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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Corporate Rehabilitation Tax Waiver: CTA Has Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Customs Duty Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies that tax and customs duty disputes during corporate rehabilitation belong exclusively to the Court of Tax Appeals, not regular courts.
Corporate Rehabilitation Tax Waivers and CTA Jurisdiction: Key Insights from Steel Corporation of the Philippi
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified CTA jurisdiction over tax waiver disputes arising from corporate rehabilitation under R.A. 10142.
Reasonable Doubt and the Chain of Custody: Protecting Rights in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect when police fail to prove an unbroken chain of custody, reinforcing constitutional protections.
Corporate Officer Status and Jurisdiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases: North Star v. Balagtas
When is a dismissed executive a corporate officer whose case belongs to regular courts, not the Labor Arbiter? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Constructive Dismissal Employers Burden TO Prove Fair Treatment AND Contractual Obligations
Learn the requisites for preliminary injunction in the Philippines and why disputed rights and compensable damages defeat the remedy.
Unexcused Absence When Is Dropping From the Rolls Justified
When does an employee's absence become AWOL? The Supreme Court explains the rule on dropping from the rolls.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Integrity of Seized Drugs and Fair Conviction
Why the chain of custody rule in drug cases matters, and how lapses affect the integrity of evidence and the accused's conviction.
Unexcused Absence: Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal for Employees Absent Without Leave
The Supreme Court drops a court employee from the rolls for AWOL, explaining the rules on absences without approved leave in government service.
Preliminary Injunction Requires Clear Right, Not Just a Contract Claim
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when preliminary injunctions may issue, emphasizing clear legal rights and irreparable injury requirements.
Breach of Contract and Estafa: Developer Liability for Unfulfilled Property Sale
When a developer fails to deliver titles after full payment, both civil and criminal remedies may apply. The Supreme Court clarifies when estafa and P.D. 957 violations arise.
Supreme Court on Land Registration Decree Re-Issuance: No Prescription for Old Titles
The Supreme Court clarifies that land registration decrees do not prescribe, allowing re-issuance of old decrees and issuance of OCTs even decades later.
Breach of Trust in the Workplace: When an Employer's Dismissal of a Chief Accountant is Unjustified
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when an employer's dismissal of a chief accountant for breach of trust is unjustified.
Treachery in Criminal Law: The Element of Surprise in Murder Convictions
A Supreme Court ruling explains how sudden, unexpected attacks constitute treachery in murder cases, and why evident premeditation requires more proof.
Grave Misconduct in Government Service: When Dismissal Is the Only Penalty
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of immigration officer for extortion and grave misconduct, ruling first offense cannot mitigate penalty.
When Land Registration Decrees Never Become Stale: Republic v. Claro Yap
The Supreme Court clarifies that prescription and laches do not bar the re-issuance of a land registration decree, affirming decades-old doctrines.
Bail VS Trial Understanding THE Standard OF Proof IN Provisional Liberty Petitions
Notarial Duty and Administrative Liability: Upholding Integrity in Court Services
A branch clerk of court was suspended for notarizing documents without following the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. Learn the rules and risks.
Bail vs Demurrer: Why Different Evidence Standards Apply in Provisional Liberty and Acquittal
The Supreme Court clarifies why bail hearings use a lower evidence standard than demurrers to evidence, which can lead to acquittal.
Dismissal for Defiance: Upholding the Court's Authority in Administrative Duties
A Supreme Court ruling suspends a branch clerk of court for notarizing documents without the required certification, underscoring strict compliance with court rules.
Martial Law Extension: Balancing Public Safety and Constitutional Rights
The Supreme Court upholds the one-year martial law extension in Mindanao, affirming that public safety and constitutional safeguards can coexist.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: When Police Lapses Lead to Acquittal
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where police failed to prove an unbroken chain of custody over seized marijuana, explaining the strict rules under RA 9165.
Notarizing a Spouse's Document: When Prior Law Allowed It
A lawyer notarized his wife's affidavit in 2002. The Court explains why no misconduct under the then-applicable notarial law.
Upholding Regulatory Authority: LTFRB Power to Suspend Certificates of Public Convenience for Public Safety Vi
Explore the Supreme Court's ruling affirming the LTFRB's authority to suspend certificates of public convenience for public safety violations.
Family Home Exemption Claim Must Be Proven, Not Just Asserted
A bare claim that property is a family home cannot stop execution of a final judgment. The claimant must prove it.