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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Bill Deposits and Consumer Rights: What the Supreme Court Said in Colmenares v. ERC
The Supreme Court upheld bill deposits as valid but dismissed the challenge on procedural grounds. Here's what consumers should know.
Conjugal Property Presumptions: Protecting Separate Assets from a Spouse's Debts
Learn how the Supreme Court protects separate property from a spouse's debts and what evidence overcomes the conjugal presumption.
Competency of Witnesses With Intellectual Disabilities: Safeguarding Justice in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms that intellectual disability alone does not disqualify a witness, provided they can perceive and communicate their perceptions.
Protecting Employee Rights: How Forced Resignation Leads to Constructive Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies when forced resignation amounts to constructive dismissal, protecting employees from hostile work environments and coercive employer conduct.
Protecting Children: Understanding Qualified Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when child trafficking is qualified, why force or coercion need not be proven, and what this means for prosecutions.
When a Facebook Post Becomes a Crime: VAWC, Social Media, and Higher Penalties
The Supreme Court rules that using Facebook to commit psychological abuse under VAWC warrants a higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Cyber-Enabled Robbery in the Philippines: How RA 10175 Raises Penalties for Digital Extortion
Learn how the Supreme Court applies the Cybercrime Prevention Act to robbery committed through digital means, and why penalties are one degree higher.
Robbery and Cybercrime: Protecting Yourself From Digital Extortion in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies how online threats to expose intimate photos can constitute robbery, and why the Cybercrime Prevention Act raises the penalty.
Insurance Claims and Excluded Risks: Understanding Insurrection and Rebellion
When do violent attacks fall under excluded insurance risks like insurrection or rebellion? The Supreme Court clarifies in Platinum Group Metals Corp. v. Mercantile Insurance.
Combating Human Trafficking: The State's Burden to Prove Trafficking for Prostitution
The Supreme Court clarifies the elements of qualified human trafficking for prostitution, emphasizing that actual sexual intercourse is not required for conviction.
Cyber Libel Retroactivity: When Online Posts Before RA 10175 Are Not Punishable
The Supreme Court clarifies that Facebook posts made before the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 cannot be prosecuted as cyber libel.
Concurrent Authority Investigating Energy Market Breaches in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that PEMC and ERC share concurrent power to investigate WESM rule breaches, resolving a jurisdictional dispute.
Concurrent Jurisdiction: PEMC Authority to Investigate WESM Rule Breaches
Supreme Court affirms PEMC's concurrent power with ERC to investigate and sanction WESM rule breaches by market participants.
Reviving Justice: How Refiling a Quasi-Delict Complaint Overcomes Prescription
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies summons service, real party in interest, and prescription in refiled quasi-delict cases.
Retroactivity of Tax Rulings Clarifying Documentary Stamp Tax on Intercompany Advances
Supreme Court clarifies when tax rulings apply retroactively, affecting documentary stamp tax on intercompany advances and refund claims.
Copyright Infringement: Playing Music in Commercial Establishments Without a License
Philippine Supreme Court rules commercial establishments need music licenses. Learn about copyright infringement, FILSCAP, and royalty obligations.
Bank Negligence in the Philippines: The BDO v. Seastres Case on Extraordinary Diligence
When banks fail to exercise extraordinary diligence, they can be held fully liable for unauthorized withdrawals, as the Supreme Court ruled in BDO v. Seastres.
Psychological Abuse via Facebook: Higher Penalty Under Cybercrime Law
Supreme Court rules posting demeaning messages on Facebook constitutes psychological abuse under RA 9262, with higher penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Piercing the Corporate Veil in Labor Cases: The Toledo Construction Ruling
When courts ignore corporate structures to enforce labor judgments, protecting workers from fraudulent asset transfers and evasion.
When Fraud or Force Negates Consent in Rape: People v. Disipulo
The Supreme Court clarifies that consent obtained through fraud or overcome by force is not valid consent in rape cases.
Upholding Traffic Regulations: Valid Delegation of Power and Public Safety
The Supreme Court upholds traffic penalty regulations as valid exercises of delegated legislative power and police power for public safety.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Jurisdiction First, Liability Later
Supreme Court clarifies that courts must first acquire jurisdiction over a corporation before applying the piercing the corporate veil doctrine to hold owners liable.
Corporate Officers Held Liable for Customs Fraud Piercing the Corporate Veil
Learn how Philippine courts pierce the corporate veil to hold officers liable for customs fraud, and what this means for corporate governance.
Trafficking in Persons for Prostitution Is a Crime Even If Intercepted Before Exploitation
Supreme Court clarifies that recruitment for prostitution constitutes trafficking in persons even if the intended exploitation is intercepted.