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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Upholding Court Authority: Consequences of Disobedience in the Philippine Legal System
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on judicial insubordination, contempt of court, and the consequences of defying court orders.
Condonation Doctrine: Can Re-Elected Officials Be Disciplined for Prior Misconduct
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether re-election condones prior administrative misconduct of local elective officials.
Age Requirements for Public Office: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court nullified a Jurisconsult's appointment for failing the statutory age requirement, underscoring that eligibility must exist at the time of appointment.
Falsification of Public Documents: Understanding Intent and Presumptions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on falsification of public documents, explaining the presumption of authorship when one possesses and uses forged titles.
Workplace Violence and Employee Misconduct: When Can You Be Dismissed in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when fighting in the workplace and a history of misconduct justify dismissal of an employee.
Dishonesty in Public Service: Consequences and Prevention Lessons from a Court Employee's Dismissal
A Supreme Court ruling on JDF misappropriation shows why dishonesty in public service leads to dismissal and how to prevent it.
When Mortgagees May Renew Insurance on Chattel Mortgages: Servicewide Specialists v. Trinidad
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a mortgagee may renew insurance on a chattel and apply installment payments to premiums without notice.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Understanding Consent and Penalties
Learn how Philippine courts handle statutory rape cases, from consent rules to penalties, based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Workplace Misconduct: When Court Employees Cross the Line
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on sheriff's misconduct, discourtesy, and threats in the workplace, setting standards for judicial personnel behavior.
Habitual Absences vs Security of Tenure: Balancing Employee Rights and Employer Prerogatives in Dismissal Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when habitual absences justify dismissal, balancing employee security of tenure against employer prerogatives in shipping.
Protecting the Accused: The Importance of Valid Arraignment in Philippine Criminal Law
A Supreme Court ruling on invalid arraignment underscores why a guilty plea must be free and informed, especially in capital cases.
Unilateral Interest Rate Hikes When Banks Overstep Their Bounds
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when banks cannot unilaterally raise loan interest rates, and the limits of escalation clauses.
Illegal Strikes and Employee Rights: Understanding the Limits of Labor Actions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on illegal strikes, constructive dismissal, and employee rights in labor disputes explained in plain language.
Dismissal for Gross Insubordination and AWOL: A Lesson in Judicial Accountability
A Supreme Court ruling on gross insubordination and AWOL shows why court employees must obey lawful orders and report for duty.
Dereliction of Duty in Philippine Courts: The Responsibilities of Court Stenographers
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the duties of court stenographers and the consequences of failing to transcribe and transmit notes on time.
Burden of Proof in Labor Disputes: Who Must Prove What
Learn who bears the burden of proof in labor cases—especially on payment of wages and employer-employee relationship—from this Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Treachery in Philippine Criminal Law: Application and Implications
How Philippine courts apply treachery as a qualifying circumstance in murder, explained through the 1996 Supreme Court ruling in People v. Caritativo.
Acquisitive Prescription: How Long Does It Take to Gain Ownership of Land in the Philippines
Learn how long you must possess land in the Philippines to acquire ownership through acquisitive prescription, based on a 1996 Supreme Court ruling.
Airline Liability for Lost Luggage: Passenger Rights and Carrier Responsibilities
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on airline liability for lost luggage, passenger rights, and when carriers lose liability limits.
Protecting Your Property Rights: The Importance of Notice in Title Cancellation Cases
A Supreme Court ruling reminds courts that property owners with annotated interests must be notified before cancellation of title entries.
Unregistered Land Rights Trump Mortgages: Due Diligence for Banks in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on State Investment House v. CA: banks must inspect property beyond Torrens title or risk losing to unregistered buyers.
Breach of Trust in Employment: Proving Dishonesty for Valid Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when loss of trust and confidence justifies employee dismissal, requiring substantial evidence of dishonesty.
Rape Conviction and Credibility: How Intimidation and Witness Testimony Shape Philippine Rape Cases
A look at how Philippine courts weigh witness credibility and intimidation in rape cases, based on a 1996 Supreme Court ruling.
Rape Conviction: Penetration and Credibility of Child Witnesses in Philippine Law
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that slight penetration suffices for rape and that young victims' testimonies deserve full credence.