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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Protecting Childhood: Upholding Conviction in Statutory Rape Cases Based on Victim Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a statutory rape conviction, holding that a child victim's credible testimony alone suffices to prove carnal knowledge.
Presumptive Death for Military Benefits: No Court Declaration Needed
Supreme Court clarifies that PVAO and AFP can process death benefits of missing soldiers without a court declaration of presumptive death.
Plagiarism in Academia: Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of UE Professors for Misrepresentation
Supreme Court upholds dismissal of professors for plagiarism, misrepresentation, and breach of trust, clarifying stare decisis and waiver rules.
Judicial Ethics: Scrutinizing Complaints Against Justices and the Standard of Proof
A look at how the Supreme Court handles administrative complaints against justices, using a 2018 case to explain the burden of proof.
Divorce Abroad: A Filipino Spouse's Right to Remarry After a Foreign Divorce
The Supreme Court clarifies when a Filipino can remarry after a foreign divorce, even if the Filipino initiated the divorce proceedings abroad.
Divorce Recognition Expanding Rights FOR Filipinos IN Mixed Marriages
Learn how the Supreme Court expanded divorce recognition for Filipinos in mixed marriages, allowing remarriage even if they initiated the foreign divorce.
Chain of Custody and Drug Cases: Ensuring Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police fail to justify non-compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165, emphasizing evidence integrity.
Project Employment in Construction: Defining Scope and Tenure in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when construction workers are project employees, not regular employees, and what benefits they retain.
Unlawful Detainer Complaints: Why Alleging Tolerance Matters for Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court explains why an unlawful detainer complaint must allege initial lawful possession by tolerance—or the case fails for lack of jurisdiction.
Unexplained Wealth Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on forfeiture of unlawfully acquired assets under RA 1379, including the burden of proof and evidentiary standards.
When Courts Cannot Decide Land Ownership Disputes Involving Agrarian Reform Awards
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that cancellation of CLOAs falls under DAR Secretary's jurisdiction, not regular courts.
Seafarers' Disability Claims: The Duty to Inform and the 120/240-Day Rule
The Supreme Court clarifies that a company-designated physician must actually inform the seafarer of a disability assessment; mere issuance is not enough.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Non-Compliance Can Mean Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to justify deviations from Section 21's chain of custody rules.
Voluntary Resignation vs Illegal Dismissal: Proving the Fact of Termination
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that employees must first prove the fact of termination before employers bear the burden of showing just cause.
Certiorari Denied: Exhausting Appeals Before Seeking Extraordinary Writs in Tax Disputes
Learn why the Supreme Court denied certiorari in a forfeiture case, emphasizing the need to exhaust appeals before seeking extraordinary writs.
Immutability of Judgments in Foreclosure Interest Calculations and Redemption Rights
Supreme Court clarifies that final judgments on foreclosure interest cannot be modified, and redemption rights lapse without payment.
Protecting Children Moral Ascendancy AND Criminal Liability FOR Sexual Abuse IN THE Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms robbery with rape conviction, clarifying out-of-court identification rules and damages for sexual abuse victims.
Land Ownership Disputes: Court vs. DAR Jurisdiction Over CLOA Cancellation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts lack jurisdiction over land disputes involving CLOAs and agrarian reform titles.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police fail to justify non-compliance with Section 21's chain of custody rule.
Interest After Foreclosure: When Contractual Obligations Continue to Run
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when interest stops after foreclosure, emphasizing contractual obligations and the immutability of final judgments.
Child Abuse Conviction for Lascivious Acts Against a Minor Under RA 7610
The Supreme Court clarifies when lascivious acts against a child constitute child abuse under RA 7610, not just acts of lasciviousness.
Well-Founded Belief and Presumptive Death: Diligence Required for Remarriage
The Supreme Court clarifies the strict "well-founded belief" standard under Article 41 of the Family Code for declaring a missing spouse presumptively dead.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: The Three-Witness Rule and Chain of Custody
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over broken chain of custody and missing witnesses—explaining Section 21, RA 9165 requirements.
Reformation of Instruments When a Written Contract Fails to Reflect True Intentions
Philippine Supreme Court explains when courts may reform a written contract to reflect the parties' true intentions, citing Article 1359.