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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Maintaining Decorum: Workplace Altercations and the Duty of Court Employees in the Philippines
The Supreme Court fined two court employees for a workplace altercation, reaffirming that decorum and professionalism are non-negotiable in the judiciary.
Judicial Misconduct When Ex Parte Orders Exceed Legal Boundaries
The Supreme Court held a judge liable for gross ignorance of the law for issuing an ex parte TPO that improperly awarded child custody.
Bribery and Judicial Misconduct: Supreme Court Disbars Judge for Direct Bribery
The Supreme Court disbarred a judge convicted of direct bribery, affirming that corruption in the judiciary warrants the ultimate penalty.
Reliance on Subordinates: When Public Officials Avoid Liability for Disallowed Funds
The Supreme Court clarifies when a public official can invoke the Arias doctrine to avoid personal liability for disallowed government funds.
Bail and Plunder: Examining the Strength of Evidence for Provisional Liberty
The Supreme Court upholds denial of bail in plunder case, explaining the standard of "strong evidence" and the limits of certiorari review.
Lawyer Suspended for Two Years Over Falsified Deed Involving Deceased Landowner
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years for benefiting from a falsified deed of sale involving a property owner who had already died.
Finality of Court Orders and the 3-Day Notice Rule: Ti v. Diño
The Supreme Court clarifies that defective motions do not toll the appeal period, and personal service is mandatory when practicable.
The Three-Day Notice Rule: Ensuring Due Process in Motion Hearings
The Supreme Court clarifies the mandatory three-day notice rule for motions and why personal service is preferred in Philippine procedure.
Presumption of Regularity Shields Prosecutors From Baseless Bias Claims
Supreme Court clarifies that prosecutors enjoy presumption of regularity in performing duties, dismissing baseless administrative bias complaint.
Reconstitution of Lost Title: Supreme Court Clarifies Rules on Lost Certificates of Title
The Supreme Court reinstates a trial court ruling on reconstituting a lost title, clarifying the rules on evidence and documentation.
VAT Refund for Tourists Upheld: Why the Supreme Court Found No Equal Protection Violation
The Supreme Court upheld the VAT refund law for foreign tourists, ruling it does not violate equal protection and uniform taxation.
When an Employer Fails to Provide Work: Constructive Dismissal in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when an employer's failure to give work assignments amounts to illegal constructive dismissal, and what workers must prove.
Upholding Notarized Deeds: Supreme Court on Authenticity and Forgery in Property Sales
The Supreme Court affirms that notarized deeds enjoy a presumption of authenticity, and forgery claims require clear and convincing evidence to overturn them.
Belated Evidence and Land Title Registration: Substantial Justice Prevails
Explore how the Supreme Court balances procedural rules with substantial justice in land title registration cases, ensuring fairness prevails.
Psychological Incapacity: Mere Disagreement Is Not Grounds for Marriage Nullity
The Supreme Court clarifies that irreconcilable differences and personality clashes do not amount to psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Redundancy Programs Ensuring Fairness IN Employee Selection
The Supreme Court rules that a redundancy program must use fair criteria in selecting employees to dismiss, not just general business logic.
Timely Claims and Limited Liability: Arrastre Operator Obligations in Cargo Damage Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when cargo damage claims against arrastre operators are timely filed and how liability limits apply.
Unlawful Detainer: Tolerance vs. Right of Possession in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in unlawful detainer cases, mere tolerance by the owner establishes possession, and ownership issues cannot be collaterally attacked.
Injunction Relief in Property Disputes: Establishing Clear Rights and Irreparable Harm
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may grant preliminary injunctions in property disputes, requiring actual existing rights and urgent necessity.
Robbery with Rape: Proving Intent and Credibility of Victim Testimony
The Supreme Court affirms a robbery with rape conviction, explaining how intent to rob and credible victim testimony establish guilt.
Prescription and COA Authority Over Disbursed Public Funds: Ramiscal v. COA
The Supreme Court clarifies that the State's right to recover illegally disbursed public funds does not prescribe, but limits COA's power over tax collection.
Judicial Accountability vs Mercy: Balancing Misconduct Penalties with Mitigating Circumstances
The Supreme Court shows how mitigating circumstances can temper penalties for court employees guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect, and dishonesty.
State's Right to Recover Public Funds: Prescription Does Not Run Against the Government
Supreme Court rules the government's right to recover illegally disbursed public funds does not prescribe, but limits COA's power over tax collection.
Jurisdiction in Drug Cases: The Limits of Anti-Graft Authority and Protecting Individual Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction over drug cases involving public officials, emphasizing procedural rules and the hierarchy of courts.