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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Emergency Powers and Oil Industry Takeovers: Understanding Delegation Limits in the Philippines
The Supreme Court struck down Section 14(e) of the Oil Deregulation Law for invalidly delegating emergency takeover powers. Learn the constitutional limits.
Upholding Traffic Regulations: Valid Delegation of Power and Public Safety
The Supreme Court upholds traffic penalty regulations as valid exercises of delegated legislative power and police power for public safety.
Non-Delegation Doctrine Shields Indigenous Rights in Mining Agreements
Supreme Court voids mining compliance certificate signed under invalid delegation, protecting Mamanwa Tribes' ancestral domain rights.
Falsification and Concealment in Public Office: The Jalandoni Case
The Supreme Court clarifies the thin line between authorized delegation and criminal tampering of public documents by public officers.
Navigating the Legal Boundaries of Government-Owned Corporations: Insights from a Landmark Supreme Court Rulin
The Supreme Court upheld the GOCC Governance Act, clarifying the limits of security of tenure and delegation of powers.
Understanding Accountability in Public Office: Lessons from Judicial Fund Mismanagement
A Supreme Court ruling on court fund shortages shows how public office demands accountability, and why delegation never excuses a clerk of court's duty.
Presidential Authority vs COA: Qualified Political Agency in Government Employee Benefits
Philippine Institute for Development Studies v. COA clarifies the doctrine of qualified political agency and limits on presidential delegation.
Lawyers Must Personally Sign Pleadings: Ethics Rules on Delegating Legal Work
A lawyer who lets a secretary sign pleadings violates legal ethics. The Supreme Court explains why delegation to non-lawyers is prohibited.
Ampatuan v. Puno: The President's Calling-Out Power and State of Emergency
The Supreme Court upheld the President's declaration of a state of emergency in Maguindanao and the delegation of ARMM supervision to the DILG.
Qualified Political Agency and the Limits of Presidential Delegation in Philippine Administrative Law
Explaining the doctrine of qualified political agency and its limits on presidential delegation of powers under Philippine law.
Delegation of Search Warrant Endorsement: Balancing Efficiency and Safeguards in Criminal Investigations
The Supreme Court amends rules to allow law enforcement heads to delegate search warrant endorsements, balancing efficiency with judicial safeguards.
Delegation of Preliminary Investigation: A Judge's Duty and Its Limits
A judge cannot delegate preliminary investigation to court personnel. The Supreme Court explains why in Mago v. Judge Peñalosa-Fermo.
Universal Charge Under EPIRA: Police Power, Not Taxation, Says Supreme Court
The Supreme Court upheld the EPIRA's Universal Charge as a valid police power exaction, not a tax, and found no undue delegation of legislative authority.
Delegation of Authority in Tax Assessments: When a Subordinate's Demand Letter Becomes Final
Learn when a demand letter from a BIR subordinate officer counts as the Commissioner's final decision on a protested tax assessment, and why timing matters.
PAGCOR Franchise Limits, Delegation, and Mootness in Constitutional Challenges
The Supreme Court clarifies PAGCOR cannot delegate its franchise, and explains when constitutional challenges become moot.
Delegation of Power and Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction: Salary Grade Determination for Public Officials
Explaining how DBM salary grade assignments determine Sandiganbayan jurisdiction over public officials, and why such delegation is constitutional.