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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Letters of Credit and Attorney-in-Fact Duties: Land Bank's Dual Role Explained
Supreme Court clarifies a bank's limited role under letters of credit versus its fiduciary duties as attorney-in-fact in export collections.
When a Judge's Private Letter Undermines Judicial Impartiality
Supreme Court reprimands a judge for writing university officials about his wife's cases, violating judicial conduct rules on impartiality.
When a Judge Writes a Letter: Judicial Conduct and the Appearance of Impropriety
A judge's letter to university officials about his wife's criminal cases led to a reprimand. Learn the limits of judicial conduct.
When a Judge's Private Act Crosses the Line: Lessons from Perez v. Costales
A judge's letter to university officials about his wife's cases was reprimanded for impropriety. Learn the boundaries of judicial conduct.
Indispensable Parties in Property Disputes: Why Complete Adjudication Matters
The Supreme Court explains why all indispensable parties must be joined in property cases, or the entire case fails.
Letters of Credit and Construction Contracts: Defining Liability in Tripartite Agreements
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bank is liable under a tripartite letter of credit agreement in construction financing.
Notarial Negligence: A Lawyer's Duty to Supervise and the Risks of Delegating Notarial Functions
The Supreme Court suspended a notary public for letting office secretaries handle his notarial duties, underscoring a lawyer's personal responsibility over notarization.
Duty to Inform Courts of Address Changes: Lessons from Garrucho v. Court of Appeals
When a party and counsel fail to notify courts of address changes, service is deemed complete—and appeals may be lost. Learn the rules.
Self-Defense Claims Fail When Evidence Shows Accused Was the Aggressor
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when incomplete self-defense applies in homicide cases and why the accused's version must be credible.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: When a Resignation Letter Holds Up in Court
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a resignation is truly voluntary and not illegal dismissal, protecting employers who accept resignations in good faith.
Letters OF Credit Upholding Independence IN Contractual Obligations
Novation Requires a Completely New and Valid Agreement: Loan Restructuring Lessons
The Supreme Court clarifies when restructuring a loan creates novation, and how usurious interest rates are treated under Philippine law.
Citizenship Reacquisition Completing Repatriation FOR Elective Office Eligibility
When must a repatriated citizen complete the requirements to run for local office? The Supreme Court explains.
Perfecting Contracts: Consent and the Statute of Frauds in Share Sales
A Supreme Court ruling explains when letters become a binding share sale contract and what the Statute of Frauds requires.
When Eminent Domain Leads to Total Loss: Just Compensation for Uninhabitable Property
When government projects render private property uninhabitable, the taking is deemed complete and full just compensation is due.
Lawyer Suspended for Deceit and Unauthorized Representation in Estate Case
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for six months for deceiving clients into signing an authority that let him file unauthorized estate proceedings.
Probationary Period vs Regular Employment: What Happens When Probation Expires
When a probationary employee completes six months, regularization follows automatically. Mitsubishi Motors v. CPLU explains the rules.
When a Criminal Case Is Acquitted, the Bail Issue Becomes Moot: Lessons from Poblete v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court explains why an acquittal renders a pending bail dispute moot and academic, with practical lessons for litigants and counsel.
Standby Letters of Credit Stand Outside Corporate Rehabilitation Stay Orders
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why standby letters of credit are not covered by rehabilitation stay orders and remain enforceable against issuing banks.
Shabu Sale: The Decisive Role of Consummated Transactions in Drug Cases
Why a completed drug sale, not an arrest, seals a conviction—lessons from a 2004 buy-bust case.
When a Deed of Absolute Sale Governs: Ejectment, Ownership, and the Kasunduan
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts resolve ejectment cases when a seller claims the deed of sale was incomplete, and what the Kasunduan means.
Rescission Rights: When a Buyer's Failure to Pay Lets the Seller Cancel
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a seller may rescind a contract to sell, how installment payments are applied, and why a memorandum is not required for due process.
Battered Woman Syndrome as Defense and Mitigating Circumstance in Parricide
The Genosa ruling explains when battered woman syndrome can mitigate parricide, and why it is not a complete self-defense.
Navigating Libel and Free Speech in Corporate Communications
When is a corporate letter defamatory? The Supreme Court clarifies libel elements and privileged communication in Novicio v. Aggabao.