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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Incestuous Rape: Upholding Parental Moral Ascendancy and Protecting Minor Victims
Philippine Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of a father figure, clarifying force, minority as aggravating circumstance, and damages.
Breach of Trust When Employee Disloyalty Justifies Termination in the Philippines
When does employee disloyalty justify termination? The Supreme Court explains breach of trust doctrine in Philippine labor law.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: What People v. Dalawis Teaches
The Supreme Court explains when lapses in Section 21 drug evidence rules do not void a conviction.
When a Transfer Is Not Constructive Dismissal: The Manalo Case
Learn when a faculty transfer is valid management prerogative and not constructive dismissal, from the Supreme Court's Manalo ruling.
Writ of Possession: Absolute Right After Ownership Consolidation
Foreclosure buyers gain an absolute right to possession once title consolidates. The Supreme Court explains the limits of appeals and stay orders.
Compromise and Complicity: How Settlement With One Party Affects Liability of Others in Securities Fraud
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether settling with one defendant in a securities fraud case extinguishes liability of other alleged co-conspirators.
Upholding Ethical Standards: University's Right to Transfer Faculty for Breaches of Professional Ethics
When can a university transfer a professor for ethical lapses? The Supreme Court clarifies management prerogative versus constructive dismissal.
When Court Errors Are Not Administrative Cases: The Tallado v. Racoma Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when a judge's error is a judicial matter, not an administrative offense, in Tallado v. Racoma.
Solidary Liability in Suretyship: Partners' Obligations in Loan Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on solidary liability of partners and sureties in loan agreements, explained in plain language.
Floating Status of Security Guards: When Return-to-Work Orders Defeat Claims of Constructive Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies when specific return-to-work orders prevent a finding of constructive dismissal for security guards on floating status.
Supreme Court: Selling Pirated Software Alone Is Copyright Infringement
The Supreme Court rules that merely selling pirated software constitutes copyright infringement under PD 49, reversing the Court of Appeals' restrictive reading.
Possession Follows Ownership: Enforcing Writs After Foreclosure
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a writ of possession is a ministerial duty once title is consolidated, even against third-party claimants.
Res Judicata Bars Relitigating Membership Disputes in Corporate Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when res judicata prevents corporations from relitigating membership issues already settled in prior cases.
Land Registration Jurisdiction: When Full Trial Beats Summary Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when land registration cases need full trial instead of summary proceedings under PD 1529.
Amparo Writ Scope: Extralegal Killings and Enforced Disappearances Only
Supreme Court clarifies the writ of amparo covers only extralegal killings and enforced disappearances, not ordinary threats from private individuals.
Breach of Trust as Just Cause for Dismissal in Philippine Banking
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a bank branch head's breach of trust justifies dismissal under Article 282 of the Labor Code.
Conflicting Medical Reports: When a Seafarer Gets Full Disability Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court rules on conflicting company doctor reports, entitling seafarer to full permanent disability benefits under POEA-SEC.
Mootness in Military Justice: When Court Martial Acquittals Nullify Legal Challenges
The Supreme Court explains why post-acquittal court martial proceedings render constitutional challenges moot and academic in military justice cases.
Treachery Defined: Ensuring Justice for Victims of Stealth Attacks in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains treachery in murder cases, ruling that killing a sleeping victim with a bolo qualifies as treachery.
Ancestral Domain Disputes NCIP Jurisdiction and the Rights of Non-Indigenous Parties
The Supreme Court clarifies when the NCIP has jurisdiction over ancestral domain disputes and when regular courts decide cases involving non-indigenous parties.
Temporary Layoffs in the Philippines: When Financial Stability Claims Fail Legal Scrutiny
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when temporary layoffs are illegal, requiring employers to prove good faith and dire business exigency.
Probable Cause and Judicial Discretion in Philippine Criminal Proceedings
The Supreme Court clarifies when judges may re-determine probable cause and how judicial discretion must respect final rulings.
Limits of a General Power of Attorney Authority to Sell Real Property in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a general power of attorney does not authorize an agent to sell real property without a special power of attorney.
Murder Conviction Affirmed: Treachery, Alibi, and Damages in People v. Parba
Supreme Court affirms murder conviction based on positive identification, rejecting alibi and clarifying damages in treachery cases.