法律洞察

Tax Waivers and Faulty Agreements: When Buyers and Sellers Are Bound by Law

A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a developer's unauthorized sale still binds a property owner, and why final judgments are immutable.

MERALCO Rate Case: Supreme Court Upholds ERC’s Shift to Performance-Based Regulation

Supreme Court affirms ERC’s shift to PBR for setting MERALCO rates, barring collateral attacks on administrative regulations.

Speedy Disposition of Cases: Inordinate Delay Violates Constitutional Rights

When the Ombudsman takes too long to investigate, the accused's constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases is violated.

Piercing the Corporate Veil When Labor Rights Trump Corporate Fiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases

When a contractor is a labor-only scheme, the principal becomes the true employer. The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil to protect workers' rights.

Specific Performance vs Rescission: Contractual Remedies Under Philippine Law

The Supreme Court clarifies when specific performance or rescission applies in reciprocal obligations, using a Tagaytay property dispute as guide.

Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal: Proving the Fact of Dismissal First

In illegal dismissal cases, the employee must first prove the fact of dismissal before the employer bears the burden of justifying it.

Protecting Workers: Illegal Dismissal and the Rights of Pakyaw Employees in the Philippines

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that pakyaw workers are regular employees entitled to security of tenure, holiday pay, and service incentive leave pay.

Refusal to Bargain: Protecting Workers' Right to Collective Bargaining in the Philippines

The Supreme Court rules that an employer's refusal to bargain and waiver schemes constitute unfair labor practice under Philippine law.

When a Spouse's Consent Is Missing: Void Mortgages and Conjugal Liability

A mortgage on conjugal property without the other spouse's consent is void, but the loan itself may still bind the family.

Fixed-Term Employment vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure Under the Labor Code

Explaining Oyster Plaza Hotel v. Melivo on when fixed-term and probationary workers become regular employees entitled to security of tenure.

When Family Driver Claims Mask Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Employee Rights in the Philippines

Supreme Court rules that labeling a company driver as a "family driver" cannot defeat illegal dismissal claims and full backwages.

Upholding Notarial Duties Negligence AND Misrepresentation IN Legal Practice

A lawyer's failure to secure notarial paraphernalia and unauthorized court appearances lead to suspension and notarial disqualification.

Dismissal OF Falsification Complaints Probable Cause VS Complainants Presence

Lis Pendens and Ill-Gotten Wealth: Protecting Public Interest Through Property Notices

The Supreme Court reinstates a notice of lis pendens on Marcos property, clarifying how procedural rules serve, not defeat, the recovery of ill-gotten wealth.

Stockholders' Right to Inspect Corporate Records vs. Corporate Injunction: Key Insights from PASAR v. Lim

Explore the Supreme Court's ruling in PASAR v. Lim on why corporations cannot use injunction to block stockholders' inspection rights under Section 74.

Stockholder Inspection Rights Corporations Cannot Enjoin Access Preemptively

Philippine Supreme Court ruling: corporations cannot use injunction to preemptively block stockholders' statutory right to inspect corporate books and records.

When a Right to Top Fails: Severability and Conditional Obligations in Share Sales

A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how severability clauses and conditional obligations determine bidder rights when a preferential right is voided.

When a Case Withdrawal Backfires: The Co It Case on Finality and Justice

The Supreme Court reinstated a withdrawn petition after a promised family reconciliation failed, showing when final judgments may yield to substantial justice.

Upholding Candor and Fairness: Attorney Suspended for Unconscionable Fees and Deceitful Conduct

A lawyer who deceived elderly clients into signing an unfair fee agreement was suspended for five years. Learn the ethical rules on attorney's fees.

Attorney’s Fees and Ethical Conduct: Candor and Fairness in Lawyer-Client Relationships

The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for five years for deceitful fee agreements and unfair dealings with elderly clients, reaffirming ethical duties.

Reinstatement Rights Employers Duty to Reinstate Despite Appeal

Labor Arbiter reinstatement orders are immediately executory. Employers must reinstate or pay wages even while appealing.

Balancing Free Press and Confidentiality When Attorney Discipline Becomes a Public Matter

The Supreme Court clarifies when media reports on confidential lawyer disciplinary cases are protected by press freedom.

Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: How Planning and Presence Establish Guilt

The Supreme Court affirms a conviction for robbery with homicide based on conspiracy, explaining how planning, presence, and post-crime acts prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Reinstatement Orders Are Immediately Executory: What Employers Must Know

A dismissed employee must be reinstated even while appeal is pending; failure to do so means paying accrued wages.