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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Bangsamoro Local Governance Code: What BAA No. 49 Means for BARMM LGUs
The Bangsamoro Local Governance Code of 2023, or BAA No. 49, governs BARMM provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. Here is what it covers.
Bangsamoro Administrative Code (BAA No. 13): What It Governs
The Bangsamoro Administrative Code or BAA No. 13 prescribes the structure, powers, and procedures of the BARMM government. Here is what it covers.
Bangsamoro General Appropriations Act: How the BARMM Budget Process Works
The Bangsamoro General Appropriations Act funds BARMM's yearly operations. Learn how the regional budget is appropriated, released, and reported.
Bangsamoro Education Code (BAA No. 18): Schools, Teachers, and Regulation
The Bangsamoro Education Code, BAA No. 18, governs schools, madaris, teachers, and learners across the BARMM as a subsystem of the national education system.
Bangsamoro Civil Service Code Appointments: Rules Under BAA No. 17
How appointments work under the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code (BAA No. 17): merit and fitness, eligibility, employment status, and the CSC for BARMM.
Bangsamoro Electoral Code: BAA No. 35 and the BAA No. 88 Amendments
The Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BAA No. 35) governs BARMM parliamentary elections. BAA No. 88 amended its party and sectoral rules.
BARMM Local Taxation: LGU Revenue Powers Under the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code
BARMM local taxation explained: how the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code lets LGUs create revenue sources, levy taxes, and share in national taxes.
BARMM Internal Revenue Share: How the Bangsamoro Share Is Computed
How is the BARMM internal revenue share computed? Learn the 70-30 sharing rule, the five-year transition, and the VAT incremental revenue split.
Doing Business in BARMM: What the Bangsamoro Government Can and Cannot Regulate
Doing business in BARMM? Learn what the Bangsamoro Government can regulate under RA 11054 and what stays with the National Government.
BARMM Territory: How Barangays Voted Themselves Into the Bangsamoro Region
How did barangays and municipalities join the BARMM territory? Learn the plebiscite inclusion rules under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
BARMM Minimum Wage: How the Bangsamoro Regional Wage Order Is Set
How the BARMM minimum wage is set: the Bangsamoro Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board issues a regional wage order fixing daily rates per sector.
ARMM to BARMM Transition: Devolved Powers and What Still Applies
Understand the ARMM to BARMM transition, how devolved powers worked under RA 9054, and which devolution rules still shape Bangsamoro governance today.
ARMM Computerized Election System Pilot Under RA 8046: How Automated Elections Began
The ARMM computerized election system pilot under RA 8046 tested automated voting, counting, and canvassing in the March 1996 ARMM elections.
Psychological Violence and Child Abuse: Defining the Boundaries of Harm Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when repeated abuse becomes psychological violence under RA 9262 and how child sexual abuse is penalized under RA 7610.
When Lawyers Fail Clients: The Sore-Romano Disbarment Case Explained
A lawyer suspended five years for negligence, dishonesty, and IBP defiance—what this means for clients and the legal profession.
Good Faith Defense for Security Guards in Illegal Firearm Possession Cases
Supreme Court acquits security guard who relied on Duty Detail Order, ruling good faith is a valid defense in illegal firearm possession cases.
Bangsamoro Organic Law Upheld: Supreme Court Affirms Autonomy and Self-Determination
The Supreme Court affirms the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, upholding the right to self-determination and the establishment of the BARMM.
Safeguarding Justice: The Judiciary Marshals Act and Its Implementing Rules
The Supreme Court approved the IRR of the Judiciary Marshals Act, creating an armed unit to protect judges and secure the courts.
Res Judicata Bars Repeated Litigation of Attorney Misconduct in the Philippines
Explore how the Supreme Court applied res judicata to bar a second disbarment case against a lawyer for the same misconduct, and the fine imposed for procedural defiance.
Abandonment in Agrarian Leaseholds: What Farmers and Landowners Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies when a farmer's absence amounts to abandonment—and why notarized documents alone cannot end a leasehold.
Forum Shopping in Disbarment Cases: Protecting Government Lawyers Under the CPRA
The Supreme Court dismisses a disbarment case against prosecutors, clarifying rules against "effective forum shopping" under the CPRA.
Disbarment for Bouncing Checks: What Lawyers Must Know About Gross Misconduct
A lawyer was disbarred for issuing worthless checks. Learn the ethical rules, CPRA penalties, and practical lessons for attorneys.
Attorney Disciplinary Action: When Offensive Social Media Posts Lead to Disbarment Risk
Learn how a lawyer's Facebook post accusing the Supreme Court of "judicial tyranny" led to contempt and disciplinary action under the CPRA.
Disbarment for Falsifying Court Documents: Upholding Ethical Standards in the Legal Profession
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for facilitating fake annulment documents, reaffirming that falsifying court records is a serious ethical breach.