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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Prejudicial Questions and Corporate Disputes: Suspending Civil Actions Pending SEC Determinations
When a civil suit hinges on a corporate board dispute pending before the SEC, courts may suspend proceedings to avoid conflicting rulings.
Retrenchment Rigor: Proving Losses to Justify Employee Dismissal in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on F.F. Marine v. NLRC clarifies the strict evidentiary burden employers face when retrenching workers due to business losses.
Untimely Appeals and Water Rights: When Courts, Not Agencies, Decide Land Conversion Disputes
A water district's injunction suit against illegal well operators belongs in regular courts, not the Water Council, the Supreme Court rules.
Water Rights vs Interference: When Courts Decide Water District Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies when regular courts, not the water council, have jurisdiction over water district disputes involving interference with vested rights.
No Damages for Accused: Criminal Courts Cannot Award Damages to the Accused in Criminal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that criminal courts cannot award damages to the accused in criminal cases, reversing libel conviction.
Property Rights and Due Process: Lessons from Barcenas v. Tomas on Appeals and Co-Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling reminds property owners that procedural rules on appeals are strict, and that a co-owner may validly sell an undivided share without the consent of the others.
Reinstatement of Criminal Cases: Balancing Procedural Rules and Substantial Justice
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on procedural compliance in appeals, balancing strict rules against substantial justice in criminal case reinstatement.
Approving Bail Outside Territorial Jurisdiction: Gross Ignorance of the Law
A judge who approves bail for cases pending in other courts commits gross ignorance of the law, warranting suspension.
Ejectment Suits: Proving Prior Possession in Forcible Entry Cases
Learn how Philippine courts decide forcible entry cases, focusing on the key requirement of prior physical possession and jurisdictional rules.
When Lawyers Cross the Line: Conflicting Interests and Client Confidentiality in Philippine Legal Ethics
The Supreme Court's ruling in Pormento vs. Pontevedra clarifies when a lawyer's representation of new clients against former clients constitutes prohibited conflicting interests.
Police Misconduct Due Process: Navigating Administrative Dismissals in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court handles police misconduct cases, due process in administrative dismissals, and jurisdiction under RA 6975.
Accountability in the Judiciary: Upholding Diligence in Court Administration
The Supreme Court holds clerks of court to strict standards of diligence, ruling that delayed transmittal of appeal records constitutes simple neglect of duty.
Express Trusts Upholding Beneficiaries Rights Despite Fictitious Sales
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on express trusts, beneficiaries' rights, and fictitious sales of property.
Water District Board Compensation: Per Diems, Additional Benefits, and COA Disallowances
The Supreme Court clarifies that water district directors may receive only per diems under PD 198, with limited exceptions for good faith recipients.
Conflicting Land Titles: DARAB Jurisdiction Over Annulment of CLOA-Based Titles
When land titles conflict, knowing which court has jurisdiction is crucial. The Supreme Court clarifies DARAB's exclusive authority over CLOA-derived titles.
Permissive Joinder of Parties and the Totality Rule in Vehicular Accident Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court applied permissive joinder and the totality rule in determining jurisdiction for vehicular accident claims.
Extraterritorial Service of Summons: Due Process for Non-Resident Defendants
Philippine courts must strictly comply with rules on extraterritorial service of summons before declaring non-resident defendants in default.
Suspension for Unauthorized Absences: Accountability in the Judiciary
Supreme Court suspends employee for six months and one day for unauthorized absences, underscoring strict accountability standards in the judiciary.
Reopening Closed Cases: The Strict Standards for Newly Discovered Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine courts rarely reopen final convictions. This article explains the strict rules for newly discovered evidence under Rule 121.
Ejectment Suits MTC Jurisdiction Prevails Despite Ownership Claims
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that MTC retains jurisdiction over ejectment cases even when defendants raise ownership or agrarian reform claims.
Mining Disputes vs Judicial Questions: Jurisdiction of the Panel of Arbitrators
The Supreme Court clarifies when the Panel of Arbitrators has jurisdiction over mining disputes and when regular courts should hear cases involving contract validity.
Intra-Union Disputes: Jurisdiction Lies With the Bureau of Labor Relations
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Bureau of Labor Relations has exclusive jurisdiction over intra-union disputes, including elections of officers in government employee organizations.
Expanding Sandiganbayan's Reach: Jurisdiction Over Graft Cases in Government-Owned Corporations
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over officers of government-owned corporations, regardless of how they were created.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Over GOCC Subsidiaries: The Alas Doctrine
Explaining People v. Alas: why officers of government-owned corporations incorporated under the Corporation Code fall under Sandiganbayan jurisdiction.