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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Tax Exemption Challenges and the CTA's Exclusive Jurisdiction Over BIR Issuances
Learn why the Court of Tax Appeals, not regional trial courts, has exclusive jurisdiction over tax exemption cases and BIR revenue issuances.
Understanding Jurisdictional Limits in Lease Disputes: A Guide to Security Deposits and Court Competence
The Supreme Court clarifies when lease disputes over security deposits fall under municipal trial courts versus regional trial courts.
Cooperative Officer Dismissal Jurisdiction Lies With Regional Trial Courts NOT Labor Tribunals
Supreme Court clarifies that illegal dismissal cases filed by cooperative officers like general managers are intra-cooperative disputes under RTC jurisdiction.
Revival of Judgment: Why It Must Be Filed with the RTC, Not the Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies that actions to revive a judgment must be filed with the Regional Trial Court, not the Court of Appeals.
Surrender of Title Broadening RTC Jurisdiction in Land Registration Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that Regional Trial Courts, as land registration courts, can hear contentious cases involving surrender of title under PD 1529.
When Can One Court Interfere With Another's Decisions? The Rule on Judicial Non-Interference
The Supreme Court explains why a Regional Trial Court cannot restrain the execution of an Ombudsman's decision in disciplinary cases.
Corporate Officer vs Employee: Who Hears Illegal Dismissal Cases?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when an illegal dismissal case belongs to the Labor Arbiter versus the Regional Trial Court.
RTC Has Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Libel Cases, Even for Public Officers
The Supreme Court clarifies that Regional Trial Courts exclusively handle libel cases, regardless of whether the accused is a public officer.
Jurisdiction Over Arbitral Awards: The Role of Regional Trial Courts in PCHC Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that PCHC rules cannot vest RTCs with jurisdiction to review arbitral awards; proper remedies explained.
Contract Rescission and RTC Jurisdiction: Lessons from Villena v. Payoyo
When rescinding a contract is the primary remedy, the case belongs in the Regional Trial Court—even if the monetary claim is small.
Customs Has Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Seized Vehicles, Not Replevin Courts
The Supreme Court ruled that regional trial courts cannot take custody of goods already seized by the Bureau of Customs through a replevin suit.
Jurisdiction in Unfair Competition Cases: RTC vs MTC Explained
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that Regional Trial Courts, not Metropolitan Trial Courts, have jurisdiction over unfair competition cases under the Intellectual Property Code.
DARAB Contempt Powers: Why Arrest Orders Must Come From Courts
The Supreme Court limits DARAB's contempt power—arrest orders for indirect contempt must come from the Regional Trial Court, not administrative bodies.
Eminent Domain and Jurisdiction: Why Expropriation Cases Belong to Regional Trial Courts
Expropriation suits are incapable of pecuniary estimation, so they belong to regional trial courts regardless of property value. Learn why.
Expropriation Cases Belong to RTCs: Bardillon v. Barangay Masili
Why expropriation suits always belong to regional trial courts, regardless of property value, and what this means for landowners and local governments.
Hold Departure Orders: Why Only Regional Trial Courts Can Issue Them
A judge's unauthorized hold-departure order violated the right to travel. Learn the rules under Supreme Court Circular No. 39-97.
Hold Departure Orders: Why Only Regional Trial Courts Can Issue Them
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that only Regional Trial Courts may issue hold-departure orders, protecting the constitutional right to travel.
Judicial Overreach: When Regular Courts Overstep Labor Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on when regional trial courts overstep jurisdiction by issuing TROs in labor cases, explained for lay readers.
Why Only Regional Trial Courts Can Issue Hold-Departure Orders in Criminal Cases
A judge's reprimand clarifies that only RTCs may issue hold-departure orders, protecting the constitutional right to travel.
Hold Departure Orders: Why Only Regional Trial Courts May Issue Them
A Supreme Court ruling reprimanding a judge clarifies that only Regional Trial Courts may issue hold departure orders in criminal cases.
Philippine Election Law: RTC Jurisdiction Over Election Offenses Despite Lower Penalties
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: Regional Trial Courts keep exclusive jurisdiction over election offenses even if penalties are six years or less.
Why Regional Trial Courts Lack Jurisdiction Over Reckless Imprudence Cases
Learn why the Supreme Court ruled that Regional Trial Courts lack jurisdiction over reckless imprudence cases involving light felonies and property damage.
Why Drug Cases Stay in Regional Trial Courts Even for Small Amounts
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling explains why RTCs keep jurisdiction over drug offenses regardless of the quantity involved or penalty.