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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Campaign Ad Ban in the Philippines: Balancing Free Speech and Fair Elections
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the political ad ban under RA 6646, ruling it a valid regulation ensuring equal opportunity among candidates.
Police Use of Force: When Does Protection Become Illegal Search and Seizure
The Supreme Court clarifies when police stops and frisks cross the line into unconstitutional searches, using a grenade possession case as the example.
Fair Competition in the Oil Industry: The Unconstitutionality of R.A. 8180's Anti-Competitive Provisions
The Supreme Court struck down R.A. 8180 for creating barriers to entry and entrenching an oil oligopoly, reaffirming the constitutional mandate for fair competition.
Stop-and-Frisk Doctrine: Balancing Public Safety and Individual Rights in Drug Cases
Explaining the stop-and-frisk exception to warrantless searches in Philippine drug cases, and how courts balance public safety with constitutional rights.
Admissibility of Confessions: Protecting Your Rights During Custodial Investigation in the Philippines
The Supreme Court acquits a murder accused whose extrajudicial confession was taken without full Miranda rights, reaffirming constitutional safeguards.
Navigating Land Title Reconstitution: Due Diligence and Jurisdictional Requirements in the Philippines
A guide to the strict jurisdictional rules for land title reconstitution in the Philippines, drawn from the Supreme Court's ruling in Ortigas & Co. v. Velasco.
Confessions and Constitutional Rights: Navigating Custodial Investigations in the Philippines
Philippine law on confessions and custodial investigation rights explained through People v. Fabro, a 1997 Supreme Court ruling.
Navigating Illegal Drug Possession Cases: Rights and Reclusion Perpetua
Understanding the Supreme Court's ruling on drug possession, constitutional rights during warrantless searches, and the penalty of reclusion perpetua.
Confessions and Constitutional Rights: Safeguarding the Accused in Custodial Investigations
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on inadmissible uncounselled confessions and the constitutional rights of persons under custodial investigation.
Speedy Disposition of Cases: When Ombudsman Delay Justifies Dismissal
The Supreme Court ruled that a six-year delay by the Ombudsman in resolving complaints violates the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.
Reconstitution of Land Titles: Ensuring Validity and Protecting Property Rights in the Philippines
Learn the strict requirements for judicial reconstitution of lost land titles under R.A. 26 and why non-compliance voids the proceedings.
Mining Claim Disputes: Tie Points and Reconstitution Requirements in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mining claim validity, tie points under the Philippine Bill of 1902, and reconstitution rules.
Trial in Absentia and Due Process: Lessons from Parada vs. Judge Veneracion
When can trial proceed without the accused? The Supreme Court clarifies the constitutional requirements for trial in absentia in the Philippines.
Ombudsman's Power to Prosecute: Understanding Its Limits and Scope in the Philippines
The Supreme Court upholds the Ombudsman's power to investigate and prosecute public officials under R.A. 6770, clarifying constitutional limits.
Justice Delayed: The Right to Speedy Disposition of Cases in the Philippines
The Supreme Court rules that a six-year delay by the Ombudsman violates the constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases, citing Angchangco.
Filipino First Policy in Business Deals: Manila Prince Hotel v. GSIS
A landmark ruling on the Filipino First Policy: why the Constitution protects national patrimony like the Manila Hotel from foreign takeover.
Eyewitness Testimony in Philippine Criminal Law: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Understand how Philippine courts weigh eyewitness testimony in criminal cases and the constitutional standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Robbery With Homicide: Conspiracy and Constitutional Rights in Philippine Law
A Philippine Supreme Court case explains conspiracy in robbery with homicide and the exclusionary rule for evidence from illegal arrests.
Admissibility of Confessions: When Can Your Words Be Used Against You
The Supreme Court explains when extrajudicial confessions are admissible, the right to counsel, and waiver rules under the 1987 Constitution.
Judicial Impartiality in Philippine Courts: The Cold Neutrality Standard
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the constitutional requirement of judicial impartiality, emphasizing that judges must not only be unbiased but must also appear impartial to litigants.
Executive Clemency and Pending Appeals: When Can a Pardon Be Granted?
Philippine Supreme Court rules pardons granted while an appeal is pending are void, explaining the constitutional limits on executive clemency.
Double Jeopardy in the Philippines: Can You Be Tried Twice for the Same Crime?
Understand the double jeopardy rule in the Philippines, its constitutional basis, and how courts apply it to prevent repeated prosecution for the same offense.
Warrantless Arrests and Searches: What the Constitution Requires
The Supreme Court explains when warrantless arrests and searches are legal, and why evidence from illegal ones is inadmissible.
Sequestration and Search and Seizure: Constitutional Limits in Asset Recovery
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on PCGG sequestration and search and seizure orders, and the constitutional limits on asset recovery.