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.
Gross Negligence of Counsel Can Restore the Right to Appeal in Criminal Cases
When a lawyer's gross negligence and misrepresentations cause a client to lose the right to appeal, the Supreme Court may recall the entry of judgment and reinstate the appeal.
Gross Negligence of Counsel: When Final Convictions Can Be Reopened for Due Process
When a lawyer's gross negligence and lies cost a client the right to appeal, the Supreme Court may recall a final judgment to protect due process.
Illegal Dismissal: Employer Liability After a Prolonged Business Suspension
When a business suspension exceeds six months, employers must validly terminate or recall workers. Learn the rules from a 2023 Supreme Court ruling.
The Condonation Doctrine After Carpio-Morales: Recall Elections and the Cutoff Date
The Supreme Court clarifies when the abandoned condonation doctrine still applies and confirms it covers recall elections.
Recall of Appointments Without Notice and Hearing: Insights from a Landmark CSC Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when the CSC may recall a civil service appointment without prior notice and hearing, and the limits of good faith.
Balancing Procedural Rules and Substantive Justice in Criminal Appeals
The Supreme Court recalls an entry of judgment and reinstates a drug conviction appeal, showing when procedural lapses yield to substantive justice.
Writ of Possession in Philippine Foreclosures: Finality and the Lessons from HH & Co. v. Perlas
Learn when a writ of possession becomes final and executory in Philippine foreclosures, and why courts rarely recall it, based on HH & Co. v. Perlas.
Double Jeopardy and Finality of Acquittal: The Limits of Judicial Recall
A trial court cannot recall a judgment of acquittal to correct an error, even a serious one, without violating the constitutional right against double jeopardy.
When a Final Judgment Can Be Recalled: Void Judgments and Judicial Accountability
A judge who recalled a final and executory judgment was cleared of administrative liability because the judgment was void and its execution would have been unjust.
Overcoming Finality When Courts CAN Correct Void Judgments
When can a final judgment be recalled? This case explains the exceptions to the immutability rule.
COMELEC's Budgetary Discretion and the Limits of Recall Election Funding
The Supreme Court ruled that COMELEC's 2014 budget covered recall elections, rejecting the agency's refusal to proceed for lack of funds.
Employer's Duty to Recall Employees After Six-Month Suspension of Operations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a bona fide suspension of business operations beyond six months makes employee termination illegal unless workers are recalled.
Ejectment Case Recall of Writ of Execution Due to Supervening Event
When can a court recall a writ of execution in an ejectment case? The Supreme Court explains the rule on supervening events.
SEC Jurisdiction Over Stock and Transfer Book Disputes in the Philippines
The Supreme Court ruled that the SEC, not the regular courts, has jurisdiction to recall and cancel a stock and transfer book it erroneously registered.
SEC Jurisdiction Over Stock and Transfer Book Disputes: A Lesson in Regulatory Power
Supreme Court clarifies SEC's regulatory jurisdiction to recall and cancel erroneously registered stock and transfer books, resolving intra-corporate disputes.
Upholding Compromise Agreements: A Pathway to Resolving Disputes in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court recalls a final resolution to approve a compromise agreement, reaffirming that amicable settlements are favored in Philippine law.
Term Limits and Recall Elections: When a Break in Service Allows a Fourth Term
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an involuntary break, like a recall election, resets the three-term limit for local officials.
Recall Resolutions and Timing: Why Official Capacity Matters Under Philippine Election Law
Learn from Afiado v. COMELEC why recall resolutions must target the right office at the right time under the Local Government Code.
Radio Broadcast Permits Maintaining Operations AND Avoiding Frequency Recall
Recall Elections: Defining the Process and Protecting Local Governance Stability
The Supreme Court clarifies when recall elections may be held under the Local Government Code, balancing accountability with stability.
Supremacy of Civil Service Law: Why Government Appointments Must Meet National Standards
The Supreme Court affirms the Civil Service Commission's power to recall appointments that fail to meet national qualification standards, even if approved locally.
Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Courts: Why Imperfect Recall Doesn't Equal Unreliable Evidence
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why minor inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony don't destroy credibility in criminal cases.
Clerk of Court Negligence: Ensuring Accurate Court Records to Prevent Wrongful Arrests
A clerk of court's failure to verify a recalled arrest warrant led to a wrongful arrest, resulting in a severe reprimand and a reminder of record-keeping duties.
When Can a Judge Recall a Warrant of Arrest: Understanding Abuse of Discretion
A Supreme Court ruling explains the three-day notice rule for motions and when a judge commits abuse of discretion in recalling warrants.