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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Graft and Corruption: Navigating Good Faith in Philippine Government Contracts
The Supreme Court acquits engineers of graft for lack of evident bad faith, but orders restitution for a phantom fence project.
Good Faith Under Scrutiny: When Due Diligence in Property Purchases Falls Short
Buyers of registered land cannot rely solely on a clean title when red flags exist. The Supreme Court explains when a purchaser becomes a buyer in bad faith.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When Can a Seaman Recover Attorney's Fees
The Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer can recover attorney's fees in disability claims, even without employer bad faith.
Government Expropriation and Bad Faith in Land Valuation Disputes
When does flawed land valuation in expropriation become a crime? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of bad faith in government takings.
Trademark Ownership in the Philippines: When Bad Faith Defeats First-to-File
Prior use can defeat a first-to-file trademark application if the applicant acted in bad faith. Learn the rule and its exceptions.
Mortgage IN BAD Faith Banks Duty OF Diligence IN Real Estate Transactions 2
Building in Bad Faith: When a Landowner's Silence Equals Consent
The Supreme Court clarifies when a landowner's silence and inaction can make them a builder in bad faith under Article 453 of the Civil Code.
Breach of Promise to Marry: Good Faith as a Prerequisite for Damages
Philippine Supreme Court rules that a party acting in bad faith cannot recover damages for breach of promise to marry.
Breach of Promise to Marry Not Actionable: Guevarra v. Banach and the Limits of Damages
The Supreme Court clarifies that a breach of promise to marry is not actionable, and a gift given in contemplation of marriage need not be returned when the giver acted in bad faith.
Civil Liability in Government Procurement: Negligence and Bad Faith After Bodo v. COA
Explaining Bodo v. COA on civil liability of government officers for disallowed procurement, including quantum meruit reductions.
Airline Liability for Lost Luggage in the Philippines: The KLM v. Tiongco Case
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on airline liability for lost luggage, damages, and bad faith in KLM v. Tiongco.
Understanding the Burden of Proof in Breach of Warranty Cases: Lessons from a Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies bad faith, solidary liability, and the burden of proof in breach of warranty cases involving defective goods.
Proving Bad Faith and Undue Injury in Graft Cases: The Renales and Roque Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquitted two Navy officers of graft, clarifying what prosecutors must prove beyond reasonable doubt under Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019.
Probable Cause and Specificity: When a Materials Engineer Cannot Be Indicted for Graft
The Supreme Court clarifies that probable cause for graft requires specific facts showing a public officer's bad faith, not mere involvement in a project.
Understanding Property Disputes: The Impact of Bad Faith Construction on Land Ownership Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on bad faith claims in property disputes, mortgage validity, and foreclosure rights under Philippine law.
Evident Bad Faith in Government Contracts: The Sarion Case on Price Escalation
A mayor's approval of price escalation payments without NEDA and GPPB approval led to graft and malversation convictions.
Bank Fraud Liability: Why Due Diligence Goes Beyond Checking the Title
A bank that relies solely on a clean title may still be a mortgagee in bad faith. Learn the due diligence standard from a 2021 Supreme Court ruling.
Understanding Intent and Liability in Estafa and Graft Cases: Lessons from a LRA Employee's Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of an LRA employee for estafa and graft, clarifying the elements of fraud and bad faith.
Understanding Bad Faith in Government Travel: A Guide to Avoiding Anti-Graft Violations
The Supreme Court clarifies what "evident bad faith" means under the Anti-Graft Law in a case involving unauthorized foreign travel.
Presidential Approval and Legal Compliance in Corporate Incentives: PSALM v. COA
Learn from PSALM v. COA why presidential approval is mandatory for GOCC incentives and how bad faith affects liability for disallowed benefits.
Abuse of Rights in Philippine Law: A Case Study on Mortgage and Property Transactions
The Supreme Court clarifies the abuse of rights principle under Article 19, showing when a bank employee's blunt remarks do not amount to bad faith.
Understanding Evident Bad Faith in Graft Cases: Insights from Philippine Jurisprudence
The Supreme Court clarifies the element of evident bad faith in Section 3(e) R.A. 3019 cases and the crucial rule on variance of the mode of commission.
Understanding Bad Faith in Philippine Bigamy Cases: When Can You Claim Damages
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that proving bad faith is essential before damages can be awarded in bigamous marriage cases.
Public Procurement and the Anti-Graft Law: Lessons from Coloma v. People
A police official's conviction for violating Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 shows how flawed procurement and bad faith lead to graft liability.