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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Determining Damages in Wrongful Death: Balancing Compensation and Proof
How the Supreme Court balances compensation and proof in wrongful death cases, and what heirs must prove to recover damages.
When a Fake Lawyer Represented the Accused: Due Process and the Right to Counsel
The Supreme Court voids a conviction where the accused was represented by a non-lawyer, reaffirming the absolute right to counsel.
Civil Indemnity for Death: How Philippine Courts Determine Damages
The Supreme Court explains how civil indemnity, moral damages, and other awards are computed when a crime causes death, using Lim v. Tan as a guide.
Insubordination in the Workplace: Defining the Scope of Employee Duties and Employer Authority
The Supreme Court clarifies when an employee's refusal to follow orders is insubordination and when it is a justified defense against dismissal.
Company Time Is Not Playtime: Dismissal Upheld for Gambling on Duty
Supreme Court rules gambling during work hours is serious misconduct justifying dismissal, even without money stakes.
Assignees of Bank Mortgagee Entitled to Shorter Redemption Period Under General Banking Law
Supreme Court rules assignees of a bank mortgagee benefit from the shorter three-month redemption period under the General Banking Law.
Piercing the Corporate Veil Has Limits in Estate Proceedings: Mayor v. Tiu
The Supreme Court clarifies that probate courts cannot pierce the corporate veil to seize a corporation's assets as part of a decedent's estate.
When a Father's Duty Becomes a Crime: The Law on Incestuous Rape in the Philippines
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for raping his 12-year-old daughter, clarifying the rules on qualified rape, sexual assault, and damages.
Illegal Recruitment and Estafa: Liability for Promising Overseas Work
The Supreme Court affirmed convictions for illegal recruitment in large scale and estafa where accused spouses promised overseas jobs without a POEA license.
Social Media Speech and Employment: Defining the Boundaries of Loss of Trust in Termination Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loss of trust justifies dismissal, distinguishing rank-and-file from managerial employees.
Government Employment and Separation Benefits: The TransCo Ruling on Contractual Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when contractual government employees qualify for separation benefits and when good faith excuses refund of disallowed amounts.
Foreign Ownership in Public Utilities: The High Court Defines "Capital"
The Supreme Court clarifies that Under the Constitution
Piercing the Corporate Veil to Protect Workers' Right to Collective Bargaining
The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil when sister companies use separate personalities to defeat workers' right to collective bargaining.
Dismissal Based on Weak Evidence: The Employer's Burden in Illegal Dismissal Cases
In Oasis Park Hotel v. Navaluna, the Supreme Court reminds employers that the burden of proving a valid dismissal rests on them — and weak evidence favors the worker.
When Can Arbitration Statements Be Withheld? The Confidentiality Rule Explained
The Supreme Court clarifies when arbitration testimony and witness statements are confidential and protected from disclosure in other proceedings.
Probable Cause Required Before Customs Seizure: Commissioner of Customs v. Singson
Philippine Supreme Court rules customs forfeiture requires probable cause first, not mere suspicion or certification.
Treachery and Witness Credibility in Philippine Murder Convictions
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction, explaining treachery, witness credibility, and damages in Philippine criminal law.
Stroke Compensation Claims: When Work Stress Meets Employee Welfare
Supreme Court clarifies when stroke and hypertension are compensable under PD 626, emphasizing probability over certainty in employee claims.
Confidentiality in Arbitration: Supreme Court Shields Arbitration Statements From Slander Claims
The Supreme Court rules that witness statements and testimony in arbitration are confidential and cannot be used to support slander complaints.
Theft by Deceit, Overseas Job Scams, and Illegal Recruitment Law in the Philippines
A close look at how Philippine law treats illegal recruitment and large-scale estafa, and why the Supreme Court demands solid proof before property is seized.
Work-Related Stroke: Supreme Court Upholds Employees' Compensation Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that a worker's stroke can be compensable under Philippine law, using substantial evidence and probability.
Probable Cause and Customs Seizure: Protecting Due Process in Forfeiture Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that probable cause must precede customs seizure and forfeiture, protecting claimants from arbitrary government action.
Probable Cause in Customs Forfeiture: Commissioner of Customs v. Singson
The Supreme Court clarifies that customs forfeiture requires probable cause first, not mere suspicion or unverified certifications.
Upholding Drug Conviction: Chain of Custody and Witness Credibility in Buy-Bust Operations
Supreme Court affirms drug sale and possession conviction, explaining when lapses in Section 21 chain of custody rules are not fatal.