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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Philippine Red Cross Ruling: Ombudsman Jurisdiction Over Government Controlled Corporations
Supreme Court clarifies that the Philippine Red Cross is a government-owned corporation, placing its employees under Ombudsman jurisdiction.
Execution Pending Appeal: Financial Distress Alone Is Not a Good Reason
The Supreme Court clarifies that a corporation's financial distress is not, by itself, a "good reason" for execution pending appeal.
Tourist Duty Free Shops v. Sandiganbayan: Limits of PCGG Sequestration and Litis Pendentia
The Supreme Court clarifies when litis pendentia applies and the limits of PCGG sequestration powers over corporations.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Corporation Be Held Accountable for Its Affiliates' Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may disregard the separate legal personality of corporations and hold them liable for affiliates' actions.
Corporate Veil vs Probate: Protecting Corporate Identity in Estate Proceedings
When can a probate court include a corporation's assets in a deceased person's estate? The Supreme Court clarifies the limits.
SEC Jurisdiction Over Government-Owned Corporations: The PNCC Case
The Supreme Court clarifies SEC jurisdiction over GOCCs organized under the Corporation Code, using the PNCC dispute as a landmark example.
Deed of Assignment Validity: Signature Authenticity and Corporate Share Transfers in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on forged signatures, blank deeds of assignment, and share transfer validity in corporations.
When Does Withholding Tax Obligation Arise? Filipinas Synthetic Fiber Corp. v. CA
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the duty to withhold tax on payments to foreign corporations arises—at accrual or payment.
Service of Summons on a Branch Manager: When Philippine Courts Lack Jurisdiction Over a Corporation
Serving summons on a corporation's branch manager instead of its general manager is improper under the 1997 Rules, depriving the court of jurisdiction.
Valid Service of Summons on Corporations in the Philippines: What Talsan v. Baliwag Transit Teaches
Learn when service of summons on a corporation is valid in the Philippines, from the Supreme Court's ruling in Talsan Enterprises v. Baliwag Transit.
Certiorari vs Appeal: Choosing the Right Remedy in Philippine Courts
Learn when to file certiorari versus appeal in Philippine courts, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Asian Trading Corporation v. Court of Appeals.
Summons on Foreign Corporations: What Philippine Courts Require Before Service on an Agent
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when summons may be served on a foreign corporation's alleged agent, and why mere allegations in a complaint may not be enough.
Corporate Mergers and Contract Enforcement: Successor Liability in the Philippines
When a Philippine corporation merges, the surviving company assumes all rights and liabilities—even for contracts signed after the merger agreement.
Failure to File Corporate By-Laws: Not Automatic Dissolution in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies that failing to file corporate by-laws on time does not automatically dissolve a corporation.
When Cases Become Pointless: Mootness and a Lawyer's Duty to the Court in Philippine Law
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on procedural rules and the burden of proof in the Pacific Banking Corporation liquidation case.
Suspension of Payments in the Philippines: Who Can File and What Are the Limits
The Supreme Court clarifies that only corporations, partnerships, or associations—not individuals—may file for suspension of payments under PD 902-A.
When a Successor Company Inherits Illegal Dismissal Liability: The Alfante Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when a successor corporation can be held liable for the illegal dismissal acts of its predecessor, and how backwages are computed.
When a Corporation Can Be Held Liable in Labor Disputes Even Without Being Impleaded
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a corporation may be held liable for labor claims even if only its trade name was impleaded.
Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations: When Philippine Courts Can Hear Your Case
Philippine courts cannot assert jurisdiction over foreign corporations not doing business in the country, even in collection suits involving local parties.
Officer Compensation vs Director Compensation: A Philippine Corporate Law Guide
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between officer and director compensation under the Corporation Code.
Illegal Dismissal Jurisdiction: Government Corporations Without Original Charters
Supreme Court clarifies which government-owned corporations fall under Labor Code jurisdiction versus Civil Service rules in illegal dismissal cases.
Untimely Appeal and NLRC Discretion: Jurisdictional Requirements in Labor Disputes
Philippine National Construction Corporation vs. NLRC: motion for reconsideration is mandatory before certiorari, and separation benefits are construed in favor of workers.
Estoppel in Philippine Contract Law: Liability for Acting as an Unincorporated Corporation
The Supreme Court affirms that persons acting as officers of an unincorporated entity are estopped from denying liability under Philippine law.
Can Corporations Hire Optometrists? The Corporate Practice of Professions in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether corporations may employ optometrists, and the limits of the corporate practice of professions doctrine.