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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Execution Pending Appeal: Moral Damages and Attorney's Fees Excluded
Supreme Court rules moral damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees cannot be included in execution pending appeal. Learn the rules.
Landowner Retention Rights: When Selling Land Does Not Waive the Five-Hectare Limit
The Supreme Court clarifies when a landowner's sale of agricultural land does not waive the right to retain five hectares under agrarian reform.
Sabbatical Leave and Abuse of Rights: Understanding Employer Discretion in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sabbatical leave is a privilege, not a right, and explains when employer discretion amounts to abuse of rights.
Golf Courses and Amusement Tax: When Local Tax Power Exceeds Its Boundaries
The Supreme Court nullifies Cebu City's amusement tax on golf courses, ruling it exceeds the Local Government Code's grant of taxing authority.
Sabbatical Denials and Due Process: Balancing University Autonomy and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when a university's denial of sabbatical leave and withholding of salaries constitutes bad faith, and when it does not.
Illegal Recruitment: When Promising Overseas Jobs Without a License Becomes a Crime
The Supreme Court clarifies when promising overseas employment without a license constitutes illegal recruitment in large scale under Philippine law.
Premature Filing Bars Seafarers Disability Claim: POEA-SEC 240-Day Rule Explained
Filing a disability claim before the company doctor issues an assessment within 240 days can be fatal. Learn from this Supreme Court ruling.
Trademark Law Dominancy Test Prevails in Papa Brand Dispute
Supreme Court applies dominancy test in trademark confusion case between Papa and Papa Boy & Device marks.
Lawyer Suspended Three Years for Borrowing Client's Jewelry and Issuing Worthless Check
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for three years for pawning client's jewelry and issuing a dishonored check, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
The People's Choice Prevails: Upholding Electoral Will Over Procedural Technicalities in Candidate Substitutio
Supreme Court rules that a deceased candidate's substitute cannot be disqualified on technical grounds after the electorate has spoken.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence for Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court explains why strict chain of custody rules matter in drug cases, and how lapses can affect convictions.
PNRC Sui Generis Status and CSC Jurisdiction: Balancing Autonomy and Public Accountability
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that the CSC has appellate jurisdiction over PNRC employees despite the Red Cross's sui generis status.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence for Conviction
How the Supreme Court applied the chain of custody rule in People v. Miranda y Beltran to uphold a drug conviction.
Treachery in Murder Cases: Intent, Witness Credibility, and the Weight of Alibi
The Supreme Court affirms a murder conviction for a shooting qualified by treachery, clarifying witness credibility and the defense of alibi.
Labor-Only Contracting: Identifying the True Employer and Protecting Workers' Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies who the true employer is in labor-only contracting arrangements, protecting workers' rights under Philippine law.
Protecting Subdivision Open Spaces: HLURB Jurisdiction and Mortgage Validity
Supreme Court rules subdivision open spaces cannot be mortgaged or foreclosed, and HLURB has jurisdiction over such disputes.
When Can a Partner’s Personal Assets Be Seized for Partnership Debts?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a partner’s personal assets may be seized for partnership debts, and the due process required.
Extrajudicial Rescission of Lease Contracts: What Philippine Law Allows
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lessor may extrajudicially rescind a lease contract without court approval, and the risks involved.
Breach of Trust in Employment: Requisites for Valid Dismissal in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when breach of trust justifies dismissal and what due process requires in Philippine labor law.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Integrity of Evidence Matters
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect over broken chain of custody, stressing strict compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Police Lapses Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to follow Section 21's chain of custody rules, stressing evidence integrity.
Extrajudicial Rescission of Lease Contracts: What Lessors Should Know
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that lessors may extrajudicially rescind lease contracts for nonpayment of rent, even without an express contractual provision.
Mortgage Rights Prevail Protecting Mortgagee Interests Over Subsequent Property Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how registered mortgages prevail over later contracts to sell, protecting mortgagee rights.
Breach of Trust When a Commission Agreement Leads to Criminal Liability for Estafa
When does failing to remit sales proceeds become estafa, not just debt? The Supreme Court explains in Cheng v. People.