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.
Sandiganbayan's Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction Over Civil Forfeiture Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that appeals from RTC decisions in civil forfeiture cases under RA 1379 must go to the Sandiganbayan, not the Court of Appeals.
Understanding Fraudulent Property Inclusion Insights From A Landmark Supreme Court Decision
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when ejectment suits fail and why repeated demands don't reset the one-year filing period.
When Holding Two Positions Is Not Grave Misconduct: Espinas v. Ombudsman
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling that holding concurrent public and private bank positions, without corrupt intent, is not automatically grave misconduct.
Navigating Loss of Land Titles: Res Judicata and Your Rights Under Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court applied res judicata to bar a quieting of title claim, and what this means for property owners and heirs in the Philippines.
Alias Writ of Possession: The Limits of Trial Court Authority in Appeal Dismissals
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a trial court may dismiss an appeal, and why orders of execution are not appealable.
Baguio Land Titles Validation Denied for Expanded Areas Despite Prior Resurvey Approval
Supreme Court rules resurvey approval doesn't validate expanded Baguio land titles under PD 1271, requiring strict compliance.
Res Judicata in Estate Proceedings: Teng v. Ting on Re-Litigating Ownership
The Supreme Court in Teng v. Ting bars re-litigating ownership in estate cases once a prior final judgment has settled the issue.
Res Judicata Bars Relitigating Membership Disputes in Corporate Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when res judicata prevents corporations from relitigating membership issues already settled in prior cases.
Res Judicata vs Ownership Claims: Understanding Property Disputes in the Philippines
A forcible entry ruling does not bar a later ownership-based recovery case. Learn the key distinctions from a 2014 Supreme Court decision.
Res Judicata in Corporate Rehabilitation: Final Judgments Bar Relitigation
Explore how the Supreme Court applied res judicata to bar relitigation of an approved corporate rehabilitation plan, ensuring finality.
Finality of Judgments: The Binding Effect of Unchallenged Court Orders
A Supreme Court ruling on how an unchallenged labor decision becomes final, binding, and bars re-litigation of the same issues.
Tolerance and Land Ownership: How Permissive Use Impacts Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how possession by mere tolerance cannot ripen into ownership through prescription or adverse possession.
Wage Deductions VS Post Employment Claims Protecting Employee Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court protects employee rights in wage deductions, labor-only contracting, and illegal dismissal cases under Philippine law.
Norkis Trading v. Buenavista: Labor-Only Contracting and Employer Status
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on labor-only contracting, employer status, and the binding effect of DOLE findings in Norkis Trading v. Buenavista.
SALN Omissions and Simple Negligence in Government Service: The Pleyto Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a public official's failure to disclose a spouse's business interests in the SALN amounts to simple negligence, not dishonesty.
Water Districts as GOCCs: Reaffirming Government Control and Audit Authority
The Supreme Court reaffirms that water districts are government-owned or controlled corporations with special charters, settling tax and audit questions.
Res Judicata and Land Ownership: When a Criminal Ruling Does Not Bind a Civil Case
A criminal conviction for theft does not automatically settle land ownership in a separate civil case. Learn how res judicata applies.
Probate Proceedings and Testamentary Provisions: Balancing Testator Intent with Statutory Limits
A Supreme Court ruling on enforcing a testator's 20-year non-partition directive, balancing testamentary intent against Civil Code limits on indivision.
Res Judicata and Final Judgments: What Torres v. Medina Means for Litigants
The Supreme Court explains when a final judgment bars a new lawsuit, using a foreclosure dispute to illustrate res judicata's elements and limits.
Res Judicata Bars Re-Litigating Security of Tenure in Agrarian Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how final judgments bar re-litigation of security of tenure claims in agrarian disputes.
Res Judicata in Philippine Land Expropriation When Prior Judgments Bar Reversion Claims
Explaining when prior final judgments bar reversion claims in expropriation cases, citing Republic v. Yu (G.R. No. 157557).
Navigating Agrarian Disputes: DARAB Jurisdiction and Tenancy Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when DARAB has jurisdiction over agrarian disputes and what evidence proves tenancy and ownership rights.
Finality of Supreme Court Decisions: Understanding Res Judicata in Philippine Labor Disputes
Learn how the doctrine of res judicata bars relitigation of final labor rulings, with practical guidance for employers and employees.
Res Judicata: The Bar Against Relitigating Claims in Philippine Courts
Understand the doctrine of res judicata in Philippine courts, its requirements, and practical implications for litigants and lawyers.