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.
Notarial Will Philippines Requirements: How to Make a Valid Will
Learn the notarial will Philippines requirements under the Civil Code, including the attestation clause, witnesses, and signing rules for validity.
Software License Agreement Philippines: Key Clauses to Include
Learn the key clauses a software license agreement in the Philippines must have, based on Civil Code rules on contracts and obligations.
Proving Filiation for Inheritance: Delayed Birth Registration in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how delayed birth registrations and other evidence establish filiation for inheritance claims in the Philippines.
SALN Declarations and Judicial Ethics: Lessons from a Judge's Insurance Business Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when judges face liability for owning businesses and why SALN transparency matters for good faith errors.
Judges and Business Interests: Navigating Ethical Boundaries in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a judge's private business interest becomes an ethical violation, and what judges must do to stay compliant.
Large Scale Illegal Recruitment in the Philippines: Economic Sabotage Explained
The Supreme Court affirms life imprisonment for large scale illegal recruitment, an offense involving economic sabotage under Philippine law.
Ghost Employees and Graft Liability: The Supreme Court’s Standard in People v. Reales
The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof in ghost employee corruption cases, protecting honest public officials from wrongful conviction.
Rape Convictions and the Burden of Proving Qualifying Circumstances in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that qualifying circumstances like relationship must be alleged and proven beyond reasonable doubt in rape cases.
Notarial Practice Consequences: Improper Notarization in the Philippines
A lawyer who notarizes a document with a forged signature and without the signatory's presence faces suspension and loss of notarial commission.
Redemption Rights: Can You Redeem Property Without Being the Registered Owner?
Supreme Court clarifies that buyers with unregistered deeds can redeem tax-delinquent property within the one-year period under Section 261 of the Local Government Code.
Ombudsman's Discretion, Due Process, and Probable Cause in Public Funds Misuse Cases
The Supreme Court affirms the Ombudsman's wide discretion in finding probable cause for misuse of public funds, explaining due process limits in preliminary investigations.
When Notarizing Two Deeds for the Same Property Becomes a Lawyer’s Undoing
A lawyer who notarized two deeds of sale for the same property with different amounts was suspended and lost his notarial commission. Here’s why.
Falsification of Public Documents: When Is a Signature Just a Signature
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a signature on public documents constitutes falsification, and the distinction between mere signatures and legal falsification.
Condonation Doctrine: Limits on Administrative Liability for Re-elected Officials
The Supreme Court clarifies the condonation doctrine's scope, applying it only to elected officials re-elected before April 12, 2016.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: When Overseas Job Promises Turn Into Crimes
The Supreme Court clarifies when fake overseas job offers constitute illegal recruitment and estafa, and explains the penalties under Philippine law.
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.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Mismanagement of Court Funds in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's liability for fund mismanagement, tampered receipts, and delayed deposits.
Negligence in Notarization: Lawyers Must Verify Identity to Avoid Malpractice
A notary's failure to verify identity through competent evidence can lead to suspension and loss of notarial commission.
Establishing Filiation: Why Paternity Proof Is Critical in Inheritance Claims
The Supreme Court clarifies that a birth certificate alone cannot prove paternity for inheritance claims unless the alleged father participated in its preparation.
Land Ownership, Citizenship, and Caretaker Claims: Lessons from Morales v. De Guia
A caretaker's long possession of property does not ripen into ownership, and losing Filipino citizenship does not forfeit vested land rights.
Citizenship and Property Rights: Retaining Ownership After Naturalization in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that naturalized citizens retain ownership of property acquired before losing Filipino citizenship, protecting vested property rights.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: Inordinate Delay in Preliminary Investigation Warrants Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies that inordinate delay in preliminary investigation violates the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases, warranting dismissal.
Oral Partition of Inheritance: Proving Verbal Agreements in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when an oral partition of inherited property can override a written extrajudicial settlement, and what evidence is needed.