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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Judicial Efficiency vs Negligence: The 90-Day Rule for Judges
Philippine Supreme Court fines judges for failing to decide cases within the 90-day reglementary period, underscoring judicial accountability.
Breach of Trust Upholding Termination for Managerial Misconduct in Philippine Labor Law
Philippine Supreme Court affirms dismissal of a manager for loss of confidence based on fraudulent invoicing and refusal to explain.
When a Lawyer's Negligence Binds the Client: The Mercury Drug Rule on Notice and Final Judgments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's failure to inform the client of an adverse judgment is binding, and when relief from judgment is unavailable.
Ejectment Case Dismissal for Failure to Appear: Due Process in Philippine Summary Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when failure to appear at preliminary conference in ejectment cases warrants judgment and what due process requires.
Contempt of Court: Balancing Judicial Authority and Individual Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on indirect contempt, fines versus indefinite incarceration, and the courts' coercive power to enforce orders.
When Can a Trial Court Resolve a Motion to Quash a Search Warrant Issued by Another Court?
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies which court resolves a motion to quash a search warrant when the criminal case is pending in a different court.
Mistaken Identity vs Positive Identification: When a Wrong Name Does Not Exonerate a Killer
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a witness's wrong name for the accused destroys identification and exonerates the killer.
Rape Conviction Reversal: Why Victim Conduct After the Alleged Assault Matters
Philippine Supreme Court reverses rape conviction, ruling that a complainant's post-incident behavior—writing to and seeking out the accused—can cast reasonable doubt on credibility.
Public Sector Strikes: Balancing Employee Rights and Government Service
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on public school teachers' mass actions, explaining why government employees cannot strike and the limits of constitutional rights.
Mandamus and Judicial Duty: Enforcing Court Orders in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on interlocutory orders, summary judgment, and the ministerial duty of courts to execute final judgments.
Indispensable Parties in Philippine Appeals: When the Government Need Not Be Impleaded
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the Office of the President is not an indispensable party in appeals from its decisions.
Forcible Abduction and Rape: When "Elopement" Is Actually a Crime
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies forcible abduction, rape, and grave coercion in People v. De Lara, distinguishing consensual elopement from criminal force.
Tenant Redemption Rights: Time Limits and Land Ownership Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the two-year redemption period for agricultural tenants under RA 3844 and its effect on land transfers.
Lost Court Exhibits: When Court Personnel Are Held Liable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on sheriff's liability for lost firearms held as court exhibits, explaining duties of clerks of court.
Appeal vs Certiorari in Philippine Courts: Why the Wrong Remedy Can Cost You Your Case
Philippine Supreme Court explains why appeal and certiorari are not interchangeable remedies, and how choosing wrong can be fatal.
Expropriation in the Philippines: When Can Land Be Sold During Proceedings
Learn when landowners can still sell property during expropriation proceedings and who gets just compensation, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Understanding Novation in Philippine Contract Law: When Does a New Agreement Cancel the Old
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a new contract cancels an old one, and why novation is never presumed in law.
Employee Abandonment in the Philippines: What Employers Must Prove Before Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the two elements of employee abandonment and the required notices before termination.
Bail in Capital Offenses: The Mandatory Hearing Requirement
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why judges must hold a hearing before granting bail in capital offenses like rape.
Eminent Domain in the Philippines: Why RTCs Always Have Jurisdiction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that expropriation suits are incapable of pecuniary estimation, so RTCs have exclusive jurisdiction regardless of property value.
When Mental Illness Raises Doubt: The Estrada Case on Competency to Stand Trial
Philippine Supreme Court nullifies a murder conviction where the trial court ignored evidence of the accused's mental illness and denied a mental examination.
Jurisdictional Threshold Resolving Agrarian Disputes in Ejectment Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when ejectment cases must be referred to agrarian courts, and the importance of hearing jurisdictional issues.
Contract of Sale vs Contract to Sell: Key Differences and Legal Implications
Philippine Supreme Court explains the difference between a contract of sale and a contract to sell, and why the distinction matters in real estate disputes.
Conspiracy in Kidnapping Cases: Establishing Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy requires overt acts, not mere presence, to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases.