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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Sheriffs Duty Upholding Procedural Integrity AND Avoiding Abuse OF Authority
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on chain of custody in drug cases and why procedural integrity matters for sheriffs and law enforcement.
Death of Accused Pending Appeal: How It Extinguishes Criminal Liability in Drug Cases
The Supreme Court explains how an accused's death pending appeal extinguishes criminal liability, and why drug offenses carry no civil liability.
Seafarer Death Benefits After Contract Termination: What Employers Must Know
Supreme Court clarifies when death benefits apply under POEA contract—death must occur during employment term, not after pre-termination.
Broken Chain of Custody: Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, stressing strict evidence integrity rules under RA 9165.
Rape Conviction Affirmed: Force, Moral Ascendancy, and Damages in Sibling Abuse Cases
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of brother who assaulted his 14-year-old sister, clarifying force requirements and increasing damages to P300,000.
Notarizing Without a Commission: Supreme Court Upholds Disciplinary Action Against Lawyers
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for two years and permanently bars him from notarial commission for notarizing documents without authority.
Grave Misconduct Requires Proof of Wrongful Intent, Not Just a Flawed Revaluation
When is a bad property valuation grave misconduct? The Supreme Court clarifies the evidence needed to hold public officers liable.
Clarifying Notice Requirements in Extrajudicial Foreclosure: Minor Errors Don't Void the Sale
When do errors in a foreclosure notice invalidate the sale? The Supreme Court clarifies that immaterial mistakes won't void an extrajudicial foreclosure.
Default Demand and Interest: Understanding Promissory Note Obligations in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a debtor is in default, how interest is computed, and what makes stipulated rates unconscionable.
Mandamus and Property Rights: Court Orders for Possession Have Limits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a writ of possession cannot be issued in a mandamus case, and the proper remedy for winning bidders.
Pregnancy and Employment: Protecting Women's Rights in the Philippine Workplace
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Saudia's pregnancy termination policy affirms that women cannot be dismissed for becoming pregnant.
Right of Way: Balancing Dominant Estate Needs and Servient Estate Rights in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to determine the extent and indemnity for a legal easement of right of way under the Civil Code.
Venue Stipulations and Contract Validity: When a Forgery Claim Overrides an Exclusive Venue Clause
The Supreme Court rules that a complaint assailing a contract's validity—like forgery—is not bound by its exclusive venue stipulation.
Proving Forgery in Land Registration: Burden Falls on the Party Alleging It
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on who bears the burden of proving forgery in land registration cases and why expert testimony alone is not conclusive.
Defamation and Privileged Communication: Protecting Reputation in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies libel, privileged communication, and damages in Almendras v. Almendras, balancing free speech with reputation protection.
Refund of Excess Withholding Taxes: Proving Entitlement Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on refund of excess creditable withholding taxes, the two-year prescriptive period, and evidence required.
Breach of Contract and Trust: Obligations in Film Licensing Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a licensee may reject films and whether licensors owe fees to third-party owners in licensing deals.
Mining Rights vs Land Ownership: Reconstitution Rights Under Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that mining patent holders cannot seek reconstitution of land titles they do not own.
Reassessing Psychological Incapacity Expert Testimony in Philippine Marital Nullity Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how expert testimony on psychological incapacity should be weighed in Philippine marriage nullity cases.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Integrity of Evidence Prevails
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on chain of custody in drug possession cases, explaining why substantial compliance with Section 21 suffices.
Standardized Salaries vs Additional Compensation: Navigating Government Employee Benefits
The Supreme Court clarifies when government employees may receive allowances beyond standardized salaries under RA 6758, the Salary Standardization Law.
Cashier Liability for Robbery Losses: Negligence Bars Relief from Accountability
A cashier who negligently keeps government funds outside a vault remains liable for robbery losses, the Supreme Court ruled.
Clarifying Deposit Substitutes: The 20-Lender Rule and Tax Implications in Bond Transactions
The Supreme Court clarifies when treasury bonds qualify as deposit substitutes subject to 20% final withholding tax, and the limits of BIR ruling retroactivity.
Intent to Kill: Distinguishing Attempted Murder From Physical Injuries in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains how intent to kill separates attempted murder from physical injuries, and what evidence proves it.