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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Court-Annexed Mediation in the Philippines: How It Works Under RA 9285
Court-annexed mediation in the Philippines lets a court-referred mediator help parties settle before trial. Learn how it works under RA 9285.
BIR Letter of Authority Audit in the Philippines: Your Rights and First 30 Days
Received a BIR Letter of Authority? Learn your rights, the Single-Instance Audit Framework, and the steps to take in the first 30 days of a tax audit.
Data Center Legal Requirements in the Philippines: The Complete Checklist
Data center legal requirements in the Philippines: SEC registration, NTC franchise or VAS rules, building and fire permits, and foreign ownership limits.
Regulatory Sandbox Philippines: How Fintechs Test Products with the BSP
The BSP Regulatory Sandbox lets fintechs test new financial products in a controlled, time-bound environment. Here is how the framework works.
Master Franchise Agreement Philippines: How Master Franchising Works
A master franchise agreement in the Philippines lets a master franchisee sub-franchise a brand within a territory. Learn how it works and what Philippine law requires.
PAGCOR Special Class of BPO Accreditation Requirements: A Step-by-Step Guide
A practical guide to PAGCOR Special Class of BPO accreditation requirements, from the Letter of Intent and fees to the Notice to Commence Operations.
How to File a Civil Case in the Philippines: A Step-by-Step Overview
Learn how to file a civil case in the Philippines, from demand letters to trial, in this plain-language step-by-step guide.
SEC GIS and AFS Filing in the Philippines: A Complete Guide
Learn the SEC GIS and AFS filing requirements in the Philippines, deadlines, and penalties. A plain-language guide for corporations.
Internet Gaming License PAGCOR Requirements in the Philippines: New Application Guide
A complete guide to Internet Gaming License PAGCOR requirements in the Philippines, covering documentary, locational, and pre-operational steps for new applicants.
BIR Registration for New Businesses in the Philippines: Steps and Requirements
Complete guide to BIR registration for new businesses in the Philippines: forms, documentary requirements, and step-by-step process to register and comply.
Annulment Grounds in the Philippines Under the Family Code: A Complete Guide
Learn the legal grounds for annulment in the Philippines under the Family Code, including void marriages, psychological incapacity, and the filing process.
OFW Reintegration Programs and Benefits in the Philippines: A Complete Guide
Learn about the Philippines' OFW reintegration program, the NRCO, and the benefits available to returning migrant workers under RA 10022 and RA 11641.
Seafarer Disability Benefits: When a Late or Vague Medical Assessment Means Automatic Total Disability
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a company-designated physician's incomplete or late medical assessment entitles a seafarer to permanent total disability benefits.
When a Bank's Letter of Guaranty Does Not Bind It to Pay: Planters Development Bank v. Fuerte
The Supreme Court ruled that a letter of guaranty must be read as a whole, and a bank may withhold payment when the collateral title is not clean.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Land Rights After Incomplete Expropriation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on expropriation, just compensation, and landowner rights when government fails to pay.
Seafarer Disability Claims: Medical Abandonment and Its Consequences in the Philippines
When a seafarer fails to complete required medical treatment and re-evaluation, the right to disability benefits may be forfeited. The Supreme Court explains.
Zealous Representation vs Misconduct: When a Lawyer's Demand Letter Is Not Deceit
A lawyer's demand letter to protect a client's interest in an unsettled estate is not misconduct, the Supreme Court rules.
Letter of Authority vs. Letter Notice: When a BIR Tax Assessment Is Void
The Supreme Court ruled that a BIR Letter Notice cannot substitute for a Letter of Authority—assessments without a valid LOA are void.
Untrue Statements in Securities Registration: The Caliraya Springs Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when a projected completion date in a securities registration statement becomes an actionable untrue statement under the Securities Regulation Code.
SEC Fraud Liability: When Projected Completion Dates Are Not Untrue Statements
Supreme Court clarifies that forward-looking statements in SEC registration filings are not automatically fraudulent misrepresentations under the Securities Regulation Code.
Untrue Statements Under the Securities Regulation Code: What Counts as Fraud
The Supreme Court clarifies when a projected completion date in a registration statement is an untrue statement under the Securities Regulation Code.
VAT Refund Claims: Complete Documents and Zero-Rated Sales Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies VAT refund rules on complete documents, zero-rated sales proof, and input tax computation for taxpayers.
Libel Conviction Upheld for Posting Carnapping Complaint on Bulletin Board
SC upholds libel conviction for posting a carnapping complaint on a jeepney terminal bulletin board, ruling publication and malice were proven.
When a Revenue Officer Lacks Authority: The LOA Requirement in Tax Audits
Philippine Supreme Court explains why a new Letter of Authority is required when tax investigations are reassigned to another revenue officer.