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.
Prejudicial Question in the Philippines: Suspension, Not Dismissal, of Criminal Cases
A prejudicial question suspends, not dismisses, a criminal case. Learn the rule from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
The Prejudicial Question Doctrine: When a Civil Case Outcome Bars Criminal Prosecution
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the prejudicial question doctrine to dismiss falsification charges after a civil case settled the core issue.
Prejudicial Questions in Criminal Cases: The Mathay Ruling on Corporate Share Disputes
When a civil case over corporate shares determines guilt in a criminal case, proceedings must be suspended. The Mathay ruling explained.
Constitutional Rights vs Preliminary Investigation: When Evidence Admissibility Matters
Supreme Court clarifies that preliminary investigations cannot be suspended on prejudicial question grounds, and evidence admissibility is for trial, not preliminary inquiry.
Prejudicial Question Doctrine Resolving Conflicting Land Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified jurisdiction in reversion suits versus annulment of judgment, and what this means for land title disputes.
Trademark Disputes: Unfair Competition and Prejudicial Questions in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when civil trademark cases can suspend criminal prosecutions and how courts review prosecutorial findings on probable cause.
Prejudicial Question and Corporate Authority: When Estafa Proceedings May Be Suspended
Explains when a prejudicial question suspends estafa proceedings, focusing on corporate authority and demand validity under Philippine law.
Intra-Corporate Disputes as Prejudicial Questions in Estafa Cases
When an intra-corporate dispute over officer authority can suspend criminal estafa proceedings, explained through a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.
When Property Appraisal Cannot Delay Foreclosure: Sycamore Ventures v. Metrobank
Supreme Court rules mortgaged property appraisal value is not a prejudicial question that can suspend extrajudicial foreclosure proceedings under Act No. 3135.
Independent Civil Actions and Criminal Liability: Prejudicial Questions in Estafa Cases
When does a civil case suspend a criminal prosecution? The Supreme Court clarifies the prejudicial question rule in estafa cases.
Annulment and Parricide: The Prejudicial Question Rule Explained
When a marriage annulment case can—and cannot—suspend a criminal case for parricide under Philippine law.
When a Judge's Oversight Becomes Judicial Misconduct: The Ty-De Zuzuarregui Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's procedural lapse amounts to grave abuse of discretion, and the rules on prejudicial questions.
Prejudicial Question and Three-Term Limit in Barangay Elections: Monreal v. COMELEC
The Supreme Court explains when a constitutional challenge can suspend disqualification cases and how the three-term limit applies.
Dishonored Checks and Unpaid Debts: Why a Civil Case Does Not Always Stop a Criminal Charge
A civil collection suit does not automatically suspend a criminal case for violation of B.P. Blg. 22. The Supreme Court explains when a prejudicial question exists.
Stockholders' Right to Inspect Corporate Records: When Refusal Becomes a Crime
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on stockholders' inspection rights, prejudicial questions, and criminal liability for refusing access to corporate books.
Falsification of Documents, Probable Cause, and the Limits of DOJ Discretion
The Supreme Court explains when courts may review the DOJ's probable cause findings and what constitutes a prejudicial question.
Prejudicial Question in Philippine Courts: When Civil Cases Suspend Criminal Proceedings
Learn when Philippine courts suspend criminal cases due to prejudicial questions, and why appeal, not certiorari, is the proper remedy.
Prejudicial Question Doctrine Suspension VS Withdrawal OF Criminal Action
Prejudicial Question in Corporate Disputes: Suspending Criminal Cases Explained
When can an intra-corporate dispute suspend a criminal case? The Omictin v. Lagos ruling explains the prejudicial question doctrine.
Prejudicial Question in Philippine Criminal Procedure: Suspends, Not Dismisses, Criminal Cases
Understand the prejudicial question doctrine in Philippine criminal procedure—how it suspends rather than dismisses criminal cases, with key rules.
Dismissal of Action: When Certiorari Is the Proper Remedy in Philippine Courts
Learn when certiorari is the proper remedy in Philippine courts, and why the Ombudsman cannot dismiss a complaint based on a prejudicial question.
Prejudicial Question Doctrine: How Civil Court Rulings Can Halt Graft Cases in the Philippines
Explaining the prejudicial question doctrine in Philippine law and how a civil case ruling can suspend or halt criminal graft proceedings.
Surety Bonds Enforcing Liability Despite Procedural Technicalities
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts may suspend civil cases for prejudicial questions, and how surety obligations remain enforceable.
Criminal VS Civil When A Civil Court Ruling Doesnt Stop A Criminal Trial
A civil court ruling that seems to favor the accused does not automatically stop a criminal prosecution. Learn the rules on prejudicial questions, res judicata, and motion to quash.