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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Upholding Integrity: Disciplinary Actions for Dishonesty and Neglect in the Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling on a court clerk's dismissal for dishonesty, insubordination, and neglect of duty, and the importance of integrity in the judiciary.
Final and Executory Labor Decisions Cannot Be Reopened on Grounds of Counsel Negligence
Supreme Court rules final labor arbiter decisions stand despite counsel negligence, explaining appeal bond rules and finality of judgments.
When Aiding a Principal Overshadows Accessory Liability in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when helping a principal offender may constitute grave misconduct rather than mere accessory liability in administrative cases.
Conditional Satisfaction of Judgment and the Mootness Doctrine in Labor Disputes
When does paying a labor award end the case? The Supreme Court clarifies when a conditional settlement does not make an appeal moot.
Confessions and Counsel: Safeguarding Rights in Criminal Investigations
The Supreme Court clarifies when the right to counsel applies in confessions and what makes a lawyer "competent and independent" under Philippine law.
Arrastre Operator Liability: Proving Delivery Diligence in Cargo Claims
When is an arrastre operator liable for missing cargo? The Supreme Court clarifies the burden of proof and the effect of signed gate passes.
Possession Rights After Mortgage Foreclosure: Third Party Claims in the Philippines
When can third parties stop a writ of possession after extrajudicial foreclosure? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on adverse possession.
When Agrarian Reform and Townsite Reservations Collide: Navigating Land Use Conflicts
The Supreme Court clarifies when lands in townsite reservations fall outside CARP coverage and the DARAB's jurisdiction.
Buy-Bust Operations and Drug Sale Convictions: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence
The Supreme Court explains what makes a buy-bust operation valid and how the chain of custody of seized drugs must be preserved.
VAT Refund Timelines: Strict Compliance Prevails Over Prior BIR Rulings
Supreme Court clarifies mandatory 120+30 day VAT refund periods; late judicial claims fail despite BIR Ruling No. DA-489-03.
When a Criminal Judgment Lapses: Prescription of Penalty vs. Civil Liability
A 20-year delay in executing a criminal judgment: the penalty prescribes differently from civil liability. Learn the rules from a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.
Joint Account Withdrawal Rights: Limits of Authority Among Co-Depositors
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint account, meaning either depositor could transact without the other's signature.
Reconveyance vs Annulment of Judgment: Lessons from Toledo v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when a property dispute is a reconveyance action, not an annulment of judgment, and the rights of buyers in possession.
Perfecting Land Titles: Possession Period and Government Classification Requirements
Learn the requirements for judicial confirmation of imperfect title under Philippine law, including possession since June 12, 1945 and land classification rules.
Stockholder Inspection Rights: No Minimum Shareholding Required
Supreme Court clarifies that even a.001% stockholder can inspect corporate books under Section 74 of the Corporation Code, and corporations bear the burden of proving improper purpose.
Reconveyance vs Annulment of Judgment: Protecting Real Property Rights in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when a complaint is for reconveyance rather than annulment of judgment, protecting rightful owners of registered land.
Fixed-Term Employment Contracts: When Expiration Is Not Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies when fixed-term employment is valid and its expiration is not illegal dismissal, citing Brent School.
When a Notary Lacks Authority: How Defective Notarization Can Void Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on defective notarization, judicial partition, and why notarized documents require a validly commissioned notary public.
Fatal Omission: Why the People Must Be Parties in Challenges to Search Warrants
Learn why the Supreme Court ruled that the People of the Philippines is an indispensable party in certiorari petitions challenging search warrants.
Right to Inspect Corporate Books: Protecting Minority Stockholders' Interests in Philippine Corporations
A stockholder's right to inspect corporate books under the Corporation Code, explained through the Supreme Court's ruling in Terelay Investment v. Yulo.
Buyers Right Prevails Enforcing Title Delivery IN Subdivision Sales
Supreme Court rules subdivision buyers who fully paid can compel title delivery despite later transfers to third parties.
Dividing Assets in Void Marriages: Co-Ownership vs. Conjugal Partnership
The Supreme Court clarifies that property acquired during a void marriage is divided under co-ownership rules, not conjugal partnership.
Upholding Drug Convictions: Chain of Custody and Evidence Preservation in Drug Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld a drug conviction by applying the chain of custody rule and substantial compliance under RA 9165.
Mortgage in Good Faith: Upholding Banks' Due Diligence in Real Estate Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when banks qualify as mortgagees in good faith despite defective titles, protecting foreclosures.