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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Transfer of Employees Is a Valid Managerial Prerogative Unless Done in Bad Faith
The Supreme Court explains when an employee transfer amounts to constructive dismissal and when it is a valid exercise of management prerogative.
Intimidation Over Resistance Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Lack of Physical Injury
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction, ruling that intimidation can overcome the need to prove physical resistance or injury in a sexual assault case.
Meralco Rate Hikes: Balancing Consumer Protection and Utility Viability
The Supreme Court affirms the ERC's power to grant provisional rate increases, balancing consumer protection with utility financial viability.
When Circumstantial Evidence Fails: The Ador Case and the Presumption of Innocence
The Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Ador shows how weak circumstantial evidence, flawed identification, and uncounseled admissions cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
The Weight of Eyewitness Testimony vs Paraffin Test Results in Murder Convictions
The Supreme Court explains why a negative paraffin test cannot overcome positive eyewitness identification in a murder conviction.
When a Judge Oversteps the Limits of Authority After Inhibition or Demise
A judge's contempt power must be exercised judiciously. Learn from a case where a judge abused it and was dismissed.
Witness Credibility Prevails Over Alibi and Treachery in Murder Conviction
Supreme Court clarifies when a lone eyewitness's testimony can overcome alibi and when treachery fails to qualify murder.
Piercing the Corporate Veil When Sales to Avoid Labor Judgments Are Void
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may pierce the corporate veil to hold owners liable for obligations, including labor judgments.
Piercing the Corporate Veil to Protect Conjugal Property Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains when a corporation's separate personality may be set aside to reach property that really belongs to a married couple's conjugal estate.
Rape of a Mentally Retarded Person: Consent and Legal Standards in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sexual intercourse with a mentally retarded person is rape, as they cannot give legal consent.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Parent Company Be Held Liable for a Subsidiary's Labor Violations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when related corporations may be treated as one employer for labor liability, including separation pay and backwages.
Upholding Legal Ethics: Attorneys Accountability for Misappropriating Client Funds
A look at Mercedes Nava v. Atty. Sorongon, where the Supreme Court addressed conflict of interest and the mandatory requirement of formal investigation in disbarment cases.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Balancing Corporate Independence and Labor Rights
When can courts disregard corporate fiction to hold officers liable for labor claims? The Supreme Court explains in this labor law case.
When Drunken Banter Turns Deadly: Redefining Murder to Homicide in Philippine Law
Explore how the Supreme Court redefined murder to homicide in a drunken altercation case, clarifying intent and liability.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Parent Company Be Liable for Its Subsidiary's Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court explains the strict requirements for piercing the corporate veil and holding a parent liable for subsidiary obligations.
Alibi vs Positive Identification: When Does Alibi Hold Weight in Philippine Courts?
The Supreme Court explains when alibi can overcome positive identification, acquitting one accused while convicting two others for murder.
Credibility of Testimony Can Overcome Medical Findings in Philippine Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why a rape conviction can rest on credible victim testimony even when medical findings show no hymenal laceration.
Mitigating Circumstances and Juvenile Justice in Philippine Murder Cases
How the Supreme Court balanced mercy and accountability for a minor convicted of murder, crediting minority and a guilty plea to reduce the penalty.
Moral Ascendancy in Incestuous Rape: How a Father's Power Overcomes a Victim's Will
The Supreme Court explains why moral ascendancy, not just physical force, overcomes a victim's will in incestuous rape cases.
Percentage Tax on Pawnshops: Defining Lending Investors Under Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on whether pawnshops are lending investors subject to 5% percentage tax under the NIRC.
Service of Court Decisions: When Notice to a Party Trumps Notice to Counsel
Philippine Commercial International Bank v. Court of Appeals clarifies when service of a CIAC decision on a party, not counsel, starts the appeal period.
Compulsory vs Permissive Counterclaims: When Court Fees Are Not Required in Loan Disputes
Learn when a counterclaim in a loan dispute is compulsory and exempt from docket fees, based on a 2003 Supreme Court ruling.
Presumption of Innocence and Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a father of four rape counts, ruling that vague testimony and medical findings alone cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
Competency of Witnesses: Testimony of Persons with Mental Retardation in Rape Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that a person with mental retardation can be a competent witness in rape cases if able to perceive and relate facts.