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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Compromise Agreements VS Mortgage Rights CAN Banks Foreclose After Restructuring Loans
Corporate Ratification: When a Corporation Becomes Bound by Unauthorized Acts
A corporation's repeated payments can ratify an officer's unauthorized acts, binding the company to obligations it never expressly approved.
Indispensable Parties in Annulment of Judgment for Failure to Implead Co-Owners
A petition to correct citizenship entries in a birth certificate must implead all interested parties, or the judgment may be annulled.
Independent Contractor vs Employee: Drawing the Line in Insurance Compensation
Supreme Court clarifies when insurance unit managers are independent contractors, not employees, and must repay drawing allowances.
Accountability in Kidnapping: Conspiracy and Accessory Liability in Heinous Crimes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy and accessory liability in kidnapping and heinous crimes, emphasizing accountability for all participants.
Forged Check Nullifies Loan and Foreclosure: Lessons from PNB v. Giron-Roque
A forged check voids a loan and its foreclosure. Learn the banking diligence rules and borrower remedies from this Philippine Supreme Court case.
Encroachment and Good Faith: Resolving Land Disputes Under Article 448 of the Civil Code
Understand how the Supreme Court handles land disputes involving good faith builders, encroachment, and Article 448 of the Civil Code.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Holding Affiliate Companies Liable for Illegal Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when affiliate corporations can be held solidarity liable for illegal dismissal and monetary awards in labor cases.
When Buy-Bust Operations Fail the Chain of Custody: Acquittal in People v. Moreno
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to secure required witnesses under Section 21, RA 9165.
Forged Signatures and Bank Liability: Upholding Due Diligence in Loan Transactions
When a bank honors a forged check, it bears the loss. The Supreme Court explains why in PNB v. Giron-Roque.
Rape of Person With Mental Disability: Supreme Court Affirms Qualified Rape Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a qualified rape conviction where the offender knew the victim was mentally disabled, upholding enhanced penalties and damages.
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect after police failed to secure an elected official and follow Section 21 of RA 9165.
Encroachment and Good Faith: Land Dispute Remedies Under Article 448
A Supreme Court ruling on encroachment clarifies when a landowner may recover possession and how Article 448 protects builders in good faith.
B.P. 22 and the Corporate Veil: When Corporate Officers Face Personal Liability
The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil in B.P. 22 cases, holding officers personally liable for bouncing checks—but only with proper notice of dishonor.
Upholding Notarial Integrity Consequences FOR False Attestation
Premature Election Notices and Lawyer Discipline: A Lesson in Upholding the Rule of Law
A provincial election supervisor's premature notices before COMELEC acted led to a one-year suspension—a lesson on lawyers' duty to obey the law.
Judicial Accountability: Delay in Resolving Motions and the Judge's Duty
A Supreme Court ruling holds a judge liable for undue delay, reinforcing that judges cannot blame staff for failing to resolve motions promptly.
Union Busting and Illegal Dismissal: Protecting Workers' Right to Organize
A look at how the Supreme Court protected union members from employer retaliation and enforced due process in dismissals.
Protecting Minors: Lascivious Conduct and the Scope of R.A. 7610 in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when acts of lasciviousness against minors fall under R.A. 7610, and the proper penalties.
Lawyer Suspended for Premature Election Notices: Upholding Legal Processes Under Canon 1
A provincial election supervisor's premature notices of a special election led to a one-year suspension for violating Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Missing a DOJ Witness Led to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect because police failed to justify the absence of a DOJ representative during inventory, stressing strict chain-of-custody compliance.
Chain of Custody and Witness Requirements in Drug Cases: Safeguarding the Accused's Rights
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to justify missing witnesses during inventory and mishandled evidence authentication.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Chain of Custody Lapse Leads to Acquittal in Drug Case
A missed DOJ representative during inventory breaks the chain of custody, leading to acquittal in People v. Cohayco.
Strict Compliance With Drug Evidence Procedures Protects the Accused's Rights
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to follow Section 21 chain of custody rules under RA 9165.