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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Judicial Accountability: Upholding Standards of Conduct and Competence in the Philippine Judiciary
The Supreme Court approves payment for judges' Hague training, affirming accountability and proper procedure in judicial education.
Judicial Fiscal Autonomy Reaffirmed in Supreme Court Ruling on Travel Expenses
The Supreme Court affirms its fiscal autonomy by approving PHILJA's payment of training expenses, reinforcing judicial independence.
Lawyer's Duty to Account for Client Funds: Lessons from a Two-Year Suspension
A lawyer's failure to account for client funds and neglect of cases leads to a two-year suspension, reaffirming core ethical duties.
Probable Cause in Corruption Cases: Insights from Arroyo v. Sandiganbayan
The Supreme Court explains when courts may review the Ombudsman's finding of probable cause in graft cases, using the Arroyo helicopter case as an example.
Timely Filing of Motions: Why Service on Counsel Matters in Philippine Courts
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified that notice to counsel, not the party, determines the timeliness of motions in Philippine litigation.
Understanding the Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: A Supreme Court Ruling on Illegal Sale and Possession
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the chain of custody rule in drug cases, affirming convictions for illegal sale and possession of shabu.
Unlocking the Right to Minimum Salary Upon Regularization: A Landmark Decision for Philippine Workers
The Supreme Court rules that company policies on minimum salary rates become binding once an employee is regularized, protecting workers from underpayment.
When Compassion Clashes With Conduct: Separation Pay for Wrongfully Dismissed Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when validly dismissed employees may—or may not—receive separation pay as an act of social justice.
Consent in Contracts: Supreme Court Voids Mortgage for Lack of Genuine Agreement
Supreme Court voids mortgage where a bank misled an elderly woman into signing a loan document she believed was a mere guarantee.
The Perils of Belated Filings: When Courts Relax Procedural Rules
The Supreme Court balances strict procedural rules against substantial justice in Latogan v. People, a case on belated appeals and defective motions.
Navigating Probable Cause: The Ombudsman's Role in Philippine Criminal Prosecutions
This article explains the Ombudsman's power to determine probable cause in criminal cases, its limits, and the legal principles governing prosecutorial discretion in the Philippines.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Safeguarding Evidence Matters
The Supreme Court explains why strict compliance with the chain of custody rule is essential to preserve the integrity of seized drugs in every prosecution under RA 9165.
Tenant Rights and Land Ownership: When Invalid Tenancy Agreements Fail in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when tenancy agreements with non-owners fail, and why security of tenure requires a valid landowner-tenant relationship.
Understanding Just Compensation in Eminent Domain: Insights from a Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies who pays commissioners' fees in agrarian expropriation cases, a key part of just compensation proceedings.
Limits of Post-Judgment Examination: Protecting Third-Party Rights in Execution
Third-party claimants can vindicate ownership of levied property through independent actions without being penalized for exercising their right to litigate.
Substantial Compliance in Verification: When Procedural Lapses Still Cost the Case
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that substantial compliance with verification rules cannot excuse a belatedly filed motion for reconsideration in civil cases.
Matibag v. Dangerous Drugs Board: CES Eligibility and Security of Tenure Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies that Career Service Executive Eligibility (CSEE) alone does not guarantee security of tenure in CES positions.
Third-Party Claims and the Right to Litigate in Property Attachment Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court protects a third-party claimant's right to litigate in property attachment cases and when damages may be awarded.
Understanding Good Faith IN Property Purchases Lessons From A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Proof of Encroachment: The Importance of Survey Plans in Property Disputes
Survey plans must clearly show encroachment to prove property disputes. The Supreme Court explains what suffices as evidence.
Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Homicide Cases: What People v. Pitulan Teaches
The Supreme Court clarifies that credible eyewitness identification can prove homicide even without the murder weapon or forensic testing.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Witnesses and Marking Matter
Philippine Supreme Court explains the chain of custody rule in drug cases and why proper marking, inventory, and witnesses are essential.
Substantial Compliance on Belated Secretary's Certificate and Its Impact on Unlawful Detainer Cases
SC rules belated submission of Secretary's Certificate is substantial compliance, preventing dismissal of unlawful detainer cases on procedural grounds.
Untangling Defamation: Navigating Appeals and Evidence in Honor-Related Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the proper appellate route for prosecutor resolutions and the evidence needed for oral defamation cases.