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.
Minimum Guaranteed Fee for Gaming System Administrators: PAGCOR Rules
PAGCOR imposes a Minimum Guaranteed Fee on Gaming System Administrators starting April 2026. Here are the MGF rates, tranches, and payment rules.
Final Pay in the Philippines: What It Includes and the 30-Day Deadline
Final pay in the Philippines must be released within 30 days of separation. Learn what it includes and the rules on payment.
Defective Tax Waivers: Supreme Court Voids BIR Assessment Against Telstar
Supreme Court voids BIR deficiency assessment against Telstar due to defective waivers and lack of demand for payment, reinforcing strict rules on prescriptive periods.
When a Bank's Letter of Guaranty Does Not Bind It to Pay: Planters Development Bank v. Fuerte
The Supreme Court ruled that a letter of guaranty must be read as a whole, and a bank may withhold payment when the collateral title is not clean.
When Can a Bank Apply Your Payment to Another Debt? Supreme Court Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks may apply loan payments to other debts, protecting borrowers from unfair payment application.
When Banks Can't Apply Loan Payments Across Different Debtors: Corporate Veil Rules
Supreme Court clarifies when a bank may apply a borrower's payment to another's debt, and why corporate separateness limits payment application.
When Can a Bank’s Foreclosure Be Annulled? Overpayment and the Duty to Account
The Supreme Court clarifies when a bank’s foreclosure may be annulled due to overpayment or failure to render a full accounting of loan payments.
When Government Transactions Can Be Disallowed: COA's Power Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when COA may disallow government payments and when it oversteps its audit powers in this PhilHealth case.
Supreme Court Clarifies Just Compensation Payment and COA's Role in Expropriation
Final and executory just compensation awards need no prior COA approval; payment is now subject to post-audit only.
Foreclosure Judgments Must State Amount and Payment Period: Lontoc v. Tiglao
A foreclosure judgment must specify the exact amount due and the payment period under Rule 68, Section 2, or it cannot be executed.
Behest Loans in the Philippines: Understanding Anti-Graft Law and Due Diligence
Learn how Philippine courts define behest loans, the role of RA 3019, and why loan repayment does not erase potential graft liability.
Agrarian Reform Land Transfer Ban: What Beneficiaries and Buyers Must Know
Supreme Court clarifies the 10-year ban on selling agrarian reform lands, the void sale rule, and the buyer's right to recover payment.
Expropriation and Just Compensation: Understanding Legal Interest in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the legal interest rates landowners can claim when the government delays payment of just compensation in expropriation cases.
When Silence Isn't Golden: Novation and Debtor Substitution in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a creditor's silence or acceptance of payments amounts to novation and debtor substitution.
Minimum Wage Compliance: Employers Bear the Burden of Proof in Labor Disputes
Employers must prove wage payments in labor disputes. Learn how the Supreme Court applied this rule in a delivery helper's underpayment case.
No COLA on Top of Standardized Pay for Government Employees Post-1989
Supreme Court confirms COLA and amelioration allowance are integrated into standardized salaries under RA 6758; no extra payment allowed.
Enforcing Debt Obligations: Promissory Notes and Checks as Evidence in Sales Transactions
Supreme Court rules promissory notes and dishonored checks can prove a sale and enforce payment, reversing the Court of Appeals.
Disbarment for Dishonesty When Lawyers Exploit Legal Processes
A lawyer who kept a client's payment, forged a receipt, and misled the court was disbarred. Learn the ethical rules breached.
Disbarment for Dishonesty: Lawyer Forged Receipt, Kept Client's Payment
A lawyer was disbarred for forging an acknowledgment receipt and keeping a client's P213,750 judgment payment, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Lawyer Disbarred for Misappropriating Client Funds and Forging Receipts
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for misappropriating client's payment, forging receipts, and deceiving the court in violation of the CPR.
Final CIAC Awards Binding on COA: Supreme Court Limits Audit Body's Review Power
Supreme Court ruling in Sunway Builders v. COA confirms COA cannot modify final CIAC arbitration awards, limiting its role to execution and payment.
Accountability in Public Office: Mayor's Liability for Negligent Fund Disbursement
A mayor's approval of an unappropriated price escalation payment led to malversation and graft convictions, underscoring public officers' duty of diligence.
Supreme Court on BOC Overtime Pay: Shifting Schedule Valid, Ban on Private Payment Void
The Supreme Court ruled on the validity of BOC overtime policies, upholding the 24/7 shifting schedule but voiding the ban on charging private entities before RA 10863.
Trust Receipts and Estafa: Why a Payment Agreement Does Not Erase Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court ruled that a new payment schedule cannot erase criminal liability for trust receipt violations, which are malum prohibitum.