Graft Acquittal: Why Procurement Lapses Alone Do Not Prove Corruption
Supreme Court acquits municipal officials of graft despite procurement lapses, clarifying the strict proof required under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Death Abates Criminal Liability: Supreme Court Clarifies Extinguishment of Penalties and Civil Obligations
When an accused dies before final conviction, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished. The Supreme Court explains the rule and its exceptions.
Death of Accused Before Final Judgment Extinguishes Criminal Liability
When an accused dies before final judgment, criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto are extinguished. Learn the rule and exceptions.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony in Resolving Conflicts in Homicide Cases
How Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony against denial in homicide cases, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
When a Stabbing Is Homicide, Not Murder: Lessons from Gumawid v. People
The Supreme Court affirms a homicide conviction, explaining how courts weigh eyewitness testimony, denial, and penalty computation under the Revised Penal Code.
When Delay Becomes Inordinate: Ombudsman's Slow Probe Nullifies Graft Indictment
The Supreme Court nullified a graft indictment against Southern Leyte officials, ruling the Ombudsman's 1,370-day preliminary investigation violated their right to speedy disposition.
Protecting Minors: Upholding Conviction in Child Rape Cases Despite Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court affirms a child rape conviction, ruling that minor inconsistencies in a minor victim's testimony do not undermine credibility.
Protecting THE Vulnerable Rape Conviction Upheld Based ON Credible Testimony
Understanding Illegal Recruitment and Estafa Convictions in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts convict illegal recruiters and swindlers, and what proof is needed.
Large Scale Illegal Recruitment Conviction Upheld: Lessons on Appeal Limits
Supreme Court affirms large scale illegal recruitment conviction, raises fine to P5M, and explains why erroneous estafa penalties can no longer be corrected.