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.
Sheriff's Duty to Properly Handle and Liquidate Funds in Court-Ordered Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies sheriffs must deposit execution expenses with the Clerk of Court, not receive direct payments.
Insurance Subrogation: Establishing Insurer's Rights Against Third-Party Carriers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when insurers can recover from carriers via subrogation, and when presenting the insurance policy is required.
Chain of Custody Imperative: Safeguarding Drug Evidence in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, underscoring that strict compliance with Section 21, RA 9165 is vital to preserve evidence integrity.
Malicious Prosecution: Proving Malice and Bad Faith in Filing Administrative Complaints
Filing an administrative complaint is not automatically malicious prosecution. Learn what Philippine courts require to prove malice and bad faith.
Dismissal for Misconduct: When Employee Disrespect Justifies Termination
Explaining when an employee's disrespectful conduct toward a superior constitutes serious misconduct justifying dismissal under Philippine labor law.
Public Use Prevails Over Private Claims in Road Right-of-Way Dispute
Supreme Court rules that road rights-of-way are public dominion property, and private claimants cannot demand just compensation for land never validly acquired.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Valuing Property at the Time of Taking
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that just compensation for expropriated property is valued at the time of taking, not when the complaint is filed.
Court Employees' Misappropriation of Funds: Administrative Liability and Penalties
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on court employees found guilty of dishonesty and grave misconduct for misappropriating judiciary funds.
SEC Approval Needed to Trade Securities: SC Clarifies Probable Cause in Securities Fraud
Supreme Court clarifies when SEC approval is needed to trade securities and the limits of probable cause review in securities fraud cases.
Upholding Notarial Duties: Consequences for Negligence in Document Notarization
A notary's failure to verify documents and record notarizations leads to commission revocation and disqualification in this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Unauthorized Absences and Dismissal: The Medical Certificate Requirement in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court upheld a dismissal for unauthorized absences, ruling that a vague medical certificate cannot excuse habitual absenteeism.
Judicial Conduct: Moral Integrity and Public Trust in the Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling on dismissing a judge for immorality and gross misconduct, reaffirming that judges must uphold moral integrity.
Judicial Conduct: Moral Standards and Accountability in the Philippine Judiciary
The Supreme Court dismisses a judge for immorality and gross misconduct, reaffirming that judges must uphold the highest moral standards.
Buy-Bust Operations: Entrapment vs Instigation in Illegal Drug Sales
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between entrapment and instigation in buy-bust operations, affirming a drug sale conviction.
Easement Rights and Property Development: Clarifying Limits and Obligations in Construction Projects
Understand how the Supreme Court distinguishes reversion from annulment of titles, and what this means for property owners and developers.
Upholding Client Trust: Attorney Negligence and the Duty to Refund Unearned Fees in the Philippines
A lawyer who neglects a client's case must refund unearned acceptance fees. The Supreme Court explains the rules on attorney negligence and quantum meruit.
Lease Perfection vs Performance: Hilltop Market Case on Conditions and Estoppel
When does a lease begin? The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between conditions for perfection and performance in Hilltop Market.
Separation of Church and State: Civil Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Marital Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that civil courts, not church tribunals, have jurisdiction over petitions for declaration of nullity of marriage.
Supreme Court Dismisses Baseless Complaint Against CA Justice and Lawyer
The Supreme Court dismissed unverified complaints against a Court of Appeals justice and a lawyer, emphasizing the need for substantial evidence in administrative cases.
Upholding Local Authority When Business Permits AND Public Welfare Collide
Supreme Court ruling on when local governments may validly withhold permits and shut down businesses for sanitation violations.
Statutory Rape and Rape by Sexual Assault: Penalties and Damages Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies penalties and damages for statutory rape and rape by sexual assault against minors under Philippine law.
Loss of Trust and Confidence as a Ground for Dismissal: What Employers Must Prove
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust and confidence justifies employee dismissal and what employers must prove.
Protecting Press Freedom: Actual Malice and Libel in Public Interest Reporting
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on actual malice, qualified privilege, and libel in reporting on public officials' conduct.
Forged Signatures and Imprescriptibility in Co-Ownership Property Disputes
Forged deed transfers property by fraud; co-owner in possession can file imprescriptible quieting of title action.