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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Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Philippine Corporate Officers Are Personally Liable
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers can be held personally liable for labor claims, explaining the doctrine of piercing the corporate veil.
Protecting Your Property Rights: The Importance of Notice in Title Cancellation Cases
A Supreme Court ruling reminds courts that property owners with annotated interests must be notified before cancellation of title entries.
Judicial Accountability: Why Courts Must Follow Procedure in Capital Cases
Philippine Supreme Court annuls death sentence in rape case, reminding trial courts that guilty pleas in capital offenses require full evidentiary proof.
Self-Defense and Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law: Lessons from People v. Bernal
The Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and conspiracy arises in group attacks, using the Bernal brothers' murder conviction as a guide.
Rape Conviction Based on Victim's Testimony: Understanding Credibility in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a rape conviction can rest solely on the victim's credible testimony, and why force or intimidation is judged from the victim's perspective.
The Alibi Defense Proving Physical Impossibility in Philippine Criminal Law
Learn how Philippine courts test alibi defenses through physical impossibility, using the 1996 Bautista case as a guide.
Land Reform and Jurisdiction: Understanding Agrarian Disputes in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when regular courts, not the DAR, have jurisdiction over agrarian disputes involving land transfer certificates.
Attorney Misconduct Handling Client Funds and Upholding Professional Responsibility
A lawyer who misappropriates client funds, even a small amount, faces suspension. The Supreme Court explains why.
Due Process Rights in Labor Organization Registration: A Philippine Jurisprudence
Explore how the Supreme Court protected due process rights in canceling a labor federation's registration, emphasizing the right to be heard.
Return-to-Work Orders in Philippine Labor Disputes: What Marcopper Teaches Employers
The Supreme Court explains when employers may refuse to accept workers who defy a return-to-work order under Article 263(g) of the Labor Code.
Carnapping With Homicide: Liability and Circumstantial Evidence in Philippine Law
How the Supreme Court upheld a carnapping-with-homicide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, explaining liability rules under RA 6539.
When Does Robbery Become Highway Robbery Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when a street robbery becomes highway robbery under PD 532, and explains attempted robbery with homicide.
Reelection Does Not Condon Prior Misconduct When Removal Is Already Final
Removal becomes final despite refusal to accept service; reelection cannot cure disqualification under Section 40(b) of the Local Government Code.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Understanding Intent and Attack
Learn how Philippine courts define treachery, why it qualifies killing as murder, and what Patrolla v. People teaches about intent and attack.
Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Employer's Burden of Proof and Employee Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court protects overseas Filipino workers from illegal dismissal, emphasizing the employer's burden of proof and due process rights.
Understanding Complex Crime When ONE ACT Leads TO Multiple Felonies IN The Philippines
Learn how Philippine law treats a single act causing multiple felonies, using the robbery-with-homicide ruling in People v. Silan.
Court Personnel Accountability: Handling Fiduciary Funds Under Circular 13-92
Branch clerks of court cannot evade accountability for mishandling fiduciary funds. The Supreme Court clarifies rules on bailbond receipts and deposits.
Judicial Conduct: When a Judge's Off-Bench Behavior Becomes Administrative Liability
A judge's drunken demand that a doctor sign a death certificate violated judicial conduct rules, resulting in a P10,000 fine.
Labor-Only Contracting: When a Supplier of Workers Is Just an Agent of the Employer
Understand labor-only contracting in the Philippines and when a manpower supplier is deemed a mere agent, making the principal employer liable.
Unregistered Land Rights Trump Mortgages: Due Diligence for Banks in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on State Investment House v. CA: banks must inspect property beyond Torrens title or risk losing to unregistered buyers.
Probable Cause and Issuance of Arrest Warrants: The Roberts Case Explained
When must a judge examine records before issuing warrants? The Roberts case clarifies probable cause and arrest warrant rules.
Breach of Contract of Carriage: A Passenger's Right to Damages
When a shipping line sends out an unseaworthy vessel, it breaches its contract of carriage and may be liable for moral and exemplary damages.
Understanding Finality of Judgments and Avoiding Contempt of Court
Learn how the Supreme Court defines finality of judgments and why filing repeated motions can lead to contempt of court.
Breach of Trust in Employment: Proving Dishonesty for Valid Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when loss of trust and confidence justifies employee dismissal, requiring substantial evidence of dishonesty.