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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When Copies Count: Admissibility of Duplicate Evidence in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when photocopies and duplicates are admissible as evidence under the 2019 Revised Rules on Evidence.
Newly Discovered Evidence in Philippine Courts: The Barraquio Case and Rule 37
Learn the strict requirements for newly discovered evidence under Rule 37 and what the Supreme Court's Barraquio ruling means for litigants.
Simple Misconduct in Philippine Courts: Consequences and Employee Benefits
A judge's office closure during work hours led to simple misconduct liability and clarified rules on benefits eligibility in the judiciary.
Treachery and Confessions: Understanding Murder Convictions in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains how treachery qualifies a killing as murder and when extrajudicial confessions are admissible in Philippine courts.
Child Custody in the Philippines: The Best Interest of the Child Standard
Philippine courts decide child custody disputes by one standard: the child's best interest. Learn the factors, the law, and a landmark 2024 ruling.
Enforcing Foreign Arbitral Awards in the Philippines: The Authentication Requirement
Learn why authenticated arbitration agreements are jurisdictional requirements for enforcing foreign arbitral awards in Philippine courts, as ruled in Manis Shipping.
Protecting Environmental Advocacy: The Limits of SLAPP Suits in Philippine Jurisprudence
Philippine courts define the limits of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), balancing environmental advocacy with the right to protect reputations.
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.
Acquittal Due to Lack of Proof: Examining the Elements of Estafa and Theft in Philippine Law
A look at how Philippine courts distinguish estafa from theft, and why the prosecution must prove every element beyond reasonable doubt.
Property Dispute Jurisdiction: Assessed Value of the Contested Area, Not the Whole Lot
Philippine courts decide property dispute jurisdiction by the assessed value of the specific area in question, not the entire property. Learn the rule.
Final and Executory Judgments: The Doctrine of Immutability in Philippine Courts
Once a judgment becomes final and executory, courts cannot revisit it. Learn the doctrine of immutability, its exceptions, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Homeowners Association Disputes: Jurisdiction and Rights Under Philippine Law
Learn how Philippine courts handle homeowners association disputes, including jurisdiction rules and the proper remedies for aggrieved parties.
Choice of Law Clauses in Cross-Border Contracts: The Standard Chartered Ruling
How Philippine courts resolve conflicting choice-of-law clauses in cross-border contracts, explained through the Standard Chartered Bank v. Philippine Investment Two ruling.
Docket Fees and Class Suits: When Philippine Courts Lack Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies that failure to pay docket fees and improper class suits deprive trial courts of jurisdiction over a case.
Discernment in Juvenile Justice: Key Lessons from CICL XXX vs. People
Understand how Philippine courts determine a minor's discernment and criminal liability, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in CICL XXX vs. People.
Timely Filing of Appeals and the Limits of Procedural Technicalities in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court reminds courts that litigation is not a game of technicalities, reversing the CA's dismissal of an appeal filed on time.
When Can a Foreign Corporation Sue in Philippine Courts? The Monsanto Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when an unlicensed foreign corporation can sue in the Philippines, focusing on transactions through local indentors.
Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Criminal Cases: Proving Guilt Without Eyewitnesses
How Philippine courts use circumstantial evidence to convict in murder and arson cases, explained through the Camarse ruling.
Speedy Justice Delayed: The Right to Timely Disposition in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies when delay violates the right to speedy disposition of cases and why accused persons must timely assert this right.
Proving Filing by Registered Mail: Timely Submission of Pleadings in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court clarifies how to prove the filing date of pleadings sent by registered mail, and why a postmaster's certification may not suffice.
Liberalizing Amendments Safeguarding Justice AND Preventing Delay IN Philippine Courts
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts must liberally allow amended pleadings, balancing justice against procedural delay.
Freeze Orders in the Philippines: Probable Cause and Asset Protection Under AMLA
Learn how Philippine courts protect assets from unjustified freeze orders, and why probable cause is essential under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Foreign Adoption Recognition in the Philippines: What the Yuta Hayashi Case Means
Philippine courts can recognize foreign adoption decrees involving Filipino citizens if proven as fact and not contrary to public policy.
Corporate Officers Held Liable for Customs Fraud Piercing the Corporate Veil
Learn how Philippine courts pierce the corporate veil to hold officers liable for customs fraud, and what this means for corporate governance.