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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The E-Commerce Act (R.A. 8792) in the Philippines, Explained
Understand R.A. 8792, the Philippine E-Commerce Act: legal recognition of electronic documents, signatures, and contracts under Philippine law.
OFW Employment Contract Philippines: POEA Rules and Standard Terms Explained
Understand the OFW employment contract Philippines POEA rules require, including standard terms, illegal recruitment, and worker protections under Philippine law.
Software License Agreement Philippines: Key Clauses to Include
Learn the key clauses a software license agreement in the Philippines must have, based on Civil Code rules on contracts and obligations.
Job Offer Accepted but Withdrawn Before Start Date: The Aragones Ruling on Perfected Employment Contracts
A job offer accepted is a perfected employment contract. Learn the Supreme Court's ruling in Aragones v. Alltech and what it means for employers and employees.
Unwarranted Benefits Local Officials Liability FOR Illegal Insurance Agreements IN Pagsanjan
Supreme Court clarifies liability under Section 3(e) for mayors and councilors in illegal insurance contracts without public bidding.
Conditional Sale vs. Contract to Sell: A Supreme Court Ruling on Ownership, Breach, and Forum Shopping
The Supreme Court clarifies when a "conditional sale" is really a contract to sell, and warns against forum shopping in property disputes.
CIAC Jurisdiction: When a Contract Is Not a Construction Contract
Supreme Court clarifies CIAC jurisdiction requires an actual construction contract, not merely plans or surveys for future projects.
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.
Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines: Employer Liability and Worker Rights
Understand labor-only contracting in the Philippines, when a principal becomes the true employer, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Presidential Approval Required for PCAB Rules: Cooperative Licensing Case
Supreme Court ruling: PCAB regulations on contractor licensing need presidential approval, protecting construction cooperatives from forced incorporation.
Government Procurement: Contract Splitting, Shopping, and Good Faith Liability
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on contract splitting in government procurement, shopping as an alternative mode, and when officials may be excused from returning disallowed amounts.
Contractor Licensing in the Philippines: PCAB vs. DTI Jurisdiction Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that PCAB, not DTI, has jurisdiction over complaints against unlicensed contractors in the Philippines.
Solidary Liability in Construction Contracts: When LWUA Shares Responsibility
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when LWUA can be held solidarily liable with water districts for construction contract obligations.
Navigating Employment Status: Contract of Service vs Regular Employment in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when workers in government-owned corporations are contract of service workers, not regular employees entitled to security of tenure.
Protecting Installment Buyers Understanding Rescission Rights Under THE Maceda LAW
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict notarial and grace period requirements for canceling installment contracts under the Maceda Law.
Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines: Employer Responsibilities and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies labor-only contracting rules, employer liability, and employee rights in illegal dismissal cases involving contractors.
Independent Contractor vs. Employee: The Control Test in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a "freelancer" is really a regular employee under Philippine labor law, using the control test.
Construction Arbitration: When Non-Signatories Are Bound by Arbitration Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court rules on when non-signatories to a construction contract can be bound by its arbitration clause, clarifying CIAC jurisdiction.
Installment Land Sales in the Philippines: Buyer Rights and Contract Reinstatement
Learn how the Supreme Court protects installment buyers' right to reinstate contracts under the Maceda Law.
Surety Bonds and Arbitration: When Is a Surety Bound by an Arbitration Agreement?
A surety may be bound by an arbitration clause in a construction contract if the bond incorporates that contract by reference.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over Ill-Gotten Wealth and Lease Contract Validity
Supreme Court rules Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over lease contract nullity involving alleged ill-gotten wealth, affirming state ownership of Paoay properties.
One-Year Ban on Appointments for Losing Candidates: Understanding the Restrictions
The Supreme Court clarifies the one-year constitutional ban on appointing losing candidates to government posts, including contractual engagements.
Contract of Sale vs Contract to Sell: What Buyers and Sellers Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between a contract of sale and a contract to sell, and when rescission is proper.
Can a Subcontractor Sue the Project Owner Directly? CIAC Jurisdiction Explained
Subcontractors can claim unpaid amounts from project owners under Article 1729, but the dispute must go through CIAC arbitration, not regular courts.