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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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 Generosity Becomes Misconduct: Ethical Boundaries for Philippine Lawyers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when public officers face liability for procurement irregularities, and how good faith affects ethical responsibility.
Judges and Business Interests: Navigating Ethical Boundaries in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a judge's private business interest becomes an ethical violation, and what judges must do to stay compliant.
Insanity Defense in Philippine Criminal Law: Defining the Boundaries of Criminal Responsibility
The Supreme Court clarifies when insanity exempts an accused from criminal liability, applying a strict three-way test.
Social Media Conduct and Lawyer Discipline: Ethical Boundaries in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on a lawyer's Facebook post shows how social media conduct can lead to contempt and disciplinary action.
When Does Masturbation in Front of a Minor Constitute Child Abuse Under RA 7610
The Supreme Court clarifies the legal boundaries of child abuse under RA 7610, ruling that mere masturbation in front of a minor without proof of severe psychological harm is not enough for conviction
Ethical Boundaries for Court Personnel: Consequences of Soliciting Fees for Favorable Outcomes
Court stenographer dismissed for gross misconduct after soliciting P248,000 from a litigant, promising to fix an annulment case.
Workplace Sexual Harassment: Defining Boundaries and Protecting Employees in the Philippines
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years over workplace sexual harassment of a junior associate, clarifying professional boundaries.
Upholding Ethical Conduct Attorney Sanctioned for Overreach and Notarial Misconduct
Supreme Court disciplines lawyer for exceeding search warrant limits and notarizing brother's certificate, affirming ethical boundaries.
Accountability in Public Office: Non-Remittance of GSIS Contributions and the Boundaries of Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies when public officials face criminal liability for unremitted GSIS contributions, distinguishing violations of RA 8291 from graft under RA 3019.
Financial Support and VAWC: Defining the Boundaries of Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that mere failure to provide financial support is not enough for criminal liability under RA 9262.
Jurisdictional Boundaries Defining Regulatory Authority Over Gaming Operations in Economic Zones
Supreme Court clarifies limits of judicial courtesy, territorial jurisdiction, and regulatory authority over gaming operations in economic zones.
Protecting Minors: Defining Lascivious Conduct and the Boundaries of Consent
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual acts against minors constitute lascivious conduct under RA 7610, not rape, and how consent is treated.
Moral Turpitude and Public Service: Examining the Boundaries of Mitigation in Administrative Penalties
The Supreme Court clarifies when mitigating circumstances can—and cannot—reduce the penalty of dismissal for conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Defining Municipal Boundaries: The Weight of Evidence in Territorial Disputes
How courts resolve municipal boundary disputes: a look at Bakun v. Sugpon and the role of preponderant evidence.
Standing to Sue: Examining the Boundaries of Judicial Review in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court dismisses a challenge to COMELEC Resolution No. 9371 on PDL voting, reaffirming the strict requisites of judicial review and locus standi.
Corporate Disputes: Navigating Derivative Suits and Jurisdictional Boundaries in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when derivative suits are proper and how jurisdictional boundaries apply in corporate disputes.
Protecting Minors: RA 7610 and the Boundaries of Sexual Abuse
The Supreme Court clarifies when sexual assault of a minor is lascivious conduct under RA 7610, not simple sexual assault.
Contractor or Employer: Defining the Boundaries of Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a contractor is a legitimate job contractor rather than a labor-only contractor, and who is the true employer.
Understanding the Legal Boundaries of Employee Incentives in Government Agencies: Insights from Recent Supreme
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that government agencies, including GOCCs like PhilHealth, must secure presidential approval before granting employee allowances and benefits.
Social Media Ethics for Judges: Lessons from the Atillo Case
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's Facebook photos clarifies the ethical boundaries judges face when using social media in the Philippines.
Navigating Administrative Discipline in Philippine Courts: Understanding the Boundaries of Authority
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the limits of a clerk of court's authority to approve leave applications and the proper framework for disciplining court personnel.
Libel in Media: When News Reporting Crosses Legal Boundaries
The Supreme Court clarifies when news reports become libelous and why denying a motion to quash is not appealable via certiorari.
Salary Increases in GOCCs: Understanding the Legal Boundaries After Small Business Corporation v. COA
The Supreme Court clarifies when salary increases in government-owned corporations violate the EO No. 7 moratorium and who must return disallowed amounts.