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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Contempt of Court for Defying a Corporate Rehabilitation Order in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms contempt charges against BIR officials who pursued deficiency tax claims despite a corporate rehabilitation Commencement Order.
Replevin and Vehicle Sales: When Entrusting Your Car Makes You Lose Ownership
A Supreme Court ruling on replevin clarifies when entrusting a vehicle to an agent for sale transfers ownership, and what claimants must prove.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Stockholder’s Assets Answer for Corporate Debts
The Supreme Court clarifies that stockholders are not automatically liable for corporate debts, even in close corporations, and explains when personal assets may be reached.
Protecting Victims: How Family Can Petition for Protection Orders Under the Anti-VAWC Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that a victim's family can file for protection orders under the Anti-VAWC Law, even after a criminal complaint is dismissed.
When Attorney Negligence Doesnt Equal Extrinsic Fraud Protecting Final Judgments
The Supreme Court clarifies that a lawyer's negligence, without malice or connivance with the adverse party, does not constitute extrinsic fraud to annul final judgments.
Credit Card Debt Collection: Proving the Basis of Claims in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on credit card collection cases: creditors must prove the basis of claims, not just submit a statement of account.
Redundancy and Fair Compensation: Balancing Business Needs and Employee Rights in Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies when redundancy dismissals are valid and when separation pay falls short of the Labor Code's requirements.
COA Disallowance of Irregular Government Funds: Good Faith Restitution Rule Explained
Supreme Court rules on COA disallowance of DBP car subsidy, clarifying when good faith excuses refund of disallowed government benefits.
Navigating NCIP Jurisdiction in Indigenous Peoples Rights Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when the NCIP has jurisdiction over ancestral domain disputes and when regular courts take over.
Notarizing Without Personal Appearance: The Cost of a Notary's Lapse
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer-notary for six months and permanently bars him from notarial commission for notarizing a deed without the parties' personal appearance.
Acts of Lasciviousness Under RA 7610: Scope of Child Sexual Abuse Defined
The Supreme Court clarifies when acts of lasciviousness fall under RA 7610's child abuse provisions, not just the Revised Penal Code.
Judicial Accountability: Timely Decisions and Ethical Conduct on the Bench
The Supreme Court holds judges accountable for delayed decisions and retirement violations, imposing fines on a retired judge.
Project Employees Remain Non-Regular Despite Repeated Rehiring: Herma Shipyard Case
Supreme Court clarifies that project employees performing necessary tasks and repeatedly rehired do not automatically become regular employees.
SALN Non-Disclosure: Intent Matters in Administrative Penalties for Public Officials
The Supreme Court clarifies that mere SALN omissions do not automatically mean dishonesty—intent to deceive must be shown.
Forum Shopping and Probable Cause: Safeguards Against Abuse in Anti-Money Laundering Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies the limits of freeze orders and bank inquiries in AMLA cases, penalizing forum shopping and demanding real probable cause.
Excise Tax on Cigarette Bundles: The Sin Tax Law and Packaging Rules
The Supreme Court ruled that excise tax applies to a 20-stick bundle as a whole, not to individual 5s or 10s pouches.
Client Bound by Counsel's Negligence? SC Relaxes Rules in Pontillas Construction Dispute
Supreme Court reminds courts that procedural rules serve justice, not hinder it, in a case involving counsel's lapses.
Project vs Regular Employment: Defining Boundaries of Fixed-Term Contracts in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when project-based employees become regular employees and the validity of fixed-term contracts in Philippine labor law.
Public Duty vs Private Interest: When a Prosecutor’s Delay Betrays Legal Ethics
The Supreme Court clarifies that a prosecutor's duty to expedite cases is not excused by a respondent's failure to assert the right to speedy disposition.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: Balancing Delay and Due Process in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the balancing test for inordinate delay in preliminary investigations, affirming that prosecutors must justify delays.
Project Employees vs Regular Employees: When Contracts Determine Labor Status
Supreme Court clarifies when project-based employees remain project employees despite repeated rehiring and performing tasks necessary to business.
Final Judgment Immutability and Limits of Execution in Land Reclamation Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on final judgment immutability, execution limits, and procedural remedies in land reclamation disputes.
Co-Ownership and Lease Agreements: Property Rights After a Spouse's Death
Learn how the Supreme Court resolved lease, co-ownership, and property rights disputes after a spouse's death in Uy v. Estate of Vipa Fernandez.
BIR Assessments Without a Letter of Authority Are Void for Lack of Due Process
Philippine Supreme Court voids BIR deficiency assessments issued without a Letter of Authority, and clarifies HMO gross receipts for VAT.