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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Employee vs. Independent Contractor in Real Estate: The Four-Fold Test Explained
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when real estate sales agents are employees or independent contractors, and why the distinction matters.
Navigating Creditable Withholding Tax Disputes in Construction Contracts: Insights from a Landmark Supreme Cou
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when withholding agents may deduct creditable withholding tax and the limits of judicial review of CIAC arbitral awards.
Unlawful Search by Bantay Bayan Operatives Leads to Acquittal in Drug Case
Supreme Court rules Bantay Bayan operatives are state agents for Bill of Rights purposes; warrantless search without lawful arrest invalidates drug evidence.
Liability IN Shipping Pinewood Marine Clarifies Agents Responsibility FOR Cargo Claims
Enforced Disappearance and the Writ of Amparo: Balancing Rights and Remedies
The Burgos case shows how the writ of amparo protects victims of enforced disappearance and holds state agents accountable.
Withholding Agents and Tax Refunds: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities in Philippine Tax Law
When can a withholding agent claim a tax refund? The Supreme Court clarifies the rights and duties of withholding agents in refund claims.
Mission Orders and Firearm Permits: Clarifying the Scope of Authority for NBI Agents
Understand the Supreme Court's ruling on when security guards and agents may bear firearms during election periods without COMELEC permits.
Estafa Liability of Corporate Officers for Actions of Agents in Securities Trading
Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers may be held liable for estafa in securities trading and investment transactions.
Mortgage Validity Good Faith Requirement When Dealing With Agents
Mission Orders and Memorandum Receipts: When They Don't Replace a Firearms License
The Supreme Court clarifies that mission orders and memorandum receipts cannot substitute for a valid firearms license, even for confidential agents.
Law Students as Agents in Inferior Courts: The Cruz v. Mina Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when a law student may appear in inferior courts without lawyer supervision, and the civil aspect of grave threats.
WHO Bears THE Burden Determining Valid TAX Remittance When Agents Fail
Marine Insurance and Agents: When Licenses Are Required in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court rules P&I Clubs need licenses to operate and their local agents need separate licenses.
THE Ship Agents Liability Clarifying Responsibilities FOR Cargo Loss
Court Employees Cannot Act as Insurance Agents: A Lesson in Judicial Ethics
The Supreme Court fined a process server for facilitating bail bonds through a surety company, reaffirming the ban on court employees engaging in insurance activities.
Court Employees Cannot Act as Insurance Agents or Facilitate Bail Bonds
Court personnel are barred from insurance-related work, including referring accused persons to bonding companies, to protect judicial integrity.
Affidavit Ambiguity in Manning Agency Liability: A Philippine Maritime Law Lesson
Philippine Supreme Court rules on how ambiguous affidavits of undertaking by manning agents should be interpreted in maritime claims.
When Agents Exceed Authority Understanding Reimbursement Rights IN Philippine LAW
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on agency, reimbursement rights, and the limits of an agent's authority under civil law.
Trust Receipts Law Liability: When Agents Face Estafa Charges
Learn when corporate agents can face criminal liability for estafa under the Trust Receipts Law, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Ong v. Court of Appeals.
Agents Cannot Acquire Principal's Property: Imprescriptible Action to Recover Trust Property
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an agent's acquisition of the principal's property is void and the action to recover it is imprescriptible.
Written Authority Required for Real Estate Agents: The City-Lite Realty Rule
Under Article 1874 of the Civil Code, an agent selling land must have written authority; otherwise, the sale is void. Learn the rules.
Suing the Right Entity: Why Naming the Correct Defendant Is Crucial in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling explains why suits must name the real party in interest, not its officers or agents.
Understanding Real Party in Interest in Philippine Contract Law: Agents' Rights and Limitations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when agents may sue on contracts made for principals, and the limits of their rights under Civil Code.
When a Confirmed Flight Doesn't Extend Ticket Validity: Cervantes v. PAL
Learn from Cervantes v. PAL: confirming a flight does not extend a ticket's validity, and agents cannot bind the airline beyond their authority.