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.
Can Creditors Garnish Public Officials' Salaries? Supreme Court Says Yes
Public officials' salaries are not exempt from garnishment absent a specific law, the Supreme Court ruled, clarifying the limits of wage protection.
Revival of Judgment in the Philippines: Who Are Indispensable Parties and When to File
Learn the rules on reviving a final judgment in the Philippines, including indispensable parties and the 10-year prescriptive period.
Newly Discovered Evidence in Philippine Courts: The Barraquio Case and Rule 37
Learn the strict requirements for newly discovered evidence under Rule 37 and what the Supreme Court's Barraquio ruling means for litigants.
Sheriff's Duty of Care: When Neglect in Execution Leads to Dismissal
A sheriff's deviation from Rule 39 execution procedure constitutes simple neglect of duty, warranting dismissal when aggravated by prior offenses.
Sheriff’s Abuse of Authority: Protecting Your Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn the limits of a sheriff’s authority under Rule 39 and how the Supreme Court protects property rights in Ignacio v. Balading.
Execution Pending Appeal in Support Cases: Protecting Women and Children Under RA 9262
The Supreme Court clarifies when support awards in VAWC cases may be executed pending appeal, protecting women and children from economic abuse.
When Death Ends a Case: Exhumation Dispute and the Rules on Party Substitution
A family exhumation dispute ends without a merits ruling after the petitioner dies and heirs decline substitution, clarifying Rule 3, Section 16.
Alias Writs of Execution: When Can a Second Debt Collection Attempt Be Stopped?
Learn the rules on alias writs of execution in the Philippines, the limited grounds to oppose them, and key lessons from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Enforcing a Philippine Judgment: Time Limits, Property Levies, and Revival
Learn the 5-year rule for executing judgments in the Philippines, how to revive a dormant judgment, and what property a sheriff can levy.
Indispensable Parties: Why an Estate Administrator Is Not Always Required in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when an estate administrator is an indispensable party in property disputes, and the limits of raising new issues on appeal.
When a Missing Estate Administrator Does Not Void a Contract Case: Heirs of Manzano v. Kinsonic
The Supreme Court clarifies when the absence of an estate administrator is not fatal to a contract dispute, distinguishing indispensable from necessary parties.
Simple Neglect of Duty: When a Clerk of Court's Caution Crosses the Line
The Supreme Court clarifies when a clerk of court's erroneous reliance on procedural rules amounts to simple neglect of duty, not gross misconduct.
Foreign Adoption Recognition in the Philippines: What the Yuta Hayashi Case Means
Philippine courts can recognize foreign adoption decrees involving Filipino citizens if proven as fact and not contrary to public policy.
Compromise Agreements and Third Party Rights: Protecting Property Interests in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on compromise agreements, third party rights, property interests, and execution of judgments explained in plain language.
Corporate Veil and Judgment Execution: Can a Successor Corporation Be Held Liable?
When a judgment debtor's assets pass to another corporation, can the winner enforce the judgment against the successor? The Supreme Court explains.
New Mayor’s Power to Withdraw Predecessor’s Motion: Berces v. CSC
Can a new mayor withdraw an administrative appeal filed by a predecessor? The Supreme Court clarifies succession, finality, and misconduct rules.
Failure to State vs. Lack of Cause of Action: Key Distinctions in Philippine Property Cases
Learn the crucial difference between failure to state a cause of action and lack of cause of action, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Roa v. Sy.
Foreign Spouses Can File for Marriage Nullity in the Philippines: The Ambrose Ruling
Foreign spouses married in the Philippines have legal standing to file for nullity of marriage, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Ambrose v. Suque-Ambrose.
Seafarer Claims and Agency Transfers: What the Supreme Court Ruled
Learn how agency transfers affect seafarer liability claims, including the original manning agency's continuing responsibility under Philippine law.
Environmental Liability in the Philippines: Lessons from the Bataan Thermal Power Plant Case
The Supreme Court clarifies who bears cleanup liability for toxic wastes under Philippine environmental law, using the Bataan Thermal Power Plant case as a guide.
Employee Dismissal and Due Process: Lessons from the TESDA v. Abragar Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a void judgment in labor cases can be attacked, and why impleading indispensable parties matters.
Indispensable Parties in Labor Cases: Lessons from TESDA v. Abragar
Learn why impleading all indispensable parties is critical in labor disputes, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in TESDA v. Abragar.
Client’s Death and Counsel’s Duty: The 30-Day Notification Rule Under Section 16, Rule 3
A lawyer must notify the court within 30 days of a client’s death and name the legal representatives—or face disciplinary action.
Transferee Pendente Lite in Trademark Assignments: The Sunfire Trading Case
Learn how the Sunfire Trading ruling clarifies that buying a trademark during litigation binds the buyer to the case's outcome.