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.
Judicial Clemency for Philippine Lawyers: The Ruiz Case and the Path to Reinstatement
Learn how judicial clemency works for disciplined Philippine lawyers, including the requirements under the CPRA and the landmark Ruiz case.
GCTA Eligibility After Conviction: Guinto v. DOJ Explained
The Supreme Court ruled that the 2019 IRR exceeded R.A. 10592 by excluding heinous crime convicts from GCTA. Here's what it means.
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.
PhilHealth Claims: Supreme Court Protects Healthcare Providers’ Due Process Rights
The Supreme Court ruled PhilHealth violated due process in claims against Quezon City Eye Center, reinforcing procedural fairness in administrative cases.
Citizen Suits and Native Title: What the Maliones Case Means for Philippine Environmental Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that citizen suits protect the environment but cannot resolve native title claims, which belong to the NCIP.
Reassignment Validity Must Precede Ombudsman Oppression Cases, SC Rules
The Supreme Court clarifies that the CSC must first rule on a reassignment's validity before the Ombudsman can hear an oppression charge.
Contract Renewal vs. Extension: Key Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
The Supreme Court clarifies the critical legal difference between renewing and extending a lease, and why precise contract language matters.
Backwages After a Return-to-Work Order: Lessons from ALECO v. ALEO
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when backwages are due after the Labor Secretary assumes jurisdiction over a strike and issues a return-to-work order.
Enforcement of Government Contracts: Recovery Allowed Despite Lack of Funds Certification
Supreme Court allows contractor recovery for government equipment leases despite missing funds certification, citing quantum meruit and equity.
Defining Construction Cost Interest Expenses and Reserved Units in Joint Development Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies what counts as actual construction cost in joint development agreements, excluding interest expenses from the computation.
Res Judicata in Corporate Rehabilitation: Final Judgments Bar Relitigation
Explore how the Supreme Court applied res judicata to bar relitigation of an approved corporate rehabilitation plan, ensuring finality.
Probation Revocation in the Philippines: New Offenses and Due Process
Learn when Philippine courts can revoke probation for a new offense, and what due process requires in revocation proceedings.
Rehabilitation Denied When Financial Realities Override Corporate Rescue
The Supreme Court clarifies when corporate rehabilitation is not available—mere illiquidity qualifies, but irreversible insolvency with speculative plans does not.
When Void Government Contracts Still Get Paid: Quantum Meruit Explained
Philippine Supreme Court explains when contractors can recover payment for void government contracts through quantum meruit, citing DPWH v. Quiwa.
Rehabilitation Petitions Technical Insolvency AND Creditors Rights IN Corporate Recovery
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a technically insolvent corporation may file for rehabilitation and how creditor rights are affected.
Corporate Rehabilitation, Foreclosure, and Judicial Independence: Key Lessons from Rombe Eximtrade
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when courts may issue injunctions against foreclosure after a rehabilitation case is dismissed.
Suspension of Claims Against Corporations Under Rehabilitation: Philippine Law Explained
Learn how corporate rehabilitation suspends all claims, including labor cases, under Philippine law, based on the PAL v. Zamora ruling.
Suspended Sentences for Juvenile Offenders: Limits and Implications in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a juvenile offender cannot get a suspended sentence, even under RA 9344.
Bouncing Checks Under B.P. 22: When a Check Used as Loan Security Still Leads to Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court clarifies that issuing a bouncing check is a crime under B.P. 22, even if the check was only security for a loan.
Prior Convictions and Probation Eligibility in the Philippines: The Pablo Doctrine
A prior conviction in a related case can bar probation under Philippine law. Learn the strict rule from Pablo v. Castillo.