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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Dismissal Due to Faulty Drug Evidence Handling: Integrity of Evidence in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused because police failed to justify non-compliance with Section 21, RA 9165's chain of custody rule.
Broken Chains: Why Lapses in Drug Evidence Custody Lead to Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect when police fail to account for missing witnesses and photos in chain of custody.
Breach of Trust: How Philippine Law Punishes Theft by Domestic Servants
The Supreme Court explains qualified theft by domestic servants, intent to gain, and penalties under RA 10951.
Reasonable Doubt and the Chain of Custody Rule in Philippine Drug Cases
A look at how the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect due to police lapses in the chain of custody, reinforcing the protection of individual rights.
Circumstantial Evidence and Parricide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Familial Crimes
How the Supreme Court upheld a parricide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, not direct proof, in People v. Espinosa.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Marking at Nearest Office Is Sufficient for Conviction
The Supreme Court clarifies that marking seized drugs at the nearest police station or office of the apprehending team satisfies the chain of custody rule.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Quilang Means for Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court explains when marking seized drugs at the police station, not at the arrest site, still satisfies the chain of custody rule.
Land Registration Revisited: Why Proof of Alienability Remains Paramount
The Supreme Court denies a second land registration bid, reiterating that a CENRO certification alone cannot prove a property is alienable and disposable.
Voluntary Arbitration Appeals: The 15-Day Filing Period in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that appeals from voluntary arbitrator decisions must be filed within 15 days under Rule 43, not 10 days.
Dishonored Checks and Professional Misconduct: When Lawyers Fail to Uphold the Law
A lawyer's two-year suspension for issuing worthless checks and evading arrest, explained in plain language for lay readers.
Burden of Proof in Quasi-Delict Claims: Proving Negligence in Vehicular Accidents
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on negligence, quasi-delict liability, and evidentiary standards in a vehicular accident insurance subrogation case.
Testimony After Trauma: Res Gestae and Proving Guilt in Rape Cases
When a rape victim dies before trial, can her words still convict? The Supreme Court explains the res gestae exception to hearsay.
SSS Erroneous Contributions and the Principle of Estoppel: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on erroneous SSS contributions, estoppel against government agencies, and employee membership validity.
Social Security Coverage: Who Qualifies as an Employer and Member Rights
Supreme Court clarifies SSS coverage rules, employer definition, and member rights in Haveria v. SSS.
Free Patent Land and Road Projects: When the Government Must Pay Just Compensation
The Supreme Court clarifies when the government must pay just compensation for right-of-way easements over free patent lands under the Public Land Act.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Missing Witnesses Can Overturn a Conviction
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to explain missing DOJ and media witnesses during inventory.
Laches and Jurisdiction: When Delaying a Challenge Can Validate an Invalid Forum
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on laches, jurisdiction, and forum challenges in labor disputes, with practical takeaways for employers and employees.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Strict Compliance or Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police failed to justify missing witnesses during inventory, reaffirming the chain of custody rule.
Binding Counsel When Attorney Negligence Impacts Client Rights IN Philippine LAW
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a client is bound by counsel's negligence and why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal.
Compromised Evidence Acquittal Due to Unjustified Deviations in Drug Chain of Custody
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to justify deviations from the mandatory chain of custody rule under RA 9165.
Incestuous Rape: Parental Authority and the Absence of Physical Resistance
The Supreme Court affirms that in incestuous rape, a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for violence, and physical resistance is not required.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Banquilay Means for Buy-Bust Evidence
The Supreme Court affirms a drug sale conviction, clarifying that minor chain of custody lapses do not automatically invalidate seized evidence.
Navigating the Chain of Custody: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits drug sale accused over unjustified lapses in the Section 21 chain of custody rule, stressing strict compliance.
VAT Refund for Tourists Upheld: Supreme Court Rules on Equal Protection in Taxation
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the VAT refund law for foreign tourists, ruling it does not violate equal protection.