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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Distinguishing Murder from Kidnapping: Intent to Kill vs Deprivation of Liberty in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the line between murder and kidnapping, focusing on intent to kill versus deprivation of liberty.
Agency and Real Estate Sales: The Necessity of Written Authority
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why an agent's authority to sell land must be in writing, or the sale is void.
Notarial Duties: Judges Must Certify Lack of Lawyers and Remit Fees to Avoid Sanctions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judges acting as notaries public ex officio, their certification duties, and fee remittance requirements.
Rape Conviction Intact Hymen AND THE Nuances OF Attempted VS Consummated Rape Under Philippine LAW
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that an intact hymen does not negate consummated rape, and distinguishes attempted from consummated rape.
Union Registration Validity and Challenges in Philippine Labor Context
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a registered union's legal personality cannot be collaterally attacked in certification election cases.
Retroactive Regular Employment: When Prior Service Counts Toward Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when prior contractual service counts toward regular employment and CBA benefits under labor law.
Mortgage Foreclosure After Full Payment Is Void: PNB v. Court of Appeals
A mortgage foreclosure is void if the loan it secures was already paid. Learn the rules from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
Breach of Contract in Property Sales: Rights, Interest, and Damages Under Philippine Law
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unpaid property sale balances clarifies when nominal damages, attorney's fees, and 12% interest apply.
Conspiracy and Liability in Robbery with Homicide: Lessons from People v. Tuppal
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how conspiracy makes every participant in a robbery liable for a killing, even the one who did not fire the fatal shot.
Rape of a Person with Mental Retardation: Lack of Consent and Legal Implications
Philippine Supreme Court rules sexual intercourse with a mental retardate is rape even without force, as she cannot validly consent.
Waiver of Publication in Foreclosure Sales: Protecting Public Interest Over Private Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court rules parties cannot waive publication requirements in extrajudicial foreclosure sales under Act No. 3135.
Prescription of Penalties: Evasion of Sentence Requires Prior Imprisonment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: prescription of penalty starts only when a convicted person escapes from actual imprisonment, not from hiding.
Prescription of Penalties: Why Actual Imprisonment Matters in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when prescription of penalties begins—only after a convict actually escapes from imprisonment.
Administrative Complaints Against Judges Must Wait for Judicial Remedies to Be Exhausted
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that administrative complaints against judges cannot substitute for available judicial remedies like appeal or certiorari.
Contractual Obligations Upholding Agreed Upon Interest Rates in Construction Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court affirms 2% monthly interest on unpaid construction balance, enforcing contractual stipulations between owner and contractor.
Possession vs Ownership: When Courts Decide Who Owns Property
Philippine Supreme Court explains when unlawful detainer courts may resolve ownership issues and how lessees claim improvements.
Stock Transfer Recording Requirement for Corporate Recognition as Stockholder
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why transfer of shares must be recorded in corporate books before a transferee can compel issuance of stock certificates.
When a Lawyer's Mistake Can Be Excused: Client Rights and Attorney Negligence in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when attorney negligence binds clients, and the exceptions that protect clients from a lawyer's gross mistakes.
Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt of Conspiracy in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that conspiracy must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not inferred from mere presence or flight.
Brokers Entitlement Procuring Cause VS Consummation OF Sale IN Real Estate Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a real estate broker earns commission—procuring cause vs actual sale consummation.
Maintaining Professionalism: Lawyers' Duty to Courteous Conduct
Philippine Supreme Court rules on lawyer discipline for uncivil conduct toward fellow attorneys, citing Canon 8 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Rape and Incest: Minor Testimony Inconsistencies Don't Undermine Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how minor inconsistencies in a rape victim's testimony don't weaken her credibility, and why minority must be proven.
Judicial Efficiency and Prompt Case Resolution: Administrative Liability for Court Delays
Philippine Supreme Court holds judges administratively liable for delayed case resolution, emphasizing speedy disposition as a constitutional right.
Good Faith Purchaser Doctrine Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains how the good faith purchaser doctrine protects buyers who rely on Torrens titles, even when fraud taints the original transfer.