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.
Supreme Court: Direct Petitions to SC Violate Hierarchy of Courts Rule
SC dismisses Palafox petition for bypassing Court of Appeals, reaffirming strict rule on hierarchy of courts in Philippine litigation.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Proving Work-Related Illness Under the POEA Contract
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a seafarer's illness is compensable under the POEA Standard Employment Contract and the burden of proof required.
Timely Intervention and Jurisdictional Limits in Philippine Estate Proceedings
Learn how the Constantino case clarifies intervention rules and probate court limits in Philippine estate proceedings.
Special Administrators in Estate Cases: Residency Matters More Than Citizenship
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that residency, not citizenship, determines who may serve as special administrator in estate proceedings.
Proving Tolerance in Unlawful Detainer: A Landmark Lesson from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proving tolerance in unlawful detainer cases. Learn the key evidence rules for ejectment disputes.
Understanding the Limits of COA Jurisdiction Over Final Court Judgments in Money Claims Against the Government
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the COA can deny money claims against the government, and when contractors can recover under quantum meruit.
The Fiduciary Duty of Banks in Loan Accounting: A Guide to Metrobank v. Cruz
The Supreme Court affirms that banks owe clients a fiduciary duty to keep accurate loan records and render full accounting, beyond any internal retention policy.
Theft by Misappropriation of Found Property: What Philippine Law Requires
Philippine law punishes keeping found property as theft. Learn the finder's duties and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Reasonable Doubt and Acquittal: Inconsistent Testimonies in Philippine Homicide Cases
How inconsistent prosecution testimonies can create reasonable doubt and lead to acquittal in Philippine homicide cases, as shown in Balina v. People.
Understanding Apparent Authority: How Corporate Actions Bind Agreements in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when a corporation is bound by an officer's acts under the doctrine of apparent authority.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: Why Court-Appointed Commissioners Are Mandatory
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that appointing commissioners to determine just compensation in expropriation cases is mandatory, even under RA 8974.
Robbery Under Philippine Law: When Taking and Intent to Gain Are Complete
The Supreme Court in Poquiz v. People clarifies when robbery is consummated—the moment of taking, not recovery. Learn the elements and practical implications.
Notarizing With an Expired Commission: A Cautionary Tale for Legal Practitioners
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for notarizing with an expired commission. Learn the rules, the ruling, and the practical takeaways.
Safeguarding Notarial Seals: A Lesson from a Philippine Supreme Court Case
What happens when a notary's seal is used without authorization? A Supreme Court ruling on a lawyer's administrative liability.
Navigating Employee Dismissal: Just Cause and Procedural Due Process in the Philippines
Learn the two-part test for lawful dismissal in the Philippines—substantive just cause and procedural due process—from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Robbery with Rape and Grave Threats: Key Lessons from People v. Bueza
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how credible testimony can prove robbery with rape and grave threats, even without physical injuries.
Proving Legitimate Filiation: Key to Winning Philippine Inheritance Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in Bernardo v. Fernando clarifies what evidence proves legitimate filiation for inheritance claims.
Understanding the Insanity Defense: Key Insights from a Recent Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A look at how Philippine courts assess insanity as a defense, based on a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that clarified the test for legal insanity.
Lease Renewal vs Extension: Supreme Court Clarifies the Critical Distinction
The Supreme Court clarifies the crucial difference between lease renewal and extension in a dispute over a government property lease.
Moral Ascendancy in Rape Cases: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
A 2020 Supreme Court ruling clarifies how moral ascendancy can replace force or intimidation in rape cases involving relatives.
The Sweetheart Defense in Philippine Rape Cases: What the Supreme Court Teaches Us
The sweetheart defense cannot justify rape. Learn what the Supreme Court ruled and why consent matters in Philippine law.
Mortgage Foreclosure and Prescription in the Philippines: Key Lessons from a Landmark Case
Learn how prescription periods affect mortgage foreclosure in the Philippines, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Active Wood Products v. State Investment House.
Discovery in Criminal Cases: Why Requests for Admission Do Not Apply
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling that requests for admission under Rule 26 apply only to civil cases, not criminal proceedings.
Self-Defense and Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases: Key Insights from a Recent Ruling
Learn how Philippine courts evaluate self-defense claims and treachery in murder cases, based on a recent Supreme Court ruling.