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.
Oral Share Sale Agreements in the Philippines: Enforceability and Remedies After Breach
Learn when oral agreements to sell shares are enforceable in the Philippines, and the remedies available when a seller backs out.
Attorney Misconduct: Handling Client Funds and Accountability in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine lawyers must account for client funds and return unused amounts, based on Supreme Court rulings on attorney discipline.
Navigating Government Procurement: Avoiding Liability in Disallowed Transactions
Learn how the Supreme Court held BAC members liable for flawed procurement, and how to avoid audit disallowances.
Misclassified Employee or Domestic Worker? Key Lessons from Gaspar v. M.I.Y. Real Estate
The Supreme Court clarifies when a worker is a regular employee versus a domestic worker under Philippine law.
Simple Misconduct vs. Grave Misconduct: A Philippine Government Accountability Guide
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between simple and grave misconduct in Aragon-Mabang v. Ombudsman, a landmark 2024 ruling on public officer liability.
Retroactivity of Tax Rulings Clarifying Documentary Stamp Tax on Intercompany Advances
Supreme Court clarifies when tax rulings apply retroactively, affecting documentary stamp tax on intercompany advances and refund claims.
Breach of Public Trust: Dishonesty and Neglect in Handling Court Funds
Supreme Court rules on liability of government officers for disallowed funds, emphasizing good faith and diligence in public service.
Proving Employer-Employee Relationship in Illegal Dismissal Cases
A look at Sermona v. Hacienda Lumboy and the rules on proving employer-employee relationships in illegal dismissal cases in the Philippines.
Breach of Public Trust When Negligence in Procurement Leads to Graft Conviction
Supreme Court affirms graft conviction of DOH supply officer for gross inexcusable negligence in anomalous drug purchases, clarifying liability under RA 3019.
Undue Influence and the Anti-Graft Act: Protecting Public Officers From Unsubstantiated Charges
The Supreme Court clarifies that violating procurement rules alone does not prove graft under Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
Malversation and Falsification: What the Cabarios Acquittal Means for Public Officials
The Supreme Court's Cabarios ruling clarifies the proof needed to convict public officials of malversation and falsification of public documents.
Understanding the Limits of COA Jurisdiction Over Final Court Judgments in Money Claims Against the Government
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when the COA can deny money claims against the government, and when contractors can recover under quantum meruit.
Falsification vs Estafa: Identifying the True Crime in Fraudulent Schemes
The Supreme Court clarifies when falsification of a private document, not estafa, is the proper charge in fraud cases.
Insurance Subrogation: Establishing Insurer's Rights Against Third-Party Carriers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when insurers can recover from carriers via subrogation, and when presenting the insurance policy is required.
Accountability in Public Service: The Duty to Ensure Proper Delivery of Government Resources
Supreme Court affirms conviction of a city official for ghost delivery of equipment under Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft Law.
Burden of Proof in Labor Disputes: Employers Must Substantiate Claims of Payment
Employers who claim they paid workers' wages and benefits must prove it with payroll records. Learn the rule from a 2014 Supreme Court case.
Security of Tenure Prevails: Illegal Dismissal and the Employer's Burden of Proof
When an employer claims abandonment or habitual absenteeism, it bears the burden of proof. This case explains why.
Proving Actual Damages: The Standard for Compensation in Philippine Contract Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the strict standard for proving actual damages in contract disputes, requiring clear and convincing documentary evidence.
Contract Interpretation: Plain Language Prevails Over Extrinsic Evidence
When contract terms are clear, courts must apply them literally. Extrinsic evidence cannot rewrite a written agreement.
Burden of Proof in Labor Cases: Supreme Court Upholds Employee Rights in Wage Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that employers bear the burden of proof in labor standards cases, protecting workers' claims for unpaid wages.
Malversation of Public Funds in the Philippines: When Reimbursement Does Not Erase Liability
Failure to liquidate public funds can lead to malversation conviction even if the amount is later reimbursed. Learn the rules and key lessons from a Supreme Court case.
Technical Malversation in the Philippines: When Is Public Fund Misuse Illegal
The Supreme Court clarifies technical malversation under of the Revised Penal Code and when public fund diversion becomes a crime.
Proof of Payment: Why Vouchers Aren't Receipts Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies why disbursement vouchers are not receipts and what actually proves payment in civil cases.
Expediting Justice: Holding Judges Accountable for Case Delays
The Supreme Court affirms sanctions against a Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice for gross inefficiency, underscoring that judges must decide cases within 90 days.