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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Bank Deposit Secrecy in Insolvency: Creditors Cannot Waive a Debtor's Rights
Supreme Court rules creditors cannot waive an insolvent debtor's bank deposit secrecy rights without the debtor's written consent or receiver's conformity.
Healthcare Allowances for Government Employees: Defining a Health Program Under the Law
The Supreme Court disallowed TESDA's P5,000 healthcare allowance, ruling that a health program under CSC rules cannot be converted into cash without presidential approval.
Public Use Prevails: Water System Properties Cannot Be Seized for Private Debts
Supreme Court rules water works systems devoted to public use are property of public dominion, exempt from levy and auction sale.
Parental Authority vs Child's Rights: Defining Intimidation in Qualified Rape Cases
Supreme Court clarifies intimidation in incestuous qualified rape, affirming father's conviction for three counts against minor daughter.
Self-Defense vs. Criminal Intent: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and how treachery qualifies killing as murder, not homicide.
Public Dominion Property Cannot Be Levied on Execution: Water District Wins
Supreme Court rules water works systems are public dominion property, exempt from execution and auction sale in labor cases.
Protection Orders and Marital Discord: Balancing Rights and Remedies Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies how permanent protection orders under RA 9262 operate amid marital disputes, custody battles, and claims of compromise.
Upholding Honesty in Legal Practice: Consequences for Submitting False Affidavits
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for six months for submitting a falsified affidavit in court, reaffirming the duty of candor and integrity in legal practice.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that agrarian reform just compensation must be valued at the time of taking, not at later dates.
Credibility of Rape Victim's Testimony Overcomes Delay and Apparent Inconsistencies
Supreme Court explains why a rape victim's delayed report and acceptance of money do not destroy her credibility.
Agrarian Reform vs Acquisitive Prescription: Resolving Land Ownership Disputes in the Philippines
When agrarian reform and acquisitive prescription collide, the Supreme Court clarifies which principle governs land ownership disputes.
Tax Collection: Government's Right to Collect Taxes Limited by Prescription
Supreme Court rules BIR's right to collect assessed taxes prescribes in three years; inaction bars collection.
Strict Rules on Foreclosure Notice Publication: What Philippine Mortgagors Should Know
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strict compliance with foreclosure notice publication requirements and consequences of defective notices.
Foreclosure Sales Strict Compliance With Publication Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court rules that failure to strictly comply with publication requirements in extrajudicial foreclosure sales invalidates the sale and makes the notary public liable for damages.
Civil Service Exam Fraud: Forged Signatures and Dishonesty in Public Service
Supreme Court ruling on Civil Service exam fraud, forged signatures, and the consequences of dishonesty in public service employment.
Challenging Buy-Bust Operations: When Procedural Lapses in Drug Sale Cases Lead to Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to unjustified gaps in the chain of custody, underscoring the importance of preserving evidence integrity.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Failure to Pay Just Debts as a Breach of Public Trust
Court stenographer reprimanded for willful failure to pay just debts; the Supreme Court clarifies the definition under civil service rules.
Relaxation of Appeal Bond Requirements in Labor Disputes: Balancing Access to Justice and Protection of Labor
Supreme Court clarifies when the NLRC may relax appeal bond rules in labor cases, balancing employer access to appeal with worker protection.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Why Unmarked Evidence Means Acquittal
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect because police failed to mark seized sachets, breaking the chain of custody and casting doubt on the evidence.
Finality of Judgment in Illegal Dismissal: What "Other Benefits" Really Covers
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on retirement pay and allowances in illegal dismissal cases, and why final judgments are immutable.
Regular vs. Fixed-Term Employment: Security of Tenure Under Philippine Labor Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term employment is valid and when it violates a worker's security of tenure under Philippine labor law.
Environmental Law Upholding Power Plant Construction Despite Procedural Lapses
Supreme Court clarifies the writ of kalikasan's scope and upholds a coal plant's ECC despite procedural lapses in its issuance.
Attorney Negligence and Breach of Duty: When a Lawyer's Inaction Costs a Client the Case
A Supreme Court ruling on lawyer accountability: negligence and lack of candor lead to a two-year suspension from practice.
Land Title Registration: Possession Before Land Classification Counts
Supreme Court clarifies that possession before a land's classification as alienable and disposable can count toward original registration.