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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Dismissal Due to Faulty Drug Evidence Handling: Integrity of Evidence in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug accused because police failed to justify non-compliance with Section 21, RA 9165's chain of custody rule.
Limits on Allowances When Public Funds Demand Strict Interpretation
The Supreme Court upheld COA's disallowance of PhilHealth board allowances, ruling that public funds demand strict interpretation of what the law allows.
Reasonable Doubt and the Chain of Custody Rule in Philippine Drug Cases
A look at how the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect due to police lapses in the chain of custody, reinforcing the protection of individual rights.
Breach of Trust: How Philippine Law Punishes Theft by Domestic Servants
The Supreme Court explains qualified theft by domestic servants, intent to gain, and penalties under RA 10951.
Chains Unbroken Safeguarding Rights In Drug Cases Through Strict Evidence Integrity
A drug conviction overturned because police failed to follow chain of custody rules. Learn the strict requirements and practical lessons.
Broken Chains: Why Lapses in Drug Evidence Custody Lead to Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect when police fail to account for missing witnesses and photos in chain of custody.
AWOL and Dropping from the Rolls: Employee Rights Under Philippine Law
Learn the rules on AWOL in the Philippine civil service, including the 30-day rule, non-disciplinary separation, and employee rights.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Quilang Means for Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court explains when marking seized drugs at the police station, not at the arrest site, still satisfies the chain of custody rule.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Marking at Nearest Office Is Sufficient for Conviction
The Supreme Court clarifies that marking seized drugs at the nearest police station or office of the apprehending team satisfies the chain of custody rule.
Chain OF Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity IN Philippine LAW 21
Circumstantial Evidence and Parricide: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Familial Crimes
How the Supreme Court upheld a parricide conviction based on circumstantial evidence, not direct proof, in People v. Espinosa.
Land Registration Revisited: Why Proof of Alienability Remains Paramount
The Supreme Court denies a second land registration bid, reiterating that a CENRO certification alone cannot prove a property is alienable and disposable.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Determining Employer Status in Labor Disputes
Learn when courts pierce the corporate veil in labor cases and how legitimate job contracting differs from prohibited labor-only contracting.
Voluntary Arbitration Appeals: The 15-Day Filing Period in Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies that appeals from voluntary arbitrator decisions must be filed within 15 days under Rule 43, not 10 days.
Dishonored Checks and Professional Misconduct: When Lawyers Fail to Uphold the Law
A lawyer's two-year suspension for issuing worthless checks and evading arrest, explained in plain language for lay readers.
Attorney's Dishonored Checks and Evasion Lead to Two-Year Suspension
A lawyer who issued worthless checks and evaded arrest was suspended for two years, reaffirming the high standards of honesty required of the bar.
Reorganization in Bad Faith: Protecting Security of Tenure in Government Service
When government reorganizations target employees in bad faith, security of tenure still protects them. Learn the legal standard.
Burden of Proof in Quasi-Delict Claims: Proving Negligence in Vehicular Accidents
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on negligence, quasi-delict liability, and evidentiary standards in a vehicular accident insurance subrogation case.
Testimony After Trauma: Res Gestae and Proving Guilt in Rape Cases
When a rape victim dies before trial, can her words still convict? The Supreme Court explains the res gestae exception to hearsay.
Statements After Trauma RES Gestae AND THE Admissibility OF Hearsay IN Rape Cases
Social Security Coverage: Who Qualifies as an Employer and Member Rights
Supreme Court clarifies SSS coverage rules, employer definition, and member rights in Haveria v. SSS.
SSS Erroneous Contributions and the Principle of Estoppel: A Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling on erroneous SSS contributions, estoppel against government agencies, and employee membership validity.
Free Patent Land and Road Projects: When the Government Must Pay Just Compensation
The Supreme Court clarifies when the government must pay just compensation for right-of-way easements over free patent lands under the Public Land Act.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Banquilay Means for Buy-Bust Evidence
The Supreme Court affirms a drug sale conviction, clarifying that minor chain of custody lapses do not automatically invalidate seized evidence.