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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Onerous Donations: When Failure to Fulfill Conditions Leads to Revocation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when failure to fulfill onerous donation conditions justifies revocation, and the prescriptive period for such actions.
Constructive Dismissal: When a Demotion and Diminished Responsibilities Amount to Illegal Dismissal
When a reorganization demotes an employee in rank, duties, and salary, it can amount to constructive dismissal. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling.
Theft AND Murder Intertwined Establishing Robbery With Homicide Through Circumstantial Evidence
Disbarment for Breach of Candor: Misleading the Court and Professional Misconduct
A lawyer's flip-flopping statements and misleading pleadings led to disbarment. Learn the ethical rules on candor and professionalism.
Sheriff Dismissed for Soliciting Sexual Favors in Exchange for Duty Performance
Supreme Court dismisses sheriff who solicited sexual favors to implement a writ, underscoring ethical standards for court personnel.
Disbarment for Misleading the Court: Candor as a Lawyer's Highest Duty
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for misleading the court and breaching candor, reaffirming that honesty is the foundation of legal practice.
When Laws Change Mid-Case: Mootness Doctrine and Insurance Capital Rules
How the Supreme Court applied the mootness doctrine when a new law superseded the challenged insurance capitalization orders.
Chain of Custody Gaps Lead to Acquittal in Drug Case: Lessons for Prosecutors
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused due to broken chain of custody, clarifying the strict rules under RA 9165.
Coddler or Co-Conspirator: The Fine Line of Liability in Drug Manufacturing Conspiracies
Supreme Court clarifies when a police officer becomes a co-conspirator, not just a coddler, in drug manufacturing under RA 9165.
Seafarer Disability Claims: When the Third-Doctor Rule Does Not Apply
The Supreme Court clarifies when the mandatory third-doctor referral rule in seafarer disability claims does not apply, protecting seafarers' rights.
Chain of Custody Lapses Lead to Acquittal in Drug Sale Case
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police failed to mark, inventory, and photograph seized marijuana, breaking the chain of custody.
Conspiracy and Intent in Robbery with Homicide: Liability and Due Process
The Supreme Court clarifies conspiracy, intent to rob, and due process in robbery with homicide convictions.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: Strict Chain of Custody Protects Liberty
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused due to broken chain of custody, reaffirming that strict compliance with Section 21 protects liberty.
Supreme Court Affirms Rape Conviction of Uncle Despite Defense Claims of Inconsistent Testimony
Explore how the Supreme Court upheld a rape conviction, relying on the victim's credible testimony and medical evidence over the defense's claims of inconsistency.
Forest Charges and Tax Refunds: Jurisdiction and Prescription in Philippine Tax Law
A 2019 Supreme Court ruling clarifies that forest charges are internal revenue taxes, so refund claims must go to the CIR within two years.
Habeas Corpus and Due Process: When Counsel's Negligence Affects a Defendant's Rights
The Supreme Court explains when a lawyer's negligence can—and cannot—justify habeas corpus relief after a criminal conviction.
Seafarers Disability When Delayed Assessment Trumps Third Doctor Rule
When the company-designated physician fails to issue a timely final assessment, the seafarer's disability is presumed total and permanent.
Trust Receipts Law: Corporate Officers' Liability and Due Diligence in Criminal Demurrers
When a demurrer to evidence is granted in a trust receipts case, private complainants may still question the civil aspect via certiorari.
Chain OF Custody Protecting Rights IN Drug Cases 4
Implied Trust and Property Reconveyance: Ensuring Equitable Distribution Among Heirs
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies implied trust rules and property reconveyance among heirs in a family dispute over a Manila lot.
Just Compensation Under CARP: Courts Must Follow DAR Valuation Formulas
Courts must adhere to DAR valuation formulas in CARP land compensation cases unless they clearly explain reasons for deviation, as shown in this ruling.
Doubt in Eyewitness Testimony: When Unreliable Identification Overturns a Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court acquits a murder convict, ruling that unreliable eyewitness identification and inconsistent testimonies create reasonable doubt.
Former Judge's Conflict of Interest: Ethical Limits After Leaving the Bench
Supreme Court clarifies Rule 6.03 on former judges and government lawyers accepting cases they previously handled.
Reasonable Doubt and Acquittal in Drug Cases: The Price of Procedural Lapses
Why the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect when police broke Section 21 chain-of-custody rules.