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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Verbal Agreements to Sell Property: When Are They Enforceable in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when oral contracts to sell real property are enforceable and why buyers must prove readiness to pay.
Judicial Impartiality in Philippine Courts: The Cold Neutrality Standard
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the constitutional requirement of judicial impartiality, emphasizing that judges must not only be unbiased but must also appear impartial to litigants.
Rape and Consent: Force, Intimidation, and the Victim's Response in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a rape victim's lack of resistance does not imply consent, especially when force or intimidation is used.
Search Warrants in IP Cases: Probable Cause and Specificity Rules
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies probable cause and specificity requirements for search warrants in intellectual property infringement cases.
Recanted Testimony and Conflicting Medical Reports: When Can a Rape Conviction Be Overturned
Philippine Supreme Court explains when recanted testimony and conflicting medical reports can justify a new trial in rape convictions.
CBA Duration and Bargaining Unit Scope After Corporate Restructuring
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on CBA renegotiation terms and bargaining unit coverage after a corporate spin-off.
Unlawful Detainer and Ownership: When Courts Can Decide Title
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that MTCs can decide ownership in unlawful detainer cases, but only to resolve possession.
Employer Liability for Seafarers' Death: Navigating Repatriation Risks
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer liability when a seafarer dies during repatriation, clarifying the standard of care and compensation obligations.
Rape and Intimidation: When Silence Does Not Mean Consent in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a rape victim's silence or lack of struggle does not negate force or intimidation, especially when threats and weapons are involved.
The Importance of Positive Identification in Kidnapping Cases Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on positive identification in kidnapping cases, explaining why eyewitness testimony prevails over alibi.
Project Employee vs Regular Employee: Termination Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains the difference between project and regular employees, and the rules on termination rights under the Labor Code.
Project vs. Regular Employees: Burden of Proof in Illegal Dismissal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when workers are project or regular employees and who bears the burden of proof in illegal dismissal cases.
Annulment of Judgment: Jurisdiction and Timeliness in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that annulment of judgment requires extrinsic fraud or lack of jurisdiction, and certiorari must be filed within three months.
Safeguarding Election Integrity: Proper Handling of Ballots and Court Records
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when court personnel may allow photocopying of election ballots and the duties of clerks of court.
Diplomatic Immunity in the Philippines: Scope and Limitations Explained
Philippine Supreme Court explains diplomatic immunity scope for UN specialized agencies, its limits, and employee rights in Ebro v. NLRC.
Relief From Judgment: When Can You Reopen a Closed Case in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a final judgment may be reopened through relief from judgment under Rule 38, and when it cannot.
Jurisdiction Over Maritime Crimes: Where Can You Be Tried?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on venue for crimes committed on board vessels in transit, explained in plain language.
When Can a Foreign Corporation Sue in the Philippines? The ITEC Case
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when unlicensed foreign corporations may sue in local courts, with estoppel and doing business rules explained.
When Courts Can Intervene in Private Agreements: A Lesson from ITEC v. Communication Materials and Design
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts may intervene in private agreements, foreign corporations, and the limits of contractual freedom.
When Philippine Employers Can Deny Financial Assistance After Valid Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employers may deny financial assistance to employees validly dismissed for serious misconduct.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: How It Affects Search Warrants and Legal Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that forum shopping applies to search warrant applications, and seized property cannot be held indefinitely without criminal prosecution.
Chattel Mortgage Coverage of Future Loans: The Acme Shoe Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a chattel mortgage can cover future loans and why full payment extinguishes the security.
Buy-Bust Operations: When Is a Warrantless Arrest Valid in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court explains why buy-bust arrests are valid warrantless arrests in drug cases, and clarifies the rules on entrapment and searches.
Sheriffs’ Duty to Promptly Execute Writs and Consequences of Delay
Philippine Supreme Court holds deputy sheriff liable for delay in executing writs and filing returns, imposing two-month suspension.