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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Due Process and the Duties of Counsel: Lessons from Palanca v. Guides
A 2005 Supreme Court ruling shows how the negligence of a lawyer binds the client, and how accepting payments without protest can waive a seller's claims.
Cockfighting Law vs Local Autonomy: Limits on Municipal Power to License Cockpits
The Supreme Court settles how many cockpits a municipality may license, balancing local autonomy against national police power.
Can a Voided Municipality Be Revived? Lessons from Andong, Lanao del Sur
The Supreme Court rules that a municipality voided in Pelaez cannot be revived without legislative action, even if it claims to exist.
Surety vs Guarantor: Understanding Liability in Loan Agreements Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the key difference between a surety and a guarantor, and why a surety cannot invoke defenses meant for the principal debtor.
Judicial Overreach Reining IN Interference With Prosecutorial Discretion
Supreme Court clarifies limits on judicial interference with prosecutorial discretion in dismissing a petition challenging the validity of a municipal creation.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Attempted Murder Based on Insufficient Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a school principal of attempted murder, ruling that hearsay and unverified confessions cannot support a conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
When Is a Company Liable for an Agent's Unauthorized Acts? The Manila Memorial Park Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal is bound by an agent's unauthorized acts, and when third persons must bear the risk.
Security of Tenure vs Political Patronage: Protecting Civil Service Employees From Unlawful Dismissal
When a mayor forced a municipal engineer to resign or transfer, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that civil service security of tenure cannot be sacrificed to political patronage.
Guarantors' Reimbursement Rights When Premature Payment Nullifies Recourse
When a guarantor pays before the debtor's default is established, it may lose the right to reimbursement from the principal debtor.
When Can a Local Government Close a Business? Due Process Limits on Municipal Power
The Supreme Court clarifies that municipalities may regulate businesses through closure only with due process, even when taxes are unpaid.
Detailing Municipal Employees to Courts: Limits of Executive Judge Authority
Supreme Court clarifies when executive judges may detail personnel to courts, and why municipal employees cannot serve as sheriffs.
Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: Liability Even Without Inflicting the Fatal Blow
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that conspirators in robbery with homicide are liable as principals even if they did not inflict the fatal wound.
Court Employee Misconduct: When Drunkenness at Work Means Simple Misconduct
A court aide who showed up drunk at the Palace of Justice was fined P5,000 for simple misconduct. Learn the rules on decorum for judiciary employees.
Municipal Fees on Goods in Transit Are Unlawful: Palma Development Corp. v. Municipality of Malangas
Municipalities cannot impose fees on goods passing through their territory, even if labeled as police surveillance or service fees.
Surety Agreements for Future Debts: Validity Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on suretyship for future debts, continuing guaranty, and surety liability despite principal debtor's rehabilitation.
Judicial Authority and Preliminary Investigations: Balancing Power and Procedure
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that municipal trial court judges may conduct preliminary investigations, and errors in judgment alone do not warrant administrative liability.
Airline Liability: The Ticket-Issuing Carrier Responsible for Your Entire Journey
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: ticket-issuing airlines are principals in contracts of carriage and liable for the acts of partner carriers on any segment.
Control Is Key: Determining Employer-Employee Relationships in Outsourcing Arrangements
The Supreme Court clarifies when a principal employer becomes liable for outsourced workers, emphasizing control over contractual labels.
Ejectment vs Ownership: When Courts Decide Possession in Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that claims of ownership do not strip municipal trial courts of jurisdiction over ejectment cases.
Impartiality Imperative Ensuring Fair Adjudication Through Judicial Conduct
A municipal judge's dismissal of criminal cases due to counsel's absence constitutes gross ignorance of the law, underscoring judicial competence.
Conspiracy and Liability in Robbery with Homicide: Lessons from People v. Tuppal
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how conspiracy makes every participant in a robbery liable for a killing, even the one who did not fire the fatal shot.
Solidary Liability of Co-Principals in Agency: Agent May Collect Full Commission From Any Principal
When co-owners appoint an agent for a common transaction, they are solidarily liable. The agent can collect the full commission from any one of them.
Upholding Contractual Freedom: The Validity of CBA Suspension Agreements in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court upholds a 10-year CBA suspension between PAL and PALEA, affirming that voluntary agreements to suspend collective bargaining are valid exercises of contractual freedom.
Sorsogon Cityhood: Merging Municipalities and the One Subject-One Bill Rule
The Supreme Court upholds the creation of Sorsogon City by merging two municipalities, clarifying the one subject-one bill rule and plebiscite timing.