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 and Relationship Qualifying Circumstances and Penalties
Understand how rape penalties change when a qualifying circumstance like relationship is proven, based on Philippine Supreme Court rulings.
Rape of a Mentally Retarded Person: Consent and Knowledge of Disability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape of a mental retardate, consent, and the need to allege knowledge of disability in the information.
Upholding Attorney Accountability A Lawyers Duty TO Clients Despite FEE Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lawyer's duty to clients despite fee disputes, jurisdictional rules, and carrier liability for passenger safety.
Timely Payment Matters Retroactivity Of Docket FEE Rules IN Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on retroactive docket fee rules and the importance of timely payment in civil cases.
Judicial Ethics: Impartiality and Decorum in the Philippine Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling reminds judges that intemperate speech and offensive attacks on fellow magistrates violate the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Acquittal Based on Reasonable Doubt Extends to Co-Accused Despite Withdrawn Appeal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how an acquittal based on reasonable doubt affects co-accused and withdrawn appeals in criminal cases.
Confirming Land Titles Proving Possession Since Before 1945
Learn what Philippine courts require to confirm land titles through possession since June 12, 1945, based on a 2001 Supreme Court ruling.
Duty of Clerks of Court to Supervise Stenographers and Manage Court Records
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's duty to supervise stenographers and ensure timely transcription of notes and safekeeping of records.
Strict Accountability for Court Funds: Consequences for Clerks of Court Mismanagement in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on clerk of court liability for mismanaged judiciary funds, emphasizing strict accountability and administrative consequences.
Shareholder Rights vs Corporate Discretion: Mandamus and Stock Transfer Recording
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a corporate secretary must record stock transfers, SEC jurisdiction, and shareholder rights.
Conspiracy in Estafa: How Mere Presence Can Lead to Fraud Conviction in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how conspiracy in estafa can be proven by acts showing unity of purpose, even without direct participation in every detail.
Project Employment vs Regular Employment: Security of Tenure in Construction Projects
Learn when construction workers are project employees and their rights on termination before project completion, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
When Force Is Relative: Rape of a Mentally Disabled Victim in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how force and intimidation in rape are measured against a mentally disabled victim's condition.
Police Abuse of Power: Understanding Robbery by Intimidation in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when police officers commit robbery by intimidation and how abuse of public position affects the penalty.
Limits of Judicial Authority: Understanding Preliminary Investigations in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that judges conducting preliminary investigations cannot reclassify crimes—that power belongs to the prosecutor.
Employee vs Independent Contractor: SSS Coverage for Farmworkers in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a "pakyaw (piece-rate) basis considered an employee entitled to compulsory Social Security System (SSS) coverage? The ruling is a reminder that the label used b
When Eyewitness Testimony and Conspiracy Lead to Conviction: Murder Liability in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on murder conviction based on eyewitness identification, conspiracy, and treachery, and why alibi fails.
Positive Identification in Robbery With Homicide: Why Eyewitness Testimony Matters in Philippine Criminal Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on eyewitness identification, credibility of relatives, and why alibi fails against positive identification.
Missed Deadlines Lost Inheritance Understanding Appeal Periods IN Philippine Estate Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how missed appeal deadlines in estate cases can cost heirs their inheritance rights.
Attempted Robbery With Homicide: Key Lessons From a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Understand the special complex crime of attempted robbery with homicide under Philippine law, using insights from People v. Macabales.
When Domestic Discipline Turns Deadly: Murder and Cruelty in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling on murder qualified by cruelty examines domestic abuse, criminal liability, and the exemption of relatives as accessories.
Self-Defense or Murder: Understanding Justifiable Homicide in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense applies in Philippine homicide cases and why a murder charge became homicide.
Judicial Delay: The Duty of Judges to Decide Cases Promptly in the Philippines
Philippine judges must decide cases within 90 days. This article explains the rule, the consequences of delay, and practical lessons from a Supreme Court ruling.
Landowner Consent Is Essential in Agricultural Leasehold Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a tenant cannot transfer leasehold rights without landowner consent, and the consequences of unauthorized assignment.