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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Lease Agreements Upholding Contractual Grace Periods Despite Payment Restructuring
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how payment restructuring letters affect contractual grace periods in lease agreements.
Public Accountability: Mayor's Liability for Double Payments Despite Subordinate Reliance
A mayor cannot escape liability for double payments by blaming subordinates, especially when checks were made payable to him personally.
Why Failing to Pay Appeal Docket Fees Can Cost You Your Case
Learn why the Supreme Court strictly requires payment of appellate docket fees on time and how negligence can cost you your appeal.
Advance Payments and Government Contracts: Fiscal Responsibility in Infrastructure Projects
Supreme Court ruling on advance payments in government infrastructure contracts and the limits under PD 1594 and PD 1445.
VAT Exemption for Steam Supply: Protecting Taxpayers From Erroneous Payments
The Supreme Court ruled that geothermal steam sold to NPC is VAT-exempt, entitling the supplier to a full refund of erroneously paid taxes.
Unjust Enrichment and Contractual Obligations: Lessons from Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void land sales, down payment refunds, and unjust enrichment in Limaco v. Shonan Gakuen.
Corporate Identity and Loan Obligations: Name Change Does Not Excuse Debt Payment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether a corporate name change or bank identity affects loan obligations and surety liability.
Docket Fees and Jurisdiction: When Underpayment Doesn’t Automatically Dismiss a Case
Learn when underpaid docket fees affect jurisdiction and when courts must allow correction instead of dismissing a case outright.
Burden of Proof in Loan Obligations: Debtor Must Prove Payment Despite Creditor's Claim of Non-Payment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on who bears the burden of proving payment in loan and mortgage obligations, and when contract rescission is proper.
Finality of Factual Findings in Labor Cases: The Burden of Proving Payment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of NLRC factual findings and the employer's burden to prove payment of wages in labor disputes.
Burden of Proof in Wage Disputes: Employers Must Prove Full Payment of Agreed Salaries
In G & M (Phils.), Inc. v. Cruz, the Supreme Court held that an employer claiming full payment of wages bears the burden of proving it, not the worker.
Docket Fees and Jurisdiction in Land Ownership Disputes: Key Lessons
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified docket fee payment, jurisdiction, and procedural rules in land ownership disputes.
Finality of Judgments: Late Docket Fee Payment Dooms Appeal in Meatmasters Case
Learn how late payment of appellate docket fees affects judgment finality, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Meatmasters v. Lelis.
Due Process and the Duties of Counsel: Lessons from Palanca v. Guides
A 2005 Supreme Court ruling shows how the negligence of a lawyer binds the client, and how accepting payments without protest can waive a seller's claims.
Good Faith Payments and Prior Satisfaction as Grounds for Acquittal in BP 22 Cases
Supreme Court acquits corporate officer in BP 22 case where the dishonored check was fully paid two years before charges were filed.
Breach of Contract to Sell in the Philippines: When Can a Buyer Claim Damages?
Full payment of a lot does not automatically entitle a buyer to moral damages. The Supreme Court explains what must be proven, and what can be recovered.
Brokers Commission Rights When Can a Seller Evade Payment After a Sale
Can a seller evade paying a broker's commission after a sale closes? This case explains when fees remain due.
Partial Payment and Fulfillment of Obligations: Creditor Rights Under B.P. 22
When does partial payment satisfy a debt? The Supreme Court clarifies creditor rights and the Bouncing Checks Law in Alonto v. People.
Attorney's Fees and Ethical Boundaries: Can Lawyers Demand Property as Payment?
A lawyer who demands litigated property as fees after the case ends may still face discipline for conduct unbecoming the legal profession.
Lawyer Fees and Client Property: What Ramos v. Ngaseo Teaches About the Limits of Fee Collection
The Supreme Court reprimanded a lawyer who demanded his client's land as payment, clarifying when the Civil Code ban on acquiring litigated property applies.
Full Customs Duty Payment Bars Forfeiture Despite Procedural Lapses
Supreme Court rules that full payment of customs duties and taxes terminates importation, preventing forfeiture despite procedural irregularities in shipment transfer.
Docket Fees and Dismissal: Perfecting Appeals in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on late payment of appellate docket fees and dismissal of appeals under Rule 41.
Perfecting Appeals: Timely Payment of Appeal Fees as a Jurisdictional Requirement in Philippine Election Law
Learn how timely payment of appeal fees is a jurisdictional requirement in Philippine election law, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Dismissal for Late Docket Fee Payment: Strict Timelines in Certiorari Petitions
Learn how late docket fee payment and wrong remedy choices can doom certiorari petitions, based on Mercado v. Court of Appeals.