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.
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Understanding Liability for Disallowed Government Incentives: Insights from a Philippine Supreme Court Case
A Philippine Supreme Court case clarifies when government officials may be held liable for disallowed incentives, and the limits of good faith as a defense.
Navigating Employee Benefits and Disallowance: Understanding the Scope and Limits of Government Health Program
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of government health benefits for GOCC employees, explaining when disallowances apply and who bears liability.
Procedural Pitfalls in Labor Disputes: Lessons from Mariano v. G.V. Florida Transport
A Supreme Court ruling on valid dismissal for serious misconduct but liability for procedural due process lapses, unpaid wages, and 13th month pay.
Regulatory Discretion vs. Criminal Liability: Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of R.A. 11212's expropriation provisions, clarifying the fine line between regulatory discretion and criminal liability.
Limits of University Board Powers: Disallowed Benefits and Good Faith
Supreme Court clarifies when university boards exceed their powers in granting benefits, and when good faith excuses refund liability.
Understanding Conspiracy and Treachery in Philippine Murder Cases: A Landmark Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies how conspiracy and treachery are proven in murder cases, and explains the liability of co-conspirators.
Simple Neglect of Duty by Court Personnel: A Lesson from A.M. No. P-20-4075
When court staff fail to serve an order of release, the consequences can be grave. This ruling clarifies their duty and liability.
Apparent Authority and Employer Liability: When Companies Are Bound by Employees' Acts
When are companies liable for unauthorized employee acts? The Supreme Court explains apparent authority, estoppel, and employer responsibility in Eternal Gardens v. Perlas.
Apparent Authority: When Employers Are Liable for Employees' Acts
The Supreme Court explains when a company cannot deny liability for its employees' unauthorized acts under the doctrine of apparent authority.
Understanding Grave Misconduct: Legal Standards for Public Officials and Lawyers in the Philippines
A look at the Supreme Court's ruling on administrative liability, the burden of proof, and the presumption of regularity in notarized documents.
Good Faith and Misinterpretation in Public Office: A Guide to the Anti-Graft Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public officer's mistaken interpretation of rules negates criminal liability under the Anti-Graft Law.
Undue Delay in Rendering Decisions: When a Judge's Delay Draws Administrative Liability
The Supreme Court fined a judge for undue delay in rendering a decision, clarifying when judicial delay becomes administratively actionable.
Maritime Liability in Vessel Collisions: Fault, Insurance Claims, and the Code of Commerce
When vessels collide, determining liability depends on the cause of action—contract or tort. The Supreme Court clarifies the governing rules.
Public Procurement and the Anti-Graft Law: Lessons from Coloma v. People
A police official's conviction for violating Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 shows how flawed procurement and bad faith lead to graft liability.
Public Bidding Violations and Accountability: Lessons from the QUEDANCOR Swine Program Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when government credit programs fall outside RA 9184's procurement rules, and how administrative liability attaches.
Understanding Administrative Liability in Law Enforcement Raids: Lessons From a Landmark Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when judges face administrative liability for delayed decisions, offering lessons on accountability in the justice system.
Mistaken Authority Is Not Bad Faith: The Villarosa Ruling on Anti-Graft Liability
The Supreme Court acquitted a municipal mayor charged under the Anti-Graft Law, holding that an honest mistake of authority does not amount to evident bad faith.
Understanding Corporate Liability and Piercing the Corporate Veil in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court case explains when corporate officers can be held personally liable and when courts pierce the corporate veil.
Bank Liability for Forged Checks: Protecting Your Accounts in the Philippines
When a bank pays a forged check, it bears the loss. Learn the rules on bank liability and depositor rights.
Rape by Sexual Assault vs Lascivious Conduct: What the Supreme Court Clarified
The High Court clarifies when rape by sexual assault becomes lascivious conduct under RA 7610, and how conspiracy affects liability.
Administrative Liability in Public Procurement: Lessons from the PNP Helicopter Case
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when signing inspection reports in government procurement creates administrative liability for public officers.
Customs Brokers and Cargo Damage Claims: Liability, Insurance, and Subrogation
The Supreme Court clarifies when customs brokers are liable for damaged cargo and why insurers must present the insurance policy to claim subrogation.
Perjury and Bouncing Checks in the Philippines: What Saulo v. People Teaches
Understand perjury and BP 22 bouncing check liability through the Supreme Court's ruling in Saulo v. People.
Understanding Vicarious Liability: When Employers Answer for Employee Negligence
A Supreme Court ruling explains when employers are solidarily liable for employee negligence under Philippine law, using a fatal tricycle accident as the key example.