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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Sale and Leaseback as Disguised Loan: When Financial Leasing Is an Equitable Mortgage
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a sale and leaseback is a disguised loan secured by chattel mortgage, not a true financial lease.
Strike Legality Balancing Workers Rights AND Procedural Compliance IN Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strike legality, workers' rights, and procedural compliance in labor disputes.
Forum Shopping and Due Process in Mortgage Foreclosure: Avoiding Multiple Suits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on forum shopping, due process, and the risks of filing multiple injunction suits in mortgage foreclosure cases.
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy Replaces Force in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, where a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for force and intimidation in securing conviction.
Rape Conviction Upheld on Victim's Credible Testimony Despite Intact Hymen
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on child victim's credible testimony, clarifies that intact hymen does not negate rape.
Timely Execution: A Sheriff's Duty to Report and the Consequences of Delay
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling reminds sheriffs that writs of execution must be returned and reported on time, and that delay carries administrative liability.
Self-Defense Plea Fails When Ambush Claim Is Uncorroborated in Homicide Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense fails and how treachery must be proven in homicide cases.
The Boundaries of Self Defense When Force Becomes Unlawful Aggression in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when self-defense is valid and when force becomes unlawful aggression in criminal cases.
When Constitutional Limits Bar Recovery of Illegally Acquired Property
Philippine Supreme Court explains why an alien who bought land through a Filipino cannot recover the property or his money.
Ejectment Suits: Registered Ownership vs. Co-Ownership Claims in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, registered ownership prevails over co-ownership claims, but only for possession purposes.
Upholding Final Judgments The Limits of Annulment Based on Jurisdictional Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments and limits of jurisdictional challenges in annulment cases.
Tax Refund Limitations: The One-Year Rule for Carry-Over of Excess Income Tax Payments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that excess income tax payments may only be carried over to the immediately succeeding taxable year under the old NIRC.
Airline Passenger Rights: When Rerouting Breaches the Contract of Carriage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when airlines breach carriage contracts by rerouting passengers without consent, and what damages apply.
Certiorari Deadlines: When Does the 60-Day Clock Really Start
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that orders executing final judgments are not appealable, and the 60-day certiorari period cannot revive settled cases.
Judicial Conduct: Errors of Judgment vs Misconduct in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's error is mere error of judgment versus administrative misconduct requiring bad faith.
Land Title Registration: Proving Ownership and Alienability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for land registration: possession since June 12, 1945 and proof the land is alienable public domain.
Upholding Employee Rights: Proving Just Cause for Termination in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer's burden of proof in dismissal cases, explaining just cause requirements and employee rights.
Valid Search Warrants Despite Name Discrepancies and Scope Limits in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when name errors in search warrants are valid and when warrantless car searches are illegal.
Jurisdictional Thresholds for Property Disputes: When Assessed Value Determines the Proper Court
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when property disputes fall under MTC jurisdiction based on assessed value, not the action's caption.
Finality of Judgment: Clarification vs. Modification of Court Orders
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a final judgment may be clarified without violating the doctrine of immutability of judgments.
Easement by Prescription: Why Permissive Use Never Ripens Into a Right-of-Way
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why tolerated use of land cannot create an easement by prescription, and when prescriptive periods for compensation begin.
Landlord Rights Prevail Recovering Possession Despite Ownership Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when tenants cannot appeal denial of new trial and how counsel's errors bind clients.
Bus Holdups and Homicide: Affirming Guilt but Reducing Penalty Due to Procedural Rules
Philippine Supreme Court affirms robbery with homicide conviction but reduces penalty to reclusion perpetua, acquitting co-accused for lack of proof.
Sheriff's Misconduct in Writ Execution: A Lesson in Judicial Integrity
Philippine Supreme Court dismisses sheriff for settling cases and pocketing funds during writ execution, reaffirming strict standards for court officers.