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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Understanding Corporate Liability and Piercing the Corporate Veil in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court case explains when corporate officers can be held personally liable and when courts pierce the corporate veil.
Understanding Prescription Periods in Property Disputes: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Case
Learn how prescription periods work in property disputes through the Supreme Court's ruling in Selerio v. Bancasan on interrupted timeframes and written contracts.
Understanding Lawyer Misconduct and Ethical Duties in Property Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's misconduct highlights the ethical boundaries court personnel must observe in property disputes.
Lawyer Misconduct: The Duty to Return Client Funds in the Philippines
When a lawyer fails to render service and keeps client money, the Supreme Court imposes suspension and restitution. Learn the rules.
How Lawyers' Dilatory Tactics Can Delay Justice: Lessons from a Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
Six lawyers were disciplined for filing frivolous motions to delay execution of a final judgment. Learn the rules they violated.
Mistaken Authority Is Not Bad Faith: The Villarosa Ruling on Anti-Graft Liability
The Supreme Court acquitted a municipal mayor charged under the Anti-Graft Law, holding that an honest mistake of authority does not amount to evident bad faith.
Understanding Consent and Force in Rape Cases: Insights from Philippine Supreme Court Rulings
A look at how Philippine courts evaluate force, threat, and intimidation in rape cases, and why the "sweetheart defense" rarely succeeds.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Lessons from Land Bank v. Nasser
The Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is computed for agrarian reform lands, emphasizing the landowner's loss, not the taker's gain.
Lawyer-Client Confidentiality: When a Consultation Creates a Binding Duty
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that even unpaid consultations create lawyer-client confidentiality, barring lawyers from representing adverse parties.
Rape Conviction Reduced to Simple Rape When Mental Disability Not Alleged in Information
The Supreme Court explains why a rape conviction was reduced from qualified to simple rape when the victim's mental disability was not alleged in the information.
Understanding Circumstantial Evidence in Robbery With Homicide Cases: Insights From Philippine Supreme Court R
Learn how Philippine courts treat circumstantial evidence in robbery with homicide cases, and what the Supreme Court requires for conviction.
Chain of Custody and the Death of an Accused: Key Lessons from People v. Maylon
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Maylon on chain of custody in drug cases and the effect of an accused's death pending appeal.
Slightest Penetration Rule in Philippine Rape Law: What It Means
Philippine law treats rape as consummated by the slightest penetration, even mere touching of the labia majora. Here's what the Supreme Court ruled.
Execution of Final Agrarian Orders: A Landmark Ruling on Unreasonable Delay
The Supreme Court clarifies when execution of final agrarian orders may proceed despite lapse of periods, and when exhaustion of remedies may be excused.
Fiduciary Rank-and-File Employees: When Job Titles Do Not Bar Labor Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies that fiduciary rank-and-file employees, despite supervisory-sounding titles, remain entitled to labor standards benefits under the Labor Code.
Rape by Sexual Assault vs Lascivious Conduct: What the Supreme Court Clarified
The High Court clarifies when rape by sexual assault becomes lascivious conduct under RA 7610, and how conspiracy affects liability.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When a Pre-Existing Condition Does Not Bar Compensation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer disability benefits, work-relatedness, and pre-existing conditions under the POEA-SEC.
Surety Bonds and Written Principal Agreements: What the Supreme Court Says
When is a written principal agreement required before a surety bond can be enforced? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule in Cellpage v. Solid Guaranty.
Understanding Writ of Possession: Protecting Third-Party Rights in Foreclosure Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a writ of possession is not absolute when a third party adversely possesses foreclosed property.
When a Surety Bond Must Be Honored: Cellpage v. Solid Guaranty Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when a surety is liable despite no written principal contract, and how bank errors affect obligations.
Understanding Illegal Dismissal and Due Process Rights in Philippine Workplaces
The Supreme Court clarifies the twin requirements of substantive and procedural due process in employee termination cases.
Rape vs. Lascivious Conduct: Key Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual acts against minors are rape or lascivious conduct under RA 7610.
Probable Cause in Estafa Cases: Insights from Favis-Velasco v. Gonzales
Learn how the Supreme Court defined probable cause in estafa cases and why solid evidence matters in fraud complaints.
Warrantless Searches and Anonymous Tips: The Sapla Ruling on Police Powers and Privacy Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when police may conduct warrantless vehicle searches and why anonymous tips alone cannot justify intrusive searches.