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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Probable Cause in Toll Bypass Cases: Theft of Telephone Services Under Philippine Law
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on probable cause for theft in toll bypass operations, clarifying what constitutes unlawful taking of telephone services.
When Dismissal for AWOL Violates Due Process: Saunar v. Ermita
The Supreme Court explains when an AWOL dismissal violates due process and what remedies an illegally dismissed government employee may claim.
Extinguishment of Criminal Liability: How Death Before Final Judgment Impacts Guilt and Civil Obligations
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies how an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal liability and affects civil damages.
When Courts Can Pierce the Corporate Veil to Reach a Natural Person's Assets
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on reverse piercing of the corporate veil, allowing creditors to reach corporate assets to satisfy a judgment against a controlling individual.
When Union Disaffiliation Leads to Dismissal: Union Security Clauses and Illegal Strikes
The Supreme Court clarifies who may enforce a union security clause and when a strike becomes illegal, affecting dismissal of union officers and members.
Proving Lost Earnings After Wrongful Death: Testimony Can Suffice, Says Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled that credible testimonial evidence alone can prove a deceased person's income for lost earning capacity damages.
Revival of Judgment: Why It Must Be Filed with the RTC, Not the Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies that actions to revive a judgment must be filed with the Regional Trial Court, not the Court of Appeals.
Venue Is Jurisdictional in Criminal Cases: The Casanas Carnapping Ruling
The Supreme Court explains why venue is jurisdictional in criminal cases and why a conviction outside the proper territory is void.
Territorial Jurisdiction in Criminal Cases: Where the Crime Occurs Determines the Court
The Supreme Court rules that venue in criminal cases is jurisdictional—a court cannot try an offense committed outside its territory.
Proving Filiation After Death: The Strict Rules on Inheritance Claims
Philippine law sets strict evidence rules for proving filiation after a parent's death. Learn what the Supreme Court requires in inheritance disputes.
Homicide vs Murder: When Abuse of Superior Strength Fails in Philippine Law
Supreme Court clarifies that abuse of superior strength requires simultaneous attack and deliberate advantage, reducing murder to homicide.
Unlawful Detainer in the Philippines: Why Lawful Entry at the Start Matters
The Supreme Court in Bugayong-Santiago v. Bugayong explains why an unlawful detainer case fails when the occupant's entry was illegal from the beginning.
Doctrine of Condonation: When Re-Election Erases Past Misconduct
The Supreme Court explains when re-election can erase past administrative misconduct, and when it cannot.
Unlawful Restraint: The Essential Elements of Serious Illegal Detention in the Philippines
Understand the elements of serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Pre-Existing Conditions vs Non-Disclosure: Protecting Seafarers' Rights to Disability Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies the three-day reporting rule for seafarers claiming disability benefits under the POEA-SEC.
Floating Status Limits and Project Employee Regularization in Philippine Labor Law
Supreme Court clarifies six-month limit on floating status and when project employees become regular under Philippine labor law.
Court Personnel and Homeowners' Association Duties: When Civic Service Is Not Moonlighting
Supreme Court clarifies when court employees may serve in homeowners' associations without violating conduct rules on outside employment.
Civic Duty vs Conflict of Interest: Court Employees and Community Leadership
The Supreme Court clarifies when court personnel may serve as homeowners' association officers without violating conduct rules.
When Lawyers Behave Badly: The Supreme Court on Suspension, Reputation, and Evidence
A 2017 Supreme Court ruling shows why disbarment complaints need solid evidence, and why lawyers must stay mindful of how their conduct appears to the public.
Upholding Judicial Integrity: A Judge's Failure to Comply With Court Directives and Its Consequences
A Supreme Court decision shows how a judge's repeated failure to obey audit directives and decide cases on time led to administrative liability and serious sanctions.
RA 10951 Retroactive Application: Modifying Malversation Penalties After Final Judgment
Explains Hernan v. Sandiganbayan, where the Supreme Court allowed RA 10951's favorable penalty reduction to apply even after final judgment in malversation cases.
Due Process Prevails: Cross-Examination Rights and the Consequences of Missed Notice
A Supreme Court ruling on why a labor arbiter cannot hold non-parties liable in an execution writ without due process and jurisdiction.
Rape and Mental Disability: Proving the Offender's Knowledge Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court clarifies that a rape victim's mental disability only qualifies the crime if the offender's knowledge of it is proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in Labor Cases: Jurisdiction and Due Process Limits
The Supreme Court clarifies that piercing the corporate veil cannot be used to hold non-parties liable in labor execution without proper jurisdiction.