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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Just Compensation and Agrarian Reform: When Courts Can Deviate From DAR Guidelines
The Supreme Court clarifies when Special Agrarian Courts may deviate from DAR valuation formulas in determining just compensation under RA 6657.
Upholding Ethical Standards: Negligence and Conflict of Interest in Public Office
A Supreme Court ruling on public officials who signed resolutions recommending their own appointments, and the consequences of conflict of interest.
Safeguarding Rights: The Importance of Witness Presence in Drug Cases
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where no DOJ representative witnessed the inventory, stressing strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Defective Summons When A Court Lacks Power Over A Person
When service of summons is defective, a court cannot acquire jurisdiction over a defendant—even if the defendant asks for some relief.
Jurisdictional Thresholds Determining Court Competence In Property Disputes
A 2019 Supreme Court ruling clarifies what courts must decide in land registration cases and the limits of Rule 45 review.
Due Process and Delay: Upholding Debt Recovery Despite Repeated Postponements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how repeated postponements do not violate due process in debt recovery cases.
Challenging Notarized Documents and Torrens Titles in Land Registration Cases
The Supreme Court explains when claims of overlapping titles fail in land registration cases, and why Torrens titles remain protected.
Overlapping Land Claims Resolving Boundary Disputes IN Property Registration
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies remedies for unpaid sellers in land sales, distinguishing dacion en pago from absolute sale.
Reasonable Doubt in Drug Cases: Chain of Custody and the Insulating Witness Rule
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to secure the required witnesses during inventory, reinforcing the chain of custody rule.
Fresh Period Rule Applies to NCIP Appeals: A Win for Due Process in Indigenous Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Fresh Period Rule governs appeals from NCIP Regional Hearing Officers, protecting due process in ancestral land cases.
Unpaid Property Resolving Sales When Buyers Fail TO PAY
When buyers fail to pay, sellers may rescind the sale. This article explains the legal rules on unpaid property sales in the Philippines.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: When Courts May Deviate From DAR Valuation Guidelines
Explaining when courts may depart from DAR valuation formulas in agrarian reform cases, and why a clear explanation is required.
Upholding Attorney Accountability Negligence IN Notarizing Documents AND Breach OF Legal Ethics
Reasonable Doubt Safeguarding Individual Rights IN Drug Cases Through Strict Adherence TO Chain OF Custody
Quieting of Title as Direct Attack: Final Judgments and Property Claims in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that quieting of title is a direct attack on a certificate of title, not a prohibited collateral attack.
Falsified Documents and Fraud: How Courts Determine Liability in Complex Crimes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how courts determine liability when falsified documents and fraud are alleged, using a forged deed of sale case.
VAT Zero Rating: Proving Tax Exempt Status for Power Generation Services
Supreme Court clarifies that power generators selling to NPC may claim VAT zero-rating under Section 108(B)(3) without an ERC Certificate of Compliance.
Subsidiary Liability of Employers: Execution Against Employers for Employees' Civil Delicts
Supreme Court clarifies when employers may be held subsidiarily liable for employees' civil liability arising from criminal acts.
Quieting of Title in the Philippines: Direct vs. Collateral Attacks Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when challenging a land title's validity is a direct attack, not a collateral one, in quieting of title cases.
Attorney Neglect Upholding Diligence AND Competence IN Legal Representation
Lawyer Disbarred for Neglect and Client Abandonment: Lessons on Legal Ethics
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years and orders return of fees for neglecting a client's annulment case.
CBA vs Company Policy: Protecting Employee Rights in SSS Loan Availment
Supreme Court rules company policy capping employee loans at 50% of pay violates CBA and Labor Code.
When Buy-Bust Operations Fail: Why Inconsistent Police Testimony Leads to Acquittal in Drug Cases
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect after police witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the buy-bust operation, underscoring the prosecution's burden of proof.
Good Faith and Land Titles: Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when good faith protects parties from contempt in property disputes, balancing court orders with rights of innocent buyers.