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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Reviving Judgments: The Supreme Court on Delayed Execution and Equity
A sheriff's hasty eviction without the required notice is grave abuse of authority, even when enforcing a final judgment.
Chain of Custody Rule in Drug Cases: Why Witnesses Must Be Present at Seizure
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to secure the required witnesses during inventory, reinforcing the chain of custody rule.
Reviving Judgments When Delays Extend the Execution Period Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a final judgment can still be executed by motion beyond five years if the losing party caused the delay.
Sheriff's Duty in Eviction: Three-Day Notice Cannot Be Skipped
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies sheriffs must give three-day notice before enforcing eviction writs, even in immediately executory cases.
Protecting Rights Illegal Drug Possession AND THE Chain OF Custody Rule
The Supreme Court acquits a drug possession accused because police failed to comply with Section 21's witness requirements, reinforcing the chain of custody rule.
Ensuring Swift Justice: The Importance of Timely Case Disposition in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's undue delay in disposing a criminal case underscores why timely case disposition is vital to Philippine justice.
Reasonable Doubt in Administrative Cases: Daquioag v. Ombudsman
In Daquioag v. Ombudsman, the Supreme Court reversed a grave misconduct finding, underscoring that substantial evidence—not mere suspicion—is required in administrative cases.
State Immunity and Construction Disputes: PTRI v. E.A. Ramirez Construction
The Supreme Court clarifies when state agencies can be sued and why construction disputes must go to the CIAC.
Upholding Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Delayed Inventory Does Not Acquit
The Supreme Court clarifies that marking and inventory of seized drugs may be done at the police station, not the arrest site.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence for a Fair Trial
When must drug evidence be marked and inventoried? The Supreme Court clarifies the chain of custody rule in drug cases.
Understanding Conspiracy and Homicide When Threats Turn Deadly
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how circumstantial evidence can prove rape with homicide and why alibi often fails.
Broken Chains: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases Through Strict Evidence Handling
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after finding the warrantless search invalid, reaffirming that a police officer's mere hunch cannot justify a stop and frisk.
Ensuring Justice: The Critical Role of Chain of Custody in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court affirms a drug conviction, clarifying that marking and inventory may be done at the police station, not necessarily at the arrest site.
Sale vs Agency: When Unpaid Vendors Are Not Guilty of Estafa
The Supreme Court clarifies when a failed real estate deal is a breach of contract, not estafa, and why unpaid vendors cannot be criminally liable.
Navigating Tax Exemptions: The Legal Status of Government Instrumentalities in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when government instrumentalities like the LRTA are exempt from real property tax under the Local Government Code.
Upholding State Ownership When Public Land Claims Collide With the Regalian Doctrine
The Supreme Court clarifies that public lands belong to the State unless proven alienable, applying the Regalian doctrine in a school site dispute.
Balancing Confrontation Rights and Due Process in Transnational Crime Investigations
Supreme Court clarifies when courts may interfere with preliminary investigations and how constitutional rights apply in fact-finding probes.
Unreasonable Suspicion Safeguarding Privacy Rights In Stop And Frisk Searches
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect, ruling that a police officer's mere hunch cannot justify a stop and frisk search.
Fixed-Term Contracts vs Security of Tenure: Protecting Employee Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term employment contracts are valid and when they violate an employee's security of tenure under Philippine law.
Constitutional Rights vs Preliminary Investigation: When Evidence Admissibility Matters
Supreme Court clarifies that preliminary investigations cannot be suspended on prejudicial question grounds, and evidence admissibility is for trial, not preliminary inquiry.
When Death Ends a Rape Conviction: The Rule on Death Pending Appeal
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains what happens to rape and lasciviousness convictions when the accused dies before final judgment.
Injunctive Relief Limits in Administrative Cases: The Ombudsman's Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may enjoin Ombudsman decisions in administrative cases, emphasizing limits on injunctive relief.
The High Cost of Good Intentions When Government Employee Incentives Violate the Law
When a state university granted bonuses without legal basis, the Supreme Court ordered full refunds. Learn the rules on government incentives.
Joint Resolutions vs Laws: The Ang Nars Ruling on Salary Grades and Legislative Power
The Supreme Court clarifies that only bills can become laws, not joint resolutions, in a ruling on nurse salary grades.