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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Formal Offer of Evidence Required: Heirs' Unpresented Deeds Fail in Partition Case
Supreme Court affirms that evidence not formally offered cannot be considered, even in inheritance disputes over land partition.
Government Contracts and Procurement: Why Funding Rules and Indispensable Parties Matter
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on local government loans, procurement funding requirements, and the need to implead indispensable parties in taxpayer suits.
Illegal Dismissal and Abandonment: What Employers Must Prove and How Separation Pay Is Computed
Learn the requisites of abandonment as a defense to illegal dismissal, and how the Supreme Court computes separation pay in lieu of reinstatement.
Docket Fees and Ethics: When Omitting Damages in a Complaint Is Not Unethical
The Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's omission of damages in a complaint prayer crosses the line into unethical conduct.
Barangay Settlement Enforcement: MCTC Jurisdiction and the 10-Day Rule
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified enforcement of barangay amicable settlements, including MCTC jurisdiction and the binding 10-day repudiation period.
Just Compensation in Eminent Domain: Value at Time of Taking Plus Interest for Delay
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation is based on fair market value at the time of taking, plus legal interest for delayed payment.
Tañon Strait Case: Presidential Authority and Protecting Philippine Waters
The Supreme Court's Tañon Strait ruling clarifies presidential authority over service contracts and environmental protection in Philippine waters.
Public Bidding vs Direct Contracting: Supreme Court on COMELEC's PCOS Procurement
Supreme Court rules COMELEC gravely abused discretion in direct contracting with Smartmatic for PCOS repair, reaffirming public bidding as general rule.
Fair Play in Legal Practice: Limits on Filing Criminal Charges to Gain Advantage in Civil Cases
When does a lawyer cross the line by filing criminal charges during a civil case? The Supreme Court explains the test under Rule 19.01.
Treachery and Self-Defense: Understanding the Elements of Murder in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains treachery and self-defense in murder cases, using People v. Samuya as a guide.
Corporate Responsibility Enforcing Contracts Despite Technicalities
Supreme Court clarifies corporate rehabilitation rules, HLURB receiver requests, and 180-day plan approval periods in Lexber v. Dalman.
Retroactivity of Laws Protecting Vested Retirement Benefits of Military Personnel
Supreme Court rules PD 1638 cannot retroactively strip vested retirement benefits of military retirees under RA 340.
Regular Employment vs Talent Contract: Defining Employer-Employee Relationships in Media
How the Supreme Court distinguished regular employees from talents in ABS-CBN's TV Patrol Bicol case, applying the control test.
Torrens Title Imprescriptibility and Recovery of Possession: Supapo v. De Jesus
Supreme Court rules Torrens title holders can recover possession anytime; registered land cannot be acquired by prescription or adverse possession.
HLURB Request Not Required for Real Estate Firm Rehabilitation
Supreme Court clarifies HLURB request is not a condition precedent for rehabilitating real estate firms, and 180-day rule is not absolute.
Beyond the Lease: Determining the Limits of Compromise Agreement Execution in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction, prescription, and res judicata in accion publiciana, reinforcing the indefeasibility of Torrens titles.
Tenant Rights and Landowner Consent: Establishing Agricultural Tenancy in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that landowner consent is essential to establish agricultural tenancy; mere cultivation does not create tenant rights.
Rape With a Deadly Weapon: When the Charge Must Be Upgraded to Qualified Rape
The Supreme Court clarifies when rape with a deadly weapon or by multiple offenders becomes qualified rape, raising the penalty.
Liberal Interpretation of Appeal Rules in Administrative Cases: The Neypes Fresh Period Rule Limitation
The Supreme Court clarifies that the Neypes fresh period rule applies only to judicial appeals, not administrative appeals like those before the Office of the President.
When Fit-to-Work Assessments Prevail: Seafarer Disability Claims Under POEA-SEC
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a company-designated physician's fit-to-work declaration prevails over a seafarer's chosen doctor in disability claims.
Seafarers Must Comply With Timely Medical Reporting To Claim Disability Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why seafarers must undergo post-employment medical exams within three days to claim disability benefits.
Seafarers' Rights: Defining Total and Permanent Disability in Maritime Contracts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a seafarer's partial disability becomes total and permanent under the POEA-SEC and Labor Code.
Provisional Dismissal in Drug Cases: When Can the State Revive a Case?
The Supreme Court explains when a provisionally dismissed drug case may be revived without violating double jeopardy, and who may file the revival motion.
Accountability in Public Works: Grave Misconduct in Infrastructure Projects
Supreme Court reinstates dismissal of DPWH officials for grave misconduct over irregular change orders in road project.