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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Online Psychological Abuse Under RA 9262: Penalty Raised for Social Media Use
Supreme Court affirms VAWC conviction for Facebook post, raises penalty for ICT use under Cybercrime Law.
Philippine Lease Agreements Upholding Tenant Rights Despite CO Ownership Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lease terms, co-ownership, and tenant rights in commercial property disputes.
Maintaining Impartiality: Why a Judge's Demeanor Matters in Philippine Courts
A judge's private talks with a litigant can create an appearance of bias. The Supreme Court explains why demeanor and perceived impartiality matter.
Piercing the Veil of Unregistered Organizations When Philippine Representatives Become Personally Liable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when officers of unregistered associations face personal liability for organizational debts.
Unreliable Eyewitness Testimony and the Presumption of Innocence in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court acquits three men convicted of robbery with homicide, ruling that inconsistent eyewitness testimony cannot overcome the presumption of innocence.
The Power of Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Robbery with Homicide Cases
How positive eyewitness identification overcomes alibi and denial in robbery with homicide prosecutions, as shown in People v. Carugal.
Unpacking Treachery: How Philippine Courts Define Murder
A look at how Philippine courts define treachery in murder cases, and why eyewitness identification must overcome reasonable doubt.
Exclusive Distributorship Breach: Key Lessons from Bayer vs. Bompat
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on exclusive distributorships: breach, compulsory counterclaims, storage fees, and damages explained for businesses.
Statutory Rape in the Philippines: Why Consent Does Not Matter When the Victim Is Under 12
Philippine law treats sexual intercourse with a child under 12 as statutory rape—consent is irrelevant. This case explains the rule.
Contempt of Court: Balancing Judicial Authority and Individual Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on indirect contempt, fines versus indefinite incarceration, and the courts' coercive power to enforce orders.
When a Lawyer's Negligence Binds the Client: The Mercury Drug Rule on Notice and Final Judgments
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's failure to inform the client of an adverse judgment is binding, and when relief from judgment is unavailable.
Forcible Abduction and Rape: When "Elopement" Is Actually a Crime
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies forcible abduction, rape, and grave coercion in People v. De Lara, distinguishing consensual elopement from criminal force.
Appeal vs Certiorari in Philippine Courts: Why the Wrong Remedy Can Cost You Your Case
Philippine Supreme Court explains why appeal and certiorari are not interchangeable remedies, and how choosing wrong can be fatal.
Jurisdiction Over Foreign Entities: Summons and Due Process in Philippine Courts
When can Philippine courts validly exercise jurisdiction over foreign corporations? The Banco do Brasil case explains the rules on summons and due process.
Intrafamilial Trust Betrayal Overcoming Testimony Inconsistencies IN Incestuous Rape Cases
How Philippine courts weigh a rape victim's testimony against minor inconsistencies, and why credibility prevails over trivial contradictions.
Unregistered Lease vs Mortgage: Tenant Rights in Foreclosure Explained
When a lease is unregistered and the property is foreclosed, who wins? The Supreme Court clarifies tenant rights in Mercader v. DBP.
Acquittal in Malversation Case Shows Audit Gaps Can Overcome Presumption of Guilt
Supreme Court acquits treasurer and cashier of malversation, ruling that flawed audit findings and lack of proof of actual shortage defeat the presumption of misappropriation.
Defining Jurisdiction: Courts vs Energy Regulatory Board in Overcharging Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that regular courts, not the ERB, hear disputes over electric overcharging and recovery of sums.
The Right to Litigate Must Be Exercised in Good Faith: Lessons from a Baseless Insurance Suit
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when filing a baseless lawsuit can expose a party to damages for bad faith litigation.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape of a Woman Deprived of Reason Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court affirms that sexual intercourse with a mentally retarded woman constitutes rape under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code.
Justice for the Silenced: How Witness Testimony Overcame Trauma in a Murder Conviction
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction based on a child eyewitness's testimony, ruling that credible witness accounts prevail over a weak alibi.
Police Power and Civilian Employees: Defining Authority Within the PNP
Supreme Court ruling on NAPOLCOM Resolution 93-032: civilian PNP employees cannot exercise police powers reserved for uniformed personnel.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Corporation Be Held Accountable for Its Affiliates' Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may disregard the separate legal personality of corporations and hold them liable for affiliates' actions.
When Judges Misapply Summary Procedure: Radomes v. Jakosalem and Judicial Accountability
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's error in applying summary procedure to grave coercion, and the duty of judges to know the law.