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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Rape Conviction Affirmed: Credibility of a Minor Victim's Testimony in Sexual Assault Cases
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction based on a minor's credible testimony, rejecting the sweetheart defense and clarifying force and intimidation requirements.
Reconstitution of Title: Strict Compliance with Notice Requirements for Jurisdiction
Philippine Supreme Court nullifies a title reconstitution for failure to notify the registered owners' heirs, stressing mandatory notice rules.
VAT Refund Claims: Prescriptive Periods and Jurisdictional Requirements Explained
Learn the strict deadlines for VAT refund claims under Section 112 NIRC, including the 120+30 day rule and its exceptions.
Upholding Due Process in Administrative Cases: Impartiality and Fair Procedure
The Supreme Court clarifies due process requirements in administrative cases, emphasizing substantial evidence and the right to an impartial tribunal.
Chain of Custody and Drug Evidence Admissibility in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect over broken chain of custody—explaining marking, inventory, and photo requirements under RA 9165.
Tax Refund vs Tax Credit: Execution Requirements in Local Tax Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a writ of execution is needed for tax refunds or tax credits in local tax disputes.
Seafarers’ Disability Claims: Abandoning Treatment and the POEA-SEC Rules
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability claims, emphasizing the POEA-SEC requirements and the consequences of abandoning treatment.
Relaxing Procedural Rules in the Interest of Justice: Filing Deadlines and Verification Requirements in Philip
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may relax filing deadlines and verification rules, emphasizing substantial justice over technicalities.
Due Process and Technicalities: When Courts Must Decide Cases on the Merits
The Supreme Court reminds courts that procedural rules serve justice, not defeat it, in this ruling on late appeals and verification requirements.
VAT Refund Claims: Strict Deadlines and Invoice Requirements Under Philippine Tax Law
Learn how the Supreme Court's ruling in CIR v. Silicon Philippines clarifies the mandatory 120+30 day prescriptive periods for VAT refund claims and invoice requirements.
Perfecting Land Titles: The Imperative of Proving Possession Since June 12, 1945
Learn the strict requirements for land registration in the Philippines, including proving possession since June 12, 1945, based on a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Defining Corporate Officers Jurisdiction IN Illegal Dismissal Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate officer is a regular employee entitled to security of tenure and the due process requirements in termination.
VAT Refunds: Strict Compliance With the 120+30 Day Rule and Invoicing Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the mandatory 120+30 day rule for VAT refund claims and invoicing requirements in Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Toledo Power Company.
Extrinsic Fraud and Annulment of Judgment: What Litigants Must Know
The Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer's negligence is not extrinsic fraud, and explains the strict requirements for annulling a final judgment under Rule 47.
Staying Execution in Ejectment Cases: Perfecting Appeals and Supersedeas Bonds
Learn the three requirements to stay execution in ejectment cases: perfect appeal, post supersedeas bond, deposit rentals.
Contractual Obligations Prevail Enforcing Notice Requirements In Foreclosure Sales
When a mortgage contract requires personal notice of foreclosure, the bank must comply—or the sale may be void.
Upholding Local Autonomy: The Constitutionality of Vehicle Immobilization Ordinances
The Supreme Court upheld Cebu City's vehicle immobilization ordinance as a valid exercise of police power, clarifying due process requirements for traffic enforcement.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: What Judges Must Prove to Return to the Bench
The Supreme Court denies a former judge's plea for judicial clemency, clarifying the strict requirements for reformation and remorse.
Judicial Clemency in the Philippines: What Judges Must Prove to Return to the Bench
Philippine Supreme Court denies former judge's plea for judicial clemency, clarifying the strict requirements for reformation and remorse.
Perfecting Land Titles Strict Requirements FOR Registration Under Philippine LAW
Medical Certificate Requirements and Illegal Dismissal: Balancing Employer Prerogative and Employee Rights
When can an employer require a medical certificate without risking illegal dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of management prerogative.
Substantiate Tax Refund Claims with Withholding Tax Certificates: Key Lessons from CIR v. TeaM Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the substantiation requirements for tax refund claims, focusing on the evidentiary value of creditable withholding tax certificates.
Land Registration Denied: Proving Possession Since June 12, 1945
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict requirements for land registration under P.D. 1529, emphasizing the need for clear proof of possession since June 12, 1945.
Upholding Agrarian Reform Land Use and CARP Exemption Requirements
The Supreme Court clarifies when agricultural lands can be exempt from CARP coverage, emphasizing exclusive livestock use as of June 15, 1988.