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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Illegal Recruitment Liability of Officers and Principals in the Philippines
Who is criminally and civilly liable for illegal recruitment in the Philippines? Learn how RA 10022 holds agency officers, principals and agents accountable.
Bangsamoro Local Governance Code: What BAA No. 49 Means for BARMM LGUs
The Bangsamoro Local Governance Code of 2023, or BAA No. 49, governs BARMM provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. Here is what it covers.
Manning Agreement Philippines: How Licensed Manning Agencies Work
A manning agreement in the Philippines is the arrangement between a licensed manning agency and a foreign principal for recruiting and placing Filipino seafarers.
Local Business Tax in the Philippines: How LGUs Levy It Under the Local Government Code
Local business tax in the Philippines is levied by cities and municipalities under the Local Government Code. Learn who pays, who collects, and how it works.
BARMM Territory: How Barangays Voted Themselves Into the Bangsamoro Region
How did barangays and municipalities join the BARMM territory? Learn the plebiscite inclusion rules under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
When a Lawyer’s Personal Debt Isn’t Professional Misconduct: Palaganas v. Panganiban
The Supreme Court clarifies that administrative cases against lawyers are for professional misconduct, not debt collection, in Palaganas v. Panganiban.
Vicarious Liability of Schools: When Teachers Answer for Student Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when school principals and teachers are vicariously liable for student acts causing injury to third persons.
Bangsamoro Autonomy: Plebiscite Rights in Creating New Municipalities
The Supreme Court ruled that creating new Bangsamoro municipalities requires a plebiscite in all directly affected political units, not just the new town's barangays.
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.
PAL Aviation Fuel Tax Exemption: Supreme Court Clarifies Importation Rules
Supreme Court affirms PAL's refund for Jet A-1 fuel import taxes, interpreting PD 1590's tax exemption conditions.
Zero-Rated VAT on Manning Services: When a Foreign Principal Is Not "Doing Business" in the Philippines
Supreme Court clarifies when a foreign shipping company receiving manning services from a Philippine agency is not in the Philippines.
Forged Donation Municipality Liable FOR Taking Private Land Without Just Compensation
Supreme Court rules a municipality must pay just compensation when it builds a road on private land under a forged deed of donation.
Forged Signatures and Municipal Liability: Just Compensation for Illegally Constructed Roads
When a municipality builds a road on private land based on a forged deed, the owner may be entitled to just compensation rather than removal of the road.
Balancing Local Autonomy and National Law: The Limits of Municipal Power Over Water Resources
The Supreme Court nullified Batangas City's desalination ordinance, ruling that local governments cannot regulate water resources already governed by national law.
Unmasking Labor Only Contracting Regular Employment Rights Prevail
Supreme Court clarifies labor-only contracting rules, affirming that workers performing core tasks for a principal are regular employees entitled to full protection.
Independent Contractor or Employee? Supreme Court Clarifies Labor-Only Contracting in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a registered contractor is actually labor-only, making the principal the direct employer.
Independent Contractor vs Labor-Only Contracting: Protecting Employee Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when a manpower agency is a labor-only contractor, making the principal the real employer and solidarity liable.
Solidary Liability in Labor Standards: Protecting Employee Wage Claims
When a contractor fails to pay wages, the principal employer can be held solidarily liable. The Supreme Court clarifies the rules.
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.
Challenging Labor Only Contracting: Regular Employment Rights Affirmed
Supreme Court affirms that DOLE registration alone does not prove legitimate job contracting; workers performing principal business tasks are regular employees.
Graft Acquittal: Why Procurement Lapses Alone Do Not Prove Corruption
Supreme Court acquits municipal officials of graft despite procurement lapses, clarifying the strict proof required under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Notarial Disqualifications Familial Relationships AND Contractual Principals
A notary cannot notarize a deed where a relative within the fourth civil degree is a party—even if that relative did not sign.
Prior Physical Possession Decides Forcible Entry Cases: Palajos v. Abad
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on prior physical possession in forcible entry cases and what property owners must prove.
Mutuality of Contracts and Foreclosure Rights in Philippine Loans
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that void interest stipulations do not invalidate foreclosure when the principal debt remains unpaid.