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.
Solidary Liability in Construction Contracts: When LWUA Shares Responsibility
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when LWUA can be held solidarily liable with water districts for construction contract obligations.
Illegal Dismissal vs. Voluntary Resignation: Proving Your Case in the Philippines
When is a resignation not voluntary? Learn how Philippine courts distinguish illegal dismissal from resignation and who bears the burden of proof.
Finality of Settlement Agreements Barring Future Claims Despite Quasi-Delict Allegations in Seafarer Death Cas
SC rules valid settlement agreements bar seafarers' heirs from filing quasi-delict claims after accepting death benefits.
Constructive Dismissal: When a "Voluntary" Resignation Is Not Voluntary at All
The Supreme Court clarifies when a signed resignation letter is actually constructive dismissal, protecting employees from forced resignations disguised as voluntary acts.
Notarization Rules: When a Notary Public Violates the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice
The Supreme Court defines the strict personal appearance requirement for notarization and the penalties for violating notarial rules.
Rape and the Incapacity to Consent: Protecting the Intellectually Disabled in Philippine Law
Philippine law treats rape as a violation of autonomy, especially when the victim cannot consent due to intellectual disability. This article explains the key ruling.
Voluntary Resignation vs Constructive Dismissal: What Employees Must Prove
The Supreme Court clarifies when a resignation is voluntary and not constructive dismissal, and what evidence employees must present.
Quitclaims and Labor Rights: Can Waivers Extinguish Employer Liability?
When can a quitclaim bar an employee's labor claims? The Supreme Court explains solidary liability and valid waivers in Vigilla v. PCCr.
Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases: Proving Force and Intimidation Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court's acquittal in People v. Lumpayao shows why force, threat, or intimidation must be proven beyond reasonable doubt in rape cases.
When a Guilty Plea Is Not Enough: Proving Murder Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court explains why a guilty plea to a capital offense still requires the prosecution to prove guilt and the precise degree of culpability.
Falsification of Public Documents: When Notarizing False Affidavits Becomes a Crime
A mayor's conviction for notarizing false affidavits of ownership and joint affidavits shows how public officials can be liable for falsification under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code.
Probationary Employment for Teachers: Rights, Limits, and the Manalo Ruling
Learn the rules on probationary employment for private school teachers, including tenure rights, dismissal standards, and the landmark Manalo case.
Protecting Seafarer Rights When Letters of Indemnity Don't Hold Water in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court rules that seafarers' letters of indemnity are void when coerced, upholding illegal dismissal claims and wage protections.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Acquittal in Attempted Murder Based on Insufficient Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquits a school principal of attempted murder, ruling that hearsay and unverified confessions cannot support a conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
Age and Relationship as Essential Proofs for Qualified Rape Conviction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains why minority and relationship must be both alleged and proven before the death penalty for qualified rape can be imposed.
Rape Conviction on Circumstantial Evidence and the Protection of Child Victims in Philippine Courts
How Philippine courts handle rape convictions based on circumstantial evidence and safeguard child victims in the justice system.
Oral Extrajudicial Confession Alone Cannot Prove Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Supreme Court acquits accused in robbery with homicide case, ruling an uncorroborated oral extrajudicial confession is insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise and Defenseless Victims
Understand treachery in Philippine criminal law through People v. Zeta, where the Supreme Court explains why surprise at the inception of attack matters.
Incestuous Rape: The Gravity of Offenses and Improvident Guilty Pleas in Philippine Law
A father's guilty plea to raping his daughter tests the rules on capital offenses, searching inquiry, and penalties under Philippine law.
Confessions and Constitutional Rights: Ensuring Voluntariness and Competent Counsel in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling on when extrajudicial confessions are admissible, focusing on voluntariness and the right to competent and independent counsel.
Consensual Encounter vs Rape: Proving Lack of Voluntariness in Sexual Assault Cases
When does a sexual encounter become rape? The Supreme Court explains why consent and voluntariness matter in rape prosecutions.
Retraction of Testimony in Rape Cases: Credibility and the Quest for Justice
How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's credibility and a guilty plea, and why proof of age matters for the death penalty.
Improvident Plea of Guilt in the Philippines: The Searching Inquiry Requirement
A guilty plea in a capital offense requires a searching inquiry. Learn what makes a plea improvident and how courts protect the accused.
Interlocking Confessions and Kidnap Conviction: People v. Dela Torre
Explaining the interlocking confessions rule and how it secured a kidnap-for-ransom conviction in People v. Dela Torre.